At Monday (August 21) nights Council meeting, Dr. Tom Feasby, CEO of the Airdrie and Area Health Benefits Cooperative (AAHBC), came before the Council to request an amendment to the grant agreement between the City and AAHBC.

Previously, the City and AAHBC entered into the grant agreement that contained a clause stating before AAHBC received any portion of a $300,000 operating grant, they needed to present evidence of approval by the Minister of Justice for the creation of the cooperative, approval of the cooperatives model and mandate, and that the cooperative is in compliance with provincial and federal legislation.

Dr. Feasby gave council an update of their progress so far, and then explained that;

"At the time the grant was drafted, we were unclear on the actual provincial requirements. We've come a long way since then, and now have an understanding of the ministries involved."

Dr. Feasby showed that they have met the first requirement by obtaining Articles of Incorporation from Service Alberta. He also explained that as they've gone along, they've realized that the Minister of Justice actually has no involvement in the discussions, and Alberta Health cannot approve the operating model and mandate because it falls under Service Alberta's jurisdiction. It is unlikely that Service Alberta would approve the operating mandate and model of any cooperative, and Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS) are not prepared to formally approve of the cooperative before it is finished.

Dr. Feasby also explained that no ministry would show approval that the cooperative was in compliance with provincial and federal legislation, as that would normally be the responsibility of the grantee.

While they cannot get formal approval from the Deputy Health Minister or from AHS, Dr. Feasby said they have received tacit approval, as members of both Alberta Health and AHS are working closely with the cooperative on their partnership committee.

"I think they're voting with they're feet. They're showing that they really do care about this, even though they can't approve the final shape."

With all that, Dr. Feasby requested that the grant agreement be amended to remove any mention to the Minister of Justice and to remove the second requirement to receive formal approval of the operating model and mandate. He also asked that the final requirement be amended so that the cooperative would need to demonstrate compliance to municipal, provincial and federal legislation.

While there was concern among some Councillors that they were moving ahead without solid approval from the province, the Council ultimately voted unanimously to make the requested amendments.

 

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