Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County council members will be busy speaking with several cabinet ministers at special meetings in early November.
At its regular meeting Oct 23, council finalized updated briefing notes they will present when meeting with ministers at the fall convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Nov. 4-7.
Meetings have been confirmed with nine ministers and the RCMP, states a list provided by CAO David Reynolds on Oct. 24.
When the briefing notes were discussed at the council meeting, about six were confirmed at that time, he adds.
Reeve Tyler Airth says Lesser Slave Lake Scott Sinclair wants to be present at the discussions.
“He wants to be part of the ministerial meetings,” Airth says.
Briefing documents are delivered to the MLA and the ministers well in advance of the meetings that can last anywhere from 10-20 minutes.
Council will meet with Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon to discuss council priorities for social housing, adequate funding for local Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) programs and services and to reinstate grants in lieu of social housing.
A meeting with Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson has been set for council to discuss ways to attract veterinarians for livestock animals, returning fusarium to the Pest Act, protecting prime agricultural land from renewable energy projects and flooding and environmental concerns in the Buffalo Bay and Horse Lakes area north of High Prairie.
When meeting with Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, council will discuss adding obstetrics and cancer treatment at the High Prairie Health Complex and building a helipad at the site.
Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz will also meet with Big Lakes. Council will discuss the future use of the Swan Hills Waste Treatment Centre that the provincial government plans to close in 2025, flooding and environmental concerns in the area of Buffalo Bay and Horse Lake and environmental approvals.
Council also has a meeting with Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, who also serves as MLA for Central Peace – Notley.
Council plans to discuss municipal consultation by Big Lakes on public lands in Alberta, a request to pave Township Rd. 752A and Range Rd. 141, the Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park access road and also talk about grazing leases.