Ang lahat ng mga mag-aaral sa Grades 4 hanggang 12 at lahat ng mga kawani sa public, separate, Francophone, charter, at independiyenteng paaralan ay makakatanggap ng dalawang mask na muling magagamit (reusable) mula sa gobyerno ng Alberta. Mahigit sa 1.6 milyong mask ang ibabahagi sa 740,000 na mga mag-aaral at 90,000 na kawani.  Mga karagdagang mask na pang-isahang gamit (single-use) ay ibibigay sa mga paaralan, kung kinakailangan.

Ang paggamit ng mask ay magiging sapilitan para sa mga kawani at guro sa lahat ng mga  lugar o okasyon kung saan hindi mapapanatili ang pisikal na distansya. Ang  mga mag-aaral ay kinakalilangan magsuot ng mask o pangtakip ng ilong at bibig sa lahat ng mga lugar na nababahagi at sa mga karaniwang lugar tulad ng mga pasilyo at sa mga bus. Ang pagbubukod sa paggamit ng mask para sa mga mag-aaral at kawani ay pinahihintulutan lamang kung ang dahilan ay medikal o iba pang mga pangangailangan.

Ang paggamit ng mask para sa mga mag-aaral sa kindergarten hanggang Grade 3 ay magpapatuloy na maging opsyonal. Ang paggamit ng mask para sa mas bata ay isang hamon dahil sa mga paghihirap sa wastong angkop o pagkasya ng mask at pagsunod sa patakaran. Ipinakikita din ng mga ebidensya na ang mga batang wala pang 10 taong gulang ay maaaring mas malabong makahawa ng COVID-19  kaysa sa mas matatandang mga bata o sa mga mayroong edad.

“Ang mga bagong hakbang sa pangkaligtasan ay makakatulong sa pag-iwas ng pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa ating mga paaralan, at kami ay magpapatuloY na makikipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad ng paaralan upang matiyak na sila ay handang handa para sa isang matagumpay na pagsisimula ng paparating na pasukan.”  ~Adriana LaGrange, Ministro ng Edukasyon

“Pagkatapos masuri ang mga umuusbong na ebidensya, malinaw na ang mga mask ay may mahalagang gamit sa paglilimita sa pagkalat ng COVID-19. Pinag-isipan kong mabuti itong na-update na rekomendasyon, base sa kasalukuyang pinakamahusay na katibayan tungkol sa paggamit ng mask. Bagaman mahalaga ang mga mask, nais kong bigyang-diin na ang mga masks ay isa lamang sa maraming mga hakbang para sa kalusugan ng publiko upang malimitahan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 at protektahan ang kalusugan ng mga mag-aaral, kawani at pamilya”.  ~Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer ng Kalusugan para sa Alberta

Ang gobyerno ng Alberta ay nananatiling nakatuon sa pag-aayos ng mga alituntunin sa pagpasok sa paaralan batay sa kasalukuyang payo ng medikal.   Pinag-aaralan ng Pinunong Mediko Opisyal ng Kalusugan ang mga katibayan tungkol sa paggamit ng  mask sa mga paaralan, at ang pagpapasyang ito ay isang direktang resulta ng umuusbong na payo ng medikal.

Mga kalasag sa mukha

Ang mga kawani ng paaralan  ay makakatanggap ng isang muling magagamit (“reusable”) ng kalasag sa mukha na gagamitin  sa mga paaralan.   Ang paggamit ng kalasag ay nasa pagpapasya ng indibidwal na miyembro ng kawani.  Ang mga kalasag sa mukha na plastik ay maaaring makatulong sa pagbawas ng pagkakalantad ngunit hindi katumbas ng mga mask. Ang mask ay dapat pa ring isuot habang may suot na kalasag sa mukha.

Panglinis (“sanitizer”) sa kamay

Mga 466,000 litro ng hand sanitizer ang ibabahagi sa lahat ng mga awtoridad sa paaralan.  Ang tiyak na dami na ibabahagi sa isang indibidwal na paaralan ay batay sa populasyon ng mag-aaral.

