VOL. 67 NO. 02
The Paper That ’s Going Places!
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014
Wendy Brook adding improve workshop for kids
Donovan Workun of Atomic Improv will be leading workshops for kids wanting to learn how to do improv acting on Feb. 6.
Caroline Knowles Wendy Brook Music Festival Association For the past few years the Wendy Brook Festival committee has presented a February workshop for vocal students at a nominal fee. This year for the first time
the workshop will be for the fun of improv acting. On February 6th there will be two workshops: a morning one for Gr.3-6 and the other for Gr.7-9, in the afternoon. The workshop clinician will be Donovan Workun. Anyone familiar with the
very funny weekly CBC radio program “The Irrelevant Show”, which is made in Edmonton, will already know about Donovan’s comedic abilities. Donovan has developed several programs for kids which will form the basis
for the workshops. Donovan has been a professional improviser for 25 years. As the founding Member of The Atomic Improv Co. and Rapid Fire Theatre he is a 3 time world improv champion. He has performed across North America, the Caribbean and Europe including several showcases at L.A.’s “Laugh Factory” and Montreal’s “Just for Laughs” where he won their first international improv tournament. On stage he has improvised with Wayne Brady, Colin Mocherie, and Brad Sherwood of ABC TV’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Donovan’s improv skills have translated well into dozens of film, television and radio roles working alongside Second City alumni Dave Thomas, and Joe Flaherty, and Mike Myers. He’s shared the screen with Donald and Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Tim Curry, and Patrick Swayze. He has been thrown from a horse, driven a tank, and has even been set on fire, all in the name of comedy. He has been featured in numerous national print and television ad campaigns selling anything from pizza, to bank-
ing for several national institutions or furniture for Canada’s largest retailer “The Brick.” Donovan continues to be one of the hardest working improvisors in Canada. With Atomic Improv he is continually headlining corporate events for some of Canada’s biggest companies, like Suncor and ATB. If he’s not performing he’s teaching kids at risk through AADAC and YESS, or writing and producing corporate training videos. For fun, Donovan improvises with internationally acclaimed Die-Nasty, the founders of the 52 hour long Soap-A-Thon which has become a hit all over the world. Their long form improvised soap opera has been a mainstay in Edmonton for 23 years. When Workun isn’t on stage or teaching improv he spends time with his two children racing BMX bikes. Anyone interested in taking part in the workshops may contact Caroline at 780
632 6510 or wendybrookmusic@gmail. com for further information.
Author Janice MacDonald decorates Love in the Library See page 2 for story
No business like snow business See page 3 for story
A new ride for Doug Hopper! See page 10 for story
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Author Janice MacDonald decorates Love in the Library with intrigue Rosanne Fortier Vegreville Centennial Library is hosting their tasteful and romantic event for Valentine’s Day, Love in
the Library on January 31, 2014. Make sure to highlight this date on our calendar because the admired and prevalent mystery author,
Janice MacDonald who has been a resident of Edmonton for 50 years, will be the guest who will toss a dose of intrigue your way. Janice is
the author of nine books, including novels, non-fiction titles, a children’s and a university textbook. Her latest book spins towards the Ukrainian Cultural Village and the Rutherford House in Edmonton. Janice depicts what writing professionally is like and how her skills originated. “I think I started writing because what I really had was a yen for being the person who controlled ‘Let’s Pretend,’ the game we all played, that was a series of scenarios linked together
with phrases like ‘now say the grass under the willow tree is an island and say there are sharks all around the island and say we get swept into the water by a huge wind.’ As long as you were interesting, and people kept going along with your story, you were in control. That is, until people complained that you were too bossy, and took their hula hoops home and left you alone with your book. And that was okay, too. “I learned to read and write at an early age, and
Janice MacDonald, an admired and prevalent author of nine books with her latest being set in the Ukrainian Cultural Village is the special guest at the upcoming, Love in the Library on January 31 at Vegreville Centennial Library. This is a tasteful and romantic event suited for adults young and old. (Photo Submitted)
knew from the start it was a great and complex way into a world of escape and imagination. My mother, who had also read by the age of three, didn’t want me to be bored at school, because that is when she figured children got naughty, so she enrolled me in a French private school (l ’Academie Assumption) so I wouldn’t act up or get rambunctious. I think I did, anyhow. I remember being sent to the back of the room to grow bean plants and write stories so I wouldn’t bother the other children after I got my work done. So perhaps that is where the writing began.” Janice said. “People used to say this a lot when I was in school, “You just get good grades because your mother is a teacher,” as if there was some great conspiracy of educator families to promote each others’ children. Or maybe they thought my mother was doing my homework for me, in between all the marking she had to do. The truth was my mother was always very supportive of me, and made sure I didn’t lack for extracurricular activities. We went to the symphony and opera regularly. I took highland dance and ballet, I had piano lessons and Saturday art classes. We stopped at every historic site from Hudson Hope to Green Gables. I sang in choirs, I acted in high school musicals. I played math games, took computing courses, learned to sew, learned to cook, learned to develop films. She was pretty much covering all the bases, I guess.” “I thought I wanted to work in theatre,
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No business like snow business either acting or singing in musicals. Then I thought, perhaps I would write for theatre, since I had decided that speaking other peoples’ words wasn’t quite as much fun as putting my words in their mouths. Then I basically decided that it was more fun to work on my own. I am not saying I dislike people, you understand. But I’m not saying I don’t.” “I think you need to really want to write in order to do it, because it’s not the easiest thing to do, and it certainly isn’t all that lucrative. You probably get better money washing windows. I think pretty well anyone can learn to be a better writer than they originally are, with practice, diligence, the training of an ear for dialogue, and the knowledge and awareness of what is actually new and keen rather than reworking material and ideas already tackled many times by earlier generations of writers.” Born in Banff, MacDonald moved to Edmonton as a baby, but concedes that she still feels more at peace in the Rocky Mountains than anywhere else, with the exception of a good coffee shop. “When I was seven, Mary Noreen Farrell gave me a copy of Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Emeralds. I was so relieved when the party ended and I could start that book. It was the first hardcover children’s book that really appealed to me. From then on, my favourite treat was a Trixie Belden book. You could get them in the Simpson Sears store at Park Plaza. As far as I knew, that was the only place you could buy them. They stocked them in the toy department because they really were delightful playthings. I just knew right from the start that they were frivolous, utter fun. And I was hooked. Trixie was much younger than Nancy Drew, and Trixie had brothers who teased and protected
her, and a best friend named Madeleine (Honey) Wheeler. I am pretty sure that is why I named my first daughter Madeleine. That and the Jacques Brel song.” Janice described her years in a private school. “I was in the private school only till Grade Five. Then we moved to a new neighbourhood with a brand new school and my mother thought it would be best to start up new with all the kids, and not have to be the odd man out. Speaking English, and moreover, speaking English
to boys, was a revelation. When you are ten, all the funniest people in the world are boys. And all my mother’s fears came true. I was punished quite regularly for being noisy and rambunctious.” Janice really likes festivals. When she was questioned if this gives her ideas for her characters, she answered, “The concept of the Randy Craig Mysteries is that she is on the outskirts and edges of university and academic See Story.......................... Page 15
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A Town of Vegreville loader with a snow blowing attachment fills up another snow haul truck on a residential street in Vegreville. Crews are still clearing up from two massive dumps of snow in late December.(Michael Simpson/ Photo)
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Smile of the
WEEK
Upcoming tour of passive solar greenhouse in Viking Agriculture & Food Council of Alberta Have you ever wondered how to reduce the heating costs and emissions associated with operating a commercial greenhouse? Register now to reserve one of a limited number of spots on a tour of a prototype passive solar greenhouse that is doing just that near Viking. The Agriculture & Food Council of Alberta (AFC) is pleased to announce the second tour in a series marking AFC’s 20th year that celebrates innovation in Alberta. The tour of the Alberta Rural Sustainable Alternatives Network (ARSAN) greenhouse near Viking will take place on January 15 from 1-3 pm. “We are thrilled to mark AFC’s 20th anniversary by offering our members and other interested Albertans the opportunity to tour interesting facilities that belong to some of our members,” said AFC Chair Amber Moskalyk. “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the exciting innovations taking place in our province. A prototype passive solar greenhouse that saves money and emissions is an ideal example of this.”
