| Community notes
· Calgary Transit workers have launched a campaign to adhere to their contracts in an effort to speed up negotiations with the city. The Amalgamated Transit Union represents 1,800 drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers who have been without a contract for just over a year. Mediated talks are scheduled to take place later this month.
· New Democrats are condemning the Conservative government for allowing former treasurer Stockwell Day, now the Canadian Alliance leader, for using the province’s risk management fund to pay his legal bills.
New Democrat leader Raj Pannu notes that Day drove up the costs of the out-of-court settlement by intiating several unsuccessful pre-trial motions and applications – the total cost has been estimated to be as high as $500,000. He adds that there is no excuse for the government using the taxpayer-supported fund to cover Day’s legal bills because now that he is no longer an MLA, he is free to raise funds for his own legal defence.
The suit was filed by Red Deer lawyer Lorne Goddard after a letter written by Day and published in the Red Deer Advocate questioned Goddard’s defence of a convicted pedophile.
Premier Ralph Klein has indicated that the cost of the court settlement will be made public.
· A national environmental organization says Alberta’s new Special Places designations don’t go far enough to protect the province’s ecologically sensitive areas.
Late last month, provincial Environment Minister Halvar Jonson announced the formation of 13 new provincial parks and protected areas covering 4,700 square kilometres of habitat in various locations throughout the province. The government is also expected to add to that list before the next election.
However, Sam Gunsch, executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s (CPAWS) Edmonton chapter, stated that the sites are too small for the long-term protection of the habitat of large mammals like caribou.
He also criticized Premier Ralph Klein for failing to achieve his intial commitment – since its launch in 1995, the Special Places program has protected only about two per cent of the province.
· CKUA Radio is holding a fund-raising gala on Saturday, March 3, that includes a four-course dinner and dancing, with music provided by the Fabulous Jump Daddies. Swanky Do 2 will also feature live and silent auctions, and a raffle room – the proceeds will benefit Friends of CKUA. The event takes place at the Westin Hotel, and tickets are available from Megatunes, Ticket Master or CKUA. For more information call 262-6698 or visit www.CKUA.com/SwankyDo2.
· The first phase of the Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program has been launched by the Metis Nation of Alberta in an effort to address issues such as addictions, struggles with self-identity, suicide, self-esteem issues, poverty and others. Mentors will aid 15- to 24-year-old aboriginals seeking social programs and healthy living strategies.
Subsequent phases of the program are planned to expand its mandate, and make it available to a wider range of young people. |
