Jane Stroud
9909 Franklin Avenue T9H 2K4 Fort McMurray, AB, Canada

COUNCILLOR JANE STROUD’S NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2021 In December, Mayor and Council in collaboration with Municipal Staff, passed both the 2021 Operating and Capita...l budgets. The common goal being to serve the needs of those who live in the Municipality. Capital project funding that was recommended by Administration and passed by Council in the 2021 budget for the hamlets of Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, Janvier and Conklin include: $15,100,000 Rural Water and Sewer Construction $3,000,000 Anzac Lagoon Expansion Design & Construction $235,000 Janvier School Site Upgrades $200,000 Conklin Sewage Lagoon Construction $100,000 Janvier Water Treatment Plant, Upgrade-Design Municipal Community Investment Program funding approved by Administration; $11,200 Anzac Family Community Support Society Christmas Dinner, Block party, Night out in Anzac $35,100 Anzac Recreation and Social Society Program Support/Project Assistant and Community Hall $20,000 Anzac Recreation and Social Society Anzac Days and Winterfest $1,035 Camp Yogi Society Bear Smart Course $25,700 Camp Yogi Society funding from previous year deferred to 2021, Boat and Water safety/Swimming lessons, grand opening of Camp Yogi $18,545 Camp Yogi Society - Outdoor Crafts/workshop/Nature campout weekend $66,470 Conklin Community Association Round Dance with Cultural Ceremonies, Feasting, Cultural song and dance to Honor Residential School Healing. $1,088,344 Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo Anzac $1,316,565 Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo Conklin $5,961 Willow Lake Community Association 881 RCWA, Emergency Preparedness, Covid-19 requirements, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. $11,827 Willow Lake Community Association Anzac Days BBQ kickoff $13,500 Willow Lake Community Association deferred from 2020, fall trade show $20,000 Willow Lake Tiny Tots Various events, Family Fun Day, Family Skate, Bike rodeo Community Investment Programming funded 74% provincially and 26% municipally $92,500 Anzac Family Community Support Services Program Development/Workshops/Services Below are motions I put forward in December of 2020, during the municipally funded Community Investment debates. They were unanimously approved by Council. A big thank you to WLCA President, Darryl Woytkiw and Board Administrator Nicole Gardner for their collaboration and presentations to Council supporting the need for the funding request. $7,038 Camp Yogi Society - Food Festival $292,000 Camp Yogi Society - Rebuilding 5 Cabins, landscaping and Gazebo for outdoor Events & Concerts $17,396 Willow Lake Community Association - Anzac Winter Carnival Below are motions that I put forward during the capital budget debates in December of 2020. They were unanimously approved by Council. THAT $70,360 be added to the 2021 Operating Budget to increase hours of operation by eight hours (per week) at the Janvier and Conklin Waste Transfer Station during bear season. THAT Administration bring forward for Council’s consideration by March 2021 an accelerated plan for egress roads in Janvier and Anzac. THAT $30,000 be included in the 2021 Operating Budget for the installation of flag poles (to be completed by July 2021), for the purpose of flying the Métis flag, at the Anzac Firehall and at the Placemaking area. And with amendments by Mayor Scott and Councillor Allen; THAT Administration work with the GOA re: land acquisition for the placement of a sign on Highway 63 and 881 recognizing Treaty 8 and unceded Métis territory and report back to Council by end of March 2021 with financial costing for consideration. For small businesses in our region, please see below some of the grant funding that is available; Small and medium enterprise relaunch grant (SMERG) up to $20K if business ordered closed. Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) subsidy of up to 75% of employee wages retroactive from March 15, 2020 to June 2021. Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) direct subsidy of up to 65% of commercial rent or property expenses from September 27, 2020 until June 2021; further 25% if lockdown ordered. Canada Emergency Bank Account (CEB) - $60K interest free loan with $20K forgivable. There were a number of concerns last spring when rural residents were unable to have a fire pit. I want to let residents know that Mackenzie County put forth the following resolution: THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta to amend necessary legislation (including the Municipal Government Act and/or the Forest and Prairie Protection Act) to clarify that Councils of municipal districts and specialized Municipalities may make decisions on fire bans in hamlets within the Forest Protection Area. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is a specialized municipality. This resolution will need to be accepted by the provincial government. For any good deeds or concerns please e-mail [email protected] or telephone 780-799-6024. Thank you to our rural RMWB crew for lighting up our rural communities for the holiday season. Please see picture of the Gazebo in Anzac lit up for the Holiday Season.

