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November 29, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1959 Legislative Assembly of Alberta head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education. Title: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 1:30 p.m. Date: 05/11/29 Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure today to [The Speaker in the chair] introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly 24 enthusiastic grade 6 students along with their teacher, Ms Margo head: Prayers Cahn, and two student teachers, Jill Williams and Shivon Lavallee, The Speaker: Good afternoon. from Earl Buxton elementary school in my constituency of Let us pray. We confidently ask for strength and encouragement Edmonton-Whitemud. They are here today to observe and learn in our service to others. We ask for wisdom to guide us in making with keen interest about government. They’re seated in the mem- good laws and good decisions for the present and the future of bers’ gallery. I’d ask them to rise and receive the traditional warm Alberta. Amen. welcome of the Assembly. Please be seated. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural head: Introduction of Visitors Development. The Speaker: Hon. members, it’s my pleasure today to introduce Mr. Horner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed a pleasure for three distinguished officers of the Canadian army, who are seated in me to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly the Speaker’s gallery. a very accomplished young woman, Ms Kristen Hedley. Kristen is Canada’s military contribution to Afghanistan is called Operation joined by her parents, Robert and Leona, her sister Kelsey, her Archer, and in early February 2006 the Canadian army will be brother Kennan as well as one representative from my department’s deploying nearly 2,000 personnel to Kandahar in southern Afghani- 4-H branch, Mark Muchka. Kristen is the 2005 4-H Premier’s award stan. Our forces there will be part of a multinational brigade recipient, the highest honour the Alberta 4-H program bestows on a composed of British, Australian, Dutch, Romanian, Danish, and member. The award recognizes young Albertans who demonstrate Estonian contingents. The officer who has been specially chosen to strong management, leadership, and communication skills as well as command this formation is Brigadier-General Dave Fraser of St. a strong dedication to their community. Albert. Nineteen-year-old Kristen is from Consort, Alberta, and has been General Fraser has spent much of his home service in Alberta. active in 4-H for more than 11 years. She is an accomplished public Abroad he commanded the second battalion, Princess Patricia’s speaker, a dancer, has held several executive positions in the Consort Canadian Light Infantry in Bosnia in 1996. A year prior on Creative Hands 4-H Club, and has represented Alberta 4-H at attachment to the French army in Sarajevo he was awarded Canada’s national and international events. Currently she is a second-year meritorious service medal for his actions during the Bosnian civil educational psych student at the University of Alberta. I would also war. note that Kristen’s grandfather was the late Hon. Gordon Towers, Colonel Tom Putt is a reservist and former commanding officer of who was Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor from 1991 to 1996. I’m the South Alberta Light Horse, the province’s senior reserve sure he would be very proud of his granddaughter’s accomplish- regiment. He has seen service in Germany and with the United ments. Nations Emergency Force. Colonel Putt has been selected deputy Congratulations, Kristen, and it is my personal pleasure to invite commander, National Command Element, Task Force Afghanistan. you and your family to rise and receive the traditional warm While Colonel Putt will be stationed in Kandahar, his responsibili- welcome of this House. ties will take him to Kabul and elsewhere in the theatre. South Alberta Light Horse Honorary Colonel Stan Milner is an The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Castle Downs. outstanding Alberta business leader and philanthropist. A former chairman of the University of Alberta, he is an officer of the Order Mr. Lukaszuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sitting above me today of Canada, a member of the Alberta Order of Excellence, and an in the public gallery, I’d like to introduce to you and through you to honorary doctor of laws. His regiment will contribute 20 reservists the members of this Assembly a group of 60 students from the to the Kandahar mission. Lorelei elementary school in north Edmonton. I had the pleasure of All three of our visitors were recently awarded the Alberta visiting that school just a few days ago, and I must tell you that it’s centennial medal. seldom that you see students so well informed not only about what’s Hon. members, the risks of serving sovereign and country on this going on in our Legislative Assembly but also in city hall and in the mission are well known. We wish the two visitors, who will be federal government, which definitely is a tribute to the students but deploying early in the new year, and those who they have the also to the teachers who have prepared them so well. They are privilege to lead well in all that lies ahead. We pray for their safe accompanied today by their teachers, Mr. George, Mr. Gibson, Ms return. McCurry, Ms Mockford, and Miss DeGroot, and also two parents, The majority of personnel for Operation Archer will come from Mr. Poon and Mrs. Webb. I’d like them to rise and receive the Land Force Western Area, which is Canada’s army in western traditional warm welcome of our Assembly. Canada. The majority of the Canadian contingent will be formed Thank you. from regular and reserve units from Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Morinville, and other cities and towns The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Hays. across Alberta. I would ask these three great Albertans – General Fraser, Colonel Mr. Johnston: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a veteran myself it’s an Putt, and Colonel Milner – to remain standing as they receive the honour in this Year of the Veteran to introduce to you and through traditional welcome of this House. [applause] you to members of this Assembly 10 men who served our country 1960 Alberta Hansard November 29, 2005 and its armed forces with distinction in both war and peace. With us Capital Health Outpatient Residence are seven veterans who served in the Second World War. They are Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For 20 years the outpatient George Custance and Bob Storrier of the army. Bob also served in residence at the U of A hospital has been providing affordable Korea with the decorated Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light accommodation for families dealing with illness. Now this afford- Infantry. Serving at home and in Europe during World War II were able, publicly run facility is being replaced by a higher cost private Canadian army veterans Bill Calder in England and the continent, hotel. The facility is outdated, and it does need to be replaced, but Tom Hayden in Italy and Holland, and Al Sunley of the Royal this costly change will be a major blow to rural Albertans in Canadian Air Force on duty in Great Britain. In the north Atlantic particular, many of whom have to travel from outside the region for were Stan Myers and Walter Sobkow with the Royal Canadian prolonged treatment for transplants, cancer, kidney problems, and Navy. Mr. Sobkow also served in the English Channel, in the heart disease. My first question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Pacific, and with the Fleet Air Arm. With them are three veterans Food and Rural Development. How does this minister justify this of NATO service and service with the United Nations: Ben blow to rural Albertans who have to travel to Edmonton from all Murdock, a former soldier in the Canadian army; Don Pagee of the over rural Alberta to receive medical care given that a quarter of Royal Canadian Air Force; and Willy Willett, RCAF, who also Capital health’s patients are from out of the region? served in the Sinai desert. I would ask these gentlemen to please rise and receive the gratitude and appreciation of this Assembly. Mr. Horner: Well, Mr. Speaker, obviously the question is more 1:40 likely directed to the minister of health, but as it relates to rural The Speaker: The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. development, in the rural development strategy which we’re coming forward with there is a need and a desire to move patients from the Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to introduce to city centres to the outlying or regional areas of health care so that we you and through you to all members of the Assembly visitors who can utilize those facilities outside of those major centres and actually are deeply concerned about the Capital health authority’s plans to have an expertise built in rural Alberta as well as in the city. It’s replace the current outpatient residence at the U of A hospital with also important – and the hon. member brings up a good point – to a high-cost privately run hotel. They believe the outpatient resi- have facilities available for parents and for families as they come in. dence provides a valuable service to over 5,000 Albertans every This government is not ignoring that fact. There will be facilities year, and they don’t want to see Albertans who are already facing available for those folks.