Your Alberta Blog

Yep, it's true--Alberta sheriffs will be part of the Vancouver/Whistler Olympics team. Okay, so it's not the athletes team, and it's not fun and games for them either, but it's still a pretty important role. These 25 Alberta sheriffs are providing security as part of the Integrated Security Unit (ISU) in Vancouver and Whistler.

A lot of planning and detail goes into providing security at an international event. The vision of the ISU is to secure the best winter games ever as partners in safety, peace and celebration. As members of the ISU, Alberta sheriffs have been entrusted with protecting the safety of Canadians and visitors while the world watches.

Just in case you're worried about what this will mean for court security or traffic operations back here in Alberta, don't be. There are approximately 670 sheriffs in Alberta and only 25 of them will be going to the Olympics. During this time, leaves for vacations or training will be restricted so there will be a full complement of staff on our highways and in our courthouses.

So, as you're watching and cheering for our Canadian athletes, take a moment to also remember the efforts of our Alberta sheriffs.

I had a very positive discussion with Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Minister for Foreign Trade for the United Arab Emirates.

I asked the Minister to lead a trade and investment mission of investment organizations to Alberta.

We can build relationships in lots of areas, including sharing information on advanced technologies, oil and gas, and oil sands.

We touched on opportunities for knowledge sharing between our post secondary institutions, and specifically carbon capture and storage.

There is a big role for CCS, and that is reflected in the attitudes of many people I've met in Abu Dhabi, including Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.

We also talked about the importance of developing renewable sources of energy.

The Minister expressed an opinion I have held for years - personal responsibility plays a role in energy conservation and new patterns of use.

She said though fresh water is scarce in the UAE - there is lots of desalination - people use water with abandon.

Same with power. Electricity is reasonably inexpensive and people don't think twice about using a lot.

We all have a personal responsibility for conservation.

The Minister and I also discussed nuclear power, and I told her that in Alberta, it was up to the private sector to develop and make all necessary applications.

Have you been looking for the perfect opportunity to improve your French, to travel and to make new friends this summer? Are you studying in a university degree program and returning to full time studies this fall? If so, we have just the ticket. The Quebec-Alberta Exchange Program is now accepting applications for this coming summer.

Each year the Quebec and Alberta governments cooperate to hire bilingual post-secondary-degree students from Alberta and Quebec for a summer work exchange. This partnership creates work experiences within the provincial government, related to the student's field of study.

Exchange students receive round-trip airfare to Quebec, their first week's food and accommodation costs, planned group activities and the opportunity to work alongside students from PEI, New Brunswick, Ontario or Manitoba.

This year the governments are exchanging up to 40 students for a 13-week placement that runs from May 10 to Aug. 6. Students are paid $13 per hour.

Still not convinced this is for you? Here are some stories from last summer's participants.

Marielle McCrum is an Alberta student who travelled to Quebec for the summer.

"My out-of-the-ordinary summer job was working as a Préposée aux curieux at Boîte à science in Quebec City. The primary goal of Boîte à science is to inspire a passion for science in children. During the school year, I would assist with in-class presentations relating to various fields of science. From demonstrations with live animals to building rockets, each presentation energized the elementary-aged students and caught their interest.

"When school gave out to summer, I busied myself preparing for more presentations and Boîte à science's exhibition AcCLIMATation at the Aquarium du Québec. This display forced me to interact directly with a francophone public and to think quickly in French all the while stressing the importance personal choices can make in the fight against climate change.

"The many facets of my summer job encouraged me to reflect upon my current ability in French and pushed me to improve."

Interested in Marielle's experience? You can email her at mmmccrum@ualberta.ca.

Venkatesa (Ven) Virasahmmy came to Alberta from Quebec

"I've learned that no, not everybody in Alberta dresses like a cowboy, people here don't say yee-haw, they say hello. They don't have cows as pets, and they don't talk like people in Alabama.

"I've finally learned to live on my own without my family and my best friends around me. I've learned how to cook, to do my own laundry, to plan as well as manage my finances, to be responsible, and I finally learned how to dance salsa!

"Most importantly, beyond discovering this beautiful province, I've met some really great friends! I've had some great times with all of [the other exchange students] and my experiences this summer wouldn't be the same without them."

Would you like to learn more about Ven's Alberta experience? Email him at V_virahsammy@alumni.concordia.ca.

This is your opportunity to expand your horizons, learn about this country and learn what you are capable of! Click here for more information and to apply.

- Sally Stuike, for Alberta Employment and Immigration

In just over three weeks time, the world spotlight will focus on Vancouver and the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

When the 1988 Olympics were held in Calgary, the world discovered our people, our places and our pride. Through the years, Alberta is known throughout the world for our spectacular mountains and prime 'A' Alberta beef – true world icons in any sense.

But we are also more than that – we're home for world class innovation, a diverse and vibrant culture and people who believe anything is possible in life. What better opportunity to share the Alberta story than the Olympics – the world's most recognizable event.

There's lots going on to promote Alberta at these games. Alberta House and Plaza in downtown Vancouver will be the hub to invite folks to learn more about our province. From international business meetings to concerts featuring our talented artists to showcasing our province's diverse cuisine, Alberta House and Plaza will be promoting the 'Alberta experience.'

As a contributing province to Canada's Games, Feb. 17 has been proclaimed Alberta Day. From country music star Paul Brandt, performing at BC Place, to concerts and programs at Alberta House, this will be Alberta's day showcased to a global audience. In fact, 60 Alberta artists and groups will be displaying their incredible talents during the games and the Cultural Olympiad.

The Alberta Train will be featured prominently as it is the only train service during the Games from Vancouver to Whistler. More details on the train and other public opportunities will be announced shortly.

And let's not forget our athletes! More than 50 per cent of the Canadian Winter Olympic team lives in, trains in, or is based in Alberta. Since 1988, Alberta has played a prominent role in developing Canada's high performance athletes and is home to world-class sporting facilities and events.

For more information on our athletes, artists and activities in Vancouver, visit www.alberta.ca/vancouver2010.

- Dan Huang, for Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Spent a wonderful hour at the Canadian International School.

The kids were so great, all decked out in Canadian-red shirts and greeting our arrival with the anthems of both the UAE and Canada.

The school uses the Alberta school curriculum. The owner/founder is a Canadian and he looked at curricula across Canada before choosing Alberta's curriculum as the best.

About 22 per cent of the school's students are from Canada. The rest are from all over, including the US, Switzerland, Germany, the Sudan and the United Arab Emirates. There are 35 teachers, of whom 20 are Canadian and 12 from Alberta.

Part of the reason for our visit was to donate books to the school. The Government of Alberta gave some books to the library and some curriculum development material for staff.