Whitecourt Town Council has officially recognized November as Family Violence Prevention Month. Since the onset of the pandemic, the Whitecourt jurisdiction has seen a 133% increase in reports of family violence. Throughout the month of November, it is hoped that information and local events will help raise awareness of local and provincial supports.

• Shine A Light Event – On November 2, starting at 6:00 p.m., residents are encouraged to turn on an outdoor front light, hang a glow stick in the window, or turn on holiday lights for the duration of the night to shed light on the issue of family violence in our community.
• “When Push Comes to Shove” Virtual Presentation – Len Rhodes, former President and CEO of the Edmonton Eskimos, will deliver a free, online presentation on November 18 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. The presentation does not require pre-registration and can be found at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/362194565 or by phone (long distance) at 1-647-497-9373.

For more information on local events and initiatives visit www.whitecourtfvi.ca.

Town Council is seeking public members to serve on Whitecourt Tourism.   The new committee was created to pro-      vide direction and recommendations to Council in regard to marketing Whitecourt as a tourism destination. Visit www.whitecourt.ca/Government/How-to-Get-Involved to find out how to apply to serve on this Committee.

A Quarterly Financial Report up to September 30, 2020 and the 2020 Project List have been adopted as information by Council. The reports provide supplementary information to Council on providing municipal services to the community and highlight areas of importance and successes. The documents can be viewed on our website at www.whitecourt.ca/Government/News-Events/Publications-Reports.

A report updating the financial impact COVID-19 has had on the municipality was reviewed at the October 26 Regular Meeting of Council. The net financial impact for the pandemic to the end of 2020 is estimated to be a deficit of $563,327. The Town was recently awarded a grant from the Alberta Government that will help fund this deficit so that it has no impact on taxation. Ongoing monitoring and reporting of the financial impacts will provide for fiscal responsibility during this un- precedented event.

Council has authorized a change to the 2021 Power Franchise Fee. The franchise fee is paid to the municipality in exchange for giving FortisAlberta the exclusive right to supply power in Whitecourt. The approved franchise fee rate of 3.32% will result in the average residential customer experiencing an increase of $0.61 per month on their power bill.

Council authorized a change to the 2021 Gas Franchise Fee. The franchise fee is paid to the municipality in exchange for giving ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. the exclusive right to supply gas in Whitecourt. The approved franchise fee rate of 26.58% will result in the average residential customer experiencing an increase of $0.40 per month on their gas bill.