UNews - Ron Liepert

Government anouncements set stage

trevor.kenney — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:17:58 +0000

By RICHARD WESTLUND

This week will be very telling for Alberta's post-secondary sector as Alberta's Speech from the Throne is read (Feb. 7) and the Government of Alberta's budget is released (Feb. 9).

Alberta Finance Minister Ron Liepert has hinted that the budget will not include any large expenditures or adversely any deep cuts, and that the health and education sectors remain priority areas for the government.

The U of L has spent a great deal of time over the past year advocating for stable and predictable funding that reflects the institution's mandate. Any budget documents from this week's release will be available on the Government Relations blog (blogs.ulethbridge.ca/government-relations).

Cabinet tour hits U of L

In late January, Alberta cabinet ministers took part in an outreach tour of the province. Minister of Culture and Community Services, Heather Klimchuk, along with Advanced Education and Technology Minister, Greg Weadick, spent some time on campus looking at various facilities. Considering the cultural component to Klimchuk's responsibilities, she was shown the Digital Audio Arts facility as well as some of the Art Gallery's storage areas. Klimchuk had the opportunity to see some amazing pieces from the U of L Art Collection while on a tour last year as well. She understands the uniqueness of the Art Gallery's program as a valuable teaching resource for our students, as well as a cultural resource for the broader public.

Ministerial Decks

In an effort to make both elected and non-elected government members more aware of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's teaching and research strengths, the Government Relations Office is creating general briefings, or Ministerial Decks.

These general briefings are sent directly to managers, directors, assistant deputy ministers, deputy ministers, elected members and their staff, as well as made available on the U of L's Government Relations website (www.uleth.ca/president/government-relations).

In recent months, briefings related to the U of L's relevance in the agriculture industry and issues related to water and the environment have been created and released. The third installment, focusing on health and wellness, will be available shortly.

One of the challenges of this project is including only a few of the many compelling stories the U of L has to offer in these areas. The goal of these publications is to ensure the U of L is viewed as an institution that has a significant role to play in issues that resonate with the government and citizens of Alberta.

Richard Westlund is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's director of government relations.

This story first appeared in the February 2012 edition of The Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

U of L works to educate new cabinet ministers

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:32:52 +0000

We are only a month into the new year, but there have already been some significant changes to both the provincial and federal political landscapes. These changes will pave the way for a renewed effort by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to continue a dialogue with the government about our strengths and challenges.

Speaking provincially, two former-government MLAs crossed the floor and a cabinet shuffle occurred that included some interesting changes. The most notable changes included Edmonton-based MLA Gene Zwozdesky becoming minister of health, while Calgary MLA Ron Liepert moved to energy. Former Sustainable Resource Development Minister, Ted Morton, became minister of finance and enterprise. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will spend time during the coming months educating all new ministers about the impact the U of L makes in their respective areas in terms of teaching and research.

Doug Horner remained minister of advanced education and technology, but was also named Deputy Premier. This certainly speaks to the influence Horner has at the cabinet table.

There were a few other changes that have the potential to change the political landscape for southern Alberta. Former Minister of Agriculture, George Groeneveld, was moved from cabinet (his riding is situated just south of Calgary) leaving minister Rob Renner of Medicine Hat the sole minister south of Calgary. Groeneveld visited our campus three or four times during his tenure as minister and always expressed a willingness to understand the positions of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

The U of L, as it has done in the past, will make efforts to build relationships with all relevant ministers through meetings and tours of campus.

While the Lethbridge-area is without a minister, the four government members that are geographically close to the U of L have been handed duties above that of a private member. Lethbridge-West MLA Greg Weadick, for example, has been named parliamentary assistant to the minister of advanced education and technology. The U of L will certainly count on Weadick to help advance ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ messaging to his colleagues in government.

Other local appointments include Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA Broyce Jacobs becoming the parliamentary assistant to the minister of agriculture and rural development, Livingstone-Macleod MLA Evan Berger remaining in his role as parliamentary assistant to the minister of sustainable resource development and Little-Bow MLA Barry McFarland being named as a member of the treasury board.

A small cabinet shuffle also occurred at the federal level this month, but the biggest news, as far as the U of L is concerned, is the announcement that Lethbridge MP Rick Casson will not seek another term in office. Casson, a former employee of the U of L, helped move along many files for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He knocked on doors to advance initiatives and was never hesitant to pick up the phone to ask about how a government policy might impact our institution. His work on our behalf was impressive. He will be certainly missed on the federal scene and will leave big shoes to fill.

Building relationships with elected and non-elected government members is important in ensuring effective communication between the U of L and decision-makers in Edmonton and Ottawa. Senior administration at the U of L has already begun to engage and re-engage government members to ensure productive working relationships are forged.

