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News from the Legislature Alana DeLong, MLA Spring 2003 Sitting of the Alberta Legislature: The session ended May 15 following the passage of 39 pieces of legislation. Each of these bills will help Albertans to build the province we want. Three private members bills were also passed, including amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act to address the concerns of firefighters suffering from work-related cancers. Please feel free to contact my constituency office for a complete list of legislation that was passed or visit http://www.assembly.ab.ca/pro/bills/ba-review.asp. 2003 Minister’s Seniors Service Awards: Congratulations and sincere best wishes to the West Hillhurst Go-getters and to Marjorie Kellough, who were recently nominated for a 2003 Minister’s Seniors Service Award. The nominations were made in recognition of their dedication and outstanding commitment to seniors in our community and whose contributions have significantly enriched the lives of seniors in Calgary. Arms-Length Council To Review Consumer Electricity Issues, Report In Three Months: Alberta's Advisory Council on Electricity (AACE) has been directed to review and make recommendations on consumer concerns related to electricity bills, and to report back to the Minister of Energy by August 15th, 2003. In announcing the expanded mandate for the Council, Premier Klein said that his government wants to investigate consumer complaints regarding high electricity bills in some parts of the province and the reasons behind the high prices. The Premier has asked Minister Smith to broaden the Council's mandate so that it can review, evaluate and make recommendations on what is happening with the price that ordinary Albertans and Alberta businesses are paying for power. The Premier stressed that the government is not revisiting its decision to deregulate the electricity industry in the province. Alberta Transportation: The Traffic Safety Act came into effect on May 20th. It is the consolidation of four Acts that govern vehicles and road safety. The Graduated Driver Licensing was introduced and traffic fines were raised May 20th. Please visit www.trans.gov.ab.ca/home/index.asp or call my constituency office to find out more about the recent changes to the Act. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease) Investigation In Alberta: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has quarantined several Alberta farms in an investigation of a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease. Animals from the same herd as the infected cow will be tested for BSE at provincial facilities. BSE is not an infectious disease: it does not spread from one animal to another. This case of one cow was detected as part of Canada's ongoing BSE surveillance program. The CFIA sent specimens to the World Reference Laboratory at Weybridge, United Kingdom, which has verified the presence of BSE. The CFIA and the Province of Alberta are investigating the animal's origin and how its remains were processed. Information suggests that the risk to human health and the possibility of transmission to other Canadian cattle from this case are extremely low. Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief confirmed that immediate action has been taken to safeguard Canadian consumers and the Canadian livestock population. Federal officials, in cooperation with provincial and industry partners, are conducting a comprehensive investigation and taking all necessary steps to control the situation. Shirley McClellan, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, stated that Alberta remains confident in our beef and cattle industry and we will support both the CFIA and our cattle industry in eliminating this disease from Canada. West Nile Virus: The West Nile Virus: Alberta's Response Plan (2003) and other information about West Nile virus can be viewed on the Alberta Health and Wellness web site at www.health.gov.ab.ca. Diabetes Strategy: Currently 105,000 Albertans live with diabetes. The Alberta Monitoring for Health (AMFH) program will be allocated $10.6 million to provide financial assistance to low-income Albertans, without insurance, to help them purchase the supplies that help them manage their disease. The program will now diabetics who are not insulin dependent. For more information about the Diabetes Strategy please visit www.health.gov.ab.ca. Colonel Belcher Care Centre: Congratulations on the opening of the new Colonel Belcher Care Centre who celebrated its grand opening on June 3rd. I had the pleasure of attending the opening and tour its new facility. The Centre is outstanding and is a very important resource to the community. HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAYS
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