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Alberta

Local brewery, Hawk Tail, releases new beer in honour of Alberta growers. Special release event Friday in Rimbey

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News Release from Hawk Tail Brewery

Small-batch brew meets soil health movement in Alberta. Nothing is more satisfying than ingredients that taste great and are good for the environment.

WHAT: In anticipation of its latest release, Hawk Tail Brewery announces a special tapping for its latest creation made from ingredients grown literally in their own backyard. Created with agriculture in mind, the lager is a great way to showcase unique Alberta products like grains, which form malt – a key ingredient in beer.

As the name suggests, Organic Malt Lager is brewed using quality, organic ingredients. However, the vision of this beer extends beyond ingredients and into the soil.

“As a locally owned and operated brewery, we strive to create traditional and refreshing beers as timeless as the agriculture that produces our grains and the environment it thrives in,” explains Randall Vandenhoven, co-owner of Hawk Tail. “This marks an especially poignant stage in Canada’s movement towards sustainability as more breweries work to reduce their ecological footprint.”

Most traditional grain and hop farms use pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which can have negative environmental impacts. Instead, the company worked with two notable local companies focused on organic, wholesome food: Kettle Ridge Organics and Replenish Nutrients. With both companies certified organic and focused on soil health, Kettle Ridge Organics and Replenish Nutrients believe that only good barley can grow in good soil. Good beer is a bonus.

“Taste-wise, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between an organic and a non-organic beer. However, as a proud Albertan, I wanted to enjoy a beer knowing it was as easy-drinking as it was easy on the environment,” stated Chris Simeniuk, beer enthusiast and owner of Kettle Ridge Organics.

WHEN: May 13, 2022

WHERE: Organic Malt Lager release party starts at 5pm on Friday, May 13th at the Hawk Tail taproom at 6311 52nd St, Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0, Canada. 20 oz pints of Organic Malt Lager is on special $5.50 throughout the evening.

HOW: For more information, visit Hawk Tail’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hawktailbrewery

If you happen to miss out on the event on May 13, Hawk Tail’s taproom is serving limited quantities of Organic Malt Lager in both pints and growlers, and a small number of kegs are also available. Additionally, Hawk Tail’s Organic Malt Lager is available at liquor stores across the province in 473ml cans.

ABOUT HAWK TAIL BREWERY

As a locally owned and operated brewery, we strive to create traditional and refreshing beers as timeless as the agriculture that produces our grains and the environment it thrives in. We pride ourselves on a local experience; quality local ingredients and small-batch production are our focus. Learn more about our beers and our taproom at hawktailbrewery.com.

ABOUT KETTLE RIDGE ORGANICS

Kettle Ridge Organics is a certified organic grain farm near Alix in Central Alberta, Canada. We are a family-owned and operated farming operation that plant and harvest our crops, fix our machinery, and perform almost every other task on a prairie grain farm. For more information, visit www.kettleridgeorganics.ca.

ABOUT REPLENISH NUTRIENTS

Replenish Nutrients delivers leading regenerative fertilizer solutions to support a farm system that puts healthy soils and grower profitability back on the table. We’ve developed a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers that enhances overall soil function and biology by combining Canadian-sourced nutrients with our proprietary delivery system. To learn more about Replenish Nutrients products, visit www.replenishnutrients.com.

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Alberta

Alberta school boards required to meet new standards for school library materials with regard to sexual content

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Alberta’s government has introduced new standards to ensure school library materials are age-appropriate.

School libraries should be safe and supportive places where students can learn and explore without being exposed to inappropriate sexual content. However, in the absence of a consistent standard for selecting age-appropriate library materials, school boards have taken different approaches, leading to concerns about safeguards in place.

In response to these concerns, and informed by feedback from education partners and the public, Alberta’s government has created standards to provide school boards with clear direction on the selection, availability and access to school library materials, such as books.

“Our actions to ensure that materials in school libraries don’t expose children to sexual content were never about banning books. These new standards are to ensure that school boards have clear guidance to ensure age-appropriate access to school library materials, while reflecting the values and priorities of Albertans.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare

The new standards set clear expectations for school library materials with regard to sexual content and require school boards to implement policies to support these standards.

Standards for school library materials

Under the new standards, school libraries are not permitted to include library materials containing explicit sexual content. Non-explicit sexual content may be accessible to students in Grade 10 and above, provided it is age-appropriate.

“Protecting kids from explicit content is common sense. LGBTQ youth, like all children, deserve to see themselves in stories that are age-appropriate, supportive and affirming – not in material that sexualizes or confuses them.”

Blaine Badiuk, education and LGBTQ advocate

School boards must also regularly review their school library collections, publish a full list of available materials and ensure that a staff member supervises students’ access to school library materials. School boards will have to remove any materials with explicit sexual content from their school libraries by October 1.