The prototype passive solar greenhouse was made possible due in part to an investment from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program, managed in Alberta by the Agriculture & Food Council of Alberta. For registration information, visit www.agfoodcouncil.com/2013-14afc-member-tours. People can register up until January 15 however space is limited. Throughout 2013-14, tours will take place featuring interesting projects and facilities belonging to some of AFC’s members. AFC is a visionary, non-profit organization working to break agricultural silos to connect the industry. Over the last 20 years, AFC has served as a catalyst for the agriculture and food industry to encourage growth, sustainability, competitiveness and profitability through innovation and pathfinding projects and initiatives. AFC now offers services to members in the areas of Grant Proposal Writing, Project Management, Communications, Event Planning, as well as Network Weaving and Mapping.
Torrie Siggelkow Occupation: kitchen server Likes: friends, shopping Dislikes: rude people, people who don’t take pride in their work
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News Advertiser Page 5 intersection, the vehicle going straight has the rightof-way. If both vehicles are traveling straight, they will pass safely within the intersection. Abiding by these rules at a four-way stop will ensure that traffic flows safely and efficiently and you will arrive
Intersection Safety – The Four Way Stop
Becky Oxton Regional Traffic Safety Consultant Four way stops seem to be a major concern with drivers, based on the number of questions I field about them throughout the year. More and more communities are putting four-way stops in as traffic controls, why is this and how should you react to them? Four-way stop intersections are an inexpensive, efficient, and effective method of controlling traffic at an intersection. Did you know that when you come across an intersection with traffic lights that are flashing red in all four directions (usually due to a malfunction), are also to be treated as a four way stop? There are three important rules to remember when you approach four-way stop intersections. First, whichever vehicle arrives at the intersection first has the right-of-way. This should be your first consideration at a four-way stop intersection and thus, controls who goes across the intersection first. Second, the Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act states that “when 2 vehicles approach or enter and intersection from different highways (any road, street, alley, etc.) at approximately the same time, the person driving the vehicle to the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right”. In simple terms, if the vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way. Another scenario is when one vehicle meets another vehicle directly across the intersection at the same time. The Traffic Safety Act states that “a person driving a vehicle shall not turn or attempt to turn the vehicle to the left across the path of an approaching vehicle unless the turn can be completed in safety”. Thus, if the vehicles arrive at the same time and are at opposite sides of the
safely at your destination. For more information and tips on safe driving call your Regional Traffic Safety Consultant, Becky Oxton @ 780-554-7218 or your local RCMP detachment. Visit www.saferoads.alberta.ca
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EMPLOYMENT Carpentry Handyman Service Carpentry Handyman service, Renovations, Roofing House Sidings, Concreting and Building
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January 13, 2014
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January 13, 2014
Reader blasts Nickson article on environmental fear-mongering Dear Editor, I am upset by Elizabeth Nickson’s “Reports of the demise of the planet grossly exaggerated” (VNA Jan 06, Page 14). It is full of misrepresentation. In particular it confuses rather than informs the public about global warming, which has been scientifically validated, and more importantly, it has huge implications for our children and grand children. To clarify and support my contention, let me first present two background overviews. 1. Science vs. Publicity. Science starts with a hypothesis, an idea that is not yet known whether or not it is true. The task is then to observe, experiment and analyze with the purpose of producing results or evidence from which conclusion(s) can be drawn on the hypothesis. So, the outcome is not known before hand. Another feature to be noted is that scientific findings are only recognized after they are published in reputable scientific journals, which requires “peer-review” examinations. It means that other scientists familiar with the subject have scrutinized the thoroughness and the validity of the observations, analyses and arguments presented. In contrast, publicity starts with an already determined position. The task is to selectively find evidence that will support that position. There is no “peer-review” as done in science. So, ignoring contrary evidence would not necessarily stop publication. Moreover, creating doubts on the opposing position, vilifying the opponents, and even misrepresentation are often used, since the purpose of publication is to support that already taken position. 2. Climate Science and Human-induced Global Warming. Carbon dioxide
(CO2) was suspected to play an important role in determining the earth temperature as early as 1860*. Climate science continued to progress, dealing with many different phenomena. It was not until the 1960s that scientists began having concerns with global warming and the role of fossil fuel burning. As more evidence was gathered the concerns became greater, which led to the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988*, comprising scientists from around the world. By 1995 the IPCC, now with several hundred scientists, concluded that human impact was “discernible”. So the role of other factors had been recognized and taken into account. By 2013, with more evidence gathered, IPCC concluded with 95% confidence* that the humaninduced factor was responsible. It also stipulated that “business-as-usual” would lead to dire consequences to many people around the world due to, for example, rising sea levels and the increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and storms. Therefore, reductions in CO2 emission are needed, which in essence means reductions in fossil fuel use. The claim of global warming and its consequences was made, therefore, not hastily, but only after a long and rigorous scientific process. Furthermore, there is an overwhelming consensus among scientists. One report states that between 1991 and 2012, 13,974 peer-reviewed articles on global warming were published, of which only 24 (< 0.2%) denied it.* Now, to go to Nickson’s article. It has many aspects, of which the following are what I have selected to discuss (note: italics are quotes from the article): 1.“The environmental movement and its allies have
