News & Events

Truth & Reconciliation Day

Date: Friday Sep 30, 2022
Location: Canada

This September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is held to honor residential school survivors and their families, and to recognize progress in the reconciliation of indigenous people and Canadian society.

For more information:

Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to learn more about the history of residential schools, educational opportunities, and ongoing reconciliation work.
Visit the Government of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation page for promotional resources and events
Visit Reconciliation Education for online learning opportunities
Visit Beyond 94 to learn more about the 94 Calls to Action and their progress

Remembrance events are scheduled across Canada, to find one in your area, visit Culture Days.ca

Orange Shirt Day

Date: Friday Sep 30, 2022
Location: Canada

Orange Shirt Day is held in conjunction with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and is an indigenous-led grassroots event intended to raise awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to remember that every child matters.

(Source: About Orange Shirt Day)

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually. September 30 was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools.

If you’d like to learn more about Orange Shirt Day, there is no better resource than Phyllis Webstad herself. In the videos linked below, Phyllis speaks about the origin of Orange Shirt Day and her experiences attending a residential school.

On Orange Shirt Day (7 minutes)
Missing Residential School Children (4 minutes)
Canadian Residential School History (27 minutes)

Yellowhead Institute: A Calls to Action Conversation on Truth & Reconciliation

Date: Thursday Sep 29, 2022
Location: Online

What does National Truth and Reconciliation Day mean when so many of the impactful Calls to Action remain incomplete?

ON THE EVE of Canada’s second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Yellowhead Institute is hosting an important conversation on the Calls to Action.

An esteemed panel of Indigenous leaders - Cindy Blackstock, Kisha Supernant, Sheila Cote-Meek, Ginger Gosnell-Meyers, Kunuk Inutiq, Janet Smylie, and Scott Franks - will discuss the importance of the ‘Legacy’ Calls to Action (1-42), the injustice of their incompletion, and the barriers to their completion. The discussion will be hosted by Dr. Eva Jewell and Dr. Ian Mosby, who lead the research for Yellowhead’s annual Calls To Action Accountability: A Status Update on Reconciliation analysis.

With this event, we hope to create an open and honest space to illuminate the reality of Indigenous experience in this country, as well as reflect on the nature of the September 30 holiday, when so many of the impactful Calls to Action remain incomplete.

Closed Captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Please note that this event will be live on September 29th; the event recording will be available for public view on the Yellowhead Institute YouTube page on September 30, 2022 for one day only.

Alberta Recreation and Parks Association – Grandmothers’ Circle: Protocol 101

Date: Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Time: 1-2pm (MT)
Location: Online

Join ARPA for the Grandmothers’ Circle: Protocol 101 (everything you’ve wondered + more) on September 28th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm! This session is free to attend and is the feature event of ARPA’s efforts to celebrate and honour National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.

At ARPA we often get questions related to Elders and the proper use of protocols. Seeing that September is about reconciliation, we felt this would be the perfect time to ask the Elders your most need-to-know questions.

Questions will be gathered from our participants beforehand and the entire Circle will be dedicated to answering them. You can submit your questions to [email protected]

CPHR-Alberta Annual Conference

Date: Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Location: Calgary

Over the past two years, we have had the opportunity to adapt and learn in new ways. Engage 22 will be one central event with two different yet, connected experiences. CPHR Alberta will host our first hybrid style annual conference bringing members together in-person and virtual.

This year’s focus will be on current challenges faced by HR professionals amidst the new normal. Your HR strategy plays a crucial role in keeping your employees informed, engaged and ready for the future of work.

Join us on September 27th to connect with your peers and gain the knowledge, tools, and experience you need to boost your organization’s effectiveness and bring more resilience & engagement to the workplace.

For more information, visit Engage 2022.

MMF S3 02: Incorporating DEI in your Renewed Culture

Date: Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Time: 10 am (MT)
Location: Online

The Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association (AMHSA) is hosting season 3 of our free webinar series to support mental fitness for organizations and individuals in an endemic world. AMHSA is partnering with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), Alberta Municipalities and Howatt HR Consulting to produce this educational series.

Episode 2: Incorporating DEI in your Renewed Culture, presented by Nicole Stibbe, Soulwork Alliance

2022 Alberta Municipalities Convention & Trade Show

Date: Wednesday Sep 21, 2022 - Friday Sep 23, 2022
Location: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Save the date!

The Alberta Municipalities annual Convention and Trade Show will take place in Calgary at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, September 21-23, 2022.

For more information, visit abmunis.ca.

Joint NASC/SASC Meeting

Date: Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: virtual

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Joint meeting of the Northern Alberta Safety Council (NASC) and Southern Alberta Safety Council (SASC), on Tuesday, September 20, 2022!

This virtual meeting starts at 10:00 am (join us for coffee at 9:45!), will end by 3:00 pm, and will include updates from WCB, Partnerships, and AMHSA; as well as the ever-popular members’ roundtable discussion.

Further details regarding special guest speakers and official invitations will be sent by email soon. If you have suggestions for guest speakers or would like to present a Health and Safety moment, please let me know (email [email protected]).

Maintaining Mental Fitness

Date: Tuesday Sep 20, 2022 - Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Time: 10 am (MST)
Location: Online

Season 3 Starts September 20!

The Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association (AMHSA) will again host a free webinar series to support metal fitness for organizations and individuals in an endemic world. AMHSA is partnering with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), Alberta Municipalities and Howatt HR Consulting to produce the educational series.

Social and political events have shaped and redefined many workplace cultures during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people experience the collision of differing perspectives, behaviours and states of mental health that have emerged over the past two years, organizations are challenged to adjust to new realities.

Season 3 will feature discussions examining the key strategies and behaviours that leaders, employees, and workers can practice to maintain mental fitness during the transition from a pandemic to an endemic work environment.