Termometro

Ang bawat paaralan ay makakatanggap ng dalawang “contactless” termometro upang makatulong sa pamamahala ng kalusugan ng mag-aaral at kawani.   Ang paggamit ng termometro ay nasa pagpapasya ng awtoridad ng paaralan.

Pagsubok sa kawani

Ang Alberta Health at Alberta Health Services ay nagsusumikap na palawakin ang kapasidad sa testing at mabawasan ang mga oras ng pag-ikot para sa testing, kabilang ang mga kawani sa paaralan, guro, at mag-aaral, upang ang sinumang may mga sintomas o malapit na contact sa mga kaso ay mabilis na masuri at makatanggap ng mga resulta ng testing. Lahat ng mga supply ay ibabahagi sa mga awtoridad ng paaralan sa pagsisimula ng pasukan 2020-21.  Pagkatapos ay ipapamahagi ng mga awtoridad sa mga indibidwal na paaralan, kawani at/o mga mag-aaral batay sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang sariling komunidad.

Ang patnubay sa kalusugan ng panlalawigan para sa isang ligtas na pagbabalik sa paaralan ay magpapatuloy na magbago kung kinakailangan upang matugunan ang pinakabagong katibayan sa likas na katangian ng pandigong COVID-19.

Pangmadaliang impormasyon

Inanunsyo ng gobyerno ng Alberta na ang mga mag-aaral at kawani ay babalik sa paaralan sa ilalim ng senaryo 1 – malapit sa normal na pang-araw-araw na operasyon na may mga hakbang sa kalusugan – sa Hulyo 21.

Ang mga awtoridad sa paaralan ay kinakailangang maging handa sa paglipat sa pagitan ng tatlong senaryo na nakabalangkas sa plano ng muling pagpasok sa paaralan ng lalawigan. Ang mga pagbabago sa mga sitwasyon ay pagpapasyahan ng Alberta Education.

If passed, this legislation could save job creators an estimated $100 million per year by reducing red tape from daily operations – helping them keep their doors open – and provide jobs for hard-working Albertans.

“Our government was elected on the promise of supporting employee choice and to bring balance back to Alberta’s labour laws. This bill will do just that and also help businesses save time and money, letting them focus on getting Albertans back to work while protecting workers.”

~Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration

Bill 32 will provide employees and employers with clearer and more transparent rules promoting fairness and productivity, including more clarity about rest periods and temporary layoff notices.

“As businesses reopen, we need to support our job creators. We told Albertans we would get them back to work and make it easier to do business in Alberta. That’s exactly what we’re doing by cutting this unneeded red tape.”

~Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction

“Alberta Construction Association applauds the Government of Alberta for introducing greater flexibility and reduced red tape in averaging agreements, hours of work, and temporary layoffs. Changes to these employment standards support seasonal, remote project-based construction jobs, while maintaining fairness in the workplace.”

~Frederick Vine, chairman, Alberta Construction Association

“Merit Contractors Association congratulates the Government of Alberta for returning balance to employers and their employees though revisions to the Labour Relations Code and Employment Standards Act. These positive changes send a message to investors and job creators that Alberta is open for business.”

~Malcolm Kirkland, president and chief executive officer, Merit Contractors Association

“The proposed changes in the provisions governing employees in the construction industry are a major step in the right direction for working Albertans. These changes represent good public policy that promotes fair and healthy competition among unions while enhancing worker choice and workplace democracy.”

~Dennis Perrin, provincial director, Christian Labour Association of Canada

To help inform these proposed changes, 5,421 responses were received during an online public survey conducted in November 2019.

