A busy spring session at the Alberta Legislature began Feb. 10. Highlights will include legislation establishing a new land-use framework and a leading-edge system for carbon capture and storage.

If you would like to visit the Legislature, please let me know so I can introduce you to the Assembly. Alternately, you can view the daily Routine, including Oral Question Period, on ACCESS beginning at 1:30 p.m. each sitting day, or online at www.assembly.ab.ca.

Working hard to protect students and teachers

Over the past several months, I’ve been tailoring a private member’s bill to address bullying. Bill 206, which I hope to introduce this spring, would prohibit acts of intimidation or bullying in schools, including cyber bullying, and provide a mechanism for addressing those incidents.

Bill 206 would require school administrators to document and address all incidents of bullying and report them to school boards. It would also prohibit the possession of weapons and/or drugs, including paraphernalia, on school property and make it mandatory for schools to document such instances, providing a more accurate account of students’ behaviour in school. The police and ministry of Education could use this information to better understand the issues facing our youth.

The Energy Industry

I share many of your concerns about the challenges facing the energy industry and continue to forward you comments to the Minister of Energy.

Here’s an excerpt from Premier Stelmach’s Feb. 5 speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce:

“These are not normal times. The chill in global financial systems is impacting Alberta families and businesses.

As a government, we can’t control global financial markets or the price of commodities. But there are things we can do.

So I have asked Energy Minister Mel Knight to look at the cash-flow situation facing our junior energy companies.

I know those companies are finding it particularly difficult to access the capital they need for operations - and that means idle rigs and Albertans out of work.

So we will provide an incentive program, providing short-term, targeted assistance for junior and mid-cap companies.

One that encourages the banks to do their part, and could also address abandoned well reclamation.

Minister Knight will consult with industry and will be announcing more details.”

Calgary-Fish Creek staff changes

Jaime has left the Calgary-Fish Creek office to become executive assistant to the executive director of a non-profit organization. I wish her all the best in her new position. She will be greatly missed!

I am pleased to welcome Meghan, a student at Mount Royal College, to our office. Please stop by and say hello!

As MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek, I am always happy to assist constituents. During spring session, I will be spending the majority of my time in Edmonton; however, my staff will forward messages left for me at my constituency office in person, via written correspondence, or phone (403) 278 4444. I can be reached toll-free in Edmonton by dialing 310 0001 followed by (780) 415 0058, or by e-mail at calgary.fishcreek@assembly.ab.ca. You can also visit www.heatherforsyth.com for information and updates.