become abusive …”, presumably Greenpeace’s publicity directed at children is given as the evidence. I have not seen it, and based on my assumption that the description is accurate, my response is (a) All unethical or malicious publicities are deplorable; (b) It is irrelevant to the validity of the global warming claim. (If anything it is detrimental) and (c) What is the justification of painting all “environmentalists” with the same brush? I think it is unjustifiable, and to copy her term, it is abusive. 2. Past “doom-and-gloom” predictions have been proven wrong, citing Malthus and Erhlich as examples, presumably to suggest that the current claim of global warming is also wrong. My response is (a) There have been many other erroneous “gloom-anddoom” predictions before (remember Y2K?); (b) As far
as I know, these have been made based on “personal expertise” or something else, but more significantly, they have not gone through scientific peer-review process and (c) They are irrelevant to the global warming claim. 3. “Proofs” of no global warming or its consequences are scattered in the article. Due to space limitation, I will discuss only one because it illustrates the difficulties in understanding the basis for the global warming claim, which at the same time, it also provides windows for casting doubts in the public mind. “Never mind that it is snowing in Cairo and Israel …”, presumably to show, if anything, that the earth is cooling. I was tempted to respond by providing counter examples: In 2013 there were “1000-year flood in Colorado * and “56 fires scorch Eastern Australia …”.* THEN WHAT? Then we would both display our complete ignorance of the process by which global warming claim was made. One or two incidents do not constitute evidence of anything. Weather is variable. The evidence comes from “comprehensive”, as opposed to pick-and-choose, data collected over a long period. That is why the article is
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upsetting and very misleading. “It muddies the water.” * I do not wish to clutter this letter with Internet links and other references. Those who are interested in the sources, or have questions or com-
ments, or need clarification, feel free contact me at aliem. cc1@gmail.com. Sincerely, Albert Liem
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January 13, 2014
SEPTIC SERVICES
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Minister encourages Albertans to get a flu shot Government of Alberta Recently, Health Minister Fred Horne issued the following statement: “Over the past few weeks, we have seen a surge in the number of influenza cases across Alberta. Many of those affected are healthy young adults. This year’s predominant strain is H1N1. “As of January 1, there have been 965 lab-confirmed cases. In addition, 251
Albertans have been hospitalized due to influenza, and sadly, 5 Albertans admitted to the ICU have died. While these numbers are similar to those from last year, it is concerning that we are seeing younger working age adults being hospitalized. “Today, I ask every Albertan who has not received a flu shot to get one. Flu shots are free, and easily available through doctors’ offices, most pharmacies and AHS flu clinics. Getting immu-
nized protects you, your friends, family, co-workers and everyone you come into contact with. That includes vulnerable Albertans for whom the f lu can mean serious illness or even death. “So far this flu season, only one in five Albertans (21 per cent) and about half of health care workers (49 per cent) received the flu shot. These rates are too low to adequately protect Albertans, their families
and communities. In some parts of the province, influenza is starting to clog emergency rooms, limit access to hospital beds, and put strain on other health care resources. “As an additional measure, and to increase protection for patients and health care staff, I have directed Alberta Health Services to publish staff immunization rates achieved at our individual health facilities. “Our government has made
every effort to make the flu shot easily available to all Albertans. Thank you to every Albertan who has taken the time to get the flu shot this year, and I urge all who have not to take a few moments to do so as soon as possible.” Getting the shot locally Every Tuesday morning between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. or Thursday afternoons between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. are walk in clinic hours for the Vegreville Community
Health Center where residents can receive the current flu vaccination, which contains protection against the H1N1 strain as well as the two more prevalent strains from the previous flu season. In addition, local pharmacies such as Walmart’s, the Medicine Shop, No Frills and Value Drug Mart are also administering the flu shot on an as-requested basis.
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A new ride for Doug Hopper! From time to time, Peter Zagrosh (left) says he likes to help deserving people in different ways. Zagrosh recently selected VNA paper carrier Doug Hopper to be one of those citizens, and purchased a new sled/ wagon combination for Dougie to help make his work as a delivery man easier year-round. Zagrosh said it was his pleasure to give the gift and finds Hopper to be a most hardworking, and therefore, deserving recipient. (Dan Beaudette/Photo)
Legion Ladies support local university student
Incoming President of the Vegreville Legion Ladies Auxiliary Verna Buckland presents Daniella Humeniuk a bursary from the Alberta N.W.T. Command Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Daniella is currently at the University of Alberta enrooled in Bachelor of Animal Health in the Pre-Vet Stream. (Photo Submitted)
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Two Hills RCMP arrest male in New Years Eve crime spree Two Hills RCMP Submitted During the early morning hours of December 31st, 2013, Two Hills RCMP responded to an active alarm at the Two Hills Liquor Store. Entry had been gained by force and a quantity of liquor had been stolen from the Liquor Store. Video surveillance revealed the masked suspects had fled the scene
prior to RCMP arrival. Several other calls for service were received in the Town of Two Hills that same morning, including a residential mischief and a theft from the local EMS station. Two Hills RCMP conducted a thorough investigation into these matters and were able to determine that all calls for service were related. With the assistance
of St. Paul RCMP Detachment, the suspect vehicle and the male suspect were located with the stolen liquor from the Two Hills Liquor Store. Leslie Gerald Wuttunee, 24 years old of Saddle Lake was arrested and charged with several counts of Mischief Under $5000.00, Theft under $5000.00, Break & Enter & Commit an Indictable Offence, Possession of
Break-in Instruments and Use of a Disguise with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence. A search warrant was executed with the assistance of the St.Paul RCMP Forensic Identification Section (FIS). Several pieces of stolen property were recovered along with other items that are currently the subject of other investigations. A second
suspect has yet to be identified and is still at large. Crime knows no boundaries and greatly affects everyone who falls victim. The RCMP in Alberta work tirelessly and in partnership with other Law Enforcement Agencies and RCMP Specialized Units to ensure thorough and professional services are delivered to the public. Residents are being urged
to lock their vehicles and homes to deter potential criminal acts. If you have any information relating to this incident, please contact the Two Hills RCMP Detachment at 780-657-2820, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit. com.