Restoring balance and economic stability

• Clarifying that employees continue to accumulate vacation time while on a job-protected leave.
• Clarifying rules for rest periods and flexibility in scheduling breaks.
• Restoring balance to the relationship between employers and employees with updated rules for union certification and revocation, such as removing strict timelines and remedial certification provisions.
• Increasing employee choice by ensuring union members are not forced to fund political activities and causes without explicit opt-in approval.
• Balancing employee rights to fair collective bargaining, striking and picketing with the need to protect businesses and our economy from harm, and ensuring Albertans continue to receive services they rely on.
• Preventing unions from disciplining members if they take a significantly different job with a different employer.
• Updating rules for collective agreements will allow an existing collective agreement to remain in place if employees in the construction industry choose a new union before it expires.
• Changes to collective agreements and first contract arbitration will reduce red tape, encourage stability and help employers and employees work together to reach agreements.
• Increasing transparency and democracy in the workplace by making sure employees know how unions are spending their money.
• Changing rules for construction industry to ensure workforce stability and to attract major projects and investment.

Keeping businesses open and Albertans employed

• Updating rules for temporary layoff notices to help employees stay attached to their jobs longer.
• Adding flexibility to rules for hours of work averaging arrangements to make it easier for employers to set up arrangements, create schedules, and calculate overtime.
• Helping youth find work, and reducing red tape and administrative burdens by expanding the types of jobs 13- and 14-year-olds are allowed to do without first needing a permit.
• Providing flexibility to the Labour Relations Board to expedite processes and efficiency during an emergency.

Saving employers time and money

• Creating simpler and more flexible rules for general holiday pay, group terminations, payment of final earnings upon termination, payroll processes and paying administrative penalties to help employers save time and money in their daily operations.
• Making it easier for employers to apply for variances and exemptions.
• Allowing unions and employers to agree on standards that may work for them.
• Enabling the Labour Relations Board to serve employers, employees and unions more efficiently by reducing administrative burdens, costs and unnecessary hearings.

“If you are risking your health to keep this country moving and you’re making minimum wage, you deserve a raise,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this week, making good on a promise to increase salaries.

Trudeau’s government hammered out an agreement with provinces and territories to spend more than $3 billion and raise wages for essential workers making less than about $1,800 a month.

“I think one of the things that we’re seeing through this pandemic is that there are people who are tremendously economically vulnerable, and vulnerable in other ways in our society, who are extremely important to the functioning of our society,” Trudeau said.

One of Canada’s largest health care unions, representing about 60,000 workers, welcomed the news but cautioned that workers need to see money in their pockets soon, without bureaucracy getting in the way.

“Frontline essential workers now are exhausted, they’re terrified, they’ve got colleagues in every sector dying. It’s nice to hear but they are exhausted from that and they want to see those words turned into action now,” said Sharleen Stewart, president of SEIU Healthcare, in an interview with CNN Friday.

Stewart said three health care workers have died from Covid-19 among her membership, and the lack of personal protective equipment has been an ongoing issue, as has been the guarantee of earning a living wage.

“The essential service workers that right now help save our lives and care for our loved ones are a lot of the minimum wage earners, the lowest paid in society. They have precarious work and our lives are depending on them right now,” said Stewart.

Each jurisdiction can decide who will be eligible for the raise, but front line health care workers and some food industry employees will be given priority.

Health care system needs more workers

Provinces have been struggling to fill positions in hard-hit senior homes that have been ravaged by the virus.

“Our biggest challenge remains the lack of staff in our health care system,” said Quebec Premier François Legault during a press conference Thursday.

Legault welcomed the injection of money from the federal government and said his province has already been trying to encourage people back to work with bonuses and hourly wage increases, but there is still a shortage of frontline workers.

Canada continues to struggle with hundreds of coronavirus outbreaks in senior homes throughout the country.

About 80% of those who have died from Covid-19 in Canada were residents of long-term care centers.

Canada says it will deploy more than 1,600 soldiers to senior homes in Quebec and Ontario in the coming days to make up for acute staffing shortages. Trudeau acknowledges that soldiers shouldn’t be taking care of seniors and said he will be looking to work with the provinces to find a lasting solution.

“We know, however, that once we get through this, in the months and years to come, we’re also going to have to have reflections about how we manage and how we maintain our long-term care facilities, how we support essential workers who are very low paid, how we move forward as a society to make sure that our vulnerable are properly taken care of and properly rewarded for the important work they do,” he said.

