Red Deer & District Labour Council

08/18/2026

Join us as we officially kick off United Way Central Alberta's 2026 Campaign! Connect with community leaders, workplace campaign champions, volunteers, and…

08/18/2026

08/12/2026

Get your ticket to the United Way Central Alberta Campaign Kickoff Luncheon presented by Johnston Ming Manning to ensure your seat at the region's most recognizable Fall event. Join us as our community comes together with great food, great networking and great Client Ambassador stories. Together, we thrive - Be with us. Tickets are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/campaign-kick-off-lunch-presented-by-johnston-ming-manning-llp

08/01/2026

It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to Jeanne Gibson, our beloved Rosie the Riveter, has passed away today, July 29, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. With her passing, we don't simply mourn the loss of a beloved friend, we honor the life of a hero whose courage, dedication, and unwavering spirit helped shape history, and will continue to inspire generations to come.🕊️

At just 18 years old, Jeanne left her home in Minnesota in the summer of 1944 and answered her nation's call, becoming a welder at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle. With determination and grit, she helped build destroyers that strengthened the Allied war effort during World War II. She later continued her service with the Army Transportation Corps in Juneau, Alaska, embodying the resilience and patriotism of the Greatest Generation.

Yet Jeanne's legacy extended far beyond the war. She earned her Ph.D., dedicated three decades to teaching, earned her private pilot license, and spent the rest of her life proving that courage, determination, and purpose know no age.

In 2024, Jeanne and her fellow Rosies were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of their nation's highest civilian honors, recognizing the extraordinary women whose sacrifices and determination helped secure victory during World War II.

Jeanne was far more than a Rosie, she was family. She traveled to Hawaii time and again to share her remarkable story with visitors, inspire local students, and ensure that the sacrifices of the "Home Front" would never be forgotten. Her radiant smile, generous heart, and boundless enthusiasm touched every life she encountered.

She had a special gift for encouraging young girls, reminding them that no dream was too big and no obstacle too great. Through her words and her example, she inspired generations to believe in themselves and pursue lives of courage, service, and purpose.

Jeanne remained a tireless advocate for preserving the legacy of the Rosies, volunteering at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park on "Rosie Fridays" and ensuring the stories of the women who helped win the war would continue to inspire future generations.

In one of life's poignant moments, just days before her passing, Jeanne was celebrated with a Wall of Honor banner at the park she loved so dearly and recognized during a San Jose Earthquakes halftime ceremony honoring Bay Area heroes. It was a fitting tribute to a woman whose life was defined by selfless service, quiet strength, and extraordinary grace.

Though Jeanne has taken her final flight, her legacy will never fade. It lives on in every story she shared, every young person she inspired, every life she touched, and in the enduring example of courage she leaves behind.

Our hearts are with Jeanne's family, her fellow Rosies, and all who were blessed to know and love her.

Rest in peace, Jeanne Gibson.

Thank you for answering the call when your country needed you most. Thank you for showing generations what courage looks like. We will remember you always.

07/17/2026

Federal, provincial, municipal — we hear about all three constantly, but most of us aren't totally clear on who actually controls what.

Who fixes your roads? Who funds the hospital? Who decides how your schools are paid for? The answers matter; especially when something goes wrong or when you want to speak up.

Understanding which level of government is responsible for which services is the foundation of meaningful civic participation. Once you know who to talk to, everything gets a little easier.

Save this. You'll use it.

One more thing worth knowing: unlike provincial and federal governments, municipalities in Canada cannot run a deficit. Every city budget must balance by law. That means when costs go up, cities have two options: raise taxes or cut services. There is no third option.

07/17/2026

Most people in Red Deer have never heard of the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF). But it affects every service your city provides.

The LGFF is the main funding mechanism the province uses to transfer money to municipalities. According to figures reported by the Red Deer Advocate and confirmed by Mayor Cindy Jefferies, Red Deer's per-capita share has dropped from approximately $600 in 2018-19 to around $350 today.

"We're down considerably since 2018-19. It's half what it was." — Mayor Cindy Jefferies, Red Deer Advocate, March 2026

In May 2026, the city formally called on the province to change how LGFF funds are distributed. Alberta Municipalities responded directly to Budget 2026:

"Budget 2026 shifts the tax burden to property taxes. It shifts responsibility from the provincial government to municipalities and removes tax room for municipal priorities." — Alberta Municipalities, February 2026

Knowing where the money comes from is the first step to understanding where it goes.

07/03/2026

UNA's current collective agreement was formally signed on April 15, 2026. This date will have important implications for eligible members who have left their employment for any reason in the period before the signing of the agreement. Article 1.03 of the Multi-employer Provincial Collective Agreemen...

06/26/2026

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/robby-hoffman-thinks-there-are-worse-things-than-being/id268213039?i=1000774124366

06/26/2026

Your experience matters. Your voice matters. Your advocacy can make a difference.

Join the HSAA Constituency Action Team and help bring the realities of frontline health care directly to decision-makers in your community.

No political experience needed — just a commitment to stronger health care for Albertans.

Sign up today: https://hsaa.ca/cat