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APARTMENTS Bachelor 1 & 2 bdrm suites for rent. Good condition, balcony, flexible lease term. Rent includes water, heat & parking. Willowbend Apartments 2 Bdrm starting at $895 SD $795, 1 bdrm $795 SD 695, Chimney Springs Apartments 1 bdrm $795 SD $695, Bachelor $695 SD $595. 1 bdrm furnished executive suite utilities included $950 SD $850. For inquires please call: Willowbend Apts 780-6326878 or 780-275-0336. Chimney Springs Apts 780-632-3102
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LIVESTOCK 50 Purebred Charolais cows, white and red factor, also yearling and two year old Charolais bulls. Creedence Charolais Ranch. Ervin Zayak, Derwent, AB 780-741-3868 or cell 780-853-0708
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January 13, 2014
TO GIVE AWAY 5 Border Collie cross pups, born Dec 6. Inquire 780-366-2158
TRUCKS Like new 2008 PJ 20ft. Goose Neck Trailer. $6200. 780-922-5999 1993 Chev 4x4 Ext Cab. For parts. $650. 780-922-5999 2002 GMC 4x4 HD ¾ ton Service Truck 340k $3500 780-922-5999 2002 Chevy Avalanche 4x4 Safety. New brakes. $6900 780-592-2167 2001 Ford F150 XLT Ext Cab 4x4 Gold & White. New tires & windshield. Comes w/mechanical check papers & safety inspection papers. Many extras $5500 780-764-2491
UPCOMING EVENTS Want to get the word out about your event? Place an ad in the News Advertiser Classifieds. Phone 780632-2861
WANTED WA NTED J A PA N E S E MOTORCYCLE KAWASAKI 19671980, Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, ZIR, KX1000MKII, A1-250, W1-650, H1500, H2-750, S1-250, S2-350, S3400, SUZUKI GS400. GT380, GT750, Honda CB750 (1969,1970) Cash. FREE PICKUP. 1-800-772114 2 , 1 - 31 0 - 7 2 1 - 0 7 2 6 usa@classicrunners.com Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201 CARBON CREDIT ~Attention Farmers~ Not Completed? Call Today! 780-603-0630 Crystal Don’t throw out unwanted saleable furniture. Drop off at Consignment Centre 52 St and 52 Ave 780-6324141
Disneyland Disneyland Resort or Walt 1950’s. Disney World Resort; the On July 17, 1955 Disneyland question is which one to go was opened with the followto? In its simplest terms, the ing dedication by Walter E question is California or Disney, “To all who come to Florida. I think the choice is this happy place: Welcome. simple. It is relatively close. It Disneyland is your land. is the original, Disneyland Here age relives fond memories of the past, and Resort. The Parks here youth may are together and savor the challenge after all it is the and promise of the “Happiest place on future. Disneyland Earth”! You don’t is dedicated to the need to be a child to ideals, the dreams, enjoy Disneyland TRAVEL and the hard facts Resort! DESTINATIONS that have created Walt Disney’s origiRick Rutter VEGREVILLE TRAVEL SERVICES America, with the nal Mickey Mouse hope that it will be Park on an 8 acre site next to his Walt Disney a source of joy and inspiraStudios was immediately tion to all the world.” outgrown. After looking at The original park held 20 the ideas, concepts and attractions in various theme anticipated population areas or “lands” such as growth Walt purchased a Frontierland, Tomorrowland, and quarter section of orange Fa nt a s y l a n d groves and walnut trees in Adventureland. In the late neighbouring Orange 1990’s Disney’s California County. With partners Adventure and Downtown including a fledgling broad- Disney were added to the caster, ABC the 17 million renamed Disneyland Resort. project started in the early The Resort encompasses the
two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. Today’s incarnation of the parks has the original favourites enhanced with additional theme “lands” including; Buena Vista Street, A Bug’s Land, Hollywood Land, Cars Land, Condor Flats, Grizzly Peak, Pacific Wharf, Paradise Pier, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown. Those wonderous “lands” include attractions such as; Space Mountain, Buzz Light Year, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, King Arthur, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Snow White, Indiana Jones Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Winney the Pooh, Goofy/Mickey/ Minnie’s Houses, Alladin, Radiator Springs and the Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Packages can be arranged for any number of days to stay in the Anaheim area. Flights can be direct into Los Angeles or one stop into
Anaheim’s airport. I would suggest your minimum stay should be 4 nights to allow 3 full days exploring the wonders of Disneyland. You can choose to stay on site at one of three Disneyland hotels, the Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. The more budget conscious can look to a number of “Disney Good Neighbour Hotels” in the immediate area and within minutes of the Resort. Anaheim isn’t only Disneyland. You can extend your stay from your Disney base and get combination tickets that include a day at each of Seaworld and
Universal Studio or book them separately. Other great attractions are theme parks like Legoland, Knots Berry Farms and the San Diego Zoo. Beaches abound and Long, Seal, Huntington, Newport and Laguna are just a few famous ones you can visit while in Anaheim. Contact your local travel agent to sort through the hotels, flight options, Disney park passes, other theme parks, transportation and attractions that will help ensure you have a fabulous trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.