COUNCILLOR JANE STROUD'S NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 December is an interesting month with budget meetings being held over a period of four days, from December 1,... to December 4, 2020. The budget is for the year 2021. Council passed a resolution in October to give me the opportunity to sit on committees for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. FCM has significant ability to influence debate and policy with the federal government. FCM is the national voice for Canada’s local governments as we negotiate with the Government of Canada’s departments and agencies on behalf of municipalities. In November I began attending virtual meetings with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. I am on a number of committees which include Northern and Remote Forum, Prairies & Territories Regional Caucus, Rural Forum, and Standing Committee on International Relations and Community Safety and Crime Prevention. There was some interesting information coming out of Sturgeon County during one of the committee meetings. They are increasing out door skating rinks and having their trails lit up with Christmas lights until the end of February. The project is called Cabin Fever. I have forwarded this information to Administration at the RMWB as some residents in Anzac were looking for an outdoor rink. There is limited usage on the indoor rink due to COVID-19. During the rural forum I asked if I could receive a list of Covid-19 related federal funding programs. I am also asking for housing projects that include operational funding. At the present time the Government of Alberta has put a moratorium on funding for social housing in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The end result is we have a very large waiting list for families needing social housing. In receiving information from the Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation, I have copied some web links for provincial funding opportunities. The links are for grants which might be of interest for business owners, non-profit organizations and faith-based organizations. Small and Medium Enterprises Relaunch Grant (SMERG) Application intake will remain open for 4 weeks following the start of Stage 3 of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. Eligible small-and-medium sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits can apply for funding so they get Albertans back to work. Eligible job creators can apply for up to $5,000 through this program. If you have specific questions about the program, email inquiries can be sent to: [email protected] CEWS program redesigned for Period 5 applications More businesses are now eligible for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Learn how the redesigned program can support your business. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) helps employers impacted by COVID-19 to keep workers on their payroll or bring previously laid-off employees back to work. To ensure Canadian workers and businesses are in a better position as our economy safely re-opens, the Government has implemented changes to the CEWS that broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support .Telephone number:1-833-966-2099 Community Initiatives Program The Community Initiatives Program (CIP), Project-Based grant stream supports projects that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta by providing assistance to non-profit organizations for new programs / enhancement to an existing program; community events; gender equity projects; technology; and portable equipment. Connect with the Community Grants office: Phone: 780-422-9598 Toll free: 1-800-642-3855 Email: [email protected] The Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women has many grant programs that accept applications through multiple intakes on an annual basis. For more information visit https://www.alberta.ca/culture-multiculturalism-and-status- Government of Alberta Faith-based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant One-time reimbursement to relaunch facilities used for cultural, religious, spiritual and ceremonial gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis. The program is currently open and accepting applications until March 1, 2021. There are 2 intake deadlines, December 15, 2020 and March 1, 2021. For more information visit https://www.alberta.ca/faith-based-and-cultural-facility-re For assistance navigating Government of Alberta economic development supports please contact James Tessier, Regional Economic Development Services at 780-815-4036 or [email protected] At the October 27, 2020 Council meeting a report was put forward to reduce the Roads and Transportation Bylaw fines by 25% if the municipal tag is paid within seven days. In reviewing the parking fine comparisons to other municipalities in Alberta we were still higher than the majority. As a Council member I have received numerous complaints on the RMWB fines. I put forward an amending motion that the violation tickets be reduced by 40%, if paid within seven days. I also put forward a supplementary motion that Administration be directed to complete a full review of the Roads and Transportation Bylaw and bring forward a rewrite, taking into consideration violation ticket amounts in other Alberta municipalities by April 2021.Council unanimously voted in favour of these motions. Stella Lavallee who is the President of the Willow Lake Metis Nation in Anzac kindly sent me information on Louis Riel Day. Mayor Scott read out the proclamation at the November 10, 2020 Council meeting. Louis Riel Day is observed by the Metis citizens in Canada on November 16. This is the anniversary of Louis Riel's execution in 1885. On this day the Metis people commemorate Louis Riel's life and celebrate their culture, language, heritage and ancestral homeland. Louis Riel when he was alive stated we must cherish our heritage. We must preserve our nationality for the youth of our future. The story should be written down to pass on. The Metis Councils across the 6th regions, as well as the Alberta Metis Federation Council relate to this statement. Thank you to Stephanie Burtenshaw for providing the information on the good work of the Anzac Scouts to complete their Engineering Badge. The Anzac Scouts had a field trip to visit Corwin Broesky and his forging shop. To qualify for the Engineering Badge, the Scouts had to complete 4 tasks; #1 plan/design the blade #2 learn about the elements and uses for specific knives which included safe handling #3 to help cut the elk antlers used for the handles and make the sheaths the knives are stored in. #4 try their hands at hammering out some steel and learning what the forging process all about. For any good deeds or concerns please e-mail [email protected] or telephone 780-799-6024 May the magic of the Christmas season fill your home with joy and peace.

International Tolerance Day

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