FFWD Weekly: January 14th, 1999

Dance gala to benefit women’s shelter

Calgary-based belly dancer and teacher Jocelyn Chouinard is putting 25 years of experience towards a good cause. Proceeds from the Sunday, January 17 multi-cultural gala performance at the University Theatre, They Are Dancing As Fast As They Can, will be donated to the Calgary Women’s Shelter and Crisis Center.

Chouinard, who is producing and performing, hopes the funds will help women who feel trapped by their circumstances to seek and find help.

"One of my students is experiencing this right now. If it hadn’t been for the women’s shelter, she and her children would have been in a real jam."

Chouinard believes dance is the perfect medium for the project. Considerable female power is located in the body, she says, which may explain why dance is met with such widespread disapproval in Islamic nations.

"But even with all of the societal taboos, you can’t stop them from dancing."

Chouinard’s work in Middle Eastern dance celebrates this resistance.

"People think of belly dancing as the dance of the seven veils, a Greek taverna, shaking-your-face kind of thing.... But it’s actually a highly refined art form."

According to Chouinard, the show’s international flavor grew naturally out of community enthusiasm for the project. People began coming to her and offering their talents free of charge.

She will be joined by other Calgary-based artists in an evening of classical East Indian dance, flamenco fusion, Persian dance, Egyptian candlelabra dance, high-stepping and salsa – a celebration of the body and of the diversity of women in our community.

For tickets or more information call 277-8866.

Premier Klein plans annual televised speech

Premier Ralph Klein’s annual televised address is drawing criticism again this year.

Klein announced that he plans to outline his vision for Alberta in a provincewide address in early February on CTV (CFCN in Calgary). The speech, traditionally given in January, was postponed due to a trade mission. Air time, production and advertising is expected to cost $75,000.

As in past years, the provincial Liberals want the government to save the cash by using the free-time broadcast options of the CBC television network, which would allow the Liberals equal time to respond.

Alberta Liberal Leader Nancy MacBeth, who calls the planned address an info-commercial, says the premier has been telling Albertans that any new spending initiatives will have to be carefully scrutinized. She suggests that as his first New Year’s resolution to Albertans, he could put $75,000 back in their hands.

MacBeth adds that the Official Opposition would welcome the opportunity to respond to the presentation and provide an alternative viewpoint.

Coverage under child health benefit expands

The province covers the full cost of dental, optical, drug prescription, and ambulance bills for children in low-income families who are enrolled in the Alberta Child Health Benefit, according to Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Family and Social Services.

"Coverage is 100 per cent – across the board," he says.

There is also now coverage for children's diabetic supplies. This includes daily syringes, glucose strips, and lances.

The health benefit program started in August 1998 as part of Alberta's role under the National Child Benefit. The plan offers optical, dental, ambulance, and drug prescription coverage for children in families with net annual incomes up to $20,921. Previously, dental and drug prescription coverage ranged from 60 to 90 per cent, depending on family income. On January 1, coverage rose to 100 per cent for all the services.

"This program helps on two levels," Oberg explains, "it supports low-income families who are striving to remain independent, and it helps ensure Alberta's children grow up strong and healthy."

Applications are available by calling 427-6848 (for toll-free access from outside Edmonton, first dial 310-0000).

The 1998/99 budget for the Alberta Child Health Benefit is $10.2 million. Today's expansion of the plan is within the existing budget. It is estimated that about 138,000 children in the province are eligible for the plan.

Consultation begins on AISH and Assured Support

A discussion paper and questionnaire are now available for Albertans to provide input on the review of the province's income support for persons with disabilities

"We're carefully reviewing our programs to make sure they focus on people's abilities instead of their disabilities," says Family and Social Services Minister Dr. Lyle Oberg. "We want to hear from Albertans before making any changes."

About 150 stakeholders have been invited to a set of nine discussion groups designed to complement feedback that will be received through the questionnaire. The groups are taking place this month in six centres across Alberta.

Meetings are also being held with the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, the Provincial Persons with Developmental Disabilities Board, the Alberta Disabilities Forum, and the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Board. The Premier's Council is providing information and advice to Dr. Oberg.

The consultation process is part of the review of AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) and Assured Support announced in November last year.

The questionnaire and discussion paper are available on the Family and Social Services website at: www.gov.ab.ca/fss/Programs. Copies and alternative formats are also available by calling 1-800-361-9362. Feedback should be provided by February 8, 1999.

The consultation process will cost approximately $55,000.