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

November 2008

I hope everyone has an opportunity to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies this November 11th, or at least take a moment at 11:00am to remember the men and women of our armed forces both past and present who have served our country in a time of need. I would ask you to particularly remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

I am pleased to announce that the provincial government will be moving forward with the construction of eighteen new schools in Calgary and Edmonton. Two of those new schools will be located in Calgary Hays, with one being a K-4 public school and a K-9 Catholic school both of which will be located in Cranston.

These schools will be state-of-the-art schools developed through a public-private partnership (P3). They will have a core school design meaning a permanent building with the typical elements of a school including a gymnasium, library, offices, washrooms, classrooms and special teaching spaces. Steel framed modular classrooms will be added or removed from the core building as needed allowing for greater flexibility to respond to changes in student enrolment. The schools are on schedule to open in September 2010. The schools will be owned and operated by the school boards and communities will have the same access to P3 schools as they would any other school in the community. For more information on the schools visit www.education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/p3project.aspx.

The Government of Alberta is investing close to $425 million to assist Bow Valley College, SAIT and the University of Calgary expand their campuses. This funding will increase capacity in Calgary by creating 5,400 more spaces. Bow Valley College will double its physical capacity by 2012 while SAIT will develop a new Trades and Technology Complex that will open up another 3,600 new training spaces. New funding to the University of Calgary will allow the university to lease space for about 400 students in downtown Calgary creating opportunities for additional nursing and business students on campus.

Recently I attended a seminar on US policy and relations which provided valuable insights into the working relationship Canada and Alberta has with that country. Attended by government member colleagues it helps us better understand the nature and direction of working with the United States in the years ahead.

I also attended a panel discussion on Collaborate – For Kids’ Sake hosted by the Ministers of Education, Health & Wellness and Children and Youth Services. The discussion centred around the highly successful outcomes that are achieved when supports and early intervention initiatives are provided at school for children facing mental health issues, addiction, family violence or instability, anger management problems or stress.

A new Child Care Licensing Regulation came into effect on November 1, 2008 upon proclamation of the Child Care Licensing Act. The regulation reflects input gathered during two rounds of consultation with Albertans. Over the next few months, Children and Youth Services staff will be offering information and training sessions to licensed operators, child care staff and parents about the new legislation. The Regulation will reduce the regulatory burden on licensed child care programs and improve the overall quality of our child care system.

Finally, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to join me at the Calgary Hays Christmas Open House on Friday December 12th from 4-8 pm at the Deerfoot Hill Hotel. I hope to see you there.

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.