Author: Gateway Gazette Contributor

As an artist and an academic, Arsh Khaira explores the power of music to overcome divisions. By GEOFF McMASTER Music has a major role to play in the fight against systemic racism, according to newly minted music PhD Arsh Khaira. The local musician and University of Alberta instructor, who graduated on June 12, wrote his thesis…

Government is building five recovery communities for the holistic treatment of mental health and addiction. This will add 400 treatment beds to the province – a 30 per cent increase in capacity. As part of Alberta’s Economic Recovery Plan, $25 million will support the construction of life-changing recovery communities. More than 65 countries around the…

By Eddie Irizarry, EarthSky Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is far to the north on the sky’s dome, visible now (with optical aid) to observers in the northern U.S. and Canada in the early evening skies. Charts and more info here. We still have to wait for another very bright comet, what astronomers call a great comet. But…

Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell honoured young humanitarians, community leaders, volunteers and artists at the Queen’s Jubilee awards ceremony. Ten students were recognized as recipients of the 2019 Queen’s Golden Jubilee Citizenship medals and Queen’s Golden Jubilee Arts medal at a virtual ceremony at Government House. The citizenship medal recognizes students for their outstanding citizenship, leadership, community…

United Way of Calgary and Area Direct Energy and United Way are excited to announce that the Direct Energy Emergency Fund will continue to support vulnerable Alberta families in 2020. The impact of COVID-19, compounded by the challenges faced by Alberta’s energy sector, has put significant financial stress on families across the province. United Way’s…

We are nowhere near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, but life is slowly going back to normal, well, a new normal at least. As we gradually go back into our day-to-day lives, it is important to incorporate a healthy daily routine for seniors, along with extra safety precautions. The New Normal Most stay-at-home orders…

More students in Grades 3-12 will have access to programs this fall that help improve financial literacy and prepare them for work and life. Alberta Education is enhancing financial literacy in classrooms through grant partnerships with Enriched Academy and Junior Achievement chapters in Alberta. These organizations have established programming that is aligned with provincial curriculum…

Residents of the Northwest Territories can now join the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry, increasing the number of potential donors and helping save lives. Due to low population density and medical availability in the Northwest Territories, residents who die there cannot donate their organs and tissues. Patients requiring critical care are often transported to…

The government is seeking proposals to review the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The third-party review will enhance Alberta’s capacity to respond to a potential second wave of COVID-19 and any future pandemics. A strong, coordinated response can help save lives, prevent wide-scale spread of disease and help jobs and the economy bounce back…

Significant employment and income declines, coupled with uncertainty over the future trajectory of the virus and employment and income conditions, will lower demand for housing in 2020. The Housing Market Outlook — Special Edition (HMO) released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) forecasts housing starts, sales and prices for Canada’s major housing markets are likely…