Foothills Focus, 9ed.

Hello Everyone,

It is never too early to start planning for what will certainly be an epic party.

Certainly Canada’s 150th birthday is still two years away, but when you are celebrating a milestone of this magnitude an ordinary soiree simply will not do.
No, this is going to a celebration for all of Canada to celebrate from coast-to-coast-coast and we want to leave a legacy for generations to enjoy long after the red and white confetti has been recycled. We want to ensure Canadians in the largest urban centres to smallest rural community has something to commemorate this most special occasion.

To help Canadians celebrate this historic day on July 1, 2017 our government announced in the Economic Action Plan 2015 several opportunities for municipalities, community organizations and not-for-profits to access funding for projects to commemorate Canada’s history, culture and heritage.

Thanks to this dedicated fund Canadians across the country will be able to celebrate the values that bind us as a nation. These investments will help create jobs while leaving a lasting legacy of improved community infrastructure.

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is a dedicated $150 million investment over two years to rehabilitate and improve existing community infrastructure.

Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation is a key milestone in the history of this country and with the theme of “Strong. Proud. Free” this celebration is a unique opportunity to deepen our sense of what it means to be Canadian, to reinforce our pride, national identity and unity.

As your Member of Parliament, I am extremely proud of this program and the opportunity for Macleod communities and organizations to celebrate our achievements, our successes, and what makes our nation so wonderful, our culture.

Canada 150 has dedicated $46 million for the western Canadian provinces and Western Economic Diversification Canada, under the leadership of Minister of State Michelle Rempel, will deliver the program and invest in infrastructure that help define a community’s sense of place and leave a lasting legacy in celebration of Canada 150.

In order to take advantage of this program it is important we spread the word throughout southern Alberta and encourage groups to apply.

The application deadline for this program is June 15, 2015.

Who Can Apply?
Organizations eligible to apply include:
• A local or regional government
• A public sector body
• A not-for-profit group
• A First Nation government, including Band or Tribal Council or its agent.

What Projects are Eligible for Funding?
Examples of types of community infrastructure that can be supported include:
• Community Centres including Legions
• Cultural Centres and Museums
• Parks, recreational trails
• Libraries
• Recreational facilities including arenas, gyms, pools, sports fields, sport courts or other types of recreational facilities
• Tourism facilities
• Docks
• Cenotaphs
• Existing community infrastructure for public benefit

In Western Canada preference will be given to cultural and community facilities that leave a lasting legacy excluding basic municipal infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, water/wastewater, sidewalks etc.

Applications are now being accepted and the deadline is 2 p.m. Alberta time on June 17. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online at the WD website www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/18872.asp

If you are eligible and you have a project in mind I encourage your organization to apply! This is a wonderful opportunity for Macleod to share in the Canada 150 celebrations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 403-603-3665.

FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
With an investment of $456,505 I am happy to announce 50 organizations in Macleod will be receiving funding to hire more than 100 young Canadians through the Canada Summer Jobs program.
This program helps students gain critical skills and experience, earn money for the upcoming school year and creates about 35,000 jobs for youth across Canada. It also helps boast our local economy and allows local businesses and organizations address skills shortages, which remains an issue in southern Alberta.

I was also able to announce $4,176 in funding from Canadian Heritage for the Crowsnest Pass Historical Society. This funding will help the museum carry out a collections management project on an historical photograph collection comprised of glass negatives, nitrate film negatives and positive photo images. The project will result in improved storage conditions for the photograph collection along with updated practices to protect and facilitate further cataloging of these fragile pieces. If all goes as planned, the project will end November 30, 2015.

MEETINGS/EVENTS
• Well, I never thought I would say this, but I was proud to be arrested! I was arrested to support the Okotoks Food Bank Jail and Bail and the Okotoks Market Square. Myself and my fellow inmates helped raise more than $15,000 for the Okotoks Food Bank.
• Met with Alberta representatives from the Canadian Dental Association to discuss dental health among First Nations
• Attended a luncheon with Greg Page, Executive Chairman of the Board of Cargill and we discussed Cargill Meat Solutions in High River.
• Attended meeting with First Nations leaders from northern Saskatchewan to talk about economic development.
• Met with High River RCMP Staff Sgt. Ian Shardlow and his replacement Staff Sgt. Alexander. I welcomed the former High Riverite back to the community and I look forward to working with him in the future.
• Attended the Sheep River Clean-up in Okotoks with my family.
• Was invited to speak at the fundraiser at the Nanton Bomber Museum. The event raised more than $55,000 for their expansion project.
• Students from Brandt Christian School visited the Ottawa office and attend Question Period. It was a pleasure to have them.
• Played in a soccer game on the Parliament Hill lawn to launch the FIFA Women’s World Cup coming to Canada. The MPs could not match the youthful media team. I’ll stick to hockey.
• All Aboard! Attended the maiden voyage of the new train at Aspen Crossing at Mossleigh. This is going to be an amazing tourist attraction for our area. Check it out.
• Participated in the Little Britches Parade in High River and kudos to all those families who braved the rain.
• Spoke at the Serbian Fest which was held at the St. Simeon Mirotocivi Church in DeWinton. It was a great event and I am looking forward to next year.
• Visited Sheep River House, Sandstone Lodge, High Country Lodge, Spitzee House and Soderberg House to discuss programs for seniors announced in the 2015 Budget.
• Co-hosted the Sun Country morning show with the wonderful Jody Seeley.
• Hosted Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel in High River. We met with council and businesses owners from the area to discuss the 2015 budget.
• Joined the Minister in a meeting with University of Lethbridge to talk about new innovations at the university.
• I was honoured to speak at the Charter Night for the new Okotoks Legion as it became the 11th Legion in Macleod. Congratulations to all who made this a reality.
• Wished many a happy birthday and shared cake at the Valley Neighbours Club annual 80 and over birthday party in Turner Valley.
• Met with representatives of the Alberta Beef Producers including Nanton’s Bob Lowe to discuss labour and trade issues such as COOL.

SPEECHES
• On May 4 I spoke in the House in support of Bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act
• On May 13 joined Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt for a Committee of the Whole where I spoke on Education funding including investing in the new Crowfoot School in Siksika.
• A Members’ Statement on Jim Bearcat Murray of Okotoks and Chris Koch of Nanton being inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Millarville’s Jason Parker’s Induction in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
• Speech in support of Bill C-42 – The Common Sense Firearms Licencing Act.

I hope you will join me in the next e-newsletter when I provide details on roundtables we held in the riding with veterans and my meeting with a ‘Royal’ couple.

John Barlow
Member of Parliament for Macleod