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Authority record
Provincial Archives of Alberta

Alberta. Department of Tourism

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<em>Dates of founding and/or dissolution:</em> The Department of Tourism was founded in 1986 by means of passage and proclamation of the <em>Department of Tourism Act, S.A.</em> 1986 c. D-29.1. The Department was dissolved February 23, 1992. <em>Functional responsibility:</em> The Department of Tourism was responsible for the creation, administration and delivery of programs to aid the development of tourism resources in the province, provide support for the education of workers in the tourism industry, promote Alberta as a tourism destination, identification and assessment of potential tourism opportunities, and administration of the Canada/Alberta Tourism Agreement. The Minister was responsible for the administration of the following statutes. <em> Department of Tourism Act; Tourism Education Council Act</em>;<em>Predecessor and successor bodies:</em> The predecessor of the Department was the Department of Tourism and Small Business. The successor of the Department was the Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation. <em> Administrative relationships:</em> The Department reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Tourism. One semi-independent agency, the Tourism Education Council, reported to the Minister of Tourism. <em> Administrative structure:</em> The Department of Tourism was made up of the Administration/Corporate Development Division, Marketing Division (responsible for tourism marketing, with separate branches for different target markets, operation of the Alberta Tourism office in Los Angeles, provision travel promotion services at Alberta House in London, England, and distribution of tourism literature in various markets), the Industry and Business Development Division (responsible for providing support for the development, upgrading, and expansion of tourism resources in the province, including providing consulting services, facility and product development, industry training, and market research), and the Planning Division (responsible for regional tourism planning, identification and evaluation of tourism opportunities and facilities, and administration of the Canada/Alberta Tourism Agreement).These divisions had been branches under the Tourism Division of the Department of Tourism and Small Business. <em> Names of chief officers:</em> Ministers of Tourism: ; Horst A.L.C. Schmid February 6, 1986-May 25, 1986; Edwin L. Fjordbotton May 26, 1986-September 9, 1987; Donald H. Sparrow September 10, 1987-February 23, 1992.

Alberta. Department of Tourism and Small Business

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<em>Dates of founding and/or dissolution:</em> The Department of Tourism and Small Business was founded in 1979 by means of the passage and proclamation of the <em>Department of Tourism and Small Business Act, S.A.</em> 1979 c. 8. The Department was dissolved in 1986. <em>Functional responsibility:</em> The Department of Tourism and Small Business was responsible for the creation, administration and delivery of programs to aid the development of tourism resources in the province, provide support for the education of workers in the tourism industry, promote Alberta as a tourism destination, promote the development and growth of small business, promote rural industrial development and economic diversification, provide counseling and management consulting services to small business, and coordinate inter-departmental programs to support the socio-economic development of northern Alberta. The Minister was responsible for the administration of the following acts. <em>Alberta Opportunity Fund Act; Department of Tourism and Small Business Act; Northern Alberta Development Council Act; Small Business Equity Corporations Act.</em>;<em> Predecessor and successor bodies:</em> The predecessor of the Department was the Department of Business Development and Tourism. The successors to the Department were the Department of Tourism and the Department of Economic Development and Trade. <em> Administrative relationships:</em> The Department reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Tourism and Small Business. Two semi-independent agencies, the Northern Alberta Development Council and the Alberta Opportunity Company, reported either to the Minister or through him to the Legislative Assembly. <em> Administrative structure:</em> The Department was made up of the Administration Division, Tourism Division, Small Business Division, and Northern Development Branch. <em> Names of chief officers:</em> Minister of Tourism and Small Business: James A. Adair March 14, 1979-February 5, 1986.

