Wacky weekend of weather

By Leela Sharon Aheer Chestermere-Strathmore MLA

Hello Chestermere-Strathmore readers. The storms that passed through our province this week remind us of how quickly the weather can change. The pictures of the tennis ball-sized hail and the damage to houses in Saddle Ridge and Rundle are a humbling reminder of the power of weather and is yet another blow to those who will have to fix their properties or, in the case of our farming friends, lost entire crops. We hope you are all safe and sound.  

I would like to take some time to discuss Bill 1, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act. I want to be clear that Bill 1 does not restrict lawful protests or the exercise of constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Civil legal remedies, outside of the scope and purpose of Bill 1, continue to exist for those law-abiding citizens. Rather, Bill 1 recognizes the economic freedom of Alberta’s businesses, our essential infrastructure and workers. The new offenses and penalties in Bill 1 expand on existing Trespass Laws and are meant to deter illegal activities that jeopardize public safety, the economy and the transportation of essential goods such as propane. Bill 1, as passed by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 28, makes it an offence to willfully and without lawful right, justification, or excuse trespass upon critical infrastructure; damage or destroy critical infrastructure; obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the construction, maintenance, use or operation of critical infrastructure in a manner that renders it dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective. Examples of critical infrastructure as defined by Bill 1 includes railways, power plants, highways, utilities and dams.

Earlier this year, Albertans witnessed the economic havoc caused by illegal activities that damage, interfere with or obstruct critical infrastructure. Our government will do all we can to discourage illegal activity that jeopardizes public safety, scares away investment and shutters our economy. We will not allow Alberta to become an economic hostage.

I would also like to reassure you that our government remains committed to building an Alberta where all people can fully participate and contribute. There has been no cut to anti-racism funding in Alberta. In fact, In December 2019, our government launched a new Multiculturalism, Indigenous and Inclusion Grant (MIIG). The program is designed to foster cultural awareness in communities across the province, and an appreciation and celebration of Indigenous peoples and multicultural society in Alberta. Additionally, our government continues to engage with the Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council. This council consists of 24 public members who represent a variety of faiths and cultures, are leaders in their communities, and who bring their lived experience and expertise to discussions.

Our government stands with every single Albertan and continues to support grassroots initiatives to address systemic racism in our province. As the first government in over 25 years to name a minister of multiculturalism, we are focusing directly on strategies to celebrate and share the unique cultures, heritage and traditions of all Albertans. This is truly a privilege for us. 

This past week we celebrated Filipino Heritage Month, first declared by a unanimous vote in the House of Commons on Oct. 30, 2018, and raised the Filipino flag as we celebrated their 122nd anniversary of independence and the many contributions Filipinos have made to Alberta. We celebrate Pride month all throughout the province, remembering the courage and work of the LGBTQ2S+ community and their friends, families, associations and organizations that have forwarded the rights of this community to be treated with fairness, and to have the freedom to be true to themselves regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. We celebrate love and respect and our shared unity in diversity.

We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful province. Celebrating culture, celebrating who we are, and understanding that all of those things have contributed to our wellbeing and the success of this province will help us to come out of this horrific downturn, recover and reset from COVID-19 and build our province back up again. We have always built connections to community, and empowered our citizens, Indigenous communities, our newcomers and neighbourhoods. I am so hopeful when I look at Albertans coming out of their houses, back into the cafes, restaurants and stores, and seeing folks interacting again. Thank you again for your incredible work in keeping us safe. As always, we love to hear from you.

(Leela Sharon Aheer is the MLA Elect for Chestermere-Strathmore, Minister of Status of Women and Minister of Culture and Multiculturalism)