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WATCH: Alberta remains fertile ground for country music

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The west has been a hotbed for country music for a very long time and so it continues.  Exciting this morning to receive the list of nominees for the 2019 Alberta Country Music Association Award Nominees and see my friend Ryan Langlois on the list for Male Artist of the Year. So many terrific musicians, writers, performers on this list.

Male Artist of the Year

Ben Chase

Dan Davidson

Drew Gregory

Sean Gristwood

Ryan Langlois

 

Female Artist of the Year

Hailey Benedict

Krissy Feniak

Lauren Mayell

Andrea Nixon

Mariya Stokes

 

Group/Duo of the Year

The Dungarees

Ghost Boy

Nice Horse

The Prairie States

Renegade Station

 

Fans Choice

Ben Chase

The Dungarees

Drew Gregory

Nice Horse

The Prairie States

Renegade Station

 

Industry Person of the Year

Johnny Gasparic / MCC Recording

Carla Hackman / Sakamoto Agency

Larry Mayell / LJVM Projects

Chard Morrison / Shattered Glass

Sarah Scott / Sun Country 99.7

 

Musician of the Year

Lisa Dodd (Bass)

Johnny Gasparic (Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Dobro, Mandolin)

Cody Mack (Drums, Bass)

Josh Ruzycki (Guitar)

Brandi Sidoryk (Bass)

 

Album of the Year

“Juliet” / Dan Davidson

“Twenty Something” / The Dungarees

“Running on the Edge” / Tim Isberg

“It Was A Song” / Ryan Langlois

“Wild” / Ryan Lindsay

 

Song of the Year

“All Over It” / Written by: Ben Chase, Matty McKay, Aaron Pollock, Adam Dowling

(Performed by: Ben Chase)

“Better in a Bar” / Written by: Drew Gregory, Aaron Goodvin

(Performed by: Drew Gregory)

“Hands on My Body” / Written by: Mariya Stokes, Aaron Pollock, Michael Braun (Performed by: Mariya Stokes)

“It Was A Song” / Written by: Ryan Langlois

(Performed by: Ryan Langlois)

“Just Drive” / Written by: Justin Hogg, James Murdoch

(Performed by: Justin Hogg)

 

Single of the Year

“All Over It” / Ben Chase

“Twenty Something” / The Dungarees

“Better In a Bar” / Drew Gregory

“Just Maybe” / The Prairie States

“Along for the Ride” / Renegade Station

 

Horizon Youth

Hailey Benedict

Martina Dawn

Hannah Gazso

Anna Johnson

Jordan Leaf

 

Entertainer of the Year

Gord Bamford

Paul Brandt

Aaron Goodvin

High Valley

Brett Kissel

Tenille Townes

 

Video of the Year

“Twenty Something” / The Dungarees

“Suntans & Beer Cans” / Justin Hogg

“Lightbulb” / Troy Kokol

“Just Maybe” / Prairie States

“Along for the Ride” / Renegade Station

“Hands on My Body” / Mariya Stokes

 

Community Spirit Award

Hailey Benedict

Bob Donaldson

The Dungarees

Donny Lee

Kym Simon

The Prairie States

Renegade Station

 

Country Venue of the Year

Boot Scootin Boogie – Edmonton

Cook County Saloon – Edmonton

Ranchmans Cookhouse and Dancehall – Calgary

 

Talent Buyer of the Year

Carla Hackman / Sakamoto Agency

Natasha Mandrusiak – Calgary Stampede

Pat McGannon / PM Gigs

Chris Melnychuk – Trixstar

Angie Morris – Sirroma Entertainment

Adam Oppenheim / Stampede Entertainment

 

Rising Star

Ben Chase

Karac Hendriks

Ryan Lindsay

Trevor Panczak

Brad Saunders

 

Radio Station of the Year

840 CFCW – Edmonton

REAL COUNTRY 95.5 – Red Deer

SUN COUNTRY 99.7 – High River

THE ONE 88.1 – Parkland

WILD 95.3 – Calgary

Ticket link, hotel info, and further information about the ACMA™ Awards Weekend will be announced soon.  Information on ACMA available at www.acmamusic.com.

ACMA Awards weekend will be held January 25-26, 2020 at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre in Red Deer.

2019 ACMA Award Nominees!

November 19th, 2019 (Edmonton, AB) – The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA)™ is pleased to present our Nominees for the upcoming 2019 Alberta Country Music Awards™.

Winners will be announced during the ACMA Awards weekend on

January 25 & 26, 2020.

 

 

President Todayville Inc., Honorary Colonel 41 Signal Regiment, Board Member Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award Foundation, Director Canadian Forces Liaison Council (Alberta) musician, photographer, former VP/GM CTV Edmonton.

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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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