Mac Olsen
Express Staff
@SmokyRiverExprs
Residents and staff at the Villa Beausejour in Falher had an unexpected visitor on Aug. 22.
Lori Sigurdson, the Minister of Seniors and Housing, and the NDP MLA for Edmonton-Riverview, dropped in for a chat.
“I enjoy going across the province and hearing from seniors,” says Sigurdson.
She made a speech in the dining area and then sat down and talked to some residents.
Sigurdson also praised the staff and volunteers for the work they do with residents.
Later, she went outside, where resident Isabelle Doran showed her the community garden, with vegetables being grown by other residents.
The mayors for Donnelly, Falher and Girouxville were there as well, as was Councillor Raoul Johnson, for the M.D. of Smoky River No. 130.
The minister’s stop in Falher was part of her tour of the Peace Country. Later, she was to present several Minister’s Service Awards in Grimshaw.
In Edmonton on June 26, the minister announced the new Provincial Affordable Housing Strategy. As per a news release:
“More than 110,000 Albertans live in government-supported affordable housing. This strategy will give those people and their families new tools to help stabilize their finances, find a safe home and build better lives for themselves and the people they love.
“Living in government-supported housing shouldn’t stand in the way of people who want a better job or to save for the future. With the new affordable housing strategy, our government is standing behind families, not in their way. New tools will help people save, get better jobs and live in safe, secure homes,” says the minister.
The news releasae also says:
“The strategy was developed with input from about 1,800 tenants and housing providers. It is built on three principles that go beyond the bricks and mortar of a house by prioritizing people and focusing on their success and well-being.”