Webinars are presented and moderated by mental health subject matter experts from across Canada. Topics include how to manage stress by proactively tackling issues, being prepared to deliver bad news, communicating decisions with empathy, and modeling behaviours that will help everyone move forward towards a shared purpose.

Commencing September 20th, MMF Season 3 will delve into three separate and relevant operational topics. Each plenary topic will feature three individual webinars, provide an overview of a key micro-skill to support workplace mental health, and will conclude with a Q & A for participants to ask questions.

Registration is free and open to all individuals and organizations, public and private, that are seeking practical ways to maintain mental health and wellbeing during a time when traditional workplace norms are being redefined.

More information, including a link to sign up, is available at:

https://maintainingmentalfitness.com/

MMF S3 01: Creating Space for Discomfort

Date: Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Time: 10 am (MT)
Location: Online

Episode 1: Creating Space for Discomfort, presented by Jesse Adams of Howatt HR.

MSI Prevention: Same-Same but Different

Date: Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Location: Zoom

Same-Same but Different is a case study on the position of Heavy Equipment Technician as evaluated from 6 different shops. The presentation compares both similarities and differences of 6 facilities that all have the title of Heavy Equipment Technician. Comparisons are made that show how variability in tools, environment, workplace practices, physical and cognitive requirements can all have an important impact on how work is set up and completed. A methodology is provided to ensure best practices in evaluating a position so that the results meet the needs of an individual and organization at a specific location. We briefly discuss how this methodology can be applied to any position within or between organizations.

Click to Register

Mental Health Issues, Rehabilitation and Return to Work

Date: Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (MST)
Location: Online

A brief overview of mental health issues in the workplace is provided along with a more in-depth focus on stress and depression. Participants will explore symptoms, treatments and disability aspects of stress and depression and strategies for assisting individuals with stress- and depression-related illnesses to return to work. Disabilities that may have a mental health component and the biopsychosocial impact of disabilities will be considered.

Click to Register

In partnership with Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences, AMHSA is offering several learning events related to disability management and successful return to work. These learning events apply towards the Disability Management Practitioner certificate program offered by PCU.

Each course has been endorsed by the Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management (CSPDM) for continuing education credit (CEC) hours for the professional designations of:

For more information or to register, contact Jessica ([email protected]).

Upcoming News & Events

◙ Ergonomics Coaching & MSI Prevention: MSI Prevention for Facilities, Parks, and Recreation Facility Employees

Date: April 18, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Location: Online

Facilities, parks, and recreation employees face different ergonomics challenges. In this webinar, Annie Barnwell of EWI Works will walk us through the challenges faced by recreation employees and discuss strategies for assessment, control, and prevention of musculoskeletal injury.

Visit our MSI Injury Reduction Website for resources.

Presented by AMHSA & EWI Works

Date: April 18, 2024
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Watch our previous episodes online.

◙ AARFP Conference & Trade Show

Date: April 21, 2024 - April 24, 2024
Location: Lethbridge, Alberta

The Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel (AARFP) is delighted to host the 45th Annual Conference and Trade Show, The Bridge To Recreation.

Recreation is more important than ever, the role it plays in the lives of individuals, communities and its ability to bridge the differences between people, cultures and communities. What better way than to build upon the current skills and tools you have, then through a conference of like-minded individuals who are also looking to connect and learn. This year’s conference program gives you the opportunity to learn and share from others who face similar challenges, successes, as well as learn from the experts who have bridged the gaps.

With over 30 education sessions, numerous tradeshow exhibitors, inspiring keynote speakers and opportunities to network. Recreation professionals will take away information that will help them bridge the gaps in recreation, collaborate with community members and inspire positive changes.

The conference will be held in Lethbridge, AB on April 21-24, 2024, with attendance by 250-300 delegates in recreation operations from all over Alberta and a few from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories.

Website

Attendee Conference Registration

View Exhibitor Info

Become a Speaker

◙ National Day of Mourning

Date: April 28, 2024
Location: Canada

The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

For more information, visit https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning/

◙ Aquatic Health and Safety Awareness: Types of Fall Protection, Including Guardrails

Date: April 30, 2024
Time: 11:00-12:00
Location: Online

The Aquatics Health and Safety Awareness campaign is designed to raise awareness of occupational health and safety concerns for those working in and around aquatic facilities, and to provide free and accessible resources to workers (including vulnerable/new/young workers), supervisors, pool facility operators, and organizations. The webinars are no cost, open to all attendees, and will be recorded and made available following the event.

This 45-minute webinar is presented by a fall protection engineering expert that will review when a fall protection plan and fall protection training are required. The subject matter expert will also discuss the hierarchy of controls specific for fall protection, and the types of systems, such as guardrails, travel restraint, fall arrest, and control zones. This general understanding is fundamental before creating a fall protection plan and implementing its systems. Following the webinar, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of our subject matter expert.

Review when fall protection is required.
Outline the hierarchy of controls specific for slips, trips, and falls.
Identify the types of systems involved in the fall protection plan, such as: guardrails, travel restraint, fall arrest, and control zones.
Review Alberta OHS legislation - specifically, water danger [AB OHS Code 157], Fall Protection Plan [AB OHS Code140(1)], Instruction of workers [AB OHS Code141(1) and 141(3)], and fall protection hierarchy [AB OHS Code139(3) to 13(8)].

Visit our Aquatic Health and Safety Awareness Website for additional resources, including safety talks and information posters.

Presented by AMHSA & High Engineering

Date: April 30, 2024
Time: 11:00 - 12:00 (MST)

When registering, you’ll have the option to select individual webinars or register for all three. To register multiple attendees at once, we have a bulk registration spreadsheet that can be filled out and returned to [email protected].