Mackenzie County

Just a reminder to order your Shelterbelt Trees by December 31, 2020.

While Mackenzie County offices remain open to serve you... ~if you require permits we are requesting that you call to book an appointment with our planning staff ~we encourage you to take advantage of alternate payment methods.... Under Provincial requirements masks are mandatory in County facilities. Thank you for your cooperation.

Attention La Crete, Fort Vermilion & Area: Enter to Win a SHOPPING SPREE & great prizes with our Shop Local Snap Shot Contest! Here's how it works: Like o...ur page & like this post (if you haven't already) Take a selfie shopping locally during Moonlight Madness in La Crete Mon-Sat or at the 1788 Market in Fort Vermilion this Saturday Post your photo in the comments OR post it on your wall and use the hashtag #shoplocalsnapshot (enter as many times as you want with different pictures at different stores) The prize package includes: An MFTA Kuma Deluxe Camping Chair ($180 value), a $100 gift card to an MFTA member of your choice and MFTA swag. That's a package worth over $300! Contest closes on Sunday, November 29th at midnight. Good luck! Participating businesses/markets: Moonlight Madness | Nov 23-28 | La Crete (Apple Drugs, Co-op, Cee-Jay's Health Products, Country Corner Furniture, Canadian Dollar Store, Home Hardware, LRT Home and Office, Payless Mobility, PV Trailer Sales, Source for Sports, Rugged North Workwear Safety, RONA, Thinker Trove, Tuffline PowerSports, Bargain! Shop, Norpine Auto Industrial Supply, Alberta Farm Supply Co., Mix and Match Clothing, Super J Foods, UFA, Buffalo Head Prairie Co-op, Country Variety Store, Restless Hobbies, Sunnybrook Sausages, TG's Flowers & Crafts, Prairie Coast, Bee's Knees Knittery, Fit Life, and Frontier Auto & Industrial Supply) 1788 Market | Nov 28 | Fort Vermilion Cultural Centre

Just a reminder to use safe burning practices to reduce smoke related accidents.

Today, Alberta is moving ahead with stronger public health measures. Like nearly everywhere else in the western world, we are experiencing a surge in hospitaliz...ations and ICU admissions. The simple reality is, if we don't stop this surge, our system will be overwhelmed. These are not decisions taken lightly especially at this time of year. Not only will these restrictions mean financial hardship for many Albertans , they will keep us apart during the Christmas holidays a cherished time usually set aside for getting together with family and loved ones. But we must take stronger action to prevent this surge, protect our health care system, and save lives. Effective immediately, all indoor and outdoor social gatherings of any size are prohibited. This will be enforced with strong fines, starting at $1,000. Social gatherings are one of the top sources of spread. We simply must crack down. Also effectively immediately, masking will be mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces across the province. Renters and farm operations will be exempt. Effective Dec. 13, in-person attendance at churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship will be limited to 15% capacity. We strongly encourage faith leaders to have online and drive-in services, where possible. Effective Dec. 13, retail services will be reduced to 15% capacity. This includes retail stores, grocery stores, and shopping malls. As of Dec. 13, in-person dining at restaurants, bars, and pubs will be closed. Curbside pickup, delivery, and take-out is permitted. Other establishments will be closed - casinos, bingo halls, libraries, museums, galleries, theatres, pools, gyms, skating rinks, hair salons. We know many small businesses will be severely affected by these measures. That's why we're tripling our small business grant program to $15,000 for those affected by COVID-19 health measures and reducing the income loss threshold from 40% to 30%. Alberta's government will be there for our small businesses to help get them through this pandemic. Effective Dec. 13, all employees who can work from home will be required to do so. Employees whose physical presence is required for operational effectiveness of a business are not affected by this requirement. There is no change for Alberta schools - K-6 students remain in class until the Christmas break, and Grades 7-12 will continue with online learning from home. In-person classes will resume on January 11, 2021. I did not get into politics and public service to make these kinds of decisions. But they are absolutely needed to protect lives directly from COVID-19, and for thousands more, the healthcare services they need to survive. I thank all Albertans for what they've done, and will continue to do, to help us stop the spread, and protect lives. For the full details on new measures announced: https://www.alberta.ca/announcements.cfm More details on our expanded supports for small businesses: https://www.alberta.ca/announcements.cfm

Mackenzie County is currently updating the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw to guide how land is used and where the County grows over the next 20 years. We want to hear from you! Take the online survey between November 16 - 29, 2020 at www.planmackenzie.com.

Just a reminder that today is the deadline to reserve your spot in the Psychological First Aid Workshop being held on November 17, 2020 in Fort Vermilion.

Expanded health measures will be in effect province-wide. All Albertans, businesses, organizations and service providers must follow all new health measures. Ne...w expanded mandatory measures come into effect Dec. 8 for social gatherings and mandatory masking. All others come into effect 12:01 a.m., Dec.13. SOCIAL GATHERINGS - Effective Immediately All indoor and outdoor social gatherings public and private are prohibited. This does not apply to service visits from caregivers, health or child care providers and co-parenting arrangements. Close contacts are limited to household members only. Individuals who live alone may have the same two non-household close contacts for the duration of this restriction. MANDATORY MASKING Effective Immediately The mandatory indoor public masking requirement will be extended province-wide. Applies to all indoor workplaces and facilities outside the home. Applies to employees, visitors and the general public. Farm operations are excluded. PLACES OF WORSHIP Effective Dec. 13 All places of worship will be limited to 15% of fire code occupancy for in-person attendance, with physical distancing and masking. Virtual or online services are strongly encouraged Drive-in services where individuals do not leave their vehicles and adhere to guidance will be permissible and are not subject to capacity restrictions. RETAIL SERVICES Effective Dec. 13 Retail services must reduce customer capacity to 15% of fire code occupancy, with a minimum of 5 customers. Curbside pick up, delivery and online services are encouraged. Shopping malls will be limited to 15% of fire code occupancy. CLOSURES Effective Dec. 13 Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes will be closed to in-person service. Only take out, curbside pickup and delivery services are permitted. Casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions, and private clubs will be closed. Recreational facilities fitness centres, recreation centres, pools, spas, gyms, studios, day and overnight camps, indoor rinks and arenas will be closed. Entertainments businesses and entities libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks and water parks will be closed. Hotels may remain open but must follow restrictions no spas, pools or in-person dining. Room services only. Personal and wellness services, including hair salons, nail salons, massage, tattoos, and piercing, will be closed. Health services, including physiotherapy or acupuncture, social or protective services, shelters for vulnerable persons, emergency services, childcare, and not-for-profit community kitchens, or charitable kitchens will remain open for in-person attendance. WORK FROM HOME Effective Dec. 13 Mandatory work from home measures will be implemented unless the employer determines that work requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness. These restrictions will be in place for a minimum of four weeks. https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

Mackenzie County employees were recognized today at the Regular Council Meeting for their long term service. Congratulations!