Alberta. Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation

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<em>Dates of founding and/or dissolution:</em> The Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation was founded February 27, 1992 by means of Order in Council 84/92 pursuant to the <em>Public Service Administrative Transfers Act</em>. The mandate of the Department was further articulated by the passage of the <em>Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Act,</em> S.A. 1992 c. D-28.9. The Department was dissolved December 18, 1992. <em>Functional responsibility:</em> The Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation was created by the amalgamation of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Recreation and Parks. The Department was responsible for;planning, development and delivery of provincial tourism development programs,;planning, development, and operation of the provincial parks system, including all parks, natural areas and wilderness areas, and;the planning and administration of provincial sport and recreation development programs and providing support and consultative services to municipalities to aid development of recreation facilities and programs at the municipal level. The Minister was responsible for the administration of the following legislation. <em>Alberta Sport Council Act;Department of Recreation and Parks Act;Department of Tourism Act;Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Act;Provincial Parks Act;Recreation Development Act;Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Act;Tourism Education Council Act;Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves and Natural Areas Act;Predecessor and successor bodies:</em> The predecessors to the Department were the Department of Tourism and the Department of Recreation and Parks. The successors to the Department were the Ministry of Community Development (recreation programs), the Ministry of Environmental Protection (parks and wilderness areas) and the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism (tourism programs). <em>Administrative relationships:</em> The Department reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation. Two semi-independent agencies, the Alberta Sport Council and the Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Board, reported to the Minister. <em>Names of chief officers:</em> Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation:;Donald H. Sparrow February 24-December 18, 1992

