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What is GrACE?

GrACE stands for Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education, or Groupe d’action pour la Catholicité en Éducation (French). GrACE advocates for publicly-funded Catholic education across Alberta. It is supported by the Alberta Bishops, the Alberta Catholic School Trustees and the Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta.

GrACE invites all those committed to Catholic education, through the unity of the Holy Spirit, to be advocates and witnesses for our schools' successes and their future.

Each Catholic school district has been asked to form GrACE teams and to get ready for advocacy.

Why is GrACE important?

The gift of publicly-funded Catholic education in Alberta is a true blessing. As a community we are called in gratitude, faith and action to ensure that our children and future generations continue to learn and grow in our Catholic schools.

Catholic schools in our province are unique and distinct and share a Catholic worldview that is foundational to who we are.

Resources:

GrACE
- Facebook page
- Grace Twitter address: @GrACE4cathed
- June 2024 newsletter
ACSTA (Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association)
- website
- ACSTA Facebook
- Twitter: @ACSTANews
list of Catholic school boards in Alberta, NWT and Yukon
Catholic School Boards in the Diocese of Calgary
- Calgary RCSSD
  Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Cochrane and Municipal District of Rockyview
  GrACE info
- Christ the Redeemer CSSD
  Black Diamond, Brooks, Canmore, Drumheller, High River, Okotoks, Oyen, Strathmore and Turner Valley
- Conseil scolaire FrancoSud
  Calgary, Canmore and Cochrane
  GrACE (Groupe d’action pour la Catholicité en Éducation)
- Medicine Hat RCSSD
  Dunmore, Medicine Hat and Redcliff
  GrACE info

For more information, email GrACE

Background

Three provinces in Canada have publicly-funded Catholic education: Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, as well as the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

The Declaration on Christian Education, published in 1965 following the Second Vatican Council, describes the purpose of a Catholic school as trying "to relate all of human culture to the good news of salvation, so that the light of faith will illumine everything that the students will gradually come to know about the world, about life, and about the human person." Parents, teachers, administrators, trustees, and the entire Catholic community are entrusted in this vital mission.

Parents are recognized as the primary educators of their children, and they choose how their children will be formally educated.

Teachers play a crucial role in leading students to an understanding of the world which is illuminated by "the light of faith", and administrators create the environment in which this understanding takes place.

The Catholic community is involved

through local parishes, which work closely with schools in areas such as sacramental preparation;
individually, through the allocation of property taxes;
and through the Church, represented by the local Bishop, who is responsible for approving the religious education program taught in the school.

In Alberta:

Catholic ratepayers represent approximately one quarter of Alberta’s tax revenue base and fund Catholic schools through their property, income and other taxes.
Catholic schools have been operating in Alberta since the 1840's. This role existed prior to the creation of the province and was solidified constitutionally with the Alberta Act, 1905. Catholic schools are part of the dual system of public education. They are publicly funded, and operate under the same provincial legislation (the School Act) as non-denominational schools.
Catholic education is a unique partnership between the school, home, and parish. Together, this partnership seeks to develop a student’s whole person by integrating academic excellence, social development and faith formation.
Catholic Schools are distinctive faith communities that nurture the spiritual, academic and physical needs of students through the integration of the Alberta Education curriculum with gospel values and sacramental life.
Catholic schools provide an environment for students which encourages not only high academic achievement, but also personal and communal growth.
Catholic schools provide a choice to parents who want a spiritual, faith based learning environment, where the teachings of Christ are central to the mission and vision of the educational experience.
Students come from all faiths and backgrounds. Students of all races, cultures and backgrounds attend and learn together in Catholic schools. They are taught to respect and affirm the diversity and interdependence of the world’s people, religions and cultures.
Our Catholic schools are all-inclusive and we instill in students the values of tolerance, respect, love of neighbour and community service. Catholic schools share a foundational belief that all children are loved by God and are individually unique. The school has a mission to help all students to fulfill their God-given potential in all aspects of their person: physically, academically, socially, morally and spiritually.
Source: The Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association (ACSTA)

Independent Seniors Advocate Initiative

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Alberta/Mackenzie Provincial CWL Vision for an Independent Seniors Advocate

The CWL journey to lobby for an Independent Seniors Advocate began with a CWL provincial initiative back in 2015 calling members to sign a petition.

The petition read:

Urge the Alberta Provincial Government to amend the Alberta Health Act to ensure that the Seniors Advocate is an Officer of the Legislature and therefore independent.

We asked the CWL members to begin a grassroots movement through the MLA’s. At that time, there was a seniors advocate, but he was accountable to the Minister of Health and there was no separate office. Because there was no separate office when a government changes, the position is at the mercy of the new government.

