ECA Review 2024-02-15

ECA REVIEW HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB February 15'24 5
AGRICULTURE
2024 Growing Season Varieties
Peas: AAC Carver
Barley: Esma, CDC Austenson, AAC Connect
Wheat: AAC Brandon, AAC Hockley,
AAC Wheatland VB
ALIX COUNCIL
Council discusses immigrant worker program
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
The Village of Alix will discuss a
provincial government immigrant
worker program with another organization
in town after a large employer
in the community voiced interest in it.
The discussion was held at the Feb. 7
regular meeting of council.
Councillors read a report from
Village Chief Administrative Officer
(CAO) Michelle White regarding the
Rural Renewal Program, an effort to
alleviate some employer’s issues
finding staff.
According to the Government of
Alberta’s website the program is
defined thusly: “Rural communities
can apply for designation with the
intent to attract and recruit newcomers
to address labour needs and
settle newcomers.”
In her report White stated the
Village of Alix was approached by a
local employer which voiced interest
in this program.
“A business in our area has
requested Alix consider becoming
part of the Rural Renewal Stream,”
stated the agenda
memo.
“This business
has several fulltime
job openings
they have not
been able to fill
using local
recruitment
efforts.”
The CAO provided
councillors
with a summary
and details of the
program in question
and observed
that it may not
necessarily have
been designed
with municipalities
the size of
Alix in mind.
“When
reviewing the list
of participating
communities, it’s
worth noting that
there were no villages
on the list,”
stated White.
“Two of the main difficulties for
smaller municipalities are ensuring
adequate housing (rental spaces) for
potential foreign nationals and the
ability to provide newcomer supports.
“Alix does have some level of rental
housing available and we are close
enough to Red Deer that any newcomer
supports not available here
could be found within a reasonable
distance.”
White also pointed out Rural
Renewal Stream has strict guidelines
that must be followed, including the
creation of an Alix committee that
would review applicants and make a
recommendation about who should be
approved. She stated that joining this
provincial program takes time.
The CAO’s report noted there are
one or two local businesses that have
had trouble finding the workers they
need.
It was further noted a large
employer in Red Deer recently
announced layoffs, and White noted
that Alix businesses may be able to
attract those workers.
Coun. Barb Gilliat stated finding
adequate housing for foreign nationals
in Alix would be an issue.
The CAO mentioned that judging by
the comments made to her from other
municipalities, Alix village staff may
see an increase in their workload if the
municipality becomes part of the
Rural Renewal Stream; apparently,
stated White, call volume from prospective
workers can be heavy.
Gilliat responded that probably
explains why villages that tend to have
a small staff compliment aren’t part of
this program. Gilliat suggested taking
this idea to a Chamber of Commerce
meeting for feedback.
Mayor Rob Fehr stated he felt the
Regular Sales every Friday - 9:00 A.M.
Spring Gather of 2024
March 4 th , 5 th & 7 th – PRE-BOOK Yearling Sales – 10:00 A.M.
April 8 th – PRE-BOOK Yearling Sale – 10:00 A.M.
April 10 th – PRE-BOOK Yearling & Replacement Heifer Sale – 10:00 A.M.
Spring Bull Sales
February 28 th – Saddle Ridge & Kaiser Charolais Bull Sale – 1:00 P.M.
March 9 th – Deer River Ranching Black Angus Bull Sale – 1:00 P.M.
March 16 th – Bandura Ranches Black Angus Bull Sale – 1:00 P.M.
March 18 th – Fraser Total Performance 2Yr Black Angus & Hereford Sale – 1:00 P.M.
March 19 th – Bulls Eye Select Bull Sale – 1:00 P.M.
March 26 th – Charmark Charolais Bull Sale – 1:00 P.M.
March 27 th – Count Ridge Red Angus Bull & Heifer Sale – 1:00 P.M.
April 11 th – Acadia Ranching Charolais Bull Sale – 2:00 P.M.
April 18 th – 66 Ranch 2Yr & Yearling Black Angus Bull Sale – 1:30 P.M.
May 10 th – 66 Ranch Cow & Calf Pair Sale – 1:00 P.M.
General Manager:
Diane Van Essen
403-915-7156
Asst. Manager:
Sam McKinnon
403-793-1731
program is a great idea but didn’t want
to have more work placed on the village
staff.
Coun. Janice Besuijen noted that if
the Village of Alix applied to become
part of the Rural Renewal Stream the
workload could be shared between
various community organizations.
Fehr responded that might be the
only way to do it. “To me, it should be
collaborative anyway,” said the mayor.
Councillors unanimously passed a
resolution that the Village of Aix contact
the local Chamber of Commerce to
get their input on the Rural Renewal
Stream idea.
Field Man:
Lachie McKinnon
403-362-1825
403-362-5521
bowslope.com
bowslope@eidnet.org
Valleymere Angus
Field Man:
Colter Ellefson
403-376-7024
SPADY
Black Angus Yearling Bulls
FOR SALE
403-740-3652 Travis
403-741-2840 Ty
24023aa2
Travis &
Halley
SPADY
Alliance, AB