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PROVINCIAL / FEDERAL POLITICS
April 23, 2021 – Some members of High Prairie town council are not happy with what the High Prairie Health Complex has become.
“We also have a hospital issue,” said Councillor Donna Deynaka during discussion regarding physio services at council’s April 13 meeting.
“What’s it becoming,” she added, referring to the recent closure of 10 beds.
April 9, 2021 – The Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta are calling on the Government of Alberta to suspend new forestry legislation until concerns about impacts on inherent and Treaty rights are addressed.
In December 2020, Alberta enacted Bill 40, which amends the provincial Forests Act. The new legislation includes provisions which reduce ministerial oversight, streamlines the licensing process, and increases the amount of timber that can be harvested annually.
March 31, 2021 – Concerns about reduced services and a shortage of physicians and staff at the High Prairie Health Complex have become a priority for the provincial health minister.
Big Lakes County council shared issues with Health Minister Tyler Shandro at its regular meeting March 24.
“Why isn’t the hospital being utilized to its full capacity?” asked Shandro asked. “I hear that loud and clear.”
PROVINCIAL OPINIONS
April 22, 2021 – People say this will be one great big driving and camping summer in Alberta.
Backed up demand, people sick of being cooped up and isolated, and the issues surrounding travel out-of-province and out-of-country. It isn’t just in Alberta. It’s happening everywhere.
Mostly we hear here in Alberta news from Ontario. And then it’s news about places like Canmore, Banff and Jasper, plus provincial campgrounds in southern Alberta. They will all be swamped this summer.
April 9, 2021 – A sharp fellow said years ago, “If you want to get people to do things, first of all, you need a project.”
Those weren’t a former MLA’s exact words from years ago, but summed up what Dennis Barton was saying. Don’t form a club, a group, a committee, a gang of people who want to do good. Not until you know what you want to happen.
April 1, 2021 – The long-suffering citizens of Alberta recently learned they’re on the hook for yet more billions of dollars via an ill-advised investment in an oil pipeline.
The Keystone XL project was festooned with red flags well before the injection of hard-earned and now lost taxpayer funds.
Political risk can be hard to quantify but it’s one of the key things serious investors analyze closely during the decision-making process on large, impactful investments.
LOCAL INTERESTS
High Prairie & Big Lakes County
April 23, 2021 – A proper study needs to be done on the High Prairie Sports Palace and curling rink so council can plan for the future with the best information possible.
It was the consensus after council approved to spend $13,800 for an asset replacement study at its April 13 meeting.
CAO Rod Risling told council the study “needs to be done” because it has “come to light” that the Sports Palace “needs quite a bit of repair.”
April 8, 2021 – The physio department at the High Prairie Health Complex is not closing, despite the worst case of scenarios presented by the rumour mill last week.
Instead, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of service was temporarily affected.
Deb Guerette, Alberta Health Services director of clinical operations for the area including High Prairie, explains.
April 1, 2021 – High Prairie is losing its Agriculture Financial Services Corporation branch office.
On April 30, the High Prairie branch will close and amalgamate with the Falher office.
In a news release issued by Big Lakes County March 25, they stated, “AFSC would like to ensure residents that this process will have no effect on personal accounts with AFSC, nor will it result in a disruption to client services.”
TOPICAL POSTS
April 22, 2021 – Big Lakes County is not denying or confirming it may be closing the Enilda Fire Department.
In a letter to the editor in South Peace News April 14, Eric Corbiere made the assertion council is “talking about” closing the department.
South Peace News asked administration about the rumour and they did not deny it.
April 8, 2021 – High Prairie RCMP are investigating an incident where it appears some culprits were helping themselves to some free steaks and hamburgers.
RCMP received a report regarding the death of a cow located on the side of the road on Township Road 742 in the Gilwood area southwest of High Prairie.