Alberta. Department of Transportation and Utilities

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<em>Dates of founding and/or dissolution: </em>The Department of Transportation and Utilities was established under the name Department of Transportation in 1975 by means of the passage and proclamation of <em>The Department of Transportation Act, </em> (S.A. 1975, c.17). In 1994, the <em>Government Organization Act</em> repealed the <em>Department of Transportation and Utilities Act. </em> The Department of Transportation and Utilities was re-established at that time by Order in Council 785/94 under the <em>Government Organization Act. </em> The Department was dissolved in 1999. <em>Functional responsibility: </em>At the time of its founding, the Department's principal responsibility was the administration of highways, airports and railways. The Department's duties included the construction, maintenance, policy development, planning, surveys and property administration of highways, airports and railways. The Department was also responsible for the creation and administration of transportation safety programs, as outlined in the Act. In 1986, the Department's responsibilities were expanded to include administration of utilities. The <em>Department of Transportation Amendment Act, 1986</em> (S.A. 1986, c.15) changed the name of the Department of Transportation to the Department of Transportation and Utilities to reflect the acquisition of these responsibilities. The Department became responsible for the implementation or programs and policies related to the capital construction of rural gas systems, municipal water supply and sewage treatment facilities, and farm water transmission systems. Under the <em>Designation and Transfer of Responsibility Regulation</em> (A.R. 398/94) the Minister of Transportation and Utilities was designated responsibility for Schedule 14 of the <em>Government Organization Act. </em>;<em>Predecessor and successor bodies: </em>The immediate predecessor of the Department of Transportation and Utilities was the Department of Highways and Transport. In 1999, the Department's functions became one of the principal components of the new Ministry of Infrastructure. The Highways Branch first appears in the Department's annual report for the year 1914. The Highways Branch amalgamated the functions of constructing, operating and maintaining bridges, ferries, ordinary roads and truck roads. In 1918 the Minister of Public Works would assume responsibility for <em>The Public Highways Act </em> (S.A. 1918 c. 14). The Act provided for a system of highways within the Province of Alberta. The functions of the Highways Branch and the Surveys Branch of the Department of Public Works were assumed by the newly created Department of Highways by 1951. The Department of Highway and Transport began as the Department of Highways with the proclamation of <em>The Highways Department Act </em>( S.A.1951 c. 39). The establishment of the Department of Highways followed the 1950 agreement between the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada for the construction of The Trans-Canada Highway. The Highways Department was charged with the construction, maintenance, repair and making of main highways and of other highways to the extent set out in <em>The Public Highways Act</em> (S.A. 1951 c. 67) and to administer such Acts and perform such functions as may be assigned by an Act of the Legislature or by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. In 1969 <em>The Highways Department Act</em> was amended by <em>An Act to amend The Department of Highways Act</em> (S.A. 1969 c. 47).The Act changed the name of the Department to the Department of Highways and Transport. The functions within the Department remained unchanged until 1975. <em>Administrative relationships: </em>The Department of Transportation and Utilities reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Transportation and Utilities. A number of semi-independent agencies reported to the Minister or through him to the Legislative Assembly. These agencies included the Alberta Motor Transport Board (1975-99), Alberta Resources Railway (1975-98), and the Driver Control Board (1996-99). <em>Administrative structure: </em>At its inception the Department of Transportation had three divisions: the Policy Development Division, the Administration Division, and the Construction Division. In 1977 the Department underwent decentralization and the Province was divided into six regions. The new regional organization combined the staff of the Maintenance Branch and the project management staff of the Construction Branch. The division of Regional Transportation Services was created to coordinate province-wide services. Regional Transportation Services was responsible for the following programs: regional administration; construction of campsites and rest area; construction of secondary roads; reconstruction of roads in improvement districts; grants to counties and municipal districts; grants to special areas; design and construction of provincially-owned airport facilities; design and construction of community airport facilities; maintenance administration; maintenance of primary highways; maintenance of roads in improvement districts; maintenance and operation of ferries; maintenance and operation of forestry airports; maintenance and operation of provincial airports; air transportation policy. In 1978 the municipal bridge program, Property Services Branch and the Town and Village Streets Assistance Program was decentralized and responsibility for these program transferred to Regional Transportation Services. A regional safety program was established in 1980 making regional safety officers responsible for all occupational health and safety activities and for construction zone safety, in their regions. The Department underwent further reorganization in 1980. The Alberta Motor Transport Board became its own division. The Construction Division merged with the engineering function to form the Engineering Division. The planning function remaining in the Transportation Planning and Services Division formed the Program Planning Division. The Program Planning Division took on new responsibilities in 1982 and was renamed the Urban Transportation and Planning Division. In 1982 the Transportation Safety Branch became independent of the Engineering Division. In 1983 the Public Communications Branch was added to the Department. In 1987 the Department was reorganized to accommodate the addition of new functions related to utilities. The Department of Transportation and Utilities consist of: Administration Division; Engineering Division; Regional Transportation Division; Urban Transportation and Planning Division; Alberta Motor Transport Board; Motor Transport Services; Utilities Development Division; Utilities Planning and Support; and Public Communications. In 1988 the Department was reorganized once more to consist of five divisions, the Alberta Motor Transport Board and Public Communications. By 1997 the Department maintain four divisions: the Finance and Administration Division; Planning, Programming and Technical Services Division; Regional Services Division; Traffic Safety Services Division. <em>Names of the corporate bodies: </em>The name of the Department changed in 1986 from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Transportation and Utilities. The Department was also referred to as Alberta Transportation in annual reports. <em>Names of chief officers: </em>Ministers of the Department of Transportation;Hugh M. Horner* 1975-1979, Henry Kroeger 1979-1982, Marvin E. Moore 1982-1986;Ministers of the Department of Transportation and Utilities;James A. Adair 1986-1992, Peter Trynchy 1992-1994, Stephen C. West 1994-1996, Robert A. Fischer 1996-1997, Walter Paszkowski 1997-1999

