Ogden Legion Remembrance Day
Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre
The Calgary John Howard Society
Friends of Africa presented by Canadians United to Serve Humanity
World Energy Cities Partnership – Toward a Solution
Alzheimer Society Memory Walk
Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
International Day of Peace – Peace Pole unveiling
Multi-Faith Walk to End Family Violence
International Society Of Addiction Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting
Calgary Correctional Awareness Week Launch
Hospice Calgary Counseling & Education Centre
Milestones Project Diversity Exhibit
Calgary Transit Art Showcase
World Wide Views Canada – Public Consultation on Climate Change
Bangladesh Canada Association of Calgary
Growing Home: Housing And Homelessness In Canada Conference
20th Anniversary Mayor’s Environment Expo Nature Photography Contest
Parkinson Society of Southern Alberta
Day of Mourning
Calgary Immigrant And Refugee Seniors ‘Speak Out’ Forum
Deaf Canada Conference
Ogden Legion Remembrance Day
November 11, 2009
Church service 9 am, Parade 10 am, Cenotaph Service 11 am
Madame President of the Ogden Legion Branch #154; Ladies, Gentlemen, honoured guests, boys and girls.
Good Morning everyone,
Thank you for inviting me to participate in this important memorial service.
We stand here together today, as we do every year on this day to honour those whose sacrifice and determination must never be forgotten.
Some of you may have seen the newly minted Canadian postage stamps in remembrance of fallen soldiers. Featuring a single poppy and details from the National War Memorial in Ottawa, the stamp reminds us of the famous poem In Flanders Fields written by Dr. John McCrae during WWI. Sadly, since the War to End All Wars, there has not been one single day of peace unmarked by a war or conflict in some part of the world.
Calgarians continue to recognize the lives lost to wars in new and profound ways. Calgarian George Bittman from the Calgary Poppy Fund is leading an initiative to honour the men and women in the Calgary region who died during all wars. A team of volunteers have placed approximately 506 crosses along Memorial Drive near Centre Street on land beside the roadway. You can’t help but be moved by the crosses that are placed there row on row on row. It’s a stark reminder of the 506 (507) Calgarians who have lost their lives far too young.
Also along Memorial Drive, the Landscape of Memory is almost complete and continues to be a major transportation corridor that doubles as a beautiful and living legacy to commemorate the troops of World War I. The Peace Bridge will be built nearby in honour and recognition of Canada’s military and Canadian soldiers. The south end of the bridge will connect with Peace Park in West Eau Claire which was dedicated by The City of Calgary in 1992 to celebrate Canada’s 125th birthday and to signify The City’s commitment to fostering peace, tolerance and understanding. The north end of the bridge will connect with The Landscape of Memory on Memorial Drive which focuses on the themes of remembrance, legacy and history and what these mean to Calgarians.
The Calgary Peace Pole located in Peace Park is a testament of a two year journey by 40 different groups who came together to not only build a peace pole but to build a peaceful and harmonious community. The Peace Pole is a symbol for peace and in a world where many monuments are symbols of battles and wars; it is truly significant that Calgary has now joined the over 250,000 peace poles worldwide with one of our own.
These are but some recent examples of how the City of Calgary and Calgarians pledge to honour and signify remembrance for those who have served in war.
Marking this solemn occasion every year can be extended into our daily lives in gratitude for the conflict free country we live in. Our City is becoming more and more diverse with new immigrants arriving daily, some coming here from war torn countries. We are also seeing the aging population in need of support and services. I encourage everyone to make time to connect with our neighbours, family, friends and colleagues and share a moment of peace and harmony.
On behalf of approximately 14, 000 employees of the City of Calgary, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this ceremony to reflect and to remember. Thank you for inviting me to be part of this very important observance. Back to Top
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)
Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre
15th Anniversary Celebration
November 12, 2009 at noon
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and greetings to you all from Mayor Bronconnier, myself and my fellow members of City Council.
It is my pleasure to celebrate this milestone with you. Fifteen years has seen a lot of successes by the Society and the Resettlement Centre.
I know the work you do as staff, board and volunteers is critical as the initial settlement of refugees has a lasting impact on level of success in settlement and integration into their new country. Often refugees face anxiety, stress and numerous challenges and the Margaret Chisholm centre is certainly a welcoming place for this kind of support.
I read that Margaret Chisholm was a co-founder of Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, to which she dedicated much of her life until her retirement. She believed strongly in building community with a practical approach and meeting real need. Margaret had a strong personal commitment, a pioneering spirit and a great zest for life until her passing in 2005. An exemplary person and no wonder the centre is named after her.
I understand that MCRC has assisted over 7,000 refugees build a new life in Calgary. Refugees leave behind friends and family and endure hardship and struggle to bring peace and a new life for themselves and their families. The first few weeks at MCRC is critical to assist refugees as they transition into their new home.
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is a community leader with 28 years of solid experience in the design and delivery of comprehensive quality resettlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants. And you must take pride in delivering these services through a dynamic multicultural, multilingual and multidisciplinary team of professionals who collectively speak over 70 languages.
I am pleased the MCRC is located in Bridgeland/Riverside in Ward 9, the community is very welcoming and supportive and there are many resources within blocks of this location. As a social worker turned politician I advocate for social services in the framework of our City’s infrastructure.
I congratulate you all on this anniversary and extend my acknowledgement from the Mayor and Members of Council on the excellent and important work of the Margaret Chisholm Centre.
Thank you. Back to Top
The Calgary John Howard Society: an informed community active in preventing crime
60th Anniversary Celebration
Wed. Nov. 4, 2009 6 pm
The Carriage House Inn, 9030 Macleod Trail S
Ladies, Gentlemen, honoured guests:
It is such a privilege to be here to acknowledge this 60th anniversary and to celebrate the work done by all of you assembled here. On behalf of the Mayor and my colleagues on Council, I bring greetings and congratulations on this important occasion.
Looking around the room, and speaking with guests throughout the evening, I have deep respect for the dedication and commitment of the staff, board, volunteers, guest speakers and supporters of the John Howard Society in Calgary. I know these events are an enormous undertaking to organize and I thank you for gathering us all together tonight to celebrate and take some time to mark the successes and accomplishments that 60 years can bring.
I came to politics from a Social Work background and support the work of The John Howard Society, to create the opportunity for the prevention of crime through social development. I know how challenging it is to work with offenders and the complexity that is often the background to their incarcerations. My sincere respect goes out to the staff and volunteers who work at the John Howard Society.
The JHS offices are located in Ward 9, in my neighbourhood; I’ve been to many celebrations and meetings during the relatively short history of my term of 14 years compared to the 60 years the JHS has been working in Calgary. While aftercare continues to be a core service, I know that the activities of the Society has expanded to include advocacy, research, communication, community education, coalition building, and resource development. I believe it is my responsibility to raise the profile and increase the understanding of the work you do among Calgarians. And I take that role seriously and am proud to be here with you tonight.
This is a spotlight shining on you all this evening, to showcase and illuminate what 60 years of work in the community can do. For the wide-ranging services you provide to those serving time in correctional facilities and programs, and, by extension, to the wider population of Calgary, which is able to enjoy safe and strong communities as a result of your work.