Author Janice MacDonald decorates Love in the Library with intrigue continued CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
life, in a variety of ways. The book you are referring to, Hang Down Your Head, has a festival focus, because it takes place in the summer in Edmonton, where there is a festival every week. The book centers on folk music, because of the connection the University of Alberta has to the Smithsonian Folkways Collection of music. As a result, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival features quite prominently. “All mysteries are based on two things – the characters who recur in the series (the detective and his or her friends and relations) and the location. Otherwise, in effect, one is reading the same plot over and over. Someone dies, there is a puzzle over who the murderer is, clues and danger ensue, and a solution is discovered. So, we read to reconnect with favorite characters who make us laugh or feel, and we explore environments we don’t know that well – the southern states of the Hopi, the ivory towers of Oxford, Baltimore, mythical towns in Quebec, depressing areas of Sweden, and Edmonton. “I use Edmonton as a location because I know it well, because a lot of books hadn’t been set here when I started writing the series
back in the late ‘80s, and because there are all the right elements inherent: it’s far removed from elsewhere, it’s not completely familiar to people, it has loads of interesting situations and pockets of society to exploit for mystery,” Janice added. “Since we are asking readers to believe in quite a lot of fictional elements, it behooves us to ground it in a reality of some sort. I am not sure that readers see the world we create in a different way, unless of course, it makes them check around for corpses a bit more. “The whole concept of the Randy Craig Mysteries series is that Randy (Miranda) Craig, who desperately would love to be a professor in a university or college, can only belong to the university life in some tangential way. So, we explore those tangential ways…she is a grad student, then a session lecturer. She delivers online English courses; works as a web researcher for the Folkways Collection. She then is hired to create a virtual museum website for Rutherford House, the home of the first premier and president of the University of Alberta (which is located on university land). That book is where the history elements occur. There are theatre elements in the book coming out
next, because she is connected to the Shakespeare festival and Fringe Festival. “In Condemned to Repeat, the mystery in which Randy is doing research about Rutherford House, she decides that it would be great to give the maid more of a personality in the virtual museum. Now, while there is no actual proof that the Rutherford’s employed a Ukrainian maid, there were a lot of young girls of Ukrainian descent coming into Edmonton seeking employment as maids, from the farms around the city. I wanted to tie the sites together, so that people considering our past could see all the links possible: Rutherford House, the grandest house west of Winnipeg at the time; Fort Edmonton Park, with all the historic vision of the city, and the Ukrainian Cultural Village, because sometimes it gets forgotten, and it is such a gem of a place to visit.” Janice added, “I am quite thrilled to be coming out to the Love in the Library event. Libraries are some of my favorite places in the world, and to be part of the celebrations for you is wonderful. I am happy, too, that the cities and towns around Edmonton are starting to connect with my mystery series. It has a strong read-
ership out in the mysteryreading world where people are attracted for the characters and puzzles and such. However, it is lovely to have people who are right here
take the series to heart in the way they have.”
Page 16
COMMUNITY PAGES
News Advertiser Vegreville Regional Museum Located on the site of the internationally renowned solonetzic soils research station of Agriculture Canada (1956-1995), the Museum tells the stories of community life and development, chronicling how Vegreville’s unique social fabric has contributed to the harmony of community life since the 1890’s. The Rt. Hon. Donald F. Mazankowski, P.C. Collection: 25 years of distinguished public service of the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada. Home of the Vegreville & District Sports Hall of Fame. Open Year Round. June-Aug Tues-Fri 11-5, Sat-Sun 1-5. Sept-May phone for current hours. 1 km east of Vegreville on Hwy 16A. www.vegreville.com (780)632-7650
The Vegreville Kinsmen Club meets every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at Vegreville Golf Course. Serving the communities greatest needs and making long lasting friendships is our goal. To join or for more information on our club contact Mike Webb 780-632-2666 Are you or someone you know living with a Brain Injury? We can help! The Alberta Brain Injury Initiative provides support, coordination and education for brain injury survivors and their families. For more information on our free services call 1-866-645-3900 Vegreville Wildlife Federation (Alberta Fish and Game Association) Please check website VWF.ca Email vegrevillewildlife@gmail.com V.A.L.I.D. (Vegreville Association for Living in Dignity) provides a variety of programs and services to persons with disabilities. For more information and assistance please call 632-2418. Vegreville Hospitals Auxiliary Society meets third Wednesday of every month, except July & August. Meetings are held in EXECUTIVE MEETING ROOM (St. Joseph’s Hospital) at 7:00p.m. Call 780-632-6323
HISTORICAL VILLAGE & PIONEER MUSEUM AT SHANDRO - located on Hwy 857, midway between Hwy 45 and 28, north of Willingdon. A proud partner of the Kalyna Country Ecomuseum, this open air museum features fourteen major buildings and artifacts from 1900 - 1930. Hours of Operation: Canada Day weekend to Labour Day Weekend, Thurs - Monday from 10:00am - 6:00pm. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday. For more information 780-603-1198. Admission by Donation. Veg-Al Drug Society an Alberta Health Services,community funded agency - Room #217 Provincial Bldg., Vegreville, AB. Out patient counselling services for alcohol & other drug addictions and problem gambling. Office Hrs. - Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone 632-6617. Vegreville Community Daycare is a licensed facility for children ages 13 months to school age. Open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mon-Fri. The Daycare has been in operation since 1990 & is run as a not-for-profit organization. To register, or for more information contact Carol Metz at the Daycare at 603-4417 Vegreville Peace Park Bookings – Please call Ed Wieclaw 780-6327914
Tofield AA Meetings held Thursday at 8 p.m. Open meeting every 4th Thursday at 8 p.m. at Bardo Lutheran Church Bsmt 4737 - 57 Ave. For info call 662-3893
The Vegreville Food Bank is located in the Vegreville Pentecostal Church at 4615 - Maple Street and is open Tuesday mornings 10 am - 12 pm July & August only & Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10 am - 12 pm September to June. Phone 632-6002
AWANA - a Christian club for boys and girls age 3 to grade 6. Meets Thursdays from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Now meeting in the Alliance Church’s new building at 4606-55 Ave.Call 6322261 for more information.
The Crisis Association of Vegreville operates a HELPLINE for those who are having difficulties in their lives and need assistance. It is a toll-free, confidential service available to those in the 632-exchange. Phone 6327070.
Interested in joining Ukrainain singing group. 1 day a week, Starting February 2008 PH: 632-4691 after 6:00pm
UCWLC Meetings to be held every third Thursday of each month at Holy Trinity Church Hall at 7 p.m. in Vegreville.
Royal Purple Lodge #125 meets first Monday of every month, except July & August at Elks Hall. Contact HRL Shirley Preuss 780-632-3565 or secretary Leah Henderson 780632-6565.