Alberta. Department of Transportation and Utilities

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<em>Dates of Founding and/or Dissolution:</em>The Alberta Transportation Safety Board was established in 1999. <em>Functional Responsibility:</em>The Alberta Transportation Safety Board was created under <em>Traffic Safety Act</em> (R.S.A. Chapter T-6, 2000) as a corporation. Under the enabling legislation the Alberta Motor Transport Board and the Driver Control Board were amalgamated and continued as a single board, the Alberta Transportation Safety Board. <em> Traffic Safety Act</em> represents an amalgamation of the <em>Highway Traffic Act,</em> the Motor Transport Act,</em> the<em> Motor Vehicle Administration Act</em> and the<em> Off-Highway Vehicle Act. Traffic Safety Act </em>repealed the<em> Highway Traffic Act,</em> the<em> Motor Transport Act, </em>the<em> Motor Vehicle Administration Act,</em> the Motor Vehicle Administration Amendment Act,</em> and the <em>Off-Highway Vehicle Act.</em>;The Alberta Motor Transport Board was created under <em>The Motor Transport Act </em>(S.A. Chapter 80, 1977). The Alberta Motor Transport Board administered the <em>Motor Vehicle Transportation Act</em> (R.C.S. Chapter M-14, 1970). The Alberta Motor Transport Board functioned to monitor the safety of the motor carrier industry with the focus on deficiencies that could lead to collisions and injuries. The Alberta Motor Transport Board approved commercial passenger carriers in relation to safety fitness and operating authorities and ensured that reasonable standards are consistently applied. The Driver Control Board in the interest of public safety, had the authority to remove or keep unsafe drivers off the road. The Driver Control Board functions to conduct hearings in relation to the reinstatement of licences for suspended drivers through the Alberta Administration Licence Suspension Program, impaired driving convictions through the Ignition Interlock Program and the Vehicle Seizure Program. The Alberta Transportation Safety Board primarily functions to: consider applications for operating authority certificates with respect to the operation of commercial vehicles; conduct reviews and appeals related to the release of information and matter related to municipalities and other authorities; consider any matter referred to it by the Minister charged with the enabling legislation. <em>Predecessor and Successor Bodies:</em>Highway Traffic Board was created with the proclamation of <em>The Public Service Vehicles Act</em>(S.A. Chapter 91, 1936) was the predecessor to the Alberta Transportation Safety Board. In 1974 the Highway Traffic Board was continued with the name of the Motor Transport Board. <em>Administrative Relationships:</em>In 1999 the Alberta Transportation Safety Board reported to Alberta Infrastructure. The Lieutenant Governor in Council designated one member of the Alberta Transportation Safety Board as the Chair of the Board and may designate one or more members of the Board as Vice-chairs of the Board. In 2001 the Alberta Transportation Safety Board began reporting to the Minister of Transportation. <em>Administrative Structure:</em>The Alberta Transportation Safety Board consists of persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as members of the Board. The Chairman of the Alberta Transportation Safety Board reports to both the Minister and the Deputy Minister of Alberta Transportation.

