In the second investigation, two individuals were sentenced to pay a total of $37,950 in fines. All three individuals were suspended from holding a recreational hunting licence for a period of 10 years, with additional restrictions imposed related to guiding in the future. None of the individuals charged were licensed by the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society.

The Fish and Wildlife Division of Sustainable Resource Development initiated two separate investigations into persons offering or providing illegal guiding services for hunting of big game in Alberta. Those charged as a result of these investigations pled guilty in June and July of this year.

The first investigation began in December 2007. Several U.S. citizens alleged they had contracted a southern Alberta man for guided big game hunts in the province. The individual advertised hunting opportunities, took money and wrote contracts for services but failed to deliver any hunt, asking for increasing sums of money. The individual responsible pled guilty to six counts of accepting money for guiding services, one count of criminal fraud and one count of failing to appear in court as required. Sentencing took place August 20.

In the second case, information was received between 2007 and 2009 that the individuals operating “Wilderness Memories Productions,” a bed and breakfast near Worsley, Alberta, were offering illegal guiding services. The two individuals in this case pled guilty to six offences under Alberta’s Wildlife Act. Sentencing took place August 23. In addition to the fines, a number of items that had been seized from the two individuals were forfeited to the court, including a vehicle, a firearm and other hunting materials used in the commission of the offenses.

In Alberta, paid guiding services for big game hunts can be legally contracted only through licensed outfitter-guides. The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society administers outfitted hunting in the province.

Anyone with information that would assist in solving any wildlife crime in Alberta is asked to contact a local Fish and Wildlife office. The toll-free Report A Poacher line is available at 1-800-642-3800 or by dialing #3800 from a Telus mobile phone. The Report A Poacher line is open 24 hours, and anyone who provides information can remain anonymous and may qualify for a reward.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Darcy Whiteside
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
780-427-8636

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

The panel provides government with insight into challenges facing young people and offers valuable input to help shape provincial programs and services that make a positive difference for children, youth, families and communities. Up to 18 Alberta youth between the ages of 15 and 22 will be selected to serve on the panel for the 2010-11 term.

“The Youth Advisory Panel’s creativity and unique perspective on important issues affecting youth help my Ministry and our government develop solutions that benefit youth in Alberta,” said Minister of Children and Youth Services, Yvonne Fritz. “We are very excited about recruiting new, enthusiastic members to join the panel. I encourage youth across Alberta to seize this great opportunity to get involved and make their voice heard.”

“The opportunity to work with other incredible youth from diverse backgrounds across Alberta, share experiences and advise the government to help make a difference in the lives of Albertans is extremely rewarding,” said panel member Sarah Jacknife, 16, from Cold Lake. “Being on the panel has challenged me to think about issues affecting youth in new ways. The whole experience has helped make me a stronger person.”

Since its inception in 2000, the panel has contributed recommendations and feedback for a number of provincial initiatives, programs and public awareness campaigns. Last year, the panel offered input to the government about youth homelessness, mentoring opportunities for high-risk youth and Children and Youth Services’ environmental scan, which focuses on issues and trends likely to impact the Ministry over the next five years.

The panel holds approximately five weekend meetings each year. It is the only youth group in Alberta that reports to and is chaired by a Member of the Legislative Assembly – Kyle Fawcett, MLA, Calgary-North Hill.

The deadline for applications is October 15. To find out more and to apply, call 780-415-0085 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000) or visit www.yap.gov.ab.ca.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Tom Olsen
Alberta Children and Youth Services
780-427-4801

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Evans will attend the 63rd annual meeting of the Council of State Governments-WEST (CSG WEST) from September 11 – 14 in Sun Valley, Idaho, along with MLA Ty Lund, Alberta’s representative to CSG WEST. Immediately following the meeting, Minister Evans will represent Alberta at the 50th anniversary meeting of the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, September 15 – 17.

“Alberta is an export-based economy, and the U.S. is our largest and most important market,” said Evans. “It is vital that we work with our counterparts in the U.S. to continue to strengthen our ties and promote the province as a secure and responsible supplier of energy as well as look at new opportunities for increasing trade and investment.”

