Happy Easter to everyone in Calgary Northern Hills! Spring is in the air, and many are planning their first camping trip of the season. Alberta’s wildfire officials have been working hard to prepare the province for fire season, March 1 through October 31. Firefighters need our help. Humans are the greatest cause of fire in Alberta, responsible for 789 of Alberta’s 1231 wildfires last year.
Preventing wildfires is a shared responsibility. Before heading out, check www.albertafirebans.ca to be sure campfires are permitted where you plan to camp. Never leave a campfire unattended. Be mindful of high winds that can quickly turn a campfire into a wildfire. Remember fireworks and incendiary targets are prohibited on public lands. You can report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473). Working together, we can reduce the likelihood of wildfires, along with their safety risks, negative impacts, and associated firefighting costs.
As Canada legalizes cannabis, Alberta has developed regulations, which Minister of Justice Kathleen Ganley explains, “focus on keeping our communities safe, while protecting public health and promoting safety on roads, in workplaces and in public spaces. They’ll help keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, while ensuring consumers have access to safe products no matter where they live.”
Alberta’s legal age for consumption and purchase of cannabis is 18, meaning those under the age of 18 cannot enter a cannabis store, even if accompanied by an adult. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) will oversee distribution, compliance and enforcement of Alberta’s cannabis retail system. Regulations will be established provincewide, but municipalities will be able to adjust certain aspects to suit their communities. For more information on Alberta’s approach, visit www.alberta.ca/cannabis.
If you have questions or concerns about provincial matters, please email my office anytime: [email protected]. Happy spring!