Alberta. Department of Utilities

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<em>Dates of founding and/or dissolution: </em>The Department of Utilities was founded as the Department of Telephones and Utilities in 1973 by means of the passage and proclamation of <em>The Department of Telephones and Utilities Act</em> (S.A. 1973 c. 68). The Department was dissolved in 1986. <em>Functional responsibility: </em>The Department was responsible for two largely separate program areas: 1) policies and programs related to the development of natural gas and electric energy supply and distribution and 2) policies and programs related to communications, broadcasting and telecommunications. The Department was also responsible for oversight of Alberta Government Telephones (AGT). February 13, 1986, responsibility for communications, broadcasting and telecommunications was transferred to the new Department of Technology, Research and Telecommunications. The remaining utilities functions continued as a separate department for three months. The Minister was responsible for the administration of the following Acts. <em>Alberta Government Telephones Act </em> (1973-79, 1982-86);<em>A.G.T.-Edmonton Telephones Act </em>;<em>Cooperative Associations Act </em>sections 42, 43 and 67;<em>Cooperative Marketing Associations and Rural Utilities Guarantee Act </em>sections 3, 10-23;<em>Department of Telephones and Utilities Act, </em> except section 1, clauses (a) and (c) and section 2;<em>Department of Utilities and Telephones Act</em>;<em>Electrical Energy Marketing Act</em>;<em>Municipal Telephones Act</em>;<em>Natural Gas Rebates Act</em>;<em>Rural Electrification Long Term Financing Act</em>;<em>Rural Electrification Revolving Fund Act</em>;<em>Rural Gas Act</em>;<em>Rural Mutual Telephone Companies Act</em>;<em>Rural Telephone Revolving Fund Act</em>;The Associate Minister of Telephones was responsible for the administration of the following Acts. <em>Alberta Educational Communications Corporation Act </em> (1981-82);<em>Alberta Government Telephones Act </em> (1979-82);<em>Predecessor and successor bodies: </em>The predecessor to the Department of Utilities and Telecommunications was the Department of Telephones. In February 1986, communications, broadcasting and telecommunications programs were transferred to the new Department of Technology, Research and Telecommunications, and the remainder of the Department was renamed the Department of Utilities. Later that year, this Department was amalgamated with the Department of Transportation, which was consequently renamed the Department of Transportation and Utilities. <em>Administrative relationships: </em>The Department reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister. Three semi-independent agencies reported to the Legislative Assembly though the Minister or the Associate Minister of Telephones. The Alberta Educational Communications Corporation (ACCESS) reported to the Associate Minister of Telephones 1981-82, the Alberta Government Telephones Corporation (AGT) reported to the Minister 1973-79 and 1982-86 and to the Associate Minister of Telephones 1979-82. The Electric Energy Marketing Agency reported to the Minister 1981-86. <em>Administrative structure: </em>From the time that the Department was created until 1978, the Department was made up of the Gas Distribution Division (responsible for rural gas distribution and utilities development, including establishing technical standards for design and construction of rural natural gas distribution systems and providing advisory services to rural gas cooperatives on financial, business organization, and economic analysis), Gas Alberta (responsible for acting as a broker in the acquisition of natural gas supplies required by the Rural Gas Program and customer billing for rural gas distributors), the Rebates Division (responsible for administering the Natural Gas Rebate Plan and the Natural Gas Price Protection Plan), the Electric Division (responsible for providing technical assistance to Rural Electrification Associations in support of the Rural Electrification Program), and Personnel Administration and Accounts (responsible for Department administrative support services). In 1978, the Department was reorganized into a structure that would remain largely intact until 1986. During this time, the principal units of the Department were the Finance and Planning Division, Administrative Services Division, Operations and Engineering Division, and Auditor's Office. The Finance and Planning Division was made up of the Rebates Branch (former Rebates Division), Communications Branch, and Utilities Financial Services Branch (responsible for administering loans and grants to rural gas cooperatives and Rural Electrical Associations). The Operations and Engineering Division was made up of the Gas Alberta Branch, Electric Branch (former Electric Division), and Gas Distribution Branch (former Gas Distribution Division). The Administrative Services Division was made up of the Records Management, Personnel and Accounts, and Development and Training Branches. The principal changes to the administrative structure came in 1980 and 1983. In 1980,the Operations and Engineering Division was renamed the Gas Utilities Division. At this time, the Business and Grants Section was created in this Division to provide financial and business management advisory services to distributors under the Rural Gas Program. In 1983, a new Division was created when the Department became responsible for all financial assistance programs for municipal water and sewage facilities development. The new Municipal Facilities Division became responsible for administering the Alberta Municipal Water Supply and Sewage Treatment Grant Program, the Regional Water and Sewer Systems Program, the Phosphorous Removal Grant Program, and the Northern Supplementary Fund. <em>Names of the corporate bodies: </em>;Department of Telephones and Utilities1973-75;Department of Utilities and Telephones1975-83;Department of Utilities and Telecommunications*1983-86;Department of Utilities1986;<em>Names of chief officers: </em>Ministers of Telephones and Utilities:;Royal A. FarranMar. 6, 1973-Apr. 2, 1975;Allan A. WarrackApr. 3, 1975-June 24, 1975;Minister of Utilities and Telephones:;Allan A. WarrackJune 25, 1975-Mar. 22, 1979;Lawrence R. ShabanMar. 23, 1979-Nov. 18, 1982;Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications:;Robert J. BogleNov. 19, 1982-Feb. 5, 1986;Minister of Utilities:;Robert J. Bogle**Feb. 6-May 25, 1986

