| Affordable housing task force assembled
The provincial government has created a new affordable housing task force chaired by Calgary Foothills MLA Len Webber that will identify short- and long-term housing solutions to address Alberta’s housing and homelessness crisis.
The task force includes provincial and municipal leaders, industry associations and the non-profit sector. The task force will hold meetings across the province between February 16 and 28. The task force is expected to complete a report by March 19. For more information go to www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca.
Friends of Medicare calls for task force
Friends of Medicare is asking the provincial government to immediately set up an independent task force to address what it describes as the "health care crisis" within the Calgary Health Region (CHR).
Chronic bed shortages, long emergency wait times, postponements of surgeries and unsafe working conditions for health care staff are all major issues that need to be resolved, says the organization.
Friends of Medicare says the task force should include one member of the CHR, but all other representatives should be health care professionals and citizens. "It is clear that in spite of numerous promises to fix mistakes and address capacity concerns, the CHR has not delivered a health care system that has the public’s confidence," says Friends of Medicare chair Avalon Roberts in a media release. "The loss of public confidence means that an independent task force is needed to give citizens a complete and accurate account of the current situation, as well as solutions," says Roberts.
Meanwhile, the Calgary Health Region says it has a $2.5 billion long-term plan to improve access to health services and to add 700 new hospital beds. The CHR says it will focus on wellness, preventative medicine and moving more care into the community, as well as expanding the number of beds. The CHR has also stepped up international recruitment of health care workers.
Calgary Stampede survey shows community values in decline
A Calgary Exhibition and Stampede survey has found that 54 per cent of Calgarians believe Calgary is losing the essence of what makes it unique and 72 per cent are concerned about the fact that the city is becoming less community focused due to its rapid growth. Seventy-seven per cent believe if Calgary continues to grow at its current pace that it will become "just another big city."
The survey was conducted in November 2006 by NRG Research Group but just released this week.
"I believe it’s a wake-up call for all of us. As this city continues its rapid growth, we must not take our community values for granted. Now more than ever, we must invest in the unique spirit that so defines our city and our citizens," said Stampede president Steve Allen at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He says all Calgarians have to play a part in retaining Calgary’s reputation for strong volunteerism, western hospitality and community spirit. "Each of us should be an ambassador for the values we want to promote," said Allen. |
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