Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs

Changes to come to NSD governance

October 8, 2015. Alberta education minister David Eggen says it is not acceptable that Northland School Division has been operating under a government-appointed trustee for five years. “The result has been very disappointing,” Eggen said, speaking at a First Nations, Metis and Inuit education symposium in Edmonton. “It is my intention to work hard that our government will put in place and have proper elections for real trustees to put Northland School Division back on its feet where it belongs.” Eggen didn’t offer details on how this would be accomplished. In 2010, Progressive Conservative education minister David Hancock dismissed the 23-member NSD board and appointed Colin Kelly as trustee. Hancock stated poor student performance, low high school graduation rates, and high turnover among staff and administration as reasons for his decision. Hancock also appointed an inquiry team to come up with recommendations. The report was tabled, community meetings held, but elections
for new trustees never took place.

October 8, 2015. The Calgary City Police Service has launched a new tool to help in emergencies. The Vulnerable Person Self-Registry allows people with a physical, mental or medical condition that may require special attention in an emergency to voluntarily submit personal
information, including name, date of birth, physical description, contact information, methods of approach or communication, a photo and description of any threatening medical conditions. First responders can access the data through the city’s 9-1-1 centre, when a vulnerable person is in danger or distress. The information must be updated by the person or their caretaker at least once a year or it will be removed from the database. Police say the information will not be used as part of criminal investigations. The database is an initiative by the Diversity Resource Team to better serve citizens with disabilities, and was implemented following consultations with various community organizations and units within the police service.