Thank you for inviting me to celebrate with you tonight and I look forward to hearing the rest of the speakers and keynote address from Howard Sapers. Welcome and enjoy the spotlight, the host of supporters, and the kudos. Back to Top
Friends of Africa presented by Canadians United to Serve Humanity
Welcome and white hat ceremony for Dr. Lucian Niemeyer
Saturday October 23, 2009-11-13
Hello everyone, distinguished guests, ladies/gentlemen, kids
Thank you for inviting me to this Friends of Africa event today. While Africa is a long way from Ward 9, there are many new immigrants who now call this community home. And I am pleased to be here with you today, to learn and understand more of the realities of the African genocide within the context of living in Calgary.
Congratulations to everyone who worked to put this wonderful event together. An event filled with art, music, dance, displays, storytelling and speeches – a diversity in itself – to bring us together as Friends of Africa.
My acknowledgements to Canadians United to Serve Humanity (CUSH) – a very new and vibrant volunteer organization. I like what their website says… CUSH’s vision is to be a bridge as in (cush…ion). An appealing metaphor for the informational gap to strengthen multiculturalism and support wholesome integration of new comers in Canada.
The CUSH members are from the many cultures of the world, they are a true representation of the best of Calgary – a multicultural society where friendships are formed and strengthened through doing good works. On behalf of the Mayor and my colleagues on Council I salute CUSH for the achievement of bringing Dr. Lucian Niemeyer to Calgary.
And welcome to Calgary Dr. Niemeyer! Welcome to the Dover Community here in East Calgary and part of Ward 9. I hope you are getting a good picture of our wonderful neighbourhoods and our City. In fact I bet you are taking many photographs of our City and the people here. Our weather has been up to its usual variety of snow, rain, sleet, sun and more snow, just to help illustrate what newcomers to Calgary from Africa experience in terms of weather.
I’m sure the CUSH organizers and community members here have told you or brought you to the Peace Pole, just recently unveiled next to the beautiful Bow River. The Peace Pole is not only an interesting piece of art, but a wonderful example of what diverse communities coming together with a vision, a handful of money, led by a tenacious group of volunteers working together for two years can accomplish.
I’m sure most of you have seen the displays by Dr. Niemeyer and are aware of his accomplishments, but let me point out that Dr. Niemeyer is a scholar, a prolific photographer & author and a dedicated advocate for human rights. His most recent book – Africa, The Holocausts of Rwanda and Sudan has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and brings into sharp focus the history of genocide. This study was worked on for ten years and the result is a powerful portrait of man’s inhumanity to others. We have much to learn and Dr. Niemeyer will share his insights toward our understanding of the genocides and genocide prevention.
On a lighter note…
I see that the forward was written by Bill Richardson, that’s Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Not the Bill Richardson who is a CBC radio personality here in Canada – and also an author.
So at this point I would like to bestow upon Dr. Niemeyer the White Hat of Calgary. An honour held by few people around the world – the most recent recipient was the Dalai Lama. The white hat was worn by Mayor Don Mackay in 1950 and was used to promote Calgary to eastern Canada, most particularly at football games. The idea took off and now the locally made, white hats by Smithbilt (also in Ward 9) are a trademark for visiting dignitaries.
I am pleased to be spending some of my Saturday schedule with you and I look forward to the continued work of CUSH to enhance Calgary’s communities.
You are in wonderful company here at the Dover Hall and I wish you an enjoyable and memorable afternoon. Back to Top
World Energy Cities Partnership – Toward a Solution
Presentation to Mount Royal University
Wednesday October 21, 2009
Hello all and thank-you for giving me the opportunity to speak at the International Day of Climate Action.
The Challenge of Climate Change
During my talk today, I’d like to tell you about some of the things The City of Calgary is doing to address climate change within our community and in conjunction with the rest of the world. I also want to touch on how each of you can make a difference. As you are all aware, climate change poses an unprecedented challenge that demands decisive and collective action.
The City of Calgary is committed to taking bold steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our quality of life. Today, energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate protection are essential tools to ensure our world is sustainable now and in the future. To get there, The City of Calgary has positioned itself to be a global leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy .
We at the City understand that saving energy means saving money, and reducing our contribution to climate change reduces our exposure to risk.
We have long recognized the many co-benefits that flow from addressing our impact on climate change. For example, making sure that our affordable housing units have energy efficient features ensures that the operating costs for these units is reduced over the long term. We also know that “doing nothing” is not an acceptable option.
We are protecting the quality of life in our region for the long term, by addressing the issue on multiple levels – from planning and transportation decisions, to modifying our operations, to enhancing our urban forest and to participating in community and global initiatives that will aim to halt global climate change. It also falls on your shoulders to do all you can in your homes, schools, and workplaces.
So how did we get here?
A lot of folks are not aware of just how much The City of Calgary is doing on the climate change issue. In fact, City Council has been working with the city administration for ten years to make progress on this issue.
In 2000, City Council established greenhouse gas reduction targets and did a baseline calculation of emissions for both the Corporation and the Community.
The next year, in 2001, The City delivered its first major initiative to reduce GHGs: the Ride the Wind program made The City’s light rail transit system – the C-Train – 100% wind powered.
In 2004, the first comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan was adopted, and in 2006, The City of Calgary developed an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan, Target Minus 50, that imposed a 50% reduction target for corporate emissions by 2012 based on 1990 levels.
What The City is Doing Now?
So how are we doing in terms of achieving our target?
As of January 2009, corporate emissions have decreased by almost 34% from the 1990 baseline year.
Some of the ways we are making reductions include:
- Purchase of Green energy – Calgary is the largest user of green electricity in Canada and the number one user, by percentage, of green electricity in North America. This year we signed an agreement with Enmax to ensure that by 2012, The City of Calgary operations will be using 100% green electricity.
- Enmax has built a new wind farm to accommodate the demand for the City of Calgary’s green energy purchase
- Calgary installed flat lens energy efficient street lights throughout the city, saving enough electricity to power 3,000 homes and save $1.7 million annually.
- Building Green – Calgary was the first Canadian municipality to adopt a sustainable building policy for municipal buildings. Since 2003 all new City-owned buildings have been required to meet or exceed the silver level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (known as “LEED”) rating. LEED requires energy efficiency, water efficiency and other environmental measures to be incorporated into buildings. Some of our LEED-certified buildings you might have seen include the Cardel Place recreation complex in North Calgary, and the Water Centre in the Manchester yards.
- Landfill gas recovery – our landfills are a source of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. We have installed technology at two of our landfills to capture methane and convert it to energy.
- Biofuels – The City of Calgary has over 200 vehicles now operating on biodiesel.
Leading the Community and the World
Because of all of these initiatives, The City of Calgary is known as a leader among Canadian municipalities in reducing GHG emissions.
We are now looking beyond our own operations and working with stakeholders to achieve community, provincial and federal targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We started with imagineCALGARY, which was a process to develop a 100 year community vision for a sustainable future in Calgary.