School board policies and procedures

All school boards must have publicly available policies that align with the new standards for selecting and managing library materials by January 1, 2026. School boards can either create new policies or update existing ones to meet these requirements.

These policies must outline how school library materials are selected and reviewed, how staff supervise students’ access throughout the school day, and how a student, parent, school board employee or other member of the school community can request a review or removal of materials in the school library. School boards are also required to clearly communicate these policies to employees, students and parents before January 2026.

“A robust, grade- and age-appropriate library catalogue is vital for student success. We welcome the ministry’s initiative to establish consistent standards and appreciate the ongoing consultation to help craft a plan that will serve our families and communities well.”

Holly Bilton, trustee, Chinook’s Edge School Division

“Red Deer Public Schools welcomes the new provincial standards for school library materials. Our division is committed to maintaining welcoming, respectful learning spaces where students can grow and thrive. Under the new standards for school libraries, we remain dedicated to providing learning resources that reflect our values and support student success.”

Nicole Buchanan, chair, Red Deer Public Schools

Quick facts

  • The new standards will apply to public, separate, francophone, charter and independent schools.
  • The ministerial order does not apply to municipal libraries located within schools or materials selected for use by teachers as learning and teaching resources.
  • From May 26 to June 6, almost 80,000 people completed an online survey to provide feedback on the creation of consistent standards to ensure the age-appropriateness of materials available to students in school libraries.

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Alberta

Fourteen regional advisory councils will shape health care planning and delivery in Alberta

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Regional health councils give Albertans a voice

Albertans want a health care system that reflects where they live and adapts to the unique needs of their communities. As part of the province’s health care refocus, Alberta’s government committed to strengthening community voices by providing more opportunities for Albertans to bring forward their local priorities and offer input on how to improve the system.

The regional advisory councils, made up of 150 members from 71 communities, will advise Alberta’s four health ministries and the newly refocused health agencies: Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta and Recovery Alberta. Each council will explore solutions to local challenges and identify opportunities for the health system to better support community decision-making.

“By hearing first-hand community feedback directly, we can build a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and ultimately more effective for everyoneI am looking forward to hearing the councils’ insights, perspectives and solutions to improve health care in all corners of our province.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services

“Regional advisory councils will strengthen acute care by giving communities a direct voice. Their insights will help us address local needs, improve patient outcomes and ensure timely access to hospital services.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services

“A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not address unique regional needs when it comes to mental health and addiction challenges. These councils will help us hear directly from communities, allowing us to tailor supports and services to meet the needs of Albertans where they are.”

Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

“Every community has unique needs, especially when it comes to seniors and vulnerable populations. These regional advisory councils will help us better understand those needs and ensure that assisted living services are shaped by the people who rely on them.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

Members include Albertans from all walks of life, health care workers, community leaders, Indigenous and municipal representatives, and others with a strong tie to their region. About one-third of members work in health care, and more than half of the council chairs are health professionals. Almost one-quarter are elected municipal officials, including 10 serving as chairs or vice-chairs. Ten councils also include a representative from a local health foundation.

Council members will share local and regional perspectives on health care services, planning and priorities to help ensure decisions reflect the realities of their communities. By engaging with residents, providers and organizations, they will gather feedback, identify challenges and bring forward ideas that may not otherwise reach government.

Through collaboration and community-informed solutions, members will help make the health system more responsive, accessible and better able to meet the needs of Albertans across the province.

“As Primary Care Alberta works to improve access to primary health care services and programs across Alberta, we are grateful to have the opportunity to tap into a dedicated group of community leaders and representatives. These people know their communities and local needs, and we look forward to learning from their experiences and knowledge as we shape the future of primary care in Alberta.”

Kim Simmonds, CEO, Primary Care Alberta

“The regional advisory councils will help to bring forward the voices of patients, families and front-line providers from every corner of Alberta. Their insights will help us plan smarter and deliver care that’s timely, effective and truly local. We look forward to working closely with them to strengthen hospital and surgical services across the province.”

Dr. Chris Eagle, interim CEO, Acute Care Alberta

“Nobody understands the health care challenges unique to a community better than the people who live there. The regional health advisory councils are made up of those living and working on the front lines across the province, ensuring we are getting the perspective of Albertans most affected by our health care system.”

Dr. Sayeh Zielke, CEO, Assisted Living Alberta

“Alongside Recovery Alberta’s staff and physician team, these regional advisory councils will build upon the high standard of mental health, addiction and correctional health services delivered in Alberta.”

Kerry Bales, CEO, Recovery Alberta

Indigenous Advisory Council

Alberta’s government continues to work directly with Indigenous leaders across the province to establish the Indigenous Advisory Council to strengthen health care services for First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities.

With up to 22 members, including Indigenous health care workers, community leaders and individuals receiving health care services, the council will represent diverse perspectives across Alberta. Members will provide community perspectives about clinical service planning, capital projects, workforce development and cultural integration in health care.

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