Alberta Independent Officers of the Legislature are impartial, non-partisan officers that operate independently from the Alberta government, political parties and individual elected officials, and are responsible to the legislative assembly. The officers carry out duties assigned by the statues and report to the Assembly through the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices.

Alberta has 7 Officers of the Legislature:

Auditor General
Chief Electoral Officer
Child and Youth Advocate
Ethics Commissioner
Information and Privacy Commissioner
Alberta Ombudsman
Public Interest Commissioner

(Source: Government of Alberta)

This CWL Call to Action sees the work of the advocate and her/his office as one that monitors and analyzes senior services as well as a resource for seniors looking for information on a variety of issues. Because seniors’ issues cross so many different ministries (health, finance, housing, social development transportation, housing, etc.) it seems necessary to have someone co-ordinate across all the ministries.

It would be the first stop for any senior or caregiver to get the necessary information they require be it health, housing, financial abuse, etc. related. It would also have the authority to investigate complaints such as inadequate care in nursing homes or abuse, etc. It would make recommendations to the government through the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices.

Background

In 2013, the idea of having a Seniors Advocate to address seniors’ issues arose out of the news that New Brunswick created a Seniors Advocate position. BC and Newfoundland have since created similar positions.

Within Alberta, Kerry Towle, a member of the Wild Rose party presented a private members bill, Bill C 208, titled the “Seniors Advocate Act” in the Fall of 2013. Unfortunately, the Bill died in the Legislature in December of 2013.

In January 2014, the Alberta Government formed the Health Care Advocate Office which included a Health Care Advocate, a Mental Health Care Advocate and a Seniors Advocate. All of these offices reported to the Minister of Health. This did not meet the criteria of our initiative: the CWL was specifically asking for an Independent Officer of the Legislature. This would mean that the Seniors Advocate would report to the Legislature and not to a Minister of the Legislature. The office, being independent, would survive a change in government and could continue with its mandate to serve the seniors in Alberta.

The following initiative was presented at the ABMK CWL convention in June 2014 and was adopted as a provincial initiative:

The Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League (ABMK CWL) wishes of their constituents to “Urge the Alberta Provincial Government to amend the Alberta Health Act to ensure that the Seniors Advocate is an Officer of the Legislature and therefore Independent”

In September of 2014, Jim Prentice became the new Premier with the Conservative Party and formed the Ministry of Seniors with Jeff Johnson as the Minister. The CWL put its petition on hold while it awaited the guidelines of this new ministry. Since the guidelines did not include independent accountability, the petition was circulated in all constituencies that had CWL councils. Over 4000 signatures were collected, and were sent to the ABMK CWL Provincial Council.

In 2015, a provincial election was called and the NDP under Rachel Notley formed the new Alberta government.

April 2016 saw the ABMK CWL President and some standing committee chairs meet with the NDP Minister of Seniors and Housing, Lori Sigurdson. She did appoint a seniors advocate, but the position was again not independent of the government.

In October 2018 the NDP was defeated by the UCP government, the UPC eliminated the seniors advocate position.

In 2020, the ABMK Provincial Council met with the UPC regarding the Seniors Advocate. While they did listen to us, no change was made to the existing ministries. Letters continue to be written with no indication of reversing their decision.

2022 Call to Action

2022 Alberta Mackenzie Call to Action

In January 2022, Alberta Mackenzie Provincial President Judy Look issued a Call to Action to all the members of the Catholic Women’s League in Alberta Mackenzie that we urge the Alberta Provincial Government to amend the Alberta Health Act to ensure that the Seniors Advocate is an Officer of the Legislature and therefore independent.

Keeping in mind our core values of faith, service and social justice, … contact your local MLA outlining the need for a seniors advocate, including having the seniors’ advocate be an independent officer of the legislature. All Alberta political parties need to be aware of our concerns.

A sample letter is provided to assist in your letter writing. Please add your own comments or feel free to write your own letter. You can access the Alberta Legislative Assembly website to find your MLA, their email, and physical addresses.

The Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council is hoping to meet with the Alberta government in the near future, so please try to send your letters to your MLA no later than February 28th.

Sample Letter

Dear MLA (see How to address dignitaries for the appropriate way to address your MLA depending on his or her position)

I’m writing to you as a member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada and a member of your constituency.

Over the past two years we have seen the terrible effects of Covid-19 and its variants on seniors in our country. Too many have died due to inadequate care, not to mention the isolation they have had to endure. Separation from their loved ones has played havoc on their mental health. As we know, Covid-19 is not the only challenge our seniors face. Many are worried about their futures including MAiD (medical assistance in dying) as a proposed solution for their problems. Will their individual values and faith positions be respected? Will they receive the health care they deserve? Does Alberta intend to follow the lead of British Columbia and start to push MAiD in seniors’ and palliative care facilities? MAiD is not health care. As well, many seniors have challenges with housing, ageism, finances and mental, physical and emotional abuse. They need to have at the legislative level a person who can advocate on their behalf, namely an independent seniors advocate. They need someone to turn to when they become frustrated with their care or lack of it.