Alberta Distance Learning Centre

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In 1923, the Department of Education, Government of Alberta established the Alberta Correspondence School with the aim of providing education to children located in remote areas of the province, housebound individuals, and adults interested in pursuing education. Elizabeth Sievwright served as Correspondence School Director from 1923 to 1930. In 1937, the Correspondence School Branch moved into an office in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1940, the Correspondence School Branch produced the Department of Education's first radio series for broadcast on the University of Alberta's radio station, CKUA. In the early 1970s, the Alberta Correspondence School began using television as a teaching tool. In the 1980s the school began implementing computer assisted learning. In 1983, the school relocated to Barrhead, Alberta. In 1991, the Alberta Correspondence School became the Alberta Distance Learning Centre (ADLC). In 1996,;The Alberta Distance Learning Centre joined with Pembina Hills School Division's Vista Virtual School to create the ADLC Online School. In 1998, ADLC opened a Calgary office. In 1999, Distance Learning Options South (DLOS) joined the ADLC. In 2006, DLOS dissolved and ADLC absorbed DLOS. ADLC offers courses for elementary, junior, and senior levels as well as offering programs for French immersion, francophone, and Christian studies.

Alberta Education Council

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The Alberta Education Council had its beginnings in the Committee for Teacher Retention and Recruitment, which was formed to assess the problem of teacher shortages in the province of Alberta. The committee was organized at a one-day conference held on December 3, 1955 in Edmonton, Alberta. Owing to considerable public discussion and criticism of the Canadian school system, a number of individuals then came together to formulate plans to provide a national forum where their problems would be discussed. In October 1957, another committee called the Alberta Advisory Committee for the Canadian Conference on Education was formed to study various topics to be discussed at a national conference held in Ottawa in February 1958. The success of this national conference manifested itself in the formation of provincial committees. In Red Deer on November 8, 1958 the organizational meeting of the Alberta Committee for the Canadian Conference on Education was held. This meeting saw the dissolution of the Committee for Teacher Retention and Recruitment. At a subsequent meeting of the executive, the organization was formalized by registration under the Societies Act, the name being changed to the Alberta Education Council to more accurately reflect its provincial character. The objects of the Alberta Education Council were to promote the interests of education in the province, to participate in the activities of the National Committee and to maintain close liaison with member organizations and with other organizations interested in education.

Alberta Egg and Poultry Association

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  • Corporate body

Until 1982, egg and poultry processors in the Western Provinces united under the Western Canada Produce Association. However the Alberta Egg and Poultry Association formed following the dissolution of the Western Canada Produce Association. The Alberta Egg and Poultry Association established itself to represent the needs of Alberta egg and poultry producers. The Alberta Egg and Poultry Association was also a member of the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council. All of the provinces of Canada comprise and fund the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council. The Alberta Egg and Poultry Association disbanded on April 24, 2003 owing to decline in active memberships.

