Alberta author Lawrence Nault is gearing up for an exhilarating literary adventure as he dives into the 50,000-word NaNoWriMo challenge this year, with a clear goal in mind: the completion of his eagerly awaited next installment in the YA series, Draconis Lacrima Mortis.
“My first book, Leviticus 25: Jubilee, was crafted during the NaNoWriMo challenge many years ago, and it continues to serve as the perfect motivational muse for me to tackle my next literary endeavor,” Lawrence Nault shared.
With his second book in the MacIver Kids Adventures series set for a December release, and the ongoing production of his new podcast “When The Only Sound Is Your Thoughts,” a contemplative diversion from his usual writing, it’s clear that Lawrence doesn’t lack inspiration. However, the public accountability element of NaNoWriMo adds an extra layer of motivation for him to channel his focus and creativity.
Our Workshop – Publishing Div. Lawrence Nault 587-434-4215 mountainhermit.lawrencenault.me
RED DEER, Alberta – May 26, 2023 – PRLog — According to Michael Y Zuk DDS, a dental whistleblower who published numerous books on over-treatment in the profession with another almost ready for release, the newly formed dental board in Alberta is failing to do all it can to protect the public and he is demanding whoever is Health Minister following the election to put an audit of the dental authority on the priority list. “Whichever party wins the election will continue to hear calls for an independent review of the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta. The NDP’s made them reduce fees, the UCP’s made them divide the college from the association and whoever wins the upcoming election will need to do more. The medical system gets all the attention while victims of dentistry and dentists bullied by the system are ignored,” says Zuk.
Some of the concerns include the following:
1) A US device under investigation by the FDA which has caused tooth loss has been used in Alberta and yet the authority has not issued a warning to dentists or the public. 2) Dental complaints have backlogs of 5-9 years and rather than hire individuals with dental experience the authority is using many ex-police in this capacity. Ontario posts their processing times that appear to be less than half the average found in Alberta. 3) Alberta charges for appeals of complaint decisions (Ontario does not charge the patient or the dentist for this service). 4) Alberta uses dentists on appeal panels (Ontario does not). An audit of BC dental recommended not using council/board members on discipline panels, yet Alberta continues to do so. 5) Alberta does not provide a copy of expert reports to the patient. Ontario does, allowing the complainant to review the opinion of the hired reviewer. 6) Many patients have found their right under the Health Professions Act for consideration of a refund order by a tribunal is being ignored. In Alberta patients do not have the right to appeal a decision by the tribunal, while the dentist does. 7) In Ontario the dental board/college publishes a conflict of interest statement related to elected officials. Alberta does not. The Alberta dental college is believed to contain many council members with ties to Canada’s largest dental corporation. 8) Complaints about the authority itself are often ignored – including concerns with actions of a former lawyer and administrator who no longer are employed at the authority. Bullying, alteration of expert reports, witness intimidation and exaggerated investigations against dentist targets have been reported. 9) Zuk estimates LESS than 1% of funds involved end up as refunds to patients who have been harmed by unnecessary dental procedures or substandard treatment. An audit could confirm this statistic. 10) Prolonged investigations have allowed dentists using questionable approaches learned at certain seminars to continue to harm additional patients or even set up in adjacent provinces while the process drags on. The choice of experts can also taint the opinion of the complaints department leading to dismissal of cases that should go to a hearing.
Recently the courts ruled against the dental authority in its pattern of shifting all costs of prolonged investigations onto the individual dentist. With an estimated annual budget of close to $14 million from registration dues from Alberta dentists, it is now expected to cover the cost of processing complaints. Zuk adds,”The current reforms imposed by the government have not done enough to address the concerns that affect patients and dentists in this province. I look forward to lobbying for change, hopefully with the help of a new MLA Raman Athwal (running in Edmonton Mill Woods) who knows personally what failures in dental healthcare can do.” These topics are discussed on the website http//www.albertadentalassociationproblems.com.
Super-Pufft, one of North America’s largest manufacturers and co-packers of salty snacks for retailers and national brands, has established a new state-of-the-art potato chip processing facility in Alberta.
May 17, 2022 – Airdrie, Alberta – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Super-Pufft, one of North America’s largest manufacturers and co-packers of salty snacks for retailers and national brands, has established a new state-of-the-art potato chip processing facility in Alberta.