This has led us into the work on what we are calling “Calgary’s Low Carbon Future.” This year city staff have hosted a six-month community engagement process to develop a framework of innovative actions that will lead to City and community GHG reductions.
Council has just recently given the go-ahead to the Plan It Calgary documents – a new Municipal Development Plan and a Transportation Plan that will transform Calgary to a more compact, vibrant and sustainable city where you can live and work in the same community. Walking, cycling and public transit will be the top priorities in the transportation system.
So those are some of the things we’re doing within the City operations and the community.
But Calgary is also a part of the global community, and once again we are taking a leadership role in climate change amongst our international peers.
I’d like to talk with you a bit about the World Energy Cities Partnership, or WECP. The WECP represents 15 of the largest energy cities in the world. Calgary is home to every major oil and gas company in Canada, making us an integral member of the WECP.
The World Energy Cities Partnership acts as a forum for energy cities to share experiences, contacts and provide mutual support to each other. This group of cities recognizes that climate change poses an unprecedented challenge. Social, economic and environmental risks will have a profound effect on communities and their citizens. The members of the WECP recognize their responsibility to lead change in the community, and they acknowledge that significant action must be taken immediately.
Just this month, The City of Calgary hosted the WECP annual general meeting.
For many months leading up to the meeting, the partnership cities worked together to draft an accord that outlines a commitment for each city to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 20% by 2020, and a further reduction of 80% by 2050 compared to 2005. The Accord cities have also committed to pursuing similar GHG reduction strategies for their communities. Each city will establish a 2005 baseline of all community GHG sources and create a plan to reduce emissions and promote lower-carbon living.
On October 8, 2009, 9 of the WECP member cities signed the Calgary Climate Change Accord of the WECP Cities. The nine cities are:
Calgary, Canada
Houston, USA
Perth, Australia
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Aberdeen, Scotland
Stavanger, Norway
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Halifax, Canada
St. John’s, Canada
I’m proud to say that The Calgary Climate Change Accord of the WECP re-confirms municipal governments as leaders and catalysts for change. The Accord will enable collaboration among the largest energy cities in the world to tackle climate change and influence provincial, national and global leaders.
The Calgary Climate Change Accord is a significant event leading up to what is happening in December 2009. I’m sure many of you are aware that two months from now, the countries of the world will meet in Copenhagen to consider a renewed United Nations Protocol on GHG reductions, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2012. The indications are that GHG producing nations will aim to reduce man-made GHG production by 80% by 2050. The Calgary Climate Change Accord of the WECP is a significant step that will signal to the world that, at the municipal level, some cities that are the most dependent on the fossil fuel industry for their economic base, are willing to take on the challenge of shifting their economy to one that is low-carbon.
How is Calgary going to make this transition? We haven’t worked out all the details of course, but we know that there are a few key themes that need to be adopted by the city, our business leaders and our community in order to make it happen.
- Leadership – leading by example, The City of Calgary will continue to pursue GHG reductions through a variety of actions and key decisions, like Plan It Calgary
- Innovation – making the switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biofuels and geothermal power
- Investment – in energy efficiency, energy conservation and new technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
What does this mean for you?
It’s time for action! The science, economics, and even public sentiment are telling leaders of every political stripe that we need quick and aggressive action. We need to be innovative and involve all the stakeholders. This includes our youth. Today’s young people, like yourselves, are tomorrow’s leaders. We need you to make your voices heard in the political process. We need people who are studying and working in science, technology, industry, and politics to make advances in climate change knowledge and policy.
We need you to be leaders in your community, and make changes in your own homes and lifestyles that will make a difference. Think about changes you could suggest here, at your school, or in places where you work, that could help reduce dependency on conventional fossil fuels.
To find out how you can reduce your impacts, I invite you to look at the Ecological Footprint calculator on the City of Calgary website. You can find it at www.calgary.ca/footprint. There are some tools there that will help you understand the effect of your activities on the environment by measuring resources consumed and the waste created. The Eco-Action calculator, also on the same website, will show you how to make choices to reduce your personal Footprint.
And of course, we want you to get involved in the community initiatives that The City of Calgary is participating in.
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In closing, I probably don’t have to convince you that climate change affects environmental, social and economic sustainability in all communities. Legislation and rules alone cannot achieve the significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to halt global climate change. We need everyone to take action at the local level, on as many fronts as possible. All the orders of government need to work together, and individuals and groups need to find ways to make changes that will reduce their energy consumption and make better use of alternative energy sources. If we work together, we will be able to achieve our shared goals.
Thank-you for your time and I appreciate this opportunity.
For those of you who are interested, I have some cards here with more information and links to all of our Low Carbon Future information and the Footprint calculator. Back to Top
Alzheimer Society Memory Walk
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 11 am
Thank you for inviting me to join you this morning for the Investors Group Thanksgiving Memory Walk & Run, raising funds for the Alzheimer Society of Calgary.
It is my pleasure to be here, and to bring greetings on behalf of Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Calgary city council. I’d like to congratulate the organizers and sponsors of this fun family event, which I know is celebrating its 19th anniversary this year.
Because of your energy and dedication, the incredibly important work of the Alzheimer Society is able to continue year round, offering education, counseling, and supports to patients and their families.
I know that for many Calgary families, this event has become part of their Thanksgiving tradition – and what a great way to express gratitude: by giving back to the community.
The great thing is, that be participating in this event, they’re also taking steps to reduce their own risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
This is incredibly important, because studies have determined that 60 per cent of the overall risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease comes from lifestyle.
We know, for example, that being physically active reduces the risk – by improving cardiovascular health and improving blood flow to the brain.
And we know that maintaining healthy social connections – coming together as a family, coming together as a community – reduces the risk. And does so much good.
The need is great. Right now, about a half million Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s.
It affects how they think, feel, act and interact. It often requires incredibly intensive care-giving and vigilance from their loved ones in the struggle to keep them as comfortable, as safe and as happy as they possibly can.
As our population ages, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s will continue to grow. It’s estimated that in 2011, there will be 40 per cent more people over the age of 85 than there was in 2001. It’s also estimated that Alzheimer’s affects as many as half of all people over the age of 85.
They, and their families, must be able to find the kinds of training and supports the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary is able to provide.
And we, as a society, need more than ever to support the research that may someday offer a cure, or a vaccine. And that gives medical science new options to improve the lives of those already living with this devastating disease.
It was Winston Churchill who said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
And so with every step you took today, you gave, and made it possible for the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary to continue to give, too. Well done…and thank you.Back to Top
2009 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
Opening Ceremony Sunday September 20, 2009 11 am
Power of community!
Thank-you for inviting me here today to participate in the opening ceremonies of the AIDS walk.
Congratulations to all of you for stepping forward to participate in this AIDS walk. From the organizers, sponsors, to the walkers and fundraisers you are all working together in a collective and influential voice. To participate in the connectivity and energy that can be so powerful when people come together, to raise awareness, to show solidarity and to raise money for AIDS research, education and support. Way to go! I’m proud to stand among you and offer my support to the work AIDS Calgary staff, Board, and volunteers and AIDS Walk participants.