Stewart said that while it was gratifying to see marginalized essential workers get the pay and recognition they deserve, politicians like Trudeau need to guarantee that his isn’t just an emergency pay increase but a lasting, stable, living wage.

“This didn’t just happen nine weeks ago, these people have been underpaid . . . and the pandemic just shot a big spotlight on the problem,” Stewart said.

Source:cnn.com

The total value of the 2020 Assessment Roll is $301 billion, compared to $306 billion in 2019. The typical residential property market value shift from the previous year is -4 per cent and the typical non-residential market value shift is 2 per cent.

• The 2020 property assessment values are based on a July 1, 2019 market valuation and physical condition on Dec. 31, 2019.
• The 2020 median single residential assessment is $455,000, compared to $475,000 in 2019.
• The 2020 median residential condominium assessment is $245,000, compared to $255,000 in 2019.

City Assessor and Director of Assessment Nelson Karpa says,” We have seen an overall slight decline in the residential market. While the decline in the residential market has been fairly consistent across the city, we also have observed that generally, higher valued homes have seen a higher level of market value decline in comparison to more moderately valued homes. In the non-residential market, we have seen an overall modest increase in the market values. Generally, we have observed a slight increase in the market value for office properties, and modest strength in the market values of retail and industrial properties.”

The City encourages property owners to review their property assessments for fairness and equity, and ensure the accuracy of their property details during the Customer Review Period. To do so visit calgary.ca/assessment to access our secure online Assessment Search Tool and handy Property Tax Calculator.

“We encourage all property owners to use the Customer Review Period to check, review and compare their assessment and to get their questions answered,” said Karpa,

Property owners who have questions after reviewing their assessment can speak to our Assessors directly at 403-268-2888. Hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Key findings from the 2020 Assessment Roll:

• In 2020, The City of Calgary mailed more than 544,000 Assessment Notices to Calgary property owners.
• The total value of the 2020 Assessment Roll is $301 billion, a decrease of $5 billion in value from last year.
• As a result of the 2020 Assessment, the typical assessment change between the 2019 and 2020 Assessment Roll is -4% for residential properties and 2% for non-residential properties.
• The 2020 median single residential assessment (excluding condominiums) is $455,000 compared to $475,000 in 2019.
• The 2020 median residential condominium assessment is $245,000 compared to $255,000 in 2019.
• Approximately 96% of residential properties’ revenue neutral taxes will stay within plus or minus 10% of last year’s taxes due to the 2020 assessment.
• Approximately 78% of non-residential properties’ revenue neutral taxes will stay within plus or minus 10% of last year’s taxes.
• For the 2020 Assessment Roll, non-residential properties have seen a marginal increase in value compared to 2019.
• After last year’s office tower reductions, we are happy to report that the office inventory is now moving similarly (positive) with other property types, which is a sign that some confidence has returned to the market. The Office sector is increasing 1% in value.
• Industrial property value remains strong and consistent, with many new construction projects being completed in 2019. Calgary’s diversification to distribution warehouses has added a reliable alternative to the oil and gas focused industry, leading to an attractive segment for investors.
• Retail property values also remain strong, with multi-national tenants choosing Calgary as their destination of choice. Although there has been turnover in the smaller sized retail segment, new businesses have been eager to renovate and occupy the vacated space.
• Overall, we see stability and increased values return to the non-residential market after a relatively difficult year for many businesses.
• The City of Calgary delivered more than 25,000 eNotices to property owners through Assessment Search’s secure account feature.

source:  https://newsroom.calgary.ca

Source: www.ab.gov.ca

Minister LaGrange, Sheldon Kennedy, trustees, student leaders and staff from Eastview Middle School.

Government is providing a grant of $300,000 per year over four years to support the Respect in School program, which educates school system employees on their responsibilities to ensure students are safe from abusive situations.

“All students deserve a positive and caring learning environment. With this grant, we are following through on our commitment to support safe schools that protect students against discrimination and bullying. I encourage all school leaders and staff to complete the Respect in School training for the benefit of our children.”

-Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education

The Respect in School online training, offered in English and French, will educate teachers and other school staff, bus drivers, parent volunteers and student leaders about how they can prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination in their schools.

“We are proud to stand alongside Alberta Education who, through their leadership, is making the safety and well-being of our kids their top priority. Respect in School will give school leaders the confidence to step up and step in when situations arise and help create safe and respectful learning environments for all students.”

-Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder, Respect Group Inc.

Through its online training programs, Respect Group Inc. has certified more than 1.2 million people across Canada to recognize and prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination.

“As a district we recognized increasing concerns for mental health and wellness. As we developed our Valuing Mental Health initiative, one of the key elements for prevention and promotion was the district-wide implementation of Respect in School. Each of our staff members goes through the training to recognize and prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination. By educating our school staff on the prevention of these issues, we build a culture of respect across our school community.”

-Nicole Buchanan, chair, Red Deer Public Schools

Albertans dealing with bullying or other issues that may be affecting their mental health can access supports 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including the Mental Health Helpline (toll-free at 1-877-303-2642), the Bullying Helpline (toll-free at 1-888-456-2323), Bullying Helpline Chat, and Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868).

The recipients of the Alice Modin award will also be recognized. Thirty years ago, Modin campaigned to launch a seniors’ day in Strathcona County, paving the way for a provincewide Seniors’ Week. The Alice Modin Award was created in her name, to honour a senior who has contributed long-term service to their community.

Oct. 1 is recognized as Day of Older Persons in Alberta. The province also celebrated this day by raising an International Day of Older Persons flag at the Edmonton Federal Building.

“These outstanding volunteers reflect Alberta’s values of hard work, dedication and always being willing to lend a helping hand. Day of Older Persons in Alberta is the perfect occasion to recognize and congratulate our 2019 award recipients and thank you for your many years of service to our cherished seniors.”

Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing
2019 Minister’s Seniors Service Awards recipients
Georgette Cyr, Legal
Allan Holt, Radway
Leonard Purnell, Cardston
Harjit Singh Brar, Calgary
Darrell Wood, Okotoks
Friends of St. Michael’s Society of Edmonton, Edmonton
Westend Seniors Activity Centre, Edmonton
Alice Modin Award recipient
Margaret Ann Woodward and Margaret Stolk (nominated together), Hillcrest Mines
Award recipients were selected from 53 nominations.
caption for the attached picture…….
Minister Josephine Pon with Minister’s Seniors Service Award recipients.

source: https://www.alberta.ca

Consul General Patron discussed with Premier Kenney the Filipino diaspora in Alberta, labor cooperation, Philippine

investments in the province, trade relations, ongoing education cooperation between the Philippines and Alberta, and the

potential for energy cooperation between the two sides.

About 30 single adults will soon begin moving into the Clayton, a safe affordable housing project in the west Calgary neighbourhood of Bowness. Designed to meet the needs of individuals who have experienced long-term or frequent episodes of homelessness, the Clayton will provide 24-hour social supports.

Residents will have access to trauma-recovery and culturally appropriate support programs, and are expected to begin moving in this summer.

The governments of Alberta and Canada provided just over $4 million of the total cost of $5.8 million.

Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing, made the announcement, along with Kent Hehr, MP for Calgary Centre, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Providing a safe, supportive place to call home is vital in helping people rebuild their lives after homelessness. Our government is proud to contribute to this affordable housing project in Calgary, and committed to working with other levels of government, community organizations and private-sector partners to help break the cycle of chronic homelessness.”

Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing

“With this grand opening, the Clayton will now provide affordable housing options, as well as supportive services for 30 individuals. Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project. The Clayton is more than just a safe and affordable place to spend the night; it is a key to a better life for the vulnerable individuals who come here when they have nowhere else to go.”

