MLA Column:

Great community events in High River

By Danielle Smith
Highwood MLA

After seven weeks of the spring sitting, the Alberta Legislature has been recessed for the summer. MLAs
will head back to their constituencies for a chance to grill some burgers and be grilled by constituents.
The Legislature is scheduled to resume sitting in October. Until then, I am looking forward to a summer
of attending great local events, parades and barbecues, as well as getting a chance to meet constituents
from this great constituency of Highwood.
There is certainly no shortage of great events in High River. Recently, I attended the Kinette Club of High
Rivers Chicks n Chocolate event and had a fantastic time. All the effort that went into this event was
certainly appreciated. The event also raised money for the High River Food Bank, so thank you to the
organizers and all who attended for supporting such an important cause. I am already looking forward to
next year.
I also had the privilege of attending the High River Trade Fair on April 25-26. Thanks to the organizers for
putting on this incredible event it was a great chance to see the entrepreneurial spirit of the
community and meet with so many great High River business-owners and residents.
I enjoyed speaking at the High River Chamber of Commerces An Evening with your MLA on April 28.
Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to answer questions and hear concerns, and
for all the hard work they do helping local businesses every day.
But being an MLA isnt just attending great local events like these its also standing up on the issues
that matter for High River residents in the Legislature. With the spring melt well underway, its a timely
reminder that the government has let down many local residents on flood recovery.
This spring session I raised many flood recovery issues in the Legislature. On April 22, I asked about the
state of Albertas flood readiness and whether government had learned from last years mistakes in
Question Period. The Environment Minister boldly asserted, We didnt make any mistakes last year.
Its a disappointing statement. To learn from mistakes, they must first be admitted.
Firstly, the government relied on outdated 1992 flood maps. Then it did not offer adequate early
warning to allow residents sufficient time to evacuate. The most obvious failure is the administering of
the Disaster Recovery Program.
There are still so many people struggling to get the compensation they deserve just to fix their
basements and who need a supportive hand from government not denial.
Now the Province is using outdated flood maps to justify knocking down the community of Beachwood.
And of course residents are still demanding answers about their kicked down doors and an
understanding of how this decision was made in emergency operations.
I will continue to press the government for answers and action until each and every remaining flood
issue is resolved.
If my office can be of assistance with you flood claims or if you have any other concerns, feel free to
write to Highwood@assembly.ab.ca, visit #4, 28 12th Avenue S.E., High River, or call (403) 652-7100.