It’s a lovely day to be OUT! And along the way you may see Joe’s Clean Team working with the DI Clients and community volunteers – picking up garbage along the river pathways, downtown sidewalks, and alleyways. You may also see people on the International Day of Peace celebrating the installation of Calgary’s Peace Pole, like the 250,000 around the world with the inscription – “May Peace Prevail upon the Earth”.
So, as you walk along the route today, with your friends, colleagues, lovers, family and even complete strangers KNOW, TRUST and FEEL that there is power in community all around. From garbage picking clean teams, to peace activists, to AIDS awareness walkers this whole neighbourhood will resound with the depth and intensity of us being here today.
This past February I watched the 1984 documentary Life and Times of Harvey Milk with former Edmonton city councilor Michael Phair and was inspired by Milk’s quote that “Hope will never be silent”. What also won’t be silent is this power you can all feel and resonate from, the power of a group of committed, caring and inspired individuals to act together to make change happen.
Walk on! Back to Top
International Day of Peace
Sunday September 20, 2009
1:30 pm at Eau Claire Olympic Arch
Hello everyone and thank you for inviting me once again to participate in this unveiling of the Calgary Peace Pole and plaza.
It’s been a two year journey by the 40 different groups who came together to not only build a peace pole but to build a peaceful and harmonious community.
It is an honour to recognize the Peace Pole as a symbol for peace and to represent the communities that embrace its meaning and value. In a world where some monuments are to symbols of war, it is truly significant that Calgary has now joined the over 250,000 peace poles that are all over the planet
Promoting multicultural harmony has relevance both locally and globally. We need a symbol and statement like “May Peace Prevail on the Earth”. This Peace Pole can also serve as a reminder for us to look at the ways we use land, or get around the city, treat the environment, care for the homeless, the working poor, advocate for the disenfranchised, embrace diversity and support arts and culture.
And what a beautiful piece of public art and meeting place that will bring much enjoyment to Calgarians. I’d like to acknowledge the Marc Boutin Architecture Collective. Marc has made a significant contribution to our City in many ways and I’d like to thank him and his Architecture Collective for their work on this Peace Pole.
I’m here with Joe’s Clean Team – a group of dedicated community volunteers who meet at the Drop in Centre to work with DI clients to pick up litter along the Bow River pathway and into surrounding communities. Together we’re building peace and community not with ploughshares or swords but with litter pickers! We’re there every couple of Sunday’s and always happy to have more on the Team. Check joececi.ca to join up.
As I look around at this crowd I see many familiar faces, people I have worked with for years on community issues, to build a safe and caring community and I am pleased to acknowledge these efforts through the symbolic Peace Pole and to acknowledge International Day of Peace.
Thank you to the organizers and the committee for bringing us all together today and congratulate Project Ploughshares for bringing together ALL these people and Celebating International Day of Peace. Back to Top
Multi-Faith Walk to End Family Violence
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 @ 1:00 p.m.
Eau Claire Market
Good afternoon and thank you to The Alliance to End Violence for hosting this event and inviting me here today. I’m excited to help kick off this inaugural multi-faith walk to raise awareness for such an important issue.
I would like to extend greetings and best wishes to all of you on behalf of Mayor Dave Bronconnier and my fellow members of City Council. I know that my gratitude and overall enthusiasm for being here is echoed by my colleagues who are happy to see this walk taking place in our city for the first time.
Family violence affects us all and when it comes to ending the abuse, accessing resources and finding solutions is an extremely important step. The City of Calgary strives to be a committed resource by working directly with community organizations and the victims of abuse to help as many people as possible to make the connections they require. Thank you to all our community partners for all you do to help Calgarians every day.
We all wouldn’t be here though without the great dedication of Imam Syed Soharwardy (So-Har-Wardy). He started this multi-faith effort in Canada by choosing to walk across the country in 2007 to raise awareness about putting a stop to family violence. Mr. Soharwardy is with us today and I’d like to commend him for his efforts and for his example in demonstrating the peaceful and positive influence of Islam and of religious tolerance.
Also, I’d like to acknowledge MLA Wayne Cao, Alderman Diane Colley-Urquhart, Rabbi Howard Voss-Altmann, Linda White, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Violence and Lisa Falkowsky, Executive Director at the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter for choosing to be here as well
The Alliance to End Violence is Calgary’s resource centre for family and sexual violence. It works with more than 50 collaborating agencies to enhance services and offer help to the victims who experience this abuse.
Originally formed from four independently run organizations in 2006, The Alliance works with community partners and victims to help them discover options that will end the abuse they suffer. They have an important job to do and I know they do it well.
Today, we have an important job to do as well. We are all here from different faiths and backgrounds to participate in this walk and to help others understand the issues surrounding family violence.
Together we are acting as powerful voices to say that family violence in all of its forms is unacceptable. By being here today, we are seeking to help protect the most vulnerable among us and we are encouraging non-violent solutions in our homes, schools and communities.
Thank you for the support you give victims of abuse and thank you for your commitment in standing up against those who use power and control to unjustly cause harm to others. By working together, I have no doubt we can make a difference in ending violence.
Thanks very much. Back to Top
International Society Of Addiction Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting – Opening Remarks
Glenbow Museum; 130 – 9TH AVE. S.E.
Wednesday September 23, 2009
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and greetings to you all from Mayor Bronconnier, myself and my fellow members of City Council.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Calgary, and to tell you how pleased we are that you are meeting in Calgary as you mark the 10th anniversary of the International Society of Addiction Medicine and the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine.
Delegates met 10 years ago as the organization was finding its feet, and now it stands tall in Calgary, as you come together from around the world to share and learn.
As ISAM and CSAM members, you are up against a complex of incredible challenges in tackling addictions, as I’m sure I need not tell you. I came to local politics from a Social Work background, and I know the devastation that addictions wreak upon the individual, upon families, and communities, and upon nations
67.4 million people worldwide have alcohol dependencies and 15.3 million people worldwide are estimated to have drug use disorders. When we factor in the well-known ripple effects these addictions are having on the addicted persons’ relationships and communities, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are impacted by addiction, and that impact is very destructive in nature.
Tackling addictions is only possible with a multi-pronged approach, of course, involving medical practitioners, social service agencies, and all levels of government.
That you have come together as physicians, addictions medicine specialists, health professionals and students in addiction related disciplines, to share your research and discuss your findings is enormously encouraging to me.
This is how you play your important part in the challenge of ending addictions. With this many good minds committed to the problem from a clinical standpoint, recovery from addiction for more people, and a lessening of the damage addictions do to the fabric of our societies seems all the more likely.
There will be many commonalities in the challenges you’re all facing in your own countries. And, as international delegates with different experiences, and facing different challenges, the knowledge and know-how you have to share and to learn from one another over the coming days is tremendous.
What you will learn and share here will also have ripple effects. You have come together to share the latest information on screening, treatment, prevention and management of substance dependence.
When you return to your home countries, you will share with your colleagues and peers at home what you have learned here, and with that knowledge there is the hope that treatment and management will give a lot of addicted people their lives back.
You have an action-packed itinerary ahead of you, so without further ado, I wish you a tremendously successful conference on behalf of the Mayor and Calgary City Council.