Vegreville Ambassador Program Visiting? Considering a move here? New in Town? For anyone who wants information on the community - events, services, facilities -- we’ve got the solution! Vegreville’s “Ambassadors” are trained volunteers eager to show you their Town. To book a complimentary tour, customized to suit your needs, please call 632-2771. The Kinette Club of Vegreville meets every 3nd Wednesday of the month. Joining the Kinette Club is a great way to meet new friends and to get in the community. For more information, please call 632-2848. Viking AA Group meets at the Viking Hospital Multi Purpose Room 8:00 p.m. Wednesday nights. VegMin Learning Society welcomes learners who are interested in increasing their skill levels (reading, writing, math and speaking English). Learners work towards’ their personal goals in a small class or 1:1 setting. Do you have a few hours a week to help someone reach their learning goal? Volunteer Tutor Training and ongoing support are provided along with a great volunteer recognition program. Visit www.vegmin.com or call 780632-7920 for more information. Floor Curling at 1:00p.m. every Monday & Thursday. Anyone interested please come to the Sunshine Club every Monday & Thursday. 55+ Vegreville Flying Club meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Terminal Building. OIL WIVES CLUB OF VEGREVILLE: A smile, A handclasp, A word of welcome, Are the links in our chain of friendship. This we believe. Our Association has been around for over 60 years. We are here for any woman whose partner (or she herself) is involved with in any way in the Oil & Gas Industry. We meet once a month to foster friendship. Please call Ellen @ 780-632-4922 or Cheryl @ 780657-2341 for more information. VegMin Literacy Program offers free, confidential tutoring for adults over 17 needing help with Basic reading, writing and math skills. Phone: 632-7920 for interviews. Everyone is Welcome Prayer House 5729-44A st. Veg. North of St. Joseph Hospital come and share your testimony and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise. Every Sunday at 10:30 AM. Also I will pray for the sick believing in God for the answer. But God commandeth his Love toward us, in that, while, we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. RO. 5:8 New hope church of God, Edmonton c. for the Nations Int.Veg. Doing God work together for yor good. J. Abelar. Ph. 632-2843
The Vegreville Iron Runners Auto Club invites you to share your interests and ideas in classic & antique vehicles. Join us for our monthly meetings held the 1st Wednesday of the month (except January & August) at 7:30 p.m. at the Vegreville Museum. It is not necessary to own a vehicle. PH: George 632-7729 or Orest 632-3495 AA Meeting in Mundare Sunday’s 7PM Town Building, Conference Room 5128 50th St. Contact Mary 603-7783 Vegreville RC Flyers Clubmonthly meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Johns Lutheran Church basement, 4513 Maple ST. Anyone interested in radio controlled flying is welcome to attend. Contact Fred 658-2664, Perry 688-3542 The Vegreville Multicultural Melodiants Entertain every 1st Wednesday at Vegreville Care Centre at 6:00pm, 2nd Wednesday at Heritage House at 6:30 pm, 3rd Wednesday at Homestead Lodge at 6:00 pm and every last Friday at Vegreville Manor at 7:00pm. “Do not sing duing the months of July & August”
January 13, 2014
CARD OF THANKS SOKOLOSKY Our appreciation and thanks for friends and family for the loving support during the loss of Brenda. Thanks for the phone calls, sympathy cards and goodies. A sincere thanks to doctors, nurses and care givers for the excellent and compassionate care during her last days. A special thank you to Pastor Dallas and Carol Rudyk for supporting Brenda’s’ daughter Jessica with prayers. A special thank you to the Heritage House, the staff and nurses for the dedicated care; special thanks for the nurses at the Renal Dialysis for their compassion. Thanks to Patricia and Gordon at Autumn Rose for there professional guidance. Thank you everyone, your kindness will always be cherished. Josie, Jessica, Bryn, Allan, Darcy.
MEMORIAM
Rotary Club of Vegreville meets for lunch meetings every Monday at 12pm at VALID 4843-49 St Vegreville. For more information call Jody Nicholson at 780-632-2418 Family and Friends of those who have been affected by someone’s drinking may find help through thefellowship of Al-Anon. NOTE CHANGE; Meetings now held every Monday at 8:00 p.m. at VEGREVILLE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH – 4615 Maple Street. For info write to Box 816, Vegreville, T9C 1R8 or phone Eleanor – 780-632-7506 Willingdon & District Fish & Game Assn. Regular meetings, held every last tuesday off each month (excluding July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at the Willingdon Arena upstairs in the Club Room Everyone Welcome.
PETRUK, Marshall Jan 31, 1928 – Jan 3, 2010 You left us four years ago, We still cry today. Although we loved you dearly, We wouldn’t make you stay. A golden heart, stopped beating. Hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best. Your Children Lynn, Debi (Brian), Rob (Val) and grandchildren, great grandchildren and great greatgrandchildren.
New to town? Join us the 1st Wed of the month for a newcomer’s potluck lunch. 12-1pm. Bring a friend! Bring a dish! Call FCSS 780-632-3966 for locations & info. AA meeting at Lamont United Church every Thursday at 8:30pm. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Starting September 11, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Johns Lutheran Church. 780-632-7433 or 780-658-2670. New to Town? Join us the 1st Wed of the month for a newcomers potluck lunch 12-1pm. Bring a friend! Bring a dish! Call FCSS 780-3855936 for locations & info. Wednesday – 341 Mundare Royal Canadian Air Cadets FREE to join. Join Air Cadets for adventure that will take you from the ground up! Wednesday evenings 6:309:00pm through the school year. Youth 12-18 years welcome. Call 341 Squadron at 780-764-2341. Visit us at www.cadets.ca or www. aircadetleague.com
HUTZAKAL, Kay July 11, 1926 – January 9, 2013 In memory of a caring and loving mother, grandmother, great grand mother, sister, aunt and loyal friend who cared for and loved us. Her smiling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall She had a kind word for each And died beloved by all. Someday we hope to meet her Someday, we know not when, To clasp her hand in the better land Never to part again Lovingly remembered and missed by your loving family ORLESKY, Sophie In memory of our sister, auntie, great-auntie Sophie Orlesky who passed away on January 7, 2003. He put his arms around you, And lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain, He knew that you would never Get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb, So he closed your weary eyelids, And whispered “Peace be Thine”. It broke our hearts to lose you. But you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. Forever missed by: William, Nick and Sandra Fasek; Todd, Linda, Jasmine and Diesel Fenske
STUMBO, Noreen (Febrowski) July 17, 1953 – January 19, 2013 You never said I’m leaving You never said goodbye. You were gone before I knew it, And only God knew why. A million times I needed you, A million times I cried. If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died. In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place, That no one could ever fill. It broke my heart to lose you, But you didn’t go alone For part of me went with you, The day God took you home. Lovingly remembered and sadly missed, your husband Barry. STUMBO, Noreen July 17, 1953 – January 19, 2013 One year has passed since that sad day When the one we loved was called away. God took you home-it was his will, Within our hearts you live still. Gone from us, but leaving memories Death can never take away, Memories that will always linger While upon this earth we stay. Days of sadness still come over us, Tears in silence often flow. For memory keeps you ever near us, Though you died one year ago Forever loved and missed by your loving family, Husband Barry, daughter Ashley & Matt, granddaughter Adria & mother Susan
