Get ready to light up the darkness
Happy November! Winter is in full swing now, and there are just a few weeks left until the end of the year. Happily for us, Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is here to light up the darkness. In what has become an annual event, the Winter Lights Festival is running through December and January, with the opening night on Friday, Dec. 1. There will be snacks, a heating lounge, gifts to purchase and, of course, over 100,000 lights decorating what is already one of the most special places in town. I can’t wait.
I can only participate in these local special events if I am healthy, which is why I and my family get immunized every year. It’s not too late to get your flu shot. Most physicians and pharmacists will administer the vaccine, and Alberta Health Services continues to run public clinics through the winter. Check here to find out when there is a clinic near you: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/influ/.
November is Family Violence Prevention Month. No one should have to live in fear for their safety or suffer in silence, but we know that many do.
Our provincial theme this year is “Reach Out. Speak Out — It Takes All of Us.” We are focusing on how addressing family violence is a job for everyone. Research shows that neighbours, friends, and coworkers play a vital role in preventing family violence and addressing it when it does occur. If we recognize the warning signs and know how to support each other, we can end the cycle of abuse and violence in our community.
The government has an important role in addressing family volence as well, and we have taken a number of actions on this. Nine ministries are involved in the provincial response to family violence, and over $14 million has been provided since 2015-16 for projects to build safe and healthy communities. Alberta women’s shelters provide accommodation for women and children in crisis from family violence. Our government increased funding for women’s shelters by $15 million.
If you think someone you know is in an abusive situation, or you want to find out how you can help someone affected by family violence, you can call the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818. This line is toll-free, province-wide, and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since 2006 this line has fielded more than 19,000 calls. You can also visit endfamilyviolence.gov.ab.ca to find other resources. You are not alone.
Nov. 20 was National Child Day, and this year the focus was on “The Right to be Safe.” All children have the right to be protected from harm, and it is up to adults to ensure that right is upheld. Del Graff, Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate, described it this way: “When a young person feels safe it can help build a sense of security, confidence and community, and sets a path to a positive future.”
Upholding children’s rights was the main thrust behind Bill 24: Supporting Gay Straight Alliances in Alberta, which was just passed by our government. We know that parents play a critical role in the education and success of their children. There are many deeply personal and important conversations that happen throughout the course of a child’s life — this legislation ensures that the conversation around GSAs happens when the child decides, instead of when a teacher or school initiates it.
We are also working to keep people safe at their jobs. Over the past three years, violent incidences at retail fuel stations and convenience stores have resulted in the deaths of five workers and serious injuries to three others. No one’s life should be at risk because someone wants to drive away with a stolen tank of gas. Bill 19: An Act to Protect Gas and Convenience Store Workers makes prepaying for fuel mandatory and introduces other violence prevention programs at gas and convenience stores. These measures, along with our work to stop wage deductions for customer thefts, will make work safer for many in our communities.
If you have other suggestions on how to improve safety in our communities, or if there is anything my office can help with, please feel free to contact us. Call us at 403-329-4644 or email us at lethbridge.west@assembly.ab.ca.