Thank you. Back to Top
Calgary Correctional Awareness Week Launch
McDougall Centre
Wed. Sept. 16, 2009
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Deputy Mayor Joe Ceci
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and greetings to you all from Mayor Bronconnier, myself and my fellow members of City Council. I am honoured to be with you on behalf of The City of Calgary to recognize the week of September 14 – 19, 2009 as Corrections Week.
I extend the Mayor’s and City Council’s greetings also to Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Fred Lindsay, and to Assistant Deputy Minister, Correctional Services Division Bruce Anderson.
This week of Correctional Awareness in Calgary is to honour the work done by all of you assembled here, and to raise the profile and increase the understanding of the work you do among Calgarians.
Most of you work in Calgary’s correctional facilities, and in community corrections, and while the city of Calgary benefits greatly from the work you do, many Calgarians are not familiar with the important roles that you play in providing safe and strong communities for all of us.
This week is dedicated to talking about the work that you do, and coming to some greater understanding of the role you play. The work you do is not easy. I came to politics from a Social Work background, and I know how challenging it is to work with offenders and the complex of problems that is often the background to their incarcerations. The challenge is all the greater for the range of offenders you work with: from young offenders, to offenders on parole, to offenders serving sentences in adult facilities.
The Correctional Services Division of Calgary supports an impressive range of programs intended to stop the cycle of criminal behaviour among offenders, including life management skills, anger management, family violence prevention, addictions awareness, educational and employment programs, and aboriginal culture and spirituality programs. These programs are a very important part of corrections work, and when rehabilitation does work, it is thanks to the specialized training, sound judgment, time, energy and tremendous patience of workers like yourselves in delivering them.
You are to be congratulated for the wide-ranging services you provide to those serving time in correctional facilities and programs, and, by extension, to the wider population of Calgary, which is able to enjoy safe and strong communities as a result of your work.
It is now my honour to read the Letter of Recognition on behalf of The City of Calgary… Back to Top
Hospice Calgary Counseling & Education Centre
Grand Opening Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
Honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. It is a privilege to represent Mayor Dave Bronconnier and City Council at this long-awaited and most welcome grand opening.
The City of Calgary is proud to contribute towards Hospice Calgary’s programming through FSCD funding. It is a priority. When could members of our community possibly need support more deeply than throughout the bereavement process?
We admire the imagination and single-minded commitment Hospice Calgary has employed to raise funds to obtain an economically wise home for counseling and educating its clients.
We congratulate you on this evolutionary step and congratulate the team who have turned an ordinary building into a centre of peace and comfort. You have done a beautiful job.
This organization is known for the professionals and trained volunteers who provide members of our community with weeks or months of medically capable and tender care at the end of life. But it does so much more.
From the time of a terminal diagnosis, when an individual, the family and friends are struggling through the turbulence of grief and dismay, Calgary Hospice is there to help.
And it is so important that there’s no time limit on that help. Anyone who has suffered a bereavement knows there’s no deadline on grief. Healing does come, but it can take years.
The hospice works with their patients’ loved ones as well, to manage their issues and concerns. By treating the patient and family as a unit of care, they provide peace of mind for the patient and the family can go on without regrets.
Counselling and comfort are the obvious ways Hospice Calgary helps your neighbours and mine to rebuild their lives after loss, but its educational programs and workshops extend its reach dramatically.
The international hospice movement has been providing expert pain and symptom relief for 43 years, working within a philosophy of holistic care that meets the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of its patients and those of their family and friends.
The educational programs and workshops that will be conducted out of this new home carry the message of hospice into a society where fear of death makes the entire process more difficult.
It is a necessary message, a welcome and healing message.
Calgary Hospice works directly with well over 3,000 people a year. The knowledge and understanding disseminated in its programming ripples throughout the community to help uncounted hundreds more.
You can see why I say the City is proud to contribute to Hospice Calgary and why I feel privileged to be here on behalf of the mayor and council to offer congratulations. Back to Top
Thank you.
Milestones Project Diversity Exhibit — Grand Opening
Art Central #213, 100 – 7 Avenue S.W.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and greetings to you all on behalf of Mayor Bronconnier, myself and my fellow members of City Council.
Greetings to the Honourable Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, and to Dr Richard and Michele Steckel, founders of the Milestone Project. I am delighted to join you this evening as we meet for the opening of the Canadian premier of the Milestones Project Diversity Exhibit.
Diversity is a word that we throw around a lot in Canada because in many ways the word defines us. A culturally diverse and inclusive society has been Canada’s strength, and where this country has set a standard for all others.
For the sake of our future, we need to continue to embrace diversity and respect the cultural, racial, linguistic and religious traditions of one another.
More than ever before, Calgary is home to new Canadians, new migrants from within Canada and foreign workers. These new arrivals are called upon to strike the difficult balance of participating in their own cultures, languages and traditions, while integrating into a new home.
We need to continue to integrate immigrants and refugees of all ages well, and to make improvements where we are not doing as well as we could be. One way to do that is to quit looking at the ways we are different, and focus instead on the ways we are alike.
While we talk about diversity all the time, the particular strength of the exhibit we’re seeing tonight, is that it shows us how we are alike; it makes us feel how we are alike on a gut level.
As we peer into the faces, the mouths, the eyes, the triumphs and the joys of people big and small from all over the world, the light of recognition goes on within us as we see our own experiences reflected back at us.
The strength of this exhibit is that every picture we stand before invites us to recognize what unites us rather than what divides us.
Diversity as we are seeing it tonight is calling upon us to become colour blind, culture blind, and faith blind as we recognize the milestone experiences that we all share and that are played out around the world every single day. Upon closer inspection, these milestones are anything but banal. They are the ties that bind us together as neighbours on this earth.
Tonight we are offered a window into lives which – on balance – are not so unlike our own, even if they are being played out on different continents and under quite different circumstances.
I thank Gallery 213 for offering us a chance to consider diversity through a different lens, and giving us a glimpse of where each other is coming from, and where we are going together. Back to Top
Calgary Transit Art Showcase
Thursday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.
Birthdays are about celebrating where we’ve been and setting a vision for the future. Today, we are showcasing that future, and how fitting that the visions are provided by young Calgarians.
For 100 years, Calgary Transit has been getting Calgarians to and from work and play, and connecting friends, families and communities. Trolleys have made way for buses and the LRT continues to expand to serve our growing city.
Every day, thousands of Calgarians pull out their monthly pass, which they show to hundreds of drivers. For the next 16 months, Calgary’s future, as envisioned by those who will make it happen, our own youth, will be the picture seen by Calgarians.
In addition to the 261 young artists who submitted their designs, other young Calgarians added their voices through the judging process.
In particular, I’d like to recognize the input of young offenders at the Calgary Young Offender Centre. These youth, often maligned for taking from the community, enthusiastically participated in selecting the 16 chosen designs.
The City also works closely with young offenders and their families. Through the other City partner in the Transit Art Showcase, Community and Neighbourhood Services, Calgary has provided Youth Probation Services almost as long as we’ve run buses. We are the only municipality in Canada to do so and have since 1922.