In loving memory of JONES, Marlene (nee Hamaliuk) Dec. 23, 1944 – January 10, 2013 It’s hard to believe a year has passed We miss your special smile, your special face And in our hearts a special place No words we speak can ever say How much we miss you everyday Left is a cluster of beautiful memories Sprayed with a million tears Wishing God had spared you But a few more years Calm and peaceful you are sleeping The sweetest rest that follows pain You were a woman of strength, courage and love Who was beautiful, soft and now peaceful and free as a dove With memory and love within our hearts You’ll walk and be with us forever God Bless you Always loved and missed, Mom and Family
Nellie Romaniuk (Wengreniuk) June 16, 1932 –January 10, 2013 Loving memory of my wife, Our Mother, Baba and great Baba. When tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand And said my place was ready In heaven far above, And that I’d have to leave behind All those I dearly loved, So when tomorrow starts without me. Don’t think we’re far apart, For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart. I’m gonna love you forever and ever, Amen. Forever loved and sadly missed by loving husband Peter & all of your family. Vichnaya Pamyiat
COMMUNITY PAGES
January 13, 2014
News Advertiser Page 17
Canada beats U.S. on value for healthcare dollars
SHANK, Neutrine (Alice) May May 1, 1933 – January 6, 2010 In memory of our Mother & Grandmother. A special smile, a special face And in our hearts a special place No words we speak can ever say How much we miss you everyday To hear your voice, to see your smile To sit and talk with you a while To be together the same old way Would be our greatest wish today May the winds of love blow softly And whisper so you’ll hear “We will always love and miss you Mom, Grandma, & GG And wish that you were here”. Forever loved, and sadly missed by your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Jody Heymann and Douglas Barthold Troy Media Here’s a fact most Canadians probably don’t know: Canadians live longer than people in the United States. Specifically, women in Canada live an average of 83 years, compared to 80 in the United States; men live over 78 years on average compared to 75 in the United States. Why is this the case? There are clear links between mortality rates and the way countries invest in healthcare and improving social conditions. We recently published a study in the American Journal of Public Health on the efficiency of healthcare systems at extending lives over the past two decades - and it’s good news for Canadians. For every additional hundred dollars spent on healthcare in Canada, life expectancy was extended by nearly two months. The same expenditures were only associated with less than half a month of increased life expectancy in the United States. The study assessed the gains in life expectancy from health spending in 27 countries, as well as across genders within each nation. After controlling for economic development, social expenditures, and behaviour, we found significant differences in international levels of efficiency. Canada ranked 8th of 27 countries, while the U.S. came in at 22nd. We actually know quite a lot about what makes Canadian health policy so effective. Population health approaches to improving social conditions, as well as public health prevention and health promotion measures taken across the country, have helped to reduce both chronic disease and acute illness. In other words, it’s not only how much money is spent, but howthe money is spent that matters. And it’s not only spending on healthcare that makes a large difference to health outcomes. In our study, a country’s social investments contributed to significant increases in longevity. Findings from a global review of research conducted by the World Health Organization underscore the importance of social determinants of health, demonstrating how social conditions - from access to education and income, to improved early
childhood care and good working conditions - have a powerful effect on our health. Fortunately, federal, provincial and territorial policy makers across Canada have invested in much of what matters from a social safety net to early childhood care, from parental leave to affordable university education. So the Canadian portrait compares favourably to the American, but how does our healthcare investment compare to other developed nations in the study? Here, Canada falls short. While Canada’s life expectancy improvements have been far greater than that of the United States for the dollars invested, it has done only half as well as Germany. Other countries that performed more efficiently than Canada also include Switzerland, Italy, Austria, New Zealand, Denmark and France. The efficiency differences could stem from a number of sources, and learning more about the characteristics that define the strongest performers is necessary to improve our own system. How much does it have to do with healthcare providers, their training and the incentives placed on them? How much does it have to do with patients, their access to and the price they pay for care? And how much does it have to do with the structure of the delivery system? Studying the best performers may offer us important lessons in medical care delivery. Beyond medical care, we need to address further how social conditions shape health. The countries outperforming us make effective social investments to promote health and wellbeing among children and adults alike. Just to name two: they provide job protected paid leave from work to meet health needs, and overwhelmingly, they ensure children receive early childhood education. While Canada is far ahead of the U.S. in measures to promote population health, this work remains uneven and lags behind many competitors. Some provinces, like Quebec, have invested heavily in universal access to early childhood care while others provinces have done very little on this front. The same can be said for basic working conditions like job protected sick leave, which remains spotty across the country. Affordable housing has become scarce in most of Canada’s urban centres.
Poverty rates in Canada, while lower than the U.S., have been on the rise - and poverty is one of the leading determinants of poor health. If Canadians are going to continue to increase life expectancy, we’ll need to invest in preventing disease and promoting health, while ensuring that we learn the most efficient ways to spend healthcare dollars for those who do become sick. Jody Heymann is an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca and Dean of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Prior to this, Heymann held a Canada Research Chair in Global Health and Social Policy at McGill University. Douglas Barthold is a doctoral candidate in economics, and a doctoral fellow at McGill University’s Institute for Health and Social Policy.
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G O D T H E F AT H E R , JESUS CHRIST AND A B U N D A N C E .1 P E T E R 1:1-3
W H O H AV E B E E N C H O S E N A C C O R D I N G T O T H E F O R E K N O W L E D G E O F
THROUGH THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE S P R I N K L E D W I T H H I S B LO O D :
(N I V ) B R O U G H T
GR ACE
SPIRIT,
TO BE OBEDIENT TO
A N D P E A C E B E YO U R S I N
T O YO U B Y T H E
V E G R E V I L L E M I N I S T E R I A L A S S O C I AT I O N
Page 18
REAL ESTATE
News Advertiser
January 13, 2014
Home of the Week Fracking causes gonorrhea (and other economic myths)
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and one finished with Jacuzzi, 2 bedrooms and bath. Restoration and multi-family potential. The original house was built in 1913 and the improvement in 1959. One of the most unique houses in Vegreville. Call Tracy Stewart of Century 21 Vegreville.