In September 2015, the Alberta/Mackenzie Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League began an initiative to have the sitting government appoint a seniors advocate who would be an independent officer of the legislature. This position being an officer of the Legislature and independent of the government, would have the ability to continue the work of advocacy on behalf of seniors after a change in government. In 2016 our president and members of the council met with the newly elected NDP government and presented our letters and petitions. They listened very carefully to our concerns. As a result, the then Housing and Seniors Minister, Lori Sigurdson appointed a seniors advocate although not an independent officer. The position did not survive a change in government.

An article titled “The Case for Seniors Advocates” in the Fall 2021 issue of Sage, a publication of the National Association of Federal Retirees advocated for seniors advocates in all provinces. In the article, they state that there is a difference between seniors ministers and seniors advocates. Ministers serve policy and political interests while advocates serve public interests. British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador all have seniors advocates and, up until 2019, so did Alberta. On April 16, 2021, the Edmonton Journal carried an article entitled “Opposition calls for Seniors Advocate”. Clearly the interest is there for a seniors advocate. The UCP abolished the Seniors Advocate in December 2019. If the position had not been abolished our vulnerable seniors and their caregivers could have had more timely and effective help, instead of the mayhem that unfolded in seniors care.

This is where you come in. It’s time to do something really positive for Alberta. This is an issue which crosses all party interests. Appointing an Independent Seniors Advocate is the right thing to do for the citizens of Alberta. Alberta needs to show leadership with this issue and meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens.

Sincerely,

2017 Update Report

Dr. Sheree Kwong See, a University of Alberta psychology professor was named as the province’s new seniors advocate, ending a wait of more than two years for the government to fill the role. Sheree Kwong See, who has a PhD in experimental psychology with a specialization in aging, will take on the new job starting Sept. 1 for term that runs until the end of 2019.

“I am excited for this great opportunity and am eager to get to work on behalf of Alberta seniors,” Kwong See said in a written statement. The seniors advocate was established in 2014 under the former Progressive Conservative government, but Kwong See’s appointment represents the first time the province has hired someone for the role. As the first full-time advocate, Kwong See will have an opportunity to define the role. Ministerial orders call for the advocate to help seniors navigate the various publicly funded services available to them and provide education on issues affecting seniors, “including matters such as elder abuse, age friendly communities, older workers and ageism.“ The advocate can also request inspections of provincial facilities that cater to seniors and can refer reports of abuse to an investigator, though these powers have been rarely used. The government described Kwong See as expert on the physical, cognitive, and social aspects of aging. Her studies have included research on the impact of ageism as a factor in elder abuse. She was appointed through an open competition for the role. The advocate reports directly to Minister of Seniors and Housing Lori Sigurdson.

2014/2015 Original CWL Initiative

WINning: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Opening a Women’s Shelter

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Are you looking for something to read? As reported by National Life Member Liaison Ann Doucet, Honorary Life Member Ardis Beaudry and Life Member Rose-Marie McCarthy have published a book entitled WINning: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Opening a Women’s Shelter about the early founders of one of the first women’s shelters in Canada.

The book is described as one that “tells the story of how a disparate group of women (and a few men) saw a need to help women and young girls coming to Edmonton with no place to go, and found a way to address that need through pure determination in the late 1960s/early 1970s, at a time when the concept of a women’s shelter was an unknown entity. Four of the early founders, Ardis Beaudry, Rose-Marie McCarthy, Phyllis Ellis and Lynn Hannley formed a committee to produce the book in conjunction with author Marsha Mildon. The book chronicles the 50-year history (1970-2020) and the stories of the people and organizations who founded, funded, volunteered, and stayed at Edmonton Women's Shelter and the subsequent shelters, WIN House I, WIN House II, and WIN House III (Carol's House).”

The book pays tribute to the founders, church groups and secular agencies, volunteers and staff who created and continue to provide safe shelters for women in need. For more information and book orders, visit enable.org/winning or e-mail .

Ideas from Arizona

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Geraldine Clarahan reports from St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Casa Grande, AZ, on "40 cans for 40 days", a great Lenten project to help the poor. Boxes are set up at the back of the church to collect the donated cans (or boxes / bags) of food, and all can participate.

The other Lenten Project by the women's organization of the parish, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, is that they gave a "little Black Book" to all members of the parish. "The Little Black Book" contains six-minute meditations on the Sunday Gospels of Lent. Very simple and beautiful way to pray during Lent.

The parish has a money collection also...it is called "rice bowls" and you pick up a box and put money in it during Lent.