Bashaw youth group seeks funding

The Bashaw Youth Drop-In Foundation (BYD) asked Bashaw council for $33,375 in funding for 2017 at the regular town counci meeting on Nov, 17.
The BYD has seen an increase in youth attending programs with an average of 14 to 15 per day.
“This summer was busier than last summer,” Leanne McCaroll, president of BYD told Bashaw town council during its regular meeting Nov. 17.
The BYD runs programs after school and during the summer including, Cooking with Kids, Cool Moves, Craft Corner, Drama Club, Summer Fun/Easter Fun and outings for youth from ages five to 18.
The BYD is involved with the community through the Bashaw School, East Central Health, Bashaw Elks, Royal Purple and the Royal Canadian Legion.
This year they are partnering with Bashaw Art Club, Bashaw Ag Society and Bashaw Bottle Depot Recycling program.
Their goal is to promote awareness in areas such as health, peer pressure, alcohol and drug abuse, crime prevention and general awareness topics, as well as encourage creativity, increase physical activity, social skills and provide information on nutrition, body image and wellness issues.
Council accepted the presentation as information.

Still fighting carbon tax
Some municipalities within the Battle River-Wainwright constituency want to opt out of the carbon tax, Wes Taylor MLA Battle River-Wainwright told Bashaw town council at its regular meeting Nov. 17.
“The government isn’t giving that option so there’s a lot of concern,” said MLA Taylor adding that the carbon tax will touch everyone and everything.
He said the federal government isn’t implementing their carbon tax until 2018 and Saskatchewan, who is opposed to the carbon tax, wants to only charge $10 tonne compared to Alberta’s proposed $30 per tonne.
The specific rates depend on the type of fuel, but all are set on the basis of $20 per tonne of CO2 in 2017, rising to $30 per tonne in 2018.
This is too much too fast and isn’t necessary, said MLA Taylor.
“We have some of the cleanest technology in the world. We are 15 years ahead of our neighbour to the south in clean technology and oil production. We are world leaders right here in Alberta.”
If the province proceeds with the proposed $30 per tonne carbon tax, businesses will leave Alberta and relocate to either Saskatchewan or the U.S., said MLA Taylor.
“When Alberta is down this isn’t the time to be putting this forward.”
Mayor Penny Shantz expressed concern about how much the carbon tax will cost school divisions and hospitals.
Coun. Darren Pearson said the carbon tax expense will be an extra “good chunk of change” for small business owners.

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