DAVE'S COLUMNS
Dave writes regular columns about important local and provincial issues. In this section, you will find his published columns.
MLA Column – Dave Quest for February 19, 2010
I was pleased to attend the Sherwood Park Chamber of Commerce luncheon that featured Dr. Raj Sherman, MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness. In his remarks Dr. Sherman referred to the report of the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health which is the topic of this week's column.
Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky has stated, "The committee's report proposes a new foundation for health based on a clear commitment to our public health system and clarity about what Albertans can expect from it. Albertans want greater certainty in how the public health care system will function and they want the complete assurance they will have a meaningful say in its development. I can assure you that we will provide those opportunities."
"We will move quickly to consult with Albertans on the recommendations," said Zwozdesky. "I am appointing Fred Horne, MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford and co-chair of the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health, to lead this process on behalf of government and to begin it immediately. He will coordinate an inclusionary consultation process with Albertans regarding overarching principles to be included in the Alberta Health Act, the proposed patient charter, evidence-based decision-making, and mechanisms for ongoing consultation and dialogue with the public."
Government acts quickly on health committee report Consultation on developing a new Alberta Health Act will begin immediately with legislation expected later this fall.
The Government of Alberta has accepted the recommendations from the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health report. The committee has recommended that Alberta have its own Health Act that would lay out made-in-Alberta principles for our health system. The committee also recommended a number of ways to better involve Albertans when decisions are being made about their own health system.
The committee released its 48-page report on Jan. 20, which was centered around four recommendations:
- Articulate a set of principles that must be sustained and maintained throughout Alberta’s health system;
- Legislate an Alberta Health Act for the future;
- Ensure ongoing citizen engagement in the development of legislation, regulation and policy including the development of a patient charter; and
- Develop clear directions to guide legislative, regulatory, policy and program delivery changes across the health system. A blueprint that reflects the feedback from Albertans, and includes a detailed plan to move forward will be presented to the Minister by Sept. 30, 2010.
The Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health report is available at www.health.alberta.ca. 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 www.premier.alberta.ca.
Dave Quest is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Strathcona Constituency. If you have any comments or questions concerning this column or other provincial government issues, please contact Dave at his constituency office located at #168 – 2301 Premier Way, Sherwood Park, T8H 2K8. Telephone: 780.416.2492 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Joint MLA Column with Iris Evans for February 5, 2010
As Members of the Legislative Assembly representing the Sherwood Park and Strathcona constituencies, we strive to assist residents with the concerns you have with respect to the Heartland Transmission Project by providing information regarding ongoing developments:
AUC Launches Enhanced Participation Opportunities for Heartland Transmission Project
Alberta’s independent utilities regulator has launched enhanced procedural steps and opportunities for participation by affected parties in anticipation of an expected Heartland Transmission Project application to the Alberta Utilities Commission in spring 2010.
The Commission has determined that in order to provide opportunities for meaningful public participation through a fair, open and transparent process, necessary to reach a sound decision for the Heartland application, the AUC will adapt to the nature and scope of the anticipated Heartland proceeding and add some additional flexibility to its process.
First, the AUC is streamlining standing procedures for individuals and groups residing on or owning property within 800 metres of the edge of the proposed right-of-way who may be directly and adversely affected by the Commission’s decision. Under the enhanced process, standing will be finalized once the application is submitted.
Second, effective today (outlined in Bulletin 2010-04), the AUC is allowing all interested parties to pre-register in the AUC’s proceeding - giving greater time for participants to begin consulting with expert witnesses and legal counsel, should they wish to do so.
Third, the AUC will provide further flexibility by allowing participants to choose the extent to which they become involved in the quasi-judicial AUC proceeding. Participants may choose to provide a written statement of concerns and position without further commitment or involvement to the process. Participants may choose to provide a submission and make an oral statement for the AUC’s public record. Participants may also choose to fully engage in the proceeding and public oral hearing through preparation of evidence, appearance as a witness for cross examination and cross examination of other witnesses.
Fourth, the AUC will hold general information sessions, and meetings with groups, prior to the submission of the application. This is to clarify the regulatory approval process, provide additional opportunities for people to pre-register, and explain the Commission’s local intervener funding process.
