August was a busy month!
West Yellowhead was fortunate to host a visit from Hon. Jason Luan, Minister of Community & Social Services, in Jasper and Edson. We toured the Edson ShelterPod Project with Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara, and other community stakeholders. Productive, thought-provoking meetings were held with representatives from Jasper Employment Centre, FCSS Jasper, Edson and Yellowhead County, Reflections Edson, and McMann Youth, Family and Community Services Association.
Big news for Edson and surrounding areas, Westmoreland Coal announced their reopening on August 9. Their restart will bring the hiring of 300 highly skilled local employees. The mine has been in care and maintenance since June 2020 due to severe constraints related to COVID-19 pandemic. According to Steve Love, General Manager of Coal Valley, reopening the mine will also add approximately $30 million a year to the local wage base, at least $3 million in taxes and royalties to the Province, and $60 million a year in economic activity dispersed within multiple sectors associated with the mine’s purchases of supplies and services.
The Coal Valley Mine is a 20,660 Ha. surface mine located in West Central Alberta south of the Town of Edson in the Foothills of Alberta. The mine exports bituminous coal to customers in Japan and Korea as well as some domestic coal.
Provincial Government Extends Public Health Measures & Announces Back to School Plan
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, has announced changes to the province’s public health measures. Isolation, testing, and public transit masking rules that were supposed to lift on August 16th will remain in place until at least September 27th. No new measures were announced, and the province’s data has been publicly released.
Alberta’s back-to-school plan follows along the same lines as other provincial health measures. All precautions will be proportionate to the overall risk level. School authorities will have the ability to implement further health measures for their own unique situation. Additionally, school authorities are expected to respect and accommodate students' and parents’ personal choices. As roughly only half of children ages 12-18 years old are immunized, vaccines will be offered in temporary school clinics to students and staff starting September 7th.
Rodeo Season!
August in Alberta certainly means long summer nights farming and Rodeos! After a short hiatus, the circuit is back in full swing. I celebrated the 40th Annual Medicine Lodge Rodeo, finally meeting Susan Longmore, the tireless organizer of this very popular family event. The annual Whitecourt Woodlands Rodeo enjoyed a successful event, with blue skies and sunshine. When attending with my family my daughter was enthralled with the barrel racers. We enjoyed a fabulous evening and the only problem I have now is telling my daughter she cannot have her own pony!
Funding Rural Infrastructure
Alberta’s economy relies heavily on safe rural transportation, and this capital investment will go a long way in helping rural municipalities and developing businesses. Alberta’s government has announced new funding to support rural infrastructure across the province. The Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP), an investment of $31.5 million, will go towards a total of 48 projects, which include upgrades to roadways, bridges, and culverts in the places that need them the most. West Yellowhead has received $337,500 for a bridge culvert replacement in Woodlands County.
This summer it has been great getting out to events and meeting constituents, spending time sharing ideas and hearing concerns. I appreciate the many people, places and activities that make West Yellowhead unique, and one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. It is my honour to serve as your MLA.
Martin Long, MLA
West Yellowhead
