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News Advertiser
JULY 1, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Time to Support Each Other, Local Communities and Local Businesses Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Dear friends and neighbours, With summer is in full swing many of us are enjoying the outdoors. Now is a great opportunity to explore the beauty Alberta has to offer. Take a look at the Travel Alberta website for trip ideas and travel offers. Now, more than ever, it is important that we support each other, our communities, and local businesses. I am very proud to report that the Government of Alberta has taken a significant step to protect Albertans, and crack down on metal theft. If passed, Bill 25, Protecting Alberta Industry from Theft Act, 2020, and associated regulations will require scrap metal dealers to report all transactions involving commonly stolen metals and items such as catalytic converters to law enforcement. Metal theft poses a significant risk to the safety of our communities. Thieves terrify property and business owners by trespassing and stealing materials such as copper wire and industrial batteries, and frequently damage and interfere with critical systems like electrical lines, telecommunications networks
and transportation infrastructure. Our government is taking strong steps to protect Albertans from convicted sex offenders. The proposed changes to the Vital Statistics Act would prevent convicted sex offenders from changing their name. These changes are designed to hold convicted sexual offenders accountable and protect survivors. Alberta already has some of the strongest legislation around name changes and this will make it even stronger to ensure the safety of Alberta’s families and communities. Finally, I am pleased to share that this week, the Choice in Education Act passed third reading in the Legislature. This bill will amend the Education Act to affirm that parents have the right to choose the kind of education they feel is best for their children, and it will strengthen Alberta’s successful history of education choice, including public schools, Francophone schools, charter schools, and home education. This legislation also expands options for parents to deliver home education for their children, and will allow charter schools to be established with a focus on vocation-based education. Our government believes that parents know what is best for their children, and this bill creates more choice for parents on this important issue. As always, it is an honour to be your MLA.
First Pysanka Park Market for the 2020 Season Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Four hundred and eleven people attended the first Pysanka Park Market for the 2020 Season at Vegreville Elks/ Kinsmen Park on June 25. Len Bullock, Director for Pysanka Park Market said these markets will be held every Thursday until the end of August. “There might be more added in September but we have to have a meeting about it. We had 10 local regional vendors attend from within our county and are looking for more Make It, Bake It; Grow It vendors all the time as we are a government-
approved Alberta, Farmers Market. The Vegreville Agricultural Association sponsors the market. Dwayne Hlady is the on-site Manager for the market and Peter Homeniuk and Bob Carter volunteer. We hold these markets to provide the public with a place to get homegrown, home-baked, and homemade products that simply aren’t available in stores. The market is also meant to provide everyone with a nice evening to enjoy the outdoors. We are following the COVID-19 provincial guidelines set out by the Alberta govFirst Pysanka Park Market - CONTINUED ON PAGE 17