Cypress County council briefs from July 16

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are select briefs from the Cypress County Council meeting that took place on July 16.

Councillor Ritz Report Highlights

Councillor Keith Ritz reported to Council that on June 30, 2024, he travelled to Suffield for their pre-Canada Day celebrations and judged their annual chili cookoff and there were approximately 70-80 people in attendance, so it was a good, enjoyable turnout despite the rainy weather. 

Councillor Ritz also reported that he attended the recent Celebrate Cypress County event in Walsh and got to announce the winners for the Citizen of the Year,

Councillor Hok Highlights

Councillor Shane Hok reported to Council that in addition to attending the joint Ag Service Board meeting that Cypress County had with Redcliff, he also travelled to Calgary to show his support for the Leray Pahl Family who won the 2024 BMO Farm Family Award and to also represent Cypress County.

Policy ASB 22 – Animal Health

Lisa Sulz, Agricultural Supervisor for Cypress County, approached Council with a Request For Decision regarding Policy ASB 22 – Animal Health, stating that the recommended motion is that Council approve Policy ASB – 22 Animal Health as presented.

Sulz explained that the creation of this policy to support and promote the Animal Health Act in Cypress County will align with the requirements of the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Animal Health Act, and Agricultural Service Board Grant Report, and the Cypress County and Agricultural Service Board Measurable Action Items document and the Agricultural Service Board will support the Animal Health Act and assist the Chief Provincial Veterinarian only if requested. 

The Agricultural Service Board moved to accept ASB 22 – Animal Health policy as presented and directed staff to send the policy to Council for ratification. A motion was made that Council approve Policy ASB – 22 Animal Health as presented, and the motion was carried.

Policy ASB 14 – Rat and Skunk Control

Lisa Sulz, Agricultural Supervisor for Cypress County, approached Council with a Request For Decision regarding Policy ASB 14 – Rat & Skunk Control, stating that Administration reviewed the policy to update it reflecting the Provincial Rat and Rabies Control Program portion of the Agricultural Service Board Grant agreement: new protocols for dispensing rat bait through the provincial program and the Agricultural Service Board’s Measurable Action Items document. Sulz explained that the recommendation is that Council approve the policy as presented and that the Agricultural Service Board moved to accept it as presented and directed staff to send the policy to Council for ratification. Councillor Keith Ritz made the motion that Council approve it as presented and the motion was carried.

Policy ASB 18 – ASB Bursary

Lisa Sulz, Agricultural Supervisor for Cypress County, approached Council with a Request For Decision regarding Policy ASB 18 – ASB Bursary (Review).  Sulz explained that suggested changes were made to ASB 18 – ASB Bursary Policy for the two $1,000 that are available to students going into Agriculture, Agri-tech, or Environmental Studies.  The recommended motion, Sulz stated, is that Council approve Policy ASB 18-ASB Bursary as presented. Ultimately, Councillor Shane Hok made the motion that Council approve Policy ASB 18-ASB Bursary as presented and the motion was carried.

Rural Immigration Pilot Project – Letter of Support

Beth Cash, Economic Development and Recreation Coordinator for Cypress County, brought a Request for Decision before Council regarding the Rural Immigration Pilot Program, stating that the recommended motion is that Council approve a letter of support and participation for the Rural Immigration Pilot Program.

Cash then explained to Council that the Federal Government has recently announced a new rural immigration pilot for communities across Canada, and that the deadline for applications to the pilot was 9 p.m. on July 16, 2024. Cash also explained to Council that the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot is modelled after the previously existing Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and the benefits of participating in a federal program is a direct relationship with Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada, faster processing times for employers and workers, and likely increased availability for applications.

Cypress County, Cash stated is currently involved in a regional project with the City of Medicine Hat, the County of 40 Mile, the Town of Redcliff, and the Town of Bow Island, a project where Cypress County Reeve Dan Hamilton serves as the representative. 

The City of Medicine Hat Economic Development, Cash explained, is submitting an application to continue the work that has been started with the Southeast Alberta Immigration Partnership that includes Cypress County, the Town of Redcliff, the Town of Bow Island, the Town of Foremost, and the County of Forty Mile, and the request for letters of support and participation are going out to all the members of the Southeast Alberta Immigration Partnership, but there is no financial commitment for applying, nor is there a funding component for approval in the program.

Ultimately, Councillor Keith Ritz made a motion that Council approve a letter of support and participation for the Rural Immigration Pilot Program and then the letter will be forwarded to the City of Medicine Hat because they are the managing partner on the application. The motion was carried.