Kent Hehr, MP, Calgary Centre

“This collaboration between government, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, HomeSpace Society, Jayman BUILT, the RESOLVE Campaign and Calgary Alpha House Society is a demonstration that homelessness can end when we intentionally choose to work together. This building will provide a stable place of belonging from which the 30 future tenants will build a better future.”

Diana Krecsy, president and CEO, Calgary Homeless Foundation

“Jayman BUILT has been building homes in Calgary communities for 39 years. We appreciate the importance of having a place to call home and are fiercely committed to ending homelessness in our city. The entire Jayman team has shown its commitment to this cause through the construction of the Clayton, providing 30 new units for Calgarians who have experienced homelessness.”

Jay Westman, chairman and CEO, Jayman BUILT

“HomeSpace is proud to partner with Jayman BUILT through the RESOLVE Campaign and Calgary Homeless Foundation on our seventh new permanent supportive housing development. Through this collaboration, we are able to offer more affordable housing units with supports to the Calgary community. Our residents will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives with the dignity of a new home.”

Bernadette Majdell, CEO, HomeSpace Society

“We are excited to be providing on-site supports for another permanent supportive housing program with Calgary Homeless Foundation and HomeSpace. We believe everyone deserves to have a safe, stable home and that a home is a place where people can work on other aspects of their lives to create a healthier future. We look forward to becoming a part of the vibrant community of Bowness.”

Kathy Christiansen, executive director, Calgary Alpha House Society

Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon and Calgary-Centre MP Kent Hehr celebrate the opening of the Clayton, a new affordable housing apartment for homeless individuals in Calgary, with other project partners.

Premier Kenney and Minister Copping meet with newcomers and stakeholders to discuss their experiences with foreign credential recognition.

The act is a key part of the government’s Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan.

Highly trained immigrant professionals can sometimes spend years jumping through regulatory hoops while their skills atrophy.

This can result in a significant loss of economic productivity for the Alberta economy. If passed, the Fair Registration Practices Act would cut red tape, remove barriers, speed up the process where possible, hold professional bodies accountable, and increase fairness and transparency.

“Our goal is to get all Albertans back to work. Too often, we hear stories of ‘doctors driving cabs’ syndrome – and we are taking action to make sure newcomers’ credentials are evaluated and assessed objectively and in a timely manner.”

Jason Kenney, Premier

“It’s important for Alberta’s professional bodies to maintain high professional standards while allowing qualified newcomers to fully contribute to our economy. And not only that, giving newcomers the chance to pursue the careers they’ve trained for is, simply put, the right thing to do.”

Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration

“The settlement sector in Alberta has been advocating for fair recognition of newcomer qualifications for decades. The proven detrimental impact of underemployment of newcomer professionals is felt not only within their own families, but throughout society as well. We are certain that fair recognition of credentials will improve the quality of life of all Albertans, and are grateful this legislation is being introduced so quickly by the new government.”

Anila Lee Yuen, president & CEO, Centre for Newcomers

The proposed bill would:

• Provide the authority to create a Fair Registration Practices Office.
• Reduce the red tape associated with the assessment of foreign credentials.
• Work with regulators to ensure registration practices are transparent, objective, impartial and fair.
• Maintain Alberta’s high professional standards.

Bill 11 would require regulatory bodies to:

• Assess applications and communicate assessment decisions within specific time frames for interim registration decisions and within reasonable time frames for final registration decisions.
• Submit reports regarding fair registration practices to the minister responsible for the act.

“ASET is the regulator of engineering and geoscience technology practice in Alberta, and is committed to fully objective criteria for certification, and a level playing field for all applicants. Having long since adopted high standards of fairness in our admissions practices, ASET applauds the initiative for fair assessment of all applicants.”

Barry Cavanaugh, CEO, Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta

If passed, the legislation would come into force on proclamation.

Quick facts:

• According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canadians would earn up to $17 billion more annually if their learning credentials were fully recognized.

*Immigrants are the largest group, with an estimated 524,000 international

credential holders affected by a lack of learning recognition.

• Provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia already have fairness legislation to ensure that professional regulatory organizations have fair registration practices.