I am so delighted to be here today to reinforce the strong contributions young Calgarians can and do make to our great city.
To celebrate our 100th, they have given all of us 16 ‘birthday cards’ to be opened every day until 2011.
On behalf of the mayor and Council, Happy Birthday Calgary Transit and thank you and congratulations to the young artists who have brightened our daily commutes.
World Wide Views Canada – Public Consultation on Climate Change
Friday, September 25, 2009
Good afternoon and welcome everyone, especially to those of you that are here from other parts of Alberta and Canada. It is a great pleasure as Deputy Mayor to bring greetings on behalf of Mayor Bronconnier and my colleagues on City Council for this ground-breaking initiative.
We are very proud to be the host city for this first ever consultation. Congratulations are in order for the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Communications and Culture, for organizing the Canadian consultation.
I spoke at the Municipal Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change in Montreal four years ago, and am honoured to represent The City of Calgary at this – the first ever global consultation on climate change – today.
In Montreal, I presented highlights of what was then The City of Calgary’s new “Corporate Climate Change Action Plan: Target Minus 50″. That plan, the first of its kind undertaken by any major North American city, was a forward-thinking, comprehensive, sustainability strategy by which Calgary would reduce its corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 50% of 1990 levels by the year 2012.
Without getting into too much detail here, the Target 50 action plan describes six key areas which are a focus for The City’s greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts:
1. Increasing our use of Green Power;
2. Capturing methane from landfills for energy use;
3. Greening our vehicle fleet;
4. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities;
5. Conserving water and energy in our facilities; and
6. Demonstrating new and innovative technologies and practices.
The City’s climate change program continues to be recognized as one of the leading municipal climate change mitigation efforts in Canada.
In 2006, the plan was awarded the Federation of Canadian Municipalities-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community award in the Energy/Renewable Energy category.
In 2005, The City of Calgary became Canada’s first city to reach the highest milestone in the Partners for Climate Protection program aimed at helping municipalities reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2002 and 2003, The Voluntary Challenge Registry Inc. designated The City of Calgary a Gold Level Reporter, recognizing The City’s greenhouse gas emission monitoring, reporting and reduction efforts.
And in 2002, The City of Calgary won the Alberta Emerald Foundation’s Climate Change Award, recognizing the demonstration of outstanding environmental initiative and leadership in Alberta.
Calgary has established itself as a leader among municipal governments in the areas of both urban sustainability planning and the development of climate change initiatives.
The job of course is never done and it requires consistent and thoughtful attention, not only by municipal leaders, but provincial and federal leaders – and, as this consultation provides – the input of individuals and organizations outside of governmental structures.
I know I’m speaking to the converted when I say that global warming is one of the most important and challenging environmental issues facing society today. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the project, and the recommendations taken to the UN Talks on Climate Change in Copenhagen
in December.
Welcome again to those of you who are new to Calgary – I hope you have some time over the next few days to enjoy Calgary’s hospitality. And to everyone, all the best for a productive and stimulating weekend of talks, and congratulations to everyone – from the organizers to the participants – for your part in contributing to new post-Kyoto emission targets – and making history. Back to Top
Bangladesh Canada Association of Calgary
Community Centre Inauguration
Saturday, July 18, 2009 3:00 PM
Honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I’m absolutely delighted to bring you best wishes on behalf of Mayor Dave Bronconnier and City Council. This is an exciting day of great import for the Bangladesh Canada Association of Calgary. It is truly a personal honour to share it.
This achievement of a community centre is a tremendous source of pride for you. To have raised more than $100,000, especially during an economic downturn, demonstrates the vigour of the community and your commitment to each other and to Calgary.
When a cultural group establishes a physical home for itself in Canada, it carries two very powerful messages. One message is directed to its own members; the other goes out to the wider population.
To the members of its own cultural community, a physical establishment says, “We are creating a real home here. We share cultural practices and values. We can be together in peace and love and harmony.”
To the wider community, it says clearly that you are here to stay. It communicates that you know you are safe … you know you are welcome … you want to be full-fledged members of Canadian society.
As you open the doors of your beautiful new home to other Calgarians to come and learn about Bangladesh, your invitation is – wonderfully – typically Canadian. To be Canadian is to open our hearts to each other. In welcoming people into your home, you learn about them while they are learning about you.
By specifically inviting all Bangladeshis in Calgary to get involved and contribute to your community, your message, again, is - wonderfully – typically Canadian. For what is Canada but the sum of our personal and community contributions?
More than most nations, as a young country with an evolving identify, we are together creating the Canada we want to live in.
By sharing our infinite variety of fascinating cultures – Scottish and French and Armenian and Australian and Bangladeshi and a hundred more – we create a country together … where respect, equality, peace and justice are a way of life.
The Bangladeshi community in Calgary has been growing fast through this decade, thanks in part to the groundwork laid by the longstanding members of the Bangladesh Canada Association of Calgary.
Among other important services, the association helps newcomers feel at home quickly and find the settlement services they need. In so doing, you make a valuable contribution to Calgary at the neighbourhood level and at the city-wide level.
The most important thing you as a cultural group can do is to continue in the wise path you have chosen for yourselves … to support a healthy diversity in Calgary by nurturing your community ties and by holding the door open to the wider community.
I would like to present you with a certificate of congratulations from the City of Calgary. We would be pleased if you would hang it your building as a lasting symbol of our regard for your achievement and your commitment to being part of a vibrant and exciting Calgary.
Thank you. Back to top
Growing Home: Housing And Homelessness In Canada Conference
Opening Remarks
University Of Calgary
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 8:30 am
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests. It is an honour to be here this morning to welcome you to the ‘GROWING HOME’ conference on behalf of Mayor Dave Bronconnier and my fellow members of Calgary City Council.
As a social worker turned politician, I am particularly honoured to welcome you to my Alma Mater: the University of Calgary School of Social Work.
Twenty years ago the City of Calgary had five outreach workers, numerous small hotels and rooming houses were present in the downtown core. Today none of them exist.
Calgary and many other Canadian cities now need, more than ever, to gather together all the capable and committed minds in the country who are trying to find innovative solutions to what is perhaps the biggest social issue in Canada. And I’d like to thank the organizers for bringing us all together to increase our ability to grow homes for all Canadians.
Our goal at this conference is to examine the complex and inter-connected issues contributing to homelessness and to come up with some solutions. This is a phenomenally tall order, especially in the course of three days.
Despite the fact that we are very clearly in the midst of a crisis of affordable housing availability, the re-zoning, the advocating for a livable wage, building social housing and other efforts by the City of Calgary are but one small part of the possible solutions.
While many people ascribe responsibility for fixing homelessness to government at various levels, the problem is beyond the scope of any governing body to resolve on its own. We need collective will to collectively address this problem.
It is not surprising that there’s a temptation to turn a blind eye to this complex problem, rife with so many issues, and with no readily apparent solutions. I am very aware of the reactions most people have regarding homelessness.
The NIMBY attitudes still prevails in many neighbourhoods where residents oppose any project that provides transitional or even affordable housing. Everyone wants homelessness resolved, but only a notable few communities are prepared to support the practical steps required for housing of our most vulnerable population. This is where my job comes in. I endeavour to bridge the distance between what neighbourhoods want and what vulnerable citizens need.
