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

August 2008

I hope you will be able to join me on August 10th at Garrison Green for the annual Peacekeepers Day service. Each year we honour our soldiers, sailors and aircrew who have given their lives in the cause of peace around the world. We will be holding ceremonies in their honour as well as for our fallen soldiers in the current conflict in Afghanistan.

I’d like to thank everyone who came out to enjoy the Stampede breakfasts this year and I look forward to seeing you again next year.

Members of my Calgary constituency office are attending the open houses of Remington Development in an effort to keep up to date on the development of the new educational and recreational facility in the riding. The development is currently on schedule and more information can be obtained from my office.

The province is working on a project called Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta to develop policy, dealing with accountability measures and a funding model for students with special needs. Consultations on this process will engage various community stakeholders to ensure that policy options consider all aspects of student support.

Based on the results of the opinions submitted by Albertans the government will move ahead on developing a new license plate to be unveiled early in 2009 and implemented later in the year. It will be more reflective and help showcase the province to the world.

The Alberta government has approved a vaccine to help prevent the majority of cervical cancers. All girls entering grade 5 in September 2008 will be eligible to receive a vaccine that will prevent 70 percent of cervical cancers. Grade 9 girls will also be eligible for vaccine from September 2009 to June 2012. Please contact my assistant Donna Elms if you would like more information.

Building code changes will be made to help prevent high-intensity residential fires. Homes built 1.2 metres from the property line and the use of gypsum wallboard under vinyl siding will now be the standard. Amongst other things a public education campaign will be undertaken, and sprinkler systems will now be required in all new multi-family dwellings.

The government is implementing recommendations stemming from an examination of the province’s foster care system. The changes will improve the assessment process for potential foster parents, improve information sharing among staff and provide more support for new foster parents.

Landlords and tenants in Calgary will now be better able to settle disputes outside the courtroom. Alberta’s Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) has expanded into the Calgary area and began accepting applications from landlords and tenants this past June.

My Wild Alberta, www.mywildalberta.com, is a new web site for outdoors people that features hunting and fishing information, as well as a discussion board, events calendar, stories, videos, Alberta’s hunting and fishing regulations, and links to the Government of Alberta’s online licensing site, https://www.albertarelm.com.

In an effort to improve fairness and safety in the workplace Bill 26 the, Labour Relations Amendment Act 2008 will introduce revisions that would protect public safety, build fair workplaces for employees and promote healthy competition in the construction sector. Amongst other things the Act would remove the ability of ground ambulance services to strike or lockout during labour disputes and follows through on other recommendations of a 2004 MAL committee.

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. Please include your name, address and phone number so we can respond to your inquiry. Information is also available at www.assembly.ab.ca.