Licence deadline for bus drivers, farmers extended

AISH recipients to receive uninterrupted financial assistance once they turn 65

Alberta is extending the deadline for farmers and school bus drivers to meet training requirements as new commercial drivers.

Alberta introduced mandatory entry-level training requirements for drivers seeking Class 1 and Class 2 commercial licences on March 1. Eligible farmers and farm workers can apply to Alberta Transportation for the deadline extension until Nov. 30, 2020, while eligible school bus drivers can apply until July 31, 2020.

Farmers and farm workers must pass the Class 1 enhanced knowledge and road tests before March 1, 2021 to keep their commercial licence, and school bus drivers must pass the Class 2 MELT enhanced tests by July 31, 2020.

School bus drivers who do not have an S Endorsement on their driver’s licence will have until July 31, 2020, to complete the school bus driver improvement program.

Cutting paperwork for seniors with disabilities

AISH recipients will be automatically enrolled in Alberta’s seniors financial assistance programs once they turn 65, ensuring uninterrupted benefits, the government said Friday. Recipients used to have to submit a separate application for provincial seniors benefits, even though government already had the required information.

In a Friday news release, Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon said auto-enrolment will eliminate an unnecessary application process and ensure AISH recipients will not miss out on provincial financial assistance they may be eligible for as they reach age 65.

Happy Canada Day from the leg islature

Speaker Nathan Cooper will welcome Albertans to the legislature Monday as the nation celebrates Canada Day.

Free history, culture, powerful exhibitions and family entertainment will run from noon to 9 p.m. on July 1.

The day kicks off with a free pancake breakfast on the south grounds from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. At noon, Cara Lianne McLeod will sing O Canada.

Celebrations will feature a performance by three-time world champion hoop dancer and electronic dance music producer Dallas Arcand (DJ KZK).

The legislature building will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the visitor centre from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Borealis Gallery and Pehonan Theatre are both open, and performance areas around the grounds include a Family Fun Zone and Diversity Stage on the south grounds and the Alberta Discovered Stage on Capital Plaza.

The Works, North America’s largest free outdoor art and design festival, will continue on Capital Plaza.

Fireworks over the River Valley and North Saskatchewan River are set to go off with a bang at 11 p.m.