| A flurry of public announcements about the state of public education in Alberta was released recently, starting with a new survey stating three-quarters of Albertans believe education is under-funded.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos-Reid on behalf of the Alberta Teachers’ Association says 76 per cent of Albertans say the provincial government is not spending enough on public education.
Two parents groups also launched a campaign this month urging Albertans to pressure the provincial government to increase funding to public education. The Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils and Parents Advocating for Catholic Education are circulating a letter to the government expressing concern about budget cuts.
In the same week, Alberta Learning Minister Lyle Oberg made the unusual move of issuing an open letter to Albertans about public education. The letter promotes the Alberta school system and acknowledges some "complex challenges" facing the system, but reinforces the government stance that no new money is en route.
"We know that it is our job to make significant investments to keep the system running smoothly," Oberg says in the letter. "While we are always evaluating the need for more resources, we also are very firm in our very fundamental belief that unless we approach things thoughtfully and look to affect positive change, no amount of money will satisfy everyone."
June 10th marked the day the number of Calgary Dollars in circulation will double, reaching $68,000, up from $34,000 that has been circulated the past six years.
Calgary Dollars is a local currency based on bartering, and is one of only a handful of such systems in Canada. They generated $135,000 in economic activity in 2002.
The printing of more Calgary Dollars was prompted by the system’s growth. More members are circulating the currency, so more was needed.
Information about Calgary Dollars is available at www.CalgaryDollars.ca.
An Ontario appeal court ruling has opened the door to same-sex marriage, but Premier Ralph Klein is vowing to oppose the decision.
The ruling says allowing gay couples to marry is not an infringement of religion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but the issue is likely headed to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
Klein, however, says he will use the notwithstanding clause to exempt Alberta from any law allowing same-sex marriage, a stance that has enraged equality activists.
Gift donations to the Calgary Foundation were up 69 per cent over last year, according to new figures released from the charitable foundation.
That increase meant $36 million in gifts were donated to the organization, a record in the foundation’s 48-year history.
Other records were also set during the year, including $12 million in grants made to the community, grants to 482 different charitable organizations and the largest single gift in the history of the foundation of $15 million. The previous record was $11 million.
A landmark was passed by the University of Calgary this year, as the school’s 100,000th graduate earned a degree.
By the end of this year’s convocation season, 119,134 degrees will have been awarded to 102,991 students in the university’s 37-year history. |
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