Richard Westlund is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's director of government relations

Billboard

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:42:57 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

I am constantly impressed by how much activity we have here on campus, generated both from within and from external sources interested in what we are doing.

This was readily apparent this past month with a number of high profile events that thrust the
U of L into the spotlight and touched on a variety of our hallmarks.

Fall Convocation was an outstanding affair and once again showcased our many exceptional graduates. The event was enhanced greatly by the inclusion of our honorary degree recipients, Paul Brandt and Son Soubert. Their commitment to humanitarian efforts provided an inspirational backdrop for the new graduating class and served as a great starting point as they embark on their professional careers.

The link between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the professional world has never been stronger, and that is evidenced by the many partnerships the U of L has cultivated with its business partners. Recently we welcomed the Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta to campus as they announced a major donation to fund the CGA Faculty Fellowship in Accounting and support the operating costs of the new Markin Hall Finance Trading Floor.

Prior to that, the Faculty of Management received accreditation from the Canadian Management Accountants Society, effectively earning a stamp of approval from the very society to which many of their students will gravitate upon graduation. I spoke personally with one of our students recently who cited this accreditation as a major factor in his appreciation of the program, as it gave him the opportunity to bypass the CMA Entrance Examination upon graduation. He also credited management professor Bruce Thurston for his real-world approach in the classroom.

With the many co-op work arrangements we have throughout our faculties and a constant eye on the changing needs of the professional world, our programs continue to graduate competent, confident students who are able to hit the ground running in their chosen careers.

In addition to business interests on campus, we have hosted a number of governmental representatives in recent weeks. Deputy Premier of the Northwest Territories, Michael Miltenberger (BASc '75), visited the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building, as did Alberta Minister of Environment, Rob Renner, and deputy minister Jim Ellis. As well, Alberta Health Minister Ron Liepert toured the new Markin Hall building.

It is extremely important that we maintain a positive working relationship with the various levels of government as it helps both our interests in shaping the future of our province.

We enjoyed a very interesting Board of Governors meeting this past month as we set up shop in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's new daycare facility. It is a beautiful building in a picturesque setting and a real testament to the spirit of co-operation that exists on campus.

I want to give a huge amount of credit to Vice-President (Finance and Administration) Nancy Walker for seeing this project through to its completion. She was responsible chiefly for bringing members of administration around to the view that we should work with our partners to bring daycare to campus once again, and it is highly symbolic to have completed this project.

Hearty congratulations to the Pronghorns women's rugby team, who pounded their way through the Canada West championship tournament to capture their fourth straight conference title. I anticipate another celebration in the offing as the Horns head to Vancouver to try and claim their third consecutive CIS championship. You have made the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ proud – good luck and Go Horns!

Free seasonal flu vaccine to become available

trevor.kenney — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:30:24 +0000

As the Fall 2009 semester approaches, concerns are once again being raised regarding the spread of influenza at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The U of L Health Centre (403-329-2484 or health.centre@uleth.ca) continues to be a leader in disseminating information that addresses these concerns, whether it be seasonal influenza or the H1N1 virus. The latest development in tackling the spread of influenza comes in the form of a decree from the Alberta government that free seasonal influenza vaccine will be made available in October.

This fall, the Alberta government will offer a free seasonal influenza vaccine to all Albertans six months and older.

Immunization can be obtained through public health clinics and some physician offices and pharmacists beginning in October.

"This is something Alberta has been working toward for a number of years," says Ron Liepert, Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness.

"It is a valuable investment in strengthening the public health system in Alberta, and is the best way of protecting Albertans from seasonal influenza viruses that we see every year."

Separate from the seasonal influenza vaccine, the province is also working on its plan to immunize Albertans against the H1N1 influenza virus sometime this fall. Details on that immunization program will be announced when available.

"Immunization continues to be our best defense against influenza," says Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

"Whether you have underlying medical conditions that put you at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications or may be in contact with someone who does, it is important for all Albertans to get their flu shot to reduce transmission of the virus."

Additionally, individuals 65 years and over and those who are at high risk because of certain health problems are strongly advised to get the pneumococcal immunization as it may be beneficial in the prevention of both pneumonia and influenza-related diseases.

Clinic dates and locations are currently in the planning stage and Alberta Health Services will be announcing details in September.

For more information on Alberta's influenza immunization program, and other vaccines included in the province's routine immunization program, please visit http://www.health.alberta.ca and click on Health Information, then immunization.

Or, visit Health Link Alberta at http://www.healthlinkalberta.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).

UNews - Ron Liepert

Government anouncements set stage

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