Chinook’s Edge School Division trustees are encouraging area residents to vote in the upcoming federal election in support of education funding and programs.
The trustees are also calling on the next federal government to make education a priority.
“We realize that education funding falls under the provincial government’s jurisdiction, but public education is also impacted at the federal government level in several areas,” the trustees said in a media release Thursday. “The economy is influenced by federal policy, for instance, and that has a direct impact on provincial education funding.”
The trustees are elected officials who oversee the 11,000 student Chinook’s Edge division.
There are other federal policies, such as the legalization of cannabis or creating policies around the promotion of vaping products, that also impact youth and all residents in the overall communities, they said.
“As trustees, we are connected with the federal members of Parliament who represent the regions covered by our school division. This advocacy work ensures we have a voice in federal policies and regulations that have an impact not only on our work in schools but also on our daily lives as citizens.
“As elected representatives, we understand the importance and value of casting your vote. In the end, voting in any election is a core value in ensuring a full and vibrant democracy. Strong leadership at all levels makes us stronger. As parents and taxpayers, we encourage you to vote.”
Meanwhile, Canadian agriculture producers would like federal election candidates to recognize the ongoing contribution farmers are making to reduce impacts on the environment, says Jeff Nielsen, an Olds-area farmer who is the president of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC).
“Agriculture is part of the climate change solution,” Nielsen said in a release. “The land is our livelihood and, as stewards of the land, we are committed to using the best practices possible to protect the environment for all Canadians.
“As our members continue to lead the way, we ask that our next prime minister and their leadership team commit to creating conditions that ensure the sustainable success of the agricultural sector.”
GGC members are asking for a number of amendments to regulations, including improvements to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to “ensure that they assume science-based regulations responsive to the needs of the sector,” he said.
GGC members are also asking for an increased mandate to encourage renewable fuel content from Canadian crops be issued as a way to create market diversification opportunities, while also realizing reduced greenhouse gas emissions, he said.
“We will continue to adopt more efficient methods to use less fuel and protect our valuable crops, however, our government must ensure that all regulations take into account the needs of running a modern grain farm,” he said.
“The fact is that Canada’s grain farmers have adopted several methods to reduce their environmental footprint. These include a reduction in soil tillage in order to conserve moisture and the adoption of precision agriculture technology, which maximizes efficiency and requires less fuel.
“In fact, fewer passes over farm fields has led to an annual reduction of over 170 million litres in on-farm fuel use.”
Nutrient stewardship practices also stand out as an example of an innovative technique widely used by members, he said.
“These practices have become the standard for proper nutrient management in Canada because of their steadfast principles to using the right fertilizer at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place.
“In fact, these practices have been so successful that Canada’s canola growers have committed to utilizing 4R nutrient stewardship practices on 90 per cent of their total acres by 2025.”
“Through environmental stewardship we have been successful in boosting Canada’s bottom line while respecting the land that supports us.”
Canadians go to the polls Oct. 21.