These four steps establish a process that allows intervener participation even before a formal application is filed. It also allows the Commission to make and communicate decisions on scheduling, process, standing and local intervener costs as early as possible.
The Alberta Utilities Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the province of Alberta. As part of its mandate the Commission has jurisdiction over the siting of facilities
deemed to be critical transmission facilities as well as other transmission facilities, electric power plants and natural gas transmission pipelines.
This information is important to you as you continue to be part of the process. We will endeavour to work with our constituents on this key issue.
The Honourable Iris Evans, MLA, Sherwood Park and Minister of International & Intergovernmental Relations, MLA Sherwood Park and Dave Quest, MLA Strathcona.
MLA Column – Dave Quest for January 29, 2010
Stelmach signs two groundbreaking agreements in the UAE
Premier Ed Stelmach capped off his mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on economic cooperation with the government of Abu Dhabi.
Stelmach signed the agreement with His Excellency Nasser Ahmed Alsowaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. The agreement will set the stage for stronger economic relations between Alberta and Abu Dhabi through closer cooperation in a number of areas, including energy, environmental protection, agriculture, education, technology and innovation.
Earlier in the week, Stelmach was a panellist at the prestigious World Future Energy Summit. The four-day summit is one of the world's leading conferences on responsible energy development and production.
During the summit, Stelmach also signed an MOU on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) with Masdar - a wholly owned company of the Government of Abu Dhabi.
The agreement commits Alberta and Abu Dhabi to share information on CCS technologies and policies, support projects of mutual interest, and explore opportunities for collaboration between public and private partners in both jurisdictions.
While in Abu Dhabi, Stelmach also met with a number of public and private sector leaders, including Ministers of Energy and Foreign Trade for the UAE, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and CEO of Etihad Airways. In addition, the Premier attended the announcement of a new sour gas conference that will alternate yearly between Abu Dhabi and Alberta.
The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years 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.
Dave Quest is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Strathcona Constituency.
If you have any comments or questions concerning this column or other provincial government issues, please contact Dave at his constituency office located at
#168 – 2301 Premier Way, Sherwood Park, T8H 2K8. Telephone: 780.416.2492 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Contact Information for PC Association
The Strathcona PC Association meets monthly. Supporters are welcome to attend the meetings, which are held in Sherwood Park or Ardrossan. To learn more about our meetings, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Strathcona PC Association, please contact Roy Maxwell, our Vice-President of Membership, at 780-464-5506 (daytime) and 780-662-2878 (evenings).
Donations to the Strathcona PC Association are gratefully accepted. They can be mailed to Box 83, Ardrossan, Alberta, T8E 2A1.
The following is an outline of the tax credits associated with political donations:
Contribution Tax Credit Actual Cost
$500 $300 $200
$250 $175 $75
$150 $112 $37.50
$100 $75 $25
Constituency Information
The Strathcona Constituency is an exciting and diverse area to represent. The boundaries include all of the rural area of Strathcona County except the small portion north of Highway 15. The northern border is Highway 15 and the City of Fort Saskatchewan municipal limits. The eastern border extends to Elk Island Park and the Beaver County boundary line. The southern border is Twp Road 510 adjacent to Beaver and Leduc Counties. And the western border meanders along City of Edmonton border, the North Saskatchewan River and the urban borders of Sherwood Park. This large rural area has farming & horse operations, lakes, beautiful rolling hills and woods which are home to many acreage owners. There are rural communities including Ardrossan, Josephburg, Hastings Lake, South Cooking Lake, Good Hope, Brookville, Partridge Hill, Antler Lake, Collingwood Cove and Colchester that offer area residents activities, facilities and fellowship.
The urban portion of Sherwood Park that is included in the Strathcona constituency is the area east of Cloverbar Road. Lakeland Village, Jubilee Landing, Summerwood, Davidson Creek, Clarkdale Meadows, Heritage Hills, Foxhaven, Foxboro, Regency and the Ridge are all apart of the Strathcona Constituency.
For a detailed map of Strathcona Constituency (Ctrl click) this link to Elections Alberta:
http://www.electionsalberta.ab.ca/Public%20Website/files/maps/78_Strathcona_(2008).pdf
