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U.S. legislators get first-hand look at Alberta’s oil sands

U.S. legislators have a new perspective on the province’s plan for energy development following a guided tour of the oil sands. The tour concluded the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s (PNWER) Summer Summit yesterday.

Oregon State Representative Mike Schaufler was one of the delegates invited to tour the oil sands. “I was impressed by the technological advancements and the sophisticated pipeline transportation system used to transport oil to the U.S.,” he said. “I am more comfortable buying oil from Alberta, which shares similar environmental goals with the U.S., than from foreign sources.”

The Summer Summit concluded after five-and-a-half days of policy discussions in Calgary on issues affecting the Pacific North West region, including border security, disaster resilience, renewable energy, mental health and addictions, water policy, livestock health, environment and economic development.

PNWER is a public-private partnership dedicated to encouraging global economic competitiveness and preserving the world-class natural environment in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about the organization, visit www.pnwer.org.

Serving armed forces members now eligible for veterans’ plates

The Alberta government is expanding eligibility requirements for veterans’ licence plates to include currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“As a retired serviceman, I know this gesture will be appreciated by the men and women in the forces,” said His Honour, Col. (Ret’d) the Honourable Donald Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. “The plates are instantly recognizable to Albertans. When they see it, they think of the people who put themselves in the service of our country.”

The Royal Canadian Legion’s Alberta-Northwest Territories Command determines eligibility for the plates. Current members of the armed forces with at least three years of service will be able to apply for veterans’ plates beginning Aug. 16. They can receive the plate at no extra cost when renewing their vehicle registration.

Nearly 18,000 veterans’ plates have been issued since the program began in February 2005. Previously, the plates were only available to retired members who had been honourably discharged, as well as members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or other Canadian police departments who served under NATO or the United Nations.

Albertosaurus roars to life on new collector coin

On July 21, the Royal Canadian Mint rolls out a new dinosaur collector-coin in honour of the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s 25th anniversary.

The coin features an animation effect that brings to life Albertosaurus, a 70-million-year-old cousin of T-Rex first discovered in Alberta.

This 50-cent brass-plated coin comes with six exciting trading cards: five showing off different dinosaurs found in Alberta and the sixth telling the story of province’s famous Royal Tyrrell Museum. Developed as part of a series celebrating significant milestones for two of Canada’s most popular natural history museums - the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the Canadian Museum of Nature - the Albertosaurus coin will retail for $24.95.

The coin will be available at the Museum Gift Shop and through the Royal Canadian Mint’s online store at www.mint.ca/store. It is also available by direct order from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada and 1-800-268-6468 in the U.S.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum invites everyone to anniversary celebrations Sept. 17, 18, and 19 in conjunction with Alberta Arts Days, and the official Royal Tyrrell Museum birthday party on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Will you be the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s 10-millionth visitor? One lucky visitor, with their family members or friends in attendance, will receive royal treatment and a Discover Alberta prize package. For more information, visit www.tyrrellmuseum.com/news/events.htm or call 403-823-7707 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access in Alberta).

Operated by Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is located six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838 and is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

As the MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, I am always available to assist constituents.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of my constituency offices at Stettler 403-742-4284; Hanna 403-854-4333; Drumheller 403-823-8181 or my Legislature office at 780-427-2137. Also, please subscribe to my e newsletter at http://hayden.mypcmla.ca/.