It’s sometimes simplistic solutions that work. For example – over two years ago, I started Joe’s Clean Team. We meet a couple of Sunday’s a month to pick up litter around the Drop In Centre. We work with community volunteers and volunteers from the Drop In Centre. It’s not just about a clean up crew, but it’s a way to develop a relationship and a deeper understanding of what living at the DI is like. We welcome anyone to join us….
And I am glad to be working with people who have convened here precisely because they are ready to look at this problem with eyes wide open and consider the solutions – collectively. Everyone deserves a home. And everyone here is committed to working together from every order of government, from the non-profit social service sector, the social justice community, the interfaith and arts groups – all our collective efforts will ensure that housing as a basic human right is upheld with dignity.
Thank you for coming to this Growing Home Conference and on behalf of my colleagues at City Council I welcome you and thank the organizers, the volunteers and the University of Calgary for hosting us. I look forward to the panel discussions and the informal conversations and collectively building our resources for Growing Home. Back to top
20th Anniversary Mayor’s Environment Expo
Nature Photography Contest
May 7, 2009
Triangle Art Gallery
Welcome to all the photographers – students, teachers, parents, and fans as well as sponsors and Mayor’s Environment Committee members. I am delighted to be here this evening representing The City of Calgary and I bring the Mayor’s heartfelt congratulations.Aren’t these photographs spectacular? It was truly a tough call for the judges! I’d like to call by each category to present certificates to the top three and if you will stay up here, we’ll have a photograph taken for each category.
• For the Forest’s Category, here are the selections:
First Prize: Cynthia Quan – John G. Diefenbaker High School
Second Prize: Kim Connors – Henry Wise Wood High School
Third Prize: Katarina Kozun – Forest Lawn High School
• For the Wetlands Category
First Prize: Shelley Long – John G. Diefenbaker High School
Second Prize: Kim Connors – Henry Wise Wood High School
Third Prize: Jason Mah – Western Canada High School
• For the Prairies Category
First Prize: Lindsey Knowles – Lord Beaverbrook High School
Second Prize: Jason Mah – Western Canada High School
Third Prize: Celeste Moir – Lester B. Pearson High School
• For the Wildlife Category:
First Prize: Kim Connors – Henry Wise Wood High School
Second Prize: Gregary Groeneveld – Crescent Heights High School
Third Prize: Gueorgy Zatonskikh (phonetically Jorgee Zetonski) – Centennial High School
Honourable Mention – Elizabeth Shaw – Lord Beaverbrook High School
Third place overall winner:
Shelley Long – John G. Diefenbaker High School who wins a Digital Picture Frame
Second Place overall winner:
Kim Connors – Henry Wise Wood High School who wins a Digital Camera
Overall all winner for the 2009 Photography Contest presentations:
Cynthia Quan – John G. Diefenbaker High School who wins a Digital Camera and 3 hour lesson on digital photograph (30 students) – Photography expert Ken Richardson will give the lesson.
Congratulations one and all. Please join us June 2 to 4 at the 20th Anniversary Mayor’s Environment Expo where you’ll get a chance once more to view the winning entries.
Thank you High Schools for participating in the Nature Photography Contest and to everyone for coming out to recognize the wonderful talent we have with our Calgary High School Students. Back to Top
Parkinson Society of Southern Alberta
An Evening of Magic, Music & Comedy
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Good Evening,
I think we’re in for a treat tonight! I have no doubt this will be a fun evening filled with great food and fantastic local entertainment.
It’s exciting to be here on behalf of Mayor Dave Bronconnier and the rest of my colleagues on Calgary City Council to attend this evening of magic, music & comedy. I wish to extend their greetings and best wishes for this very worthy cause.
I’m also happy to be here at Club Paradiso and at the Village Cantina within my home ward to enjoy a terrific meal and to kickoff what I’m sure will be an evening to remember.
This is the very first annual variety evening held in support of the Parkinson Society of Southern Alberta. All proceeds from this fun evening go to help those living with Parkinson’s disease to access the resources, counselling and support they need.
This evening also helps showcase the talents of some of Calgary’s greatest entertainers. I believe our city thrives as we foster this kind of talent and I hope we will see many more nights like this to help such a worthy cause.
Recently, April 2009 was designated by Mayor Bronconnier as Parkinson’s Awareness Month in the City of Calgary. Approximately 100,000 people in Canada and 2,000 in Southern Alberta have Parkinson’s disease.
It’s a disease that for many of us already hits too close to home. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease and affects both motor and non-motor functioning caused by a loss of dopamine in the brain. It’s estimated that prior to symptoms appearing, 50 to 80% of dopamine producing cells in most patients have already been lost.
But, there is hope. New drug therapies show promise in slowing the symptoms of the disease. Also, developments in ethical stem cell research could eventually present some positive options for those living with Parkinsons. Hopefully, for many dealing with this disease there will be brighter days ahead.
Locally, the Parkinson Society of Southern Alberta works hard to raise money that will help support the needs of its clients. This event is just one of a few including the Annual Tulip Golf Tournament in July and the Parkinson’s Super Walk in September.
Together, the money that is raised helps bring quality programs and services to the people who need it most in Southern Alberta. Your support tonight is helping to fund these same local programs.
An event like this though would not be possible without help from the community. Thanks to Club Paradiso and the Village Cantina for graciously donating their venue for this evening to help showcase the variety of local professional talent we will see here tonight.
Thanks to all those who will participate. Also, I’d like to extend thanks to the CEO of the Parkinson Society of Southern Alberta, John Petryshen along with members of the Board of Directors and those who have donated to the Parkinson Society by being here tonight. Your support and hard work is appreciated.
So, without any further delay I wish you a great evening filled with fine food and quality entertainment.
Thanks very much! Back to Top
Day of Mourning
James Short Park
April 28, 2009
Joe addresses workers on the National Day of Mourning April 28, 2009
Good afternoon, and greetings to you all from Mayor Bronconnier, myself and fellow members of City Council. I am honoured to join you on this solemn Day of Mourning as we remember fallen workers and observe a moment of silence.
I would like to extend thanks to the co-organizers of this public memorial service: The Alberta Motor Transport Association, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Enform, Manufacturers Health and Safety Association and the Alberta Construction Safety Association.
It was on this day in 1914 that the first Workers Compensation Board Act was approved by the Canadian government. Certainly at that time, the movement toward improved safety measures to prevent accidents and deaths in the workplace was in its infancy and very desperately needed. In the 94 years since, we have made considerable progress in improving safety standards and injury and mortality rates in the workplace, but sadly, we are here today because many lives are still lost on the job every year.
In 2007, 1,055 lives in Canada were lost due to work-related causes, and nearly a million people were injured or became ill. In Alberta alone, 166 workers lost their lives in 2008 as a result of work-related injury, illness or disease. Obviously, there is much we have yet to do to address wellbeing and safety in the workplace.