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Mark Milke Troy Media One benefit of column writing is the chance to receive feedback from readers, whether fans, critics or the merely curious. Responses can reflect the rainbow of human emotion, from cheery agreement to annoyance to the equivalent of outright road rage. Much of what I (and my colleagues) do is analyze how politicians spend tax dollars and the multiple ways governments affect our lives. As a result, any report or column that recommends a change to the status quo is sure to touch someone’s interest, with the predictable results. Some responses are thoughtful, others less than enlightening, but all are worth a read. For example, I wrote a report about the almost three million government sector employees (83 per cent of them) across Canada who have a defined benefit pension plan. (That’s the type with guaranteed levels of payouts in retirement, which create large unfunded liabilities and/or jacked-up contribution rates from taxpayers.) That compares to just 1.5 million private sector workers with such plans, or just 13 per cent of the private sector. But even though government unions have long had
their way with taxpayers, any proposed reforms on compensation generates plenty of heat, though not much light. One lady wrote to tell me how she had been a childcare worker, deserved a guaranteed benefits pension, and that anyone who thought otherwise must not care about children. Another government employee wrote to say his taxpayer-funded pension was evidence of civilized society. Yet another e-mailer, a retired government worker, was quite upset about the teasing he received at cocktail parties about his government pension. He then claimed “The majority of Canadians, who are not in the public sector, do nothing in terms of planning or saving for their retirements; they then proceed to bitch and bellyache about those who have.” This e-mailer also asserted private sector employees possessed a sense of entitlement and should have spent less and saved more, or they should have taken a government job. Good grief, Charlie Brown. Of course a certain level of government and some government employees are necessary and part of any developed and civilized society. But let’s not overstate it. It is a bit narcissistic to equate pension reform for government workers - say a match-
ing contribution akin to what the Saskatchewan NDP long ago introduced in that province - with the coming end of civilization. Some writers were unhappy when I crunched updated numbers on the (forced) 2009 taxpayer bailout for General Motors and Chrysler. I noted $810 million was the loss for the Chrysler loan and $2.8 billion is missing in action on the General Motors loan. One former mid-level employee at one of those above companies identified the problem in a nice email. He wrote of how, when offered a job again with that particular firm, he said “no.” He did so in part because, when he last worked there, the firm was populated with executives who had a sense of entitlement vis-à-vis consumers, employees, and even taxpayers. The film sector was unhappy after I pointed out that ever-more film tax credits are just another type of corporate subsidy. Predictable responses arrived in my inbox. They all claimed that the film industry generates extra tax revenues like manna from heaven which, they all claimed (and contrary to the evidence from impartial observers) balances out the generous taxpayer help in Canadian provinces and American states. But one correspondent, a
film production manager, said this: “You have only touched the edge of this star-struck phenomenon.”He then explained how film policy develops, at least in Alberta: “Currently, Alberta film producers advise the government on policy and I liken it to Al Capone advising the government on Prohibition.” Fracking, an issue in 2013, generated perhaps the most bizarre response. My colleague Kenneth Green and I wrote about how by approving fracking for oil and gas, some provinces might generate extra dollars for their provincial coffers (Quebec and Atlantic Canada in particular). We also, importantly, noted how risks from fracking are low, this according to U.S. National Academies of Science. And the response from someone at the Halifax chapter of the Sierra Club? That fracking has caused “a 62 per cent increase in sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia and gonorrhea) in rural communities linked with unconventional resource development.” So fracking for natural gas and oil causes the clap. Who knew? Mark Milke is a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute Twitter @milke.mark.
REAL ESTATE
January 13, 2014
News Advertiser Page 19
Kitscoty RCMP seek public assistance for Marwayne break and enter Kitscoty RCMP Submitted Kitscoty RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in
identifying the person or persons responsible for a break and enter that occurred at the Marwayne Arena on
December 11th or December 12th 2013. The suspects gained entry by forcing a rear door of the arena then pro-
ceeded to attempt and gain entry to a safe located in a locked back room. The suspects were not successful in
gaining entry to the safe but caused considerable damage to it, at the expense of a nonprofit community organiza-
tion. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kitscoty RCMP at 780-8462870 or Crimestoppers.
PCs would be unwise to bring health premiums back Derek Fildebrandt Canadian Taxpayers Federation At their recent convention, Progressive Conservative Party members voted to reinstate the Alberta healthcare tax/premium. All parties have silly or embarrassing policies that will never see the light of day and hopefully this is an example of one of them. The Stelmach government didn’t get much right on fiscal policy (deficits, royalty changes, pension bailouts), but the elimination of the health tax/premium stands out as a very bright spot. Stelmach understood that this tax disproportionately hurt the poor and lower-tomiddle income Albertans and had little to do with healthcare itself. For starters, the old health care premium tax took a disproportionally high portion of income from lower income earners. For example, a family earning $35,000 a year paid $1,056 in health care “premiums,” – the same
amount a family earning $100,000. While that represents 1 per cent of the $100,000 family’s income, it represents 3 per cent of the $35,000 family’s income. This on top of their income taxes, EI and CPP. Even if a reintroduced health tax/premium were less regressive than the one repealed by Stelmach, it would still not do anything in the way of improving healthcare. That is because the dollars vacuumed up by the tax go straight into general revenues. The healthcare system was funded just as much by income taxes, resource royalties and lottery proceeds as it was by the health tax. And the money isn’t even needed. As Health Minister Fred Horn noted after the delegates voted, Alberta already spends more per capita on healthcare than most other provinces. It is the way we spend our healthcare dollars, not how much we are spending. If the government went ahead with a reintroduced
health tax anyway as a stealth way to reduce the deficit, how much good would it do? In the tax’s last year, it netted the government’s coffers $979 million. The CTF calculates that Alberta is on track to run a deficit of $2.3 billion this year – not including most flood related spending. So if this tax brought in the same revenue as the old version, it would reduce our deficit by less than half, still leaving a $1.3 billion hole to fill – again, not including most flood spending. Some of the tax’s defenders have argued that it is a good reminder to people that the government healthcare system isn’t free. This is an admirable goal, but the premium does just the opposite. That is because the premium didn’t have anything to do with how much the government actually spent on healthcare. While the health tax collected on average $44 a month, actual spending is closer to $390 per month, per person. The result was that people assumed that
healthcare was cheaper than it actually was, but may have felt that this $44 a month bill covered it. Oh, and let’s not forget this tax cost government $12.7 million a year to administer – with 40 per cent of that money going to private collection agencies to track down people who didn’t pay. It’s not insignificant that Premier Redford swore up and down during the 2012 election that she would not raise taxes under any circumstances. Former Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty made the same promise in his bid for office in 2003, but then turned around to
stick taxpayers in that province with a similar health “premium.” He argued that slapping the word “premium” on it meant that it wasn’t technically a “tax.” Premier Redford has played a similar word-game in breaking her no-debt election promise, but this one would likely be a bridge to far. That said, parties often vote for policies at their conventions that don’t see the light of day in actual government policy. The PC policy to scrap daylight savings time could also end up in this limbo status. The Premier is reportedly cool to her party’s support of the health tax, although she
has not yet ruled it out. She would be well advised to avoid following the policy playbook of Dalton McGuinty. Derek Fildebrandt is the Alberta Director of the Canadian Ta xpayers Federation.
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