CSG WEST provides a platform for regional cooperation among the 13 western U.S. states. This year’s annual meeting, called ‘Pioneering New Frontiers’, focuses on finding new ways to work together on a variety of important topics, including energy, the environment, transportation and trade. Alberta became an associate member of CSG WEST in 2001 and has established strong relations with state lawmakers. The province will host the 2012 CSG WEST meeting, which will be only the second time the conference has been held outside the U.S.

After Sun Valley, Minister Evans will continue to promote Alberta by delivering a keynote address and meeting with decision makers at the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB). The SSEB is comprised of governors and state legislators from 16 southern states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as a presidential appointee. The Board’s mission is to enhance economic development and the quality of life in the U.S. through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs and technologies.

The U.S. is by far the largest customer for Alberta’s exports. Approximately 85 per cent of total provincial exports are shipped to points in the U.S. and 17 of Alberta’s top 20 international export destinations are U.S. states. Additionally, the U.S. is the source of 66 per cent of all foreign investment in the province.

For more information about CSG WEST visit www.csgwest.org. For more information about the SSEB visit www.sseb.org.

The cost of travel, accommodations and meals for Evans and Lund is approximately $7,540.

The Alberta government has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. An important part of The Way Forward is maintaining support for programs and services Albertans need most, such as health care, education and safe and vibrant communities. For more information on the plan visit Alberta.ca.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Mike Deising, Communications
International and Intergovernmental Relations
780-422-2524

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Between Friday, September 3 and Monday, September 6, officers laid close to 4,000 charges across the province including:

• 64 for impaired driving, along with 19 24-hour suspensions;
• 99 seatbelt and child restraint infractions;
• 27 intersection infractions; and,
• 3,317 speeding violations.

Alberta Transportation statistics from 2004 to 2008 show as many as ten people are killed in traffic collisions every Labour Day long weekend.

To help improve highway traffic enforcement, Alberta Sheriffs and RCMP Traffic Services are integrating traffic resources around the province. The officers are focusing education and enforcement efforts on the four most dangerous driving activities: impaired driving; not using seatbelts; speeding; and proceeding unsafely through intersections.

During September, RCMP and Sheriffs and their road safety partners are targeting their safety message on children returning to school. Drivers, students, pedestrians, bicylists, and school bus passengers all have a role in back-to-school safety and need to be aware of traffic safety rules.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Eilish Lemieux
Communications
Solicitor General and Public Security
780-427-6171

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

The electronic message boards located in Lac La Biche, Grassland, and Fort McMurray will notify motorists of the detour onto Highway 881.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Heather Kaszuba
Communications
Alberta Transportation
780-422-7070
(cell) 780-717-3913

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

The grant program contributes to a more competitive and sustainable agriculture industry by helping producers access expertise to make informed and calculated business decisions to achieve strategic new directions.&nbsp Examples of eligible expenses include market research, opportunity assessments, and business and marketing plans for new endeavors.

Business Opportunity projects are supported on a cost-shared basis.&nbsp Grants cover 75 per cent of eligible expenses for approved activities and applicants cover 25 percent; with grants awarded up to a maximum of $30,000 per applicant.&nbsp Producer groups may apply to have their project cost-shared at 90 per cent of eligible expenses for approved activities and the producer groups cover 10 per cent on projects that demonstrate a sector-wide benefit and project results are shared with industry.

Business Opportunity grants are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, as per program terms and conditions and limited funding.&nbsp Producers are encouraged to apply soon to take advantage of the program.

For more information on Growing Forward and the Business Opportunity program, including Growing Forward registrations, program terms, conditions, and application forms, visit www.growingforward.alberta.ca or call the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276).&nbsp Producers will be directed to an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development new-venture specialist for further application support.

Growing Forward is a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that better positions the agriculture industry for success, and the Business Opportunity program is an investment in that long-term goal.

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Backgrounder: Details on the Business Opportunity Program and Growing Forward

Media inquiries may be directed to:

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Admission to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre is free for all visitors during Alberta Arts Days, September 17, 18 and 19.