Today we are not only commemorating the Canadians who have lost their lives at work, but also taking a moment to think of those who have been injured or disabled on the job. In Alberta, an average of eight workers are permanently disabled each working day. What a loss that represents for our whole society, and obviously most especially for those individuals who will live the rest of their lives with a disability.
I remember all too well one of many summer jobs I had when I was a student in the 1980s. This particular job was in a bike factory where my role was to bend metal with a 20 ton brake press. I had little training and not near enough support to be doing something that dangerous. As a young man, like young men the world over, I didn’t give it too much thought at the time. I was paid to do it, and I did it without particularly contemplating the potential perils. Looking back with the benefit of 25 years of perspective, I’m shocked to think of the danger I courted, and very relieved that no harm came to me nor to any of my coworkers in the course of that job. Many, many Canadian workers every year are not so lucky.
We have come a long way in terms of safety awareness since I worked in the bike factory. Much better safety training is not only available in many industries, but absolutely mandatory. This is a very positive evolution, but in many industries, much more protection is still needed for workers.
Workers and employers in every industry and enterprise must work together to create safe and healthy work environments. Standards of safety training and education have been formalized across many industries through various associations. For instance, in Alberta, bodies such as Alberta Partners in Injury Reduction, the Alberta Workers Compensation Board, Alberta Employment and Immigration, along with industry partners and labour groups promote safety in the work place by encouraging employers to achieve a Certificate of Recognition. By attaining and maintaining a Certificate of Recognition for excellence in workplace safety, employers can reduce their WCB premiums by up to 20%.
The fact is that accidents resulting in injury, illness and death in the workplace are also very costly. For financial reasons alone, employers have a vested interest in putting into place whatever measures they possibly can to improve workplace safety. And increasingly, employers are embracing the development and implementation of their own health and safety programs in their places of work. More than ever before, there are safety associations positioned to provide training and education to help employers in all industries impart and practice good safety standards.
I’m sure we’ve all heard the adage that “There Really Are No Accidents”. All mishaps and tragedies that occur at work are preventable to varying degrees. How vigilant we are in anticipating them, and making changes in the way we work will determine the extent to which we do prevent them. This means taking provided safety training and guidelines seriously. Safety guidelines are not established arbitrarily; there are powerful rationales for them based on experience. Following them may take more time than the quickest way of doing something, but only for good reason.
An important pledge all workers can make on this Day of Mourning, is to break the silence of indifference, and to commit to take action to end hazardous working conditions. This can mean:
• educating others about health and safety rights, as well as prevention measures
• helping educate at-risk members of our communities, including those who may not even realize they’re at risk
• making health and safety a collective bargaining priority
Preventing accidents at work requires that we watch out for one another and we all do our part. If you see an unsafe situation, report it. Don’t ignore it or consider it someone else’s problem. These are critical basic tenets of any collective undertaking, of course, but all the more so where lives can be at stake. In my various careers as bike factory worker, social worker and now politician, I have seen demonstrated time and again just how far a little concern for one another can take us. I firmly believe that it is only by taking personal responsibility for safety with genuine concern for and commitment to one another, that we can all go home safely at the end of the day.
We have many miles to go with respect to improving on compliance, education, training and taking responsibility where safety in the workplace is concerned. It is my dream, of course, that Day of Mourning become a thing of the past. Unfortunately, for the moment, it is a part of our present.
Together we remember those workers who died or were injured on the job, and we together commit ourselves to making workplaces safe for everyone.
Thank you. Back to Top
Calgary Immigrant And Refugee Seniors ‘Speak Out’ Forum
Greenwood Inn, 3515 – 26th Street N.E., Calgary
Thursday, April 2, 2009
8:30 Am – 1:00 Pm
Deputy Mayor Joe Ceci
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to be here at the Calgary Immigrant and Refugee Seniors’ “Speak Out” Forum, and to bring you greetings from Mayor Dave Bronconnier and my fellow members of City Council.
I am so pleased to see you all here. Because the aim of this forum is to determine how the City of Calgary can better serve immigrant and refugee seniors, whatever you can teach us today about the challenges you face, and whatever suggestions you can share as to how you can be better served, will be incredibly valuable to us.
I’m sure that for some of you it wasn’t easy to get here today, and some of you may be nervous about speaking up, but I can assure you on behalf of the City of Calgary that we are grateful to you for coming, and all the information and experience you can share with us will be of great service. I don’t know when we’ll have another opportunity to bring all concerned people together again, so if you have a point to make or an issue to raise, please don’t hesitate to bring it up. We want and need to hear whatever you can tell us today, so please do “Speak Out”.
Diversity and multiculturalism have been Canada’s strength, and areas where this country has set a standard for all others. For the sake of the future of all of us, we need to continue to integrate immigrants and refugees of all ages well, and to make improvements where we are not doing as well as we could be. That’s where you come in. We don’t always know what your experience is, but a forum like this is a very valuable opportunity for you to tell us. We need to know what’s working for you, and we REALLY need to know what’s not working for you.
All levels of government are here today to listen and learn. Researchers are here too, and agencies working in this field. We have come together today because we sincerely do want to begin the process of including immigrant and refugee seniors on seniors’ policy agendas. We do sincerely want to do what we can to help ALL seniors participate fully in our society, and flourish.
We’re here to have an exchange, so without delay, let’s start “Speaking Out”. Let’s use this valuable time to cover as much ground as we can. This is an exciting new beginning for all of us.
Thank you for coming. Back to Top
Deaf Canada Conference
July 22 to 26, 2008
Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to be here on behalf of the City of Calgary to kickoff the 8th Annual Deaf Canada Conference in our vibrant and growing city. It’s great to be at such a fine facility like the Telus Convention Centre where many of Calgary’s largest and greatest events are held. I hope all of you whether you are from Calgary or if you have travelled to our city from across Canada are having a wonderful evening as we commence this conference under the theme “Unity for Deafhood.”
I’d also like to welcome all of the delegates that are in attendance with us and hope that you and your families enjoy the best in Western hospitality during this four day conference.
As I begin my remarks, I must say thanks to the interpreters who are so capably translating my words into American Sign Language and also a big thank you to the Calgary Association of the Deaf, along with the Edmonton chapter and many of the provincial and national organizations that help support the Deaf community for putting together this conference.
As Canadians, we can all celebrate the important contributions that Deaf culture, heritage, language, sports and politics have made upon our nation. Over the years, great progress has been made by many committed members of organizations across the country to help build up Deaf culture and improve the quality of life for many Deaf Canadians. Their work has made a great difference in the lives of many whether it was by advocating for better human rights, employment equity or by improving the quality of life for the Deaf Canadians through sport and cultural activities.
At this conference, many of you will continue in the work that still lies ahead in ensuring that Deaf values are protected and enhanced. By doing so, I’m sure you will empower and inspire future Deaf generations in carrying these values forward to enhance our Canadian culture and raise awareness about the Deaf Canadian community.
A conference like this one gives Deaf and Hard of Hearing Canadians the opportunity to network, build partnerships and attend workshops focused on increasing the strength within the deaf community and society. May you all enjoy this conference as you take the time to unite together in building better futures for all Deaf Canadians.
Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of this evening and the days that will follow in this important conference!
