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MLA Jackie Lovely excited about the return to normal life

Opinion
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Before I get into any other news in the Camrose constituency, I want to talk about the painful discovery of the remains of the 215 precious souls in Kamloops. The thought of my two children being taken from my home is one I could never imagine but has been a tragic reality for parents who had their children taken forcefully from their homes. My heart and thoughts are with anyone and everyone who has been affected by this shameful act, and whoever lost their kids in such a tragic way. On May 31, Indigenous Relations Minister, Rick Wilson announced the government’s intention to fund research into the undocumented deaths and burials of hundreds of Indigenous children who did not make their way home. The details of that funding will be forthcoming, so I encourage you to stay tuned for details around that. I stand with our government in extending sincere condolences to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and all the families affected by this profound tragedy.

As you know, we are nearing the end of this long, and tiring, COVID-19 pandemic. However, that is not what I want to talk about this week. Many of you have asked me if I will be resuming my videos of the exciting news and events happening in the Camrose constituency and the answer is a very loud, yes! You may have noticed on my Facebook page that I have been going around the riding and talking to businesses owners, not for profits and various people in our community. What is particularly exciting to me in the first week of June, I was going around the riding meeting the owners of newer businesses. Whether it be a food truck, a florist, or a disc golf course – also known as frisbee golf, it has been great to see. Whether it is promoting a local business, sharing the latest job opportunities, or the accomplishments of our residents, I want to hear about all the great news. Please get in touch with my office if I can help share any of your good news or if you would like me to shoot a video.

I also took time in the legislature to thank some of the most important frontline healthcare workers in our constituency and our province. On May 31, I was able to tell the house about National Nursing Week and the over 35,000 nurses that work right here in Alberta, including my daughter. Here are a few words from my member’s statement that day.

“Nurses provide critical health care supports, spending more time with patients than doctors. They care for the physical, intellectual, and societal needs of their patients. This pandemic has been hard on our nurses. I won’t sugar-coat this. Nurses work long shifts, often later and longer than expected. They see individuals take their last breath. They see families grieve. They carry a burden that many of us would not be able to carry. The pandemic brought to light the courage and commitment that nurses work under each and every day and conveyed the important role that nurses play in our communities. From day one nurses were there, and they still are.”

In closing, I want to give my heartfelt well-wishes to 14-year-old Brooke from the Tofield area. She is off to Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the American Junior High School Finals Rodeo. She will be representing us in pole bending and ribbon roping. I know Brooke will make us proud. Please join me in wishing her luck. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office. We are always here for you.



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
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