Friday, September 17, 7 – 9 p.m. – Opening of Crowsnest Interactive 2010, a watercolour exhibit by members of the Alberta Society of Artists featuring Deborah Lougheed Sinclair, Barbara Amos, Larry Cromwell, Morry Katz and Donna Miller. The show will highlight the beauty of the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area. It continues until September 27.

Saturday, September 18, 1 – 3:30 p.m. – Book reading and signing with Cathy Beveridge author of Shadows of Disaster.

Sunday, September 19, 1 – 3:30 p.m. – Lawrence Chrismas, author and photographer of Coal Dust Grins: Portraits of Canadian Coal Miners will sign his book and give a presentation, Stories and Slides of Mining Characters from Crowsnest Region, Alberta and British Columbia. &nbspJoseph L. Lothian, author of The Grasshopper, will be on hand for a storytelling session and book signing.

Alberta Arts Days, September 17 to 19, is an annual celebration of our culture, heritage, artistic diversity and provincial pride. &nbspThis province-wide initiative is helping to achieve the goals of our cultural policy, The Spirit of Alberta, and is part of National Culture Days – a pan-Canadian movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. &nbspFor more information or to access a listing of other Arts Days events taking place across the province visit AlbertaArtsDays.ca

Operated by Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre is located 1.5 kilometres off Highway 3 in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass and is open daily year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.frankslide.com or call 403-562-7388 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access within Alberta). &nbspFor information on all of Alberta’s historic sites and museums, visit www.culture.alberta.ca.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Cathy Pisony
Program Coordinator
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
403-562-7388
cathy.pisony@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Feel the spirit of the past and enjoy a taste of the present at the Harvest of the Past and Taste of Heritage Food Fest. Start your day with a pancake breakfast then enjoy sampling bison, elk, venison ‘deer dogs’, roasted corn on the cob and traditional Ukrainian food. Head out into the fields for a nostalgic tour of historical harvest activities. Enjoy exhibits, a village market, square dancing, a visit with Bailey the Buffalo and musical entertainment throughout the day. Come and cheer on the singing stars of tomorrow at the 4th annual Kalyna Idol talent competition.

Admission is $8 for adults, $20 for a family (two adults and their children ages 7-17), $7 for seniors and $4 for youth (ages 7 to 17). Children six and under are admitted free. Admission is also free for those with a current Experience Alberta’s History Pass or Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society membership card.

Operated by Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is located 25 minutes east of Edmonton on Highway 16. Hours for this event only are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through to September 6. For more information, visit www.ukrainianvillage.ca or call 780-662-3640 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access in Alberta).

For information on all of Alberta’s historic sites and museums, visit www.culture.alberta.ca.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Jack King
Marketing & Communications
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
780-662-3640
jack.king@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Mitzel, Alberta’s representative to the PTP Alliance, will travel to Rapid City, South Dakota, September 7-10, to participate in the conference and speak about agricultural transportation. The theme of this year’s event, Bringing Visionaries Together, will see alliance members discussing best practices in agriculture, trade, infrastructure, education, tourism and energy.

“Our producers face a number of challenges related to agricultural transportation issues, including animal movement, wait times, and animal welfare,” said Mitzel. “I look forward to this opportunity to work together with our U.S. counterparts to address some of these common issues and find ways to advance the industry.”

In May 2009, Alberta became the first Canadian member of the PTP Alliance. Other members include jurisdictions in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Together, these states make up North America’s energy and agricultural heartland.

The Ports-to-Plains region is comprised of six of the top 10 U.S. farm states and produces $44.3 billion of agricultural goods, or 22.1 per cent of the U.S. total. It generates $166.7 billion in trade with Canada and Mexico, nearly 20 per cent of total U.S.-NAFTA trade.

The cost of MLA Mitzel’s transportation, accommodation and meals is approximately $1,500.

The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that our province’s industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity.

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Backgrounder: Len Mitzel’s itinerary

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Josephine Lamy, Communications
International and Intergovernmental Relations
780-422-2527

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.