One of the issues that have arisen from our mental health focus is the importance of early intervention and teaching positive mental health skills through the education system. Alberta Education is conducting a curriculum review process, and we want to make sure that our priorities are considered.

1. We are asking you to fill out the survey, which can be found at: https://www.alberta.ca/vision-for-student-learning-engagement.aspx
2. Fill out the survey as you choose, but on questions 14, 17 and/or 19 we are asking that you make two points (Please modify to put in your own words) these are:
   1. That the curriculum teaches about mental health, positive mental health skills, and that this is integrated throughout the curriculum.
   2. For there to be a positive learning environment and to overcome barriers to learning that each school has access to adequate psychological counseling services and family support workers. 

So, what sort of Impact are we having?  Approximately $77 Million Dollars! 

When we do our best to approximate what we helped preserve with our KeepCalgaryStrong campaign, it comes out to around $77 million dollars. This is based on preserving the city’s mental health strategy, preserving the low-income transit pass and preventing deeper cuts during the November Budget discussions.

This is an approximation (so if anyone wants to research a more accurate number you are quite welcome to), but it gives us a sense of what we have accomplished together. So, has your time building relationships, developing your leadership, turning people out for actions, contacting your city councillors and sharing your story had an impact?  

The simple answer is yes.  A big impact.

The Calgary Alliance for the Common Good is pleased to welcome the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 38 (CUPE) as members of our organization.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 38 (CUPE) represents 5,100 Administrative and Technical employees at the City of Calgary, ENMAX and the Calgary Parking Authority.  As an affiliate local of the largest union in Canada, CUPE is committed to improving the economic and social well-being of its members and Calgarians.  CUPE Local 38 is a proud member of the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress.  Solidarity is the core belief of the labour movement. Together they lobby, organize and campaign for social justice on behalf of working families for a better quality of life in our society.  By negotiating fair wages and working conditions for its members, through to working with its national union on social justice campaigns both in Canada and abroad for all families, CUPE is committed to building a more just society.

In early January it came to light that the city was going to change a $2.50 fee for online ordering of low income transit passes. To again ask low income people to pay more or alternatively to ask people with disabilities to make a trip to city hall and stand in a long line to avoid the fee makes little sense. Because of the relationships we have built with media – they reached out to us to respond – and we did. Councillor Chahal also spoke out again this fee, then Councillor Farrell raised the issues with administration. The result is that the fee how now been reversed, keeping transit affordable for our city’s most vulnerable residents.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/new-online-convenience-fee-disappoints-subsidized-transit-advocate

https://livewirecalgary.com/2020/01/13/calgary-transit-to-reimburse-convenience-fee-for-low-income-transit-users/

During the fall of 2019 as City Council was looking to make more cuts and to increase the cost of the low-income transit pass by 250%, we mobilized #KeepCalgaryStrong a second time. 

Our Founding Assembly got some great coverage in the new. Below are some links to some of our media coverage. Take a look at some of the coverage.

What a powerful evening

Last night Knox was full. Full of people. Full of energy. Full of possibility. It started with the beautiful singing and dancing of our children. A blessing and song from Elder Good Eagle. Then came the role call. Organization after organization came up to not only demonstrate the power we represent, but also why it was important. Then with, everyone stood and with some good whooping and hollering we formally founding the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good.

When the City of Calgary announced $60 million - $120 million over a year - in cuts to services, The Calgary Alliance for the Common Good launched the #KeepCalgaryStrong campaign and invited others to join in. Together we got a reaction that preserved many essential services for Calgarians, especially those who are most vulnerable. 

Our seniors action team met with City of Calgary administrators on May 27, 2019, to get an update on how the seniors home supports program is advancing. We heard that they will be launching a small pilot in the summer to test out this new system. More communication about the program, and a binder for potential service providers, will be ready by the end of summer. They expect the full program to be ready to launch by snowfall. 

Wayne Holst, one of our leaders from St. David United, has written a good article about our work that is well worth reading and sharing. You can find it in the Anglican Journal at https://www.anglicanjournal.com/serving-the-common-good/