THE Thursday, September 25, 2014 Volume 52, Issue 5 NAIT YOUR STUDENT NEWSPAPERNUGGET FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA HOME, SWEET HOME Habitat for Humanity homes that NAIT students helped build are opening this week, Page 3 Sarah McMas- ter, left, and Crista German, second- year Occupational Health and Safety students, volun- teered their time with Habitat for Humanity earlier this year. Photo courtesy of NAIT OH&S Diploma Program 2 The Nugget Thursday, September 25, 2014 NEWS&FEATURES City eyes smart buses By NICOLAS BROWN beyond audio, however. The smart bus Development at ETS. on the phone or in person at certain loca- @bruchev technology allows Edmontonians to track This system also has incredible bene- tions, the system would make taking pub- Hopefully by now at least some NAIT the bus they want online or on their phones, fits for ETS operations behind the scenes, lic transit quick and convenient for regu- students have had the opportunity to check so that transit users will know exactly when including gathering metrics and allowing lar transit users. A smart fare system is out the Ookspress, the dedicated express the bus will arrive. Screens at transit cen- the accurate dispatch of peace officers or also intended to increase convenience route to and from NAIT from Churchill tres, similar to those now installed at most replacement buses to the exact location across the system, though exact details Square. This express service is utilizing the LRT stations in the city, will display the needed. are not yet widely available on the final new “stealth” electric buses as part of the estimated time each bus will arrive. In addition to the smart bus technol- form this system will take. city’s new pilot project to test out sustainable “The main benefit of the smart bus ogy, a new smart card and smart fare sys- Finally, an ETS article in the Nugget alternatives to the current fleet of diesel buses. technology for our customers is eliminat- tem is in the works. This new system is not complete without an LRT update. This pilot project isn’t the only change ing uncertainty, especially in our winter would improve convenience for tran- NAIT students have been eagerly await- in the works at Edmonton’s public transit climate, so that customers know when the sit users, who would no longer need to ing the arrival of the LRT system to NAIT’s provider, though. ETS is moving forward buses are coming; so they aren’t out there carry change or purchase tickets or passes main campus and the delays have been both with the smart bus technology currently freezing and wondering when the bus will every month, with everything replaced by disappointing and frustrating. However, it installed in a number of buses operating arrive,” says Bill Sabey, director of Service a card. Reportedly easy to refill online, seems that the city is determined to have major routes throughout the city. A smart the NAIT Metro LRT line up and running card/smart fare project is also still in the as promised by the end of 2014. works, intended to increase convenience “I’m really looking forward to having for transit users. And don’t forget about that line open to NAIT,” says Councillor the long-awaited Metro LRT line direct Sohi. “Thousands of students attend that to NAIT’s main campus as well, which is institution and an efficient transportation slated to open at the end of 2014. system is critical.” Why the focus on new technology? Coun- Testing of the LRT’s new signalling cillor Amarjeet Sohi, who serves as chair of the programs have been underway since July, city’s Transportation Committee, explains: “In the last piece needed before students can today’s day and age, users are demanding we step into the cars and ride to campus from embrace technology. We need to take our tran- Churchill Square. Will students be able sit system into the next century.” . to ride the LRT from NAIT to Churchill The smart bus system currently tracks Square for the New Year’s Eve fireworks? buses on their routes and the buses have We can hope so, but in the meantime, don’t integrated audio systems that announce forget to check out the Ookspress bus ser- stops and can play automated messa- Photo by Ciaran Boyle vice from campus to downtown that’s ges. This system is planned to expand far An Edmonton Transit bus cruises under the pedway to the HP Centre. available every day. A new premier, a new look By LISA BERG • Jonathan Denis – Justice and Solici- ern Alberta, which may indicate a lot of A new premier was sworn in last week tor General, Deputy Government House focus on that side of the province. and with him comes a new cabinet. Leader The new ministers have received letters Premier Jim Prentice was sworn in on • Jeff Johnson – Seniors from the premier outlining what he hopes Sept. 15 and has a new outlook and some • Don Scott – Innovation and Advanced to be seen done during his term. All letters changes in mind for the PC party. He has Education, Deputy Government House can be found on the alberta.ca website. The introduced a smaller cabinet with two Leader municipal affairs mandate states that the unelected members, one of which is our • Maureen Kubinec – Culture and new party will, among other things, ‘end former mayor Stephen Mandel. Tourism entitlement and restore public trust’ and The new ministers: • Wayne Drysdale – Transportation ‘create a new partnership with big cities to • Stephen Mandel – Health • Stephen Khan – Service Alberta ensure their capacity to manage growth.’ • Robin Campbell – Finance, President • Ric McIver – Jobs, Skills, Training In light of this particular letter, Edmont- of Treasury Board and Labour ton Mayor Don Iveson, at a press confer- • Diana McQueen – Municipal Affairs, The premier himself will be in charge ence held Sept. 18, had this to say: “There Government House Leader of Aboriginal Affairs and International and seems to be a refreshing focus on cities. • Frank Oberle – Energy, Deputy Gov- Intergovernmental Relations. When Premier Prentice talks about building ernment House Leader Both Mandel and Dirks do not hold world calibre cities, that’s really encour- • Gordon Dirks – Education seats. aging. I have a level of optimism I haven’t dangpolitics.com • Manmeet Bhullar – Infrastructure The cabinet has shrunk in size, which had before.” Premier Jim Prentice • Verlyn Olson – Agriculture and Rural indicates future change. So far in Premier At the press conference held last Mon- leadership, new voices and a new way of Development Jim Prentice’s short term he has eliminated day the premier said, about the com- doing things.” • Heather Klimchuk – Human Services the use of private planes for himself and the ing changes in the province, “As of this With that in mind, we can expect a lot • Kyle Fawcett – Environment and Sus- cabinet ministers. A majority of the minis- moment, Alberta is under new manage- of changes to our city and province in the tainable Resource Development ters hold rural ridings in central and north- ment. This is a new government with new coming months. Thursday, September 25, 2014 NEWS & FEATURES The Nugget 3 The Nugget Habitat helpers Room E-128B By JOSEPH RANGER knowing their students had a hand in the This week, (Thursday, Sept. 24), 16 Over a dozen families will take pos- construction of Neufeld Landing, billed families will be presented keys to their new 11762–106 Street session of new homes this week, courtesy as the single largest project undertaken accommodations at Neufeld Landing. For Edmonton, Alberta Habitat for Humanity and several thou- by Habitat for Humanity in the Edmonton years, students from Construction Engin- T5G 2R1 sands of volunteer hours – including those organization’s 23-year history. Named after eering Technology, Environmental Design Production Office 471-8866 from NAIT students. Don Neufeld, a long-time Habitat volun- Technology, and Occupational Health and www.thenuggetonline.com NAIT department chairs can feel proud, teer, construction began in early July, 2013. Safety have volunteered their time and Editor-in-Chief labour towards this and several other Habi- Gabrielle Hay-Byers tat projects. NAIT students have also volunteered [email protected] their time and efforts at Habitat for Human- Issues Editor ity locations in Calder, Londondary, Bev- Maria Tagliente erly, the pre-fabrication shop and the [email protected] ReStore locations. Last month, the house Sports Editor in Beverly was dedicated to a deserving Connor Hood family. [email protected] Rohit Chauhan, a second-year stu- Entertainment Editors dent in NAIT’s Occupational Health and Safety program, volunteered for Habitat for Richard Lukacs Humanity in mid-April along with 32 class- Quinton Berger mates. He spent his time at the pre-fabrica- [email protected] tion shop while other classmates fanned out Photo Editors through the city at other Habitat locations – Ciaran Boyle including Neufeld Landing. Tegan Dutton [email protected] ‘A good cause’ Online Editor “It was a good cause and I tried to learn something new,” said Chauhan. “Habitat Baillie Scheetz for Humanity supports the community and online [email protected] it provides people with housing options.” Special Consultant Chauhan relayed his experience to his Bridgette Tsang eight-year-old son, Rishabh and his reason Production Manager for doing so. Frank MacKay “I told him volunteering is a good thing, as it not only contributes to soci- [email protected] ety and helps credential your resume but Submissions encouraged: it helps people realize the goal of home [email protected] ownership.” The opinions expressed by contributors The City of Edmonton, under then- to the Nugget are not necessarily shared Mayor Stephen Mandel, contributed by NAIT officials, NAITSA or elected $2 million towards a land purchase school representatives.