Hoffman signs clinic bubble bill into law

Bubble zones around Alberta abortion clinics are now officially law.

An Order in Council banning protests within 50 metres of an abortion clinic was signed by Health Minister Sarah Hoffman Monday.

The issue caused a stir during the spring session with the entire United Conservative caucus refusing to debate or vote on the bill or any of its amendments.

Each time the bells rang on division, UCP MLAs would scuttle from the house, returning the moment the vote was over.

The New Democrat, Alberta and Liberal parties all slammed the UCP for its behaviour, calling it “unacceptable,” “disturbing ” and “cowardly.”

RECRUITS WANTED FOR LOCAL FOOD COUNCIL

Applications are now open for Alberta’s first Local Food Council.

The government is looking for a diverse cross-section of members to represent Alberta’s billion-dollar local food industry.

The council has been tasked with providing recommendations on provincial policies, programs, pilot projects or initiatives to support the growth and sustainability of Alberta’s local food sector.

It’s going to look at potential barriers and challenges for producers, local food aggregation and distribution, risk-management tools, increasing access to local food and consumer awareness. It will report back its findings within a year.

The idea of the council is for a broad representation of the local food sector, including small producers and processors and those with specialized and academic knowledge.

Members will be selected from a public recruitment process. Stakeholders with an interest or knowledge of the local food sector are encouraged to apply. Applications close July 12.