November 3, 2025 Board Meeting – Reimbursement

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Your board, after reviewing the current state of our finances, voted to increase the reimbursement limits for each member from $1500.00 to $3000.00. The updated claim form is here.

Your events coordinator is working on a February social with musical entertainment and August dinner theater date. Also on the docket, naturally, is our annual picnic in the park in July or August.

Full details will be posted as plans are finalized.

Petition Against the Provincial Government’s new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)

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The disabled community does not approve’: Edmonton man starts petition against ADAP
One man has started a petition against the provincial government’s new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) which is scheduled to take over the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program next summer.
“You’re starting from such a small pot, a small income to begin with, so any change is a big change relative to you,” said Darryl Learie, who has been relying on AISH for nearly 30 years. Learie has severe anxiety, chronic depression and is autistic.
Learie’s petition points out five main concerns with ADAP, including a $200 reduction in the monthly benefit and a reduction in the amount people can earn before the benefits are clawed back.
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“The more I look into the program, the more it concerns me,” he said. “I feel like I’m drowning and this petition is me flapping my arms trying to stay afloat.”
Learie initially had 900 signatures on the online petition before finding out that the province only accepts hard copy petitions. Now he has nearly 200 signatures.
“If I succeed with one thing, I want it known that the disabled community does not approve of the ADAP program,” he said.
I don’t have any information on where to sign this petition but when that becomes available I will post it here!        Bernd

WPSS Interviews with Edmonton Media

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WPSS had several requests for interviews as polio has made the news again. There is fear of resurgence of the virus with the anti-vax movement rampant here in Alberta. Several outlets did interviews. Below are the links.

WPSS Interview with Quinn Ohler of Global News:        Interview

WPSS Interview with Bernie Hornung:                              Interview

 

 

DINNER THEATER

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We will be doing a group event at Jubilations Dinner Theater again in October. Make your plans to attend.

DATE:          Wednesday, October 22, 2025

TIME:          Doors open at 5:00 pm, theater doors open at 6:00 pm

COST:           $30.00 per member, $50.00 per non-member

SHOW:          Abbamania: Back to the Disco Dimension

FULL DETAILS:        POSTER

PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 8

Casino – 2027

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We have received AGLC confirmation that we will be granted a casino in the 2nd quarter of 2027 (April-June). Specific dates are still forthcoming. If you are at all able, please put your name on the volunteer list. Many hands make light work! Contact the office at 780-428-8842.

August 18 BofD Meeting Highlights

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Your Board of Directors met at St. Albert Legion on Monday, August 18.

There were a couple of highlights you should know about.

  1. Rick Meunier has been appointed as our interim Vice President to fill in until the next AGM.
  2.  As I said in the previous post, we were considering closing our Saturday pool sessions due to very poor attendance.
    • This is now confirmed as the city has amended our contract. We will no longer have the Saturday 4:00 pm pool time
    • We as a society have pledged access to water therapy as part of our mission, therefore we will be subsidizing individual memberships at pool facilities of your choice. (City of Edmonton, YMCA. St. Albert or Sherwood Park rec centers, etc)
    • The value membership for seniors at City of Edmonton small to medium sized recreation sites (includes the ACT Center) costs $442.00 for a 1 year membership. Therefore we will subsidize individuals for their pool fees up to a limit of $442.00 per year. Receipts will be required. This subsidy will not count against your $1500.00 reimbursement limit. This will go into effect as of September 2, when the new contract with the city begins.
    • We will continue having the Tuesday sessions with a qualified exercise therapist present to lead the workout routines in a safe, adaptive manner. Here is the link to the Swim Program page for complete details
  3. Please take advantage of this opportunity to get out and to keep moving if you are able to do so!

ACT POOL SCHEDULE

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Please be aware that your board is considering eliminating the Saturday scheduled pool time at the ACT center. The final decision will be based on the fact that the time slot is not being utilized. There appear to be only 2 people using the pool on an intermittent basis.

Following up on the above statement, the new pool contract with the city comes into effect September 1 and our Saturday time slot is now officially eliminated. Stay tuned for more news re some form of reimbursement for individual recreation center memberships to help us carry on with our water therapy.

If you have any thought regards this policy change please do get in touch with the office and voice your feelings.

780-428-8842

Lester Campbell

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It is with heavy heart that I have to inform you that our long time WPSS member and friend, Lester Campbell has passed away. We send our heartfelt and sincere condolences to Donna and the Campbell family. Donna, know that the WPSS community is there for you.

Lester MacNeil Campbell of Edmonton, AB, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025 at the age of 87 years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Donna; children Beryl Clement (Ken Hanlin), Neil (Leanne), and Roxanne Wilson; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister Shirley Stensrud; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lester was predeceased by Albert Campbell, Donald Campbell, Tommy Campbell, Margaret Pike, Doreen Haugen, William Campbell, George Campbell, Bob Campbell, Stuart Campbell and their spouses. A service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the Round Hill Hall. To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.

Picnic in the Park

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August 8 we will be hosting our annual Picnic in the Park at Emily Murphy Park, Site #1. We start at 10 AM and close it at 2 PM.

We’ll have the fire burning!

Hope to see many of you there

Metis Cultural Experience

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July 11, 2025

We met at the St. Albert Legion for a soup and sandwich luncheon and visiting with members. We had about 30 people attending. Following the social time we were privileged to have a metis elder speak about their unique lifestyle and about their use of nature’s resources, specifically fish. We learned about their fishing methods, and their use of the scales and bones as well as the rest of the fish body.

After the talk and slide show we were led through an artistic activity making a small flower out of dyed fish scales. This was a lot of fun and the excellent artistic skills of some of our members really stood out. Some of us not so much… I for one won’t be quitting my day job. Ha!

Casino – June 28-29, 2025

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WPSS once again volunteered at the Yellowhead Casino to raise the money which funds our society’s operations for the next year and a half. Thanks to all our volunteers! Extra thanks to those who stepped up to fill in gaps left by the sudden passing of George Kunec. Pat Murray took care of organizational logistics, Val Hitchen filled in as night shift General Manager and Bernie Hornung acted as the lone chip runner on Saturday night. I believe he had the toughest job of any of us, so, hats off to Bernie!

Our sincere condolences go out to Marie and her family as well as to Georges friends here in WPSS.

We should find out what our income for the two days was sometime in August.