The new $50-million facility will support Alberta potato producers and create more than 100 jobs for the Airdrie area.
The food processor selected Alberta because of the province’s reputation as a consistent producer of high-quality potatoes. In addition to investment facilitation services, Super-Pufft received $250,000 in funding, cost-shared by the federal and provincial governments under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to support equipment for their new Airdrie facility.
When both phases of the project are operational, the Airdrie facility will use about 78,000 tonnes of Alberta potatoes each year.
Alberta has a reputation for high-quality agricultural products and investments such as this help build the province’s capacity to meet the growing global demand for food. Potato processing is a key emerging area for growth in Alberta’s food processing industry.
“Alberta’s food processing sector is a major contributor to our economy. This investment towards Super-Pufft’s Airdrie facility will support local growers in the region while helping to increase global demand for the province’s high-quality potatoes. All Canadians benefit when food processors have the necessary equipment to increase their capacity for output.”
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“This is a great example of how Alberta’s first-class reputation for high-quality agricultural products, combined with the right business environment, is attracting new world-class agri-food investment to the province. Super-Pufft’s Airdrie facility represents a significant boost for Alberta’s potato growers, and will create hundreds of new jobs for Albertans.”
– Nate Horner, Alberta Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
“I’m proud of the company we’ve created and the products we produce. We offer imaginative recipes made with the finest ingredients. We acquire technologies ahead of the marketplace and take measured risks to generate big ideas. We look to continue to grow and succeed with the continuous support from our dedicated employees and the community at large who assist us in making our customers’ bottom line our bottom line.”
– Yousif Al-Ali, president and chief executive officer, Super-Pufft Snacks Corporation
“We are thrilled that Super-Pufft has chosen Airdrie as its first location in Western Canada and are excited to welcome them to our city. This venture will increase growth of a target industry, drive our local economy and create vast employment opportunities. We sincerely thank Super-Pufft for this significant investment in our community.”
– Peter Brown, mayor, City of Airdrie
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
Mackenzie Blyth
Press Secretary
Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
mackenzie.blyth@gov.ab.ca
780-293-1745
The 2021 growing season was difficult for Alberta producers, but the targeted AgriRecovery initiative was timely and successful.
May 4, 2022 – Edmonton, Alberta – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The 2021 growing season was difficult for Alberta producers, but the targeted AgriRecovery initiative was timely and successful.
In response to severe drought conditions last growing season, the governments of Canada and Alberta worked together to develop and deploy an AgriRecovery initiative, which helped thousands of livestock producers cover their extraordinary costs. The responses were administered through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC).
The 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative provided support and cash flow for Alberta’s livestock producers and beekeepers to help them address the unexpected costs to feed livestock caused by prolonged dry weather and extreme high temperatures.
The initial response paid out more than $180 million on more than 14,000 applications for more than 2.1 million animals.
The second phase of this initiative provided continued assistance to eligible Alberta producers hit hard by the 2021 drought. As of April 19, the program had paid out nearly $172 million on more than 11,300 applications.
Together, the initial and secondary payments have already put more than $350 million into the hands of producers to help them address the extraordinary costs incurred feeding their livestock during the 2021 drought.
The Alberta government and AFSC worked closely with key industry stakeholders to develop a timely response that delivered the support producers needed, when they needed it. The 2021 drought had significant impacts on the province’s producers and the response ensured that Alberta farmers and ranchers were supported through these extreme conditions. The AgriRecovery response helped producers recover business costs that are beyond what is covered through other financial assistance or business risk management programs.
AgriRecovery
AgriRecovery is a federal-provincial-territorial disaster relief framework to help agricultural producers with the extraordinary costs associated with recovering from natural disasters. Eligible costs are supported on the 60-40 cost-shared federal-provincial basis outlined under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The AgriRecovery framework is part of a suite of Business Risk Management tools under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
“Alberta producers have once again shown their strength and resiliency in overcoming the challenges of the past year. The Government of Canada is making sure to support them in the face of uncertainty so they remain well-positioned for success.”
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Last year was tough for many Alberta farmers and ranchers, but they persevered and met the challenges that came at them. I’m cautiously optimistic that 2022 will be a positive year for our ag sector. Commodity prices are strong and Alberta producers have always been at the forefront of innovative farming practices and sustainability. We’re looking to our agri-food sector to help lead Alberta’s economic recovery.”