Alberta Estonian Heritage Society

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  • Corporate body

The Medicine Valley Estonian Society (MVES), <i>Medicine Oru Eesti Selts,</i> was formed in 1910 in the Medicine Valley area of Alberta, which at the time was populated by an estimated 50 Estonian pioneers. The MVES would amalgamate with other community organizations, including the local Estonian band and choir originally founded in 1906, and establish a lending library for Adults and Children in 1911. Other communal enterprises were also integrated into the MVES including a branch of the Co-operative Association (1912), the Gilby (Kalmu) Cemetery Board (1914), and the Eckville Telephone Association (organized in 1917.) Estonians living in the Medicine Valley area also contributed land, building materials, and labour to construct a one-room schoolhouse for grades 1-8, known as the Estonian School, which opened on June 24, 1906. A second classroom was added in 1922. The Estonian Hall was built in 1918 which served as the home of the MVES and as the centre of the Estonian community, now numbering approximately 200. A library of 500 books was added to the hall and the Society sponsored fold dances and theatre groups. Meetings of the MVES included discussions of farmers' cooperatives, education, politics, religion, and literature. The Ladies' club of the MVES also hosted events including box socials and fundraisers. In 1926, Estonian Independence Day was celebrated for the first time in Canada at the Estonian Hall. The MVES was officially incorporated under the <i>Societies Act</i> of 1933. The Society ceased many of its activities during the Second World War, but there was an increase in membership after the war due to an influx of refugees from Estonia during the Post War era. Later urbanization led to a decrease in membership and the MVES ceased all activities in 1984.</p>;<p>The Edmonton Estonian Society (EES) held its first general meeting at St. John's Lutheran Church on December 4, 1949. The purpose of the EES was to coordinate Estonian community activities in the city of Edmonton, preserve Estonian history, and promote Estonian culture and traditions. The Society would celebrate Estonian Independence Day in 1950 with speeches, music, and art exhibits. In 1951 the celebration expanded to included folk dancing and a joint gala with members of Edmonton's Latvian and Lithuanian communities. By 1975 the EES had increased to 48 members and helped organize the Jaanipäev, mid-summer solstice, celebration at Sandy Lake in 1977 and 1978 as well as a celebration for the 60th anniversary of Estonian Independence in 1979. The EES also participated in Edmonton Heritage Days, in conjunction with an Estonian folk dance group from Toronto, in 1978. They also began publishing a newsletter, <i>Pajataja</i>. The newsletter ceased publication in 1979 but the EES would resume publishing, under the title <i>Ajakaja</i>, from 1989-1991. <i>Ajakaja</i> was restarted in 1997, publishing articles in both Estonian and English. Membership in the EES peaked in 1991, the same year Estonia declared independence from the USSR, leading to a renewal of interest in Estonian culture. In 1999, the Society celebrated its 50th anniversary and a centennial celebration at Linda Hall near Stettler, Alberta. Members of the EES also helped welcome Estonian President Lennart Meri and his family to Linda Hall in 2000. The following year the Society hosted the Estonian National Track and Field team, including Olympic decathlon gold medalist Erki Nool. In 2005, the Edmonton Estonian Society was amalgamated into the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society and <i>Ajakaja</i> became the publication of the provincial organization. Former Edmonton Estonian Society Presidents include Robert Kreem (1949-1951), Andreas Pilt (1951-1954, 1956, 1958, and 1973), Feliks Lasberg (1955 and 1957), Nurmi Simm (1978, 1985-1987), Siim Ruusauk (1979-1982), Eda McClung (1988 and 1991), Rita Viivi Piil and Jan Urke (1992-1993), Toomas Pääsuke (1994-1998), and Dave Kiil (1999-2005). </p>;<p>The Calgary Estonian Society (CES) was established on June 17, 1950, with Nikolai Rouk serving as its first president. The Societies activities included organizing small weekly events, large annual celebrations, and private social functions. Estonian pioneers gathered on a weekly basis at the Calgary YWCA during the 1950's. CES membership would be increased with the arrival of Estonian refugees following the Second World War. The most popular events hosted by the organization were the celebration of Independence Day on February 24th, Jaanipäev, a traditional Estonian holiday celebrated during the summer solstice, Christmas concerts, and church services. Most celebrations integrated speeches, songs, dancing and food. Members of the Estonian community in Calgary also participated in local fairs, showcasing Estonian cuisine, art, and clothing, including the introduction of cranberry juice. During the 1950s and 60s the Estonian population in Calgary reached 200, and the CES contributed a float to the Calgary Stampede in 1955 and 1973. An Estonian language school was established in the late 1980s, functioning on a bi-weekly basis, with the intent of teaching children of Estonian descent Estonian language and culture. It ceased operation in the early 1990s. Estonian Independence in 1991 led to a number of Estonian cultural events in Calgary including a joint celebration with the Latvian and Lithuanian communities in October 1991. The Societies activities decreased later in the 1990s and the organization disbanded in 2006, amalgamating into the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society.

The Alberta Estonian Heritage Society (AEHS) was established in Red Deer, Alberta on April 23, 2005, comprising members of the Medicine Valley Estonian Society, Edmonton Estonian Society, and Calgary Estonian Society. Their objectives include providing recreation to members and promoting social activities, promoting and preserving Estonian heritage and culture in Alberta, and facilitating contact and current awareness among persons with an interest in Estonian heritage and culture in Canada, Estonia and elsewhere. The coordinating council includes at least two members from each of the Calgary, Stettler-Red Deer, Eckville and Edmonton regions.

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