Calgary Hays is located in Calgary's 'deep south' and includes the communities of:

Auburn Bay
Copperfield
Cranston
Douglas Glen
Douglasdale
McKenzie
McKenzie Lake
McKenzie Towne
New Brighton
Seton

For more information on these communities click here.

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Calgary Hays MLA Art Johnston's
Report To Constituents

March 2007 (There was no article in March 2008)

In the last month or two I have undertaken new committee positions in the legislature. As of now my committee responsibilities include:

Chair of the Social Care Facilities Review Committee
Chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
Chair of the Special Constable Review Committee
Member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills
Member of the CPC – Community Services
Member of the Private Members Business House Strategy Committee (Caucus)

A bill I am currently working on is designed to protect neighbourhoods and communities from disruptive or illegal activities that may cause harm to near-by residents. Once passed in the legislature it will allow citizens to complain about illegal activities in a home or apartment to police, who can then put the home under surveillance without having to go to court for a warrant. Legislation similar to this has been effective in reducing crime in other jurisdictions in Canada. I’ll have more information to pass on to you as it becomes available.

I was pleased to attend the banner presentation ceremonies for Alberta’s championship wheelchair curling team. Donna and I had an opportunity to curl at the event and appreciate the passion and dedication the members of this team are to their sport. I’d like to congratulate them once again and wish them continued success this year.

The appraisal of the Tsuu T’ina Nation lands needed for the SW Calgary ring road should be finished any time now. Once this is done the financial part of the land negotiations will be discussed in detail. These negotiations will take some time and the government expects to have a draft agreement ready later this year.

The Calgary Health Region is changing how it delivers Home Care services in order to enhance continuity and timelines of care for clients. These changes will affect such services as dressing, bathing and light housekeeping provided by Personal Care Attendants. If you have any questions about how this may affect your care please contact your Home Care Coordinator or call 843-1920. A booklet addressing concerns constituents may have about Alberta’s health system is available at my constituency office.

I’d like to thank Jasona Hundal for the tour Donna and I had of the Shepard Land site and eco management site located in our constituency. More information on the Shepard Land site is available at my office.

Albertans will see an increase in provincial tax credits for 2007 which is part of the government’s process of indexing the tax system to inflation. The latest increase brings the province’s basic personal exemption, spousal exemption and eligible dependent amounts to $15,435 from $14,899, an increase of $536, or 3.6 percent, over last year. Albertans have the highest basic and spousal amounts in Canada.

I was pleased to be able to speak, along with Calgary Police Chief Jack Beaton, at the 25th anniversary of Calgary Crime Stoppers. Also in attendance was a representative of the R.C.M.P. south-west division. The Crime Stoppers program has been an overwhelming success with more than 5,000 arrests and over 10,000 cleared police cases. Thanks to all the volunteers and staff for your community support for helping make this possible.

There will be a Town Hall meeting coming up in April. When the details on the date and location are confirmed I’ll post the information on my web site and in the next newsletter.

I appreciate the input I receive from you and welcome any comments you may have. Please contact myself or Donna Elms at the constituency office at 215-4380, calgary.hays@assembly.ab.ca or art.johnston@assembly.ab.ca. Please include your name, address and phone number so we can respond to your inquiry. Information is also available at www.assembly.ab.ca.