Enjoying the great outdoors

By Leela Sharon Aheer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

What a beautiful week. The chinook winds brought many of you out to explore our local bike paths, and other treasures in our constituency like the frozen lake in Chestermere, Weed Lake in Langdon, Kinsmen Park in Strathmore or Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park, to name a few. In Chestermere-Strathmore, there are many beautiful places to spend some time with our families and get some much-needed fresh air.

I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our frontline workers, extended care, seniors care, professional caregivers, pharmacists and all who help us to stay healthy and safe at this difficult time. Our COVID-19 vaccinations have rolled out and at this point we’ve passed 1,000 vaccinations per 100,000, and distributed 45,000 vaccines, or 75 per cent of the supply received from Ottawa. The amount of vaccine we are given is completely at the discretion of the federal government and how they prioritize the provinces.

Vaccines will be critical in limiting the spread of this horrible virus and keeping our health system at levels where it can keep up with all types of healthcare, not just COVID-19 issues. We lost family and friends, we are separated from the ones we love, and all of us have made so many sacrifices to manage our COVID numbers, or a least flatten them. There is still a lot of work to do. However, we are headed in the right direction, so keep it up Alberta.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge two dedicated and exceptional community builders in our constituency. Some of you may know Aleesha Gosling, the owner of the Firehouse Bar and Grill; she manages, owns and works at this wonderful restaurant and, under normal circumstances, provides a great stage for live music. You may also know Denise Geremia who owns Lil Hoots Boutique in Strathmore, another entrepreneur who is a staple in our community. These two incredible women put together a fundraiser for a young little hero named Max Sych, also known as Mighty Max. This little sweetie has spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which means he needs a special treatment – Zolgensma – that costs almost $3 million. I want to thank Aleesha and Denise for their vision and determination to help Mighty Max and his family. Please check out the GoFundMe page for Max, or you can drop bottles off at Lil Hoots or the Firehouse Grill.

Lastly, thank you to Albertans for their outpouring of support. This is the Alberta I know and love. The Alberta that brings out the best in people in the worst circumstances, and the Alberta that gives and expects nothing in return. 

Thank you for allowing me to represent you and, 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)