– Nate Horner, Alberta Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
“We have been proud to support the delivery of this much-needed relief to help our livestock producers and beekeepers make it through the difficult season they experienced in 2021. We understand the impacts of extreme dry weather and AFSC continues to do everything we can to ensure producers receive the support they need.”
Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, the Government of Canada’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ric McIver, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Municipal Affairs, announced funding for a transit hub and park and ride facility in Spruce Grove, as well as Smart Fare equipment in Spruce Grove, and the purchase of Smart Fare and Smart Bus technology in Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc, under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. These projects will improve the quality and safety of the cities’ transit systems.
Spruce Grove, Alberta, August 12, 2021—Investments in local infrastructure by the governments of Canada and Alberta during this unprecedented time will help stimulate the economy and ensure long-term sustainable infrastructure while building strong and well-connected communities, as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting public transportation infrastructure will help create jobs and make our communities healthier, more inclusive and more resilient.
Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, the Government of Canada’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ric McIver, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Municipal Affairs, announced funding for a transit hub and park and ride facility in Spruce Grove, as well as Smart Fare equipment in Spruce Grove, and the purchase of Smart Fare and Smart Bus technology in Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc, under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. These projects will improve the quality and safety of the cities’ transit systems.
The Spruce Grove Transit Hub project will include nearly 200 park and ride stalls, 16 bike parking stalls, a heated shelter, and more. This project will result in improved access to Spruce Grove’s public transit system, and is near the first and last bus stops to and from Edmonton. Additionally, the installation of Smart Fare technology on transit buses will simply the payment of bus fares and enable seamless access across the Metro Edmonton Region.
Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc will also benefit from the installation of Smart Fare technology, as well as Smart Bus capital infrastructure. Smart Bus technology will improve operator and transit rider safety, improve scheduling, and automated vehicle monitoring. Meanwhile, Smart Fare will allow riders to load fares through credit or debit cards, which will replace printed materials. This improvement is more convenient for riders and better for the environment. The projects will improve mobility for Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, and Edmonton region residents.
Investing in public transit pays triple benefits: it creates jobs, reduces pollution, and builds more livable, inclusive communities. The Government of Canada is contributing over $650,000 to these projects, and the cities are contributing over $1.5 million to their respective projects.
“Today’s funding announcement for new public transit infrastructure in Spruce Grove, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc is a win-win for Albertans and for the environment. By upgrading public transit fleets, we are able to make it easier and more convenient for Canadians to choose greener and healthier ways to get to where they need to go.”
The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and the Government of Canada’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Building a new transit hub and park and ride facility in Spruce Grove will help to improve the accessibility of Spruce Grove Transit, and introducing Smart Fare technology will be an another step forward for convenience, cost-savings, and connectivity in our community and our neighbouring municipalities. This funding will support the construction of this new transit hub, as well as the purchase and installation of some of the necessary equipment to support the transition to Smart Fare. On behalf of Spruce Grove City Council, I’d like to thank the Government of Canada for this funding and their recognition of this important service and investment in our continued infrastructure growth.”
His Worship Stuart Houston, Mayor of Spruce Grove
“The Smart Fare program is an exciting milestone not only for transit users in the Edmonton region, but for the residents of Fort Saskatchewan. Making it easier to pay for transit means that our residents can travel with greater ease throughout the region, overall making it more attractive to take transit.”
Her Worship Gale Katchur, Mayor of Fort Saskatchewan
“The City of Leduc is pleased to receive funding support for the installation of Smart Bus and Smart Fare technology on Leduc Transit because it will improve our ability to provide a more modernized service and enhance our riders’ and operators’ experience.”
His Worship Bob Young, Mayor of Leduc
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
$28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
In Alberta, the Government of Canada has invested more than $5.1 billion in 440 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
In February 2021, the federal government announced $14.9 billion for public transit projects over the next eight years, including $3 billion per year in permanent funding for Canadian communities beginning in 2026-27. In March 2021, the Government of Canada announced $400 million of this funding will go towards active transportation to help build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges.
Emelyana Titarenko
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Cell: 873-355-9576
Emelyana.Titarenko@infc.gc.ca
Contact
