• Launching an online Employee Portal to ensure effective and efficient communication with employees
• Promoting frequent and thorough hand hygiene (washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer)
• Keeping a distance of at least 2-arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others, as much as possible
• Adjusting workplace policies and procedures to reduce social contact, such as designated workstations, flexible hours, use of virtual meetings and teleconferencing
• Increasing the spatial separation between desks and workstations
• Providing virtual IT support at workstations and home office workspaces
• Avoiding sharing communal office space, such as staff kitchens and coffee areas
• Limiting contact with people by restricting public access to MD offices and facilities, and providing virtual and telephone support to residents
• Avoiding sharing pickup trucks and operating equipment (e.g., assigning same employee or operator)
• Conducting routine sanitization of frequently used mobile equipment
• Helping to reduce transmission amongst staff, Council and residents by reducing close contact in routine Council meetings, and providing virtual visibility
• Instituting flexible workplace and leave policies for employees who are sick, in self-isolation, or caring for family members
• Providing mental health support through Sun Life benefits provider, Employee Portal and self-help tools

Due to changing conditions in the newspaper industry, it is no longer feasible for the Lakeside Leader to support mail-out subscriptions of its weekly newspaper.

Until further notice, MD Council meetings will be supported by Zoom; an online and user-friendly communications tool for video and audio conferencing.

The Lesser Slave Lake Regional Landfill and MD Transfer Stations will remain open to receive waste during regular hours of operation. Due to COVID-19, the Regional Landfill will not be receiving any recyclable materials until further notice; the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 9-days while outdoors.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about our day-to-day routines and realities. Life is scary and uncertain right now, and maintaining physical distancing is critical for protecting each other.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about our day-to-day routines and realities. Life is scary and uncertain right now, and maintaining physical distancing is critical for protecting each other.

The MD is determined to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in our communities. One of the ways we’re doing this is by helping our vulnerable MD residents get the groceries and prescriptions they need during the COVID-19 outbreak — and through contactless and free delivery. This newly launched program is generously supported by MD FCSS funding.

The Gentle Ben Care Society has teamed up with Make Time Innovations and Tiffany Osborne to make this support program available to MD residents, regardless of where they live. We encourage you to contact the organization assigned to your area. The MD’s goal is to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

For pickup and delivery in the northwest MD (Slave Lake area), call Make Time Innovations at 780.843.9690; Smith/Hondo (Smith, Slave Lake, Athabasca and Westlock areas), call the Gentle Ben Care Society at 780.829.9100 or 780.849.1879; south MD Flatbush/Chisholm (Flatbush and Westlock), call Tiffany Osborn at 780.283.0314.

Please be advised that this support program is intended for Lesser Slave River’s more vulnerable population, including seniors, caregivers, individuals or families with low or limited income, families with young children, individuals with chronic or underlying medical conditions.

The MD of Lesser Slave River has begun to reopen municipal operated facilities in a measured and phased approach that ensures compliance with Alberta public health advisories and safety standards. MD Council has carefully considered and approved the following multi-phase approach.

In view of ongoing Provincial Health Orders restricting physical distancing and mass gatherings, the MD is asking residents to consider virtual options for this year’s garage and yard sale season.

Upon learning of Premier Kenney’s announcement regarding an acceleration of the Government of Alberta’s Stage II Relaunch Strategy, the MD of Lesser Slave River has been working to satisfy the opening requirements of the province.

As you head into the weekend, take the time to relax. Those of you on MD duty: Thanks and practice social distancing. Those of you off: Unplug and de-stress. Go for a walk in the woods. Breathe.

As you head into the weekend, take the time to relax. Those of you on MD duty: Thanks and practice social distancing. Those of you off: Unplug and de-stress. Go for a walk in the woods. Breathe.

There will be a stream of fear and information overload dished out by the media. It is overwhelming.

This MD Portal and webpage is a source of information, as is the alberta.ca site. Get your information, as recommended a week ago, from AHS.

Reflect on the climate change poem below for this COVID19; it makes you think despite its sappiness...

Have a great weekend under the circumstances.

Allan Winarski, CPA, CGA
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No.124

Just a brief update to keep you all in the loop. The MD administration is impacted, like all organizations with staff practicing social distancing and meeting service needs. It recognized that key services need to be delivered, others delivered with precautions, while others may be deferred for awhile. Regardless, we are exploiting our capabilities with technology to meet challenges.

I am working from home. I am more in touch using the phone, Teams, and Zoom, Sharepoint, and One Drive, etc. and other collaborative applications. This along with remote server access has been a godsend. At some point, we will try some of this out with you. Murray and I are staying in touch on a daily basis.

Our closures and activities are in alignment with higher orders of government. You will see communications coming to you on public access at MD administration facilities (Slave and FB). Basically, we will be ensuring that people can drop and receive document, make payments, drop off tenders, development permits, and get items from the MD. By doing this, the work of the MD administration carries on with limited health risk. Staff can work at the office. Those isolated can come in at after hours to grab or drop items.

Our outside crews have not been significantly affected. One grader operator is in isolation. Russ will be in isolation. Scheduling is being maintained.

Our utility crews have made plans within their group for service continuity for plant operations and pump failures. They have been innovative. They are also about to X-train with the TOSL.

The LSLRWMSC and waste transfer stations have curtailed recycling/scavenging for social distance reasons.

The TOSL was seeking to fire up an EOC, they were trying to pick locations. I advised that they should stick to digital linkages and that is how MD administration will proceed.

Note: There have been programs announced that will help our businesses and our citizens who are socially isolated from work. Right now there is no one portal for information, but its coming. One is that the CRA will provide $900 biweekly subject to certain conditions. Learned this on a webinar over lunch.

Remember to get your FACTS from the AHS COVID-19 site and alberta.ca or from the Canadian Government. Information is flowing quickly. Each day the Chief Medical Officer of Alberta speaks around 4:00 pm.

So, know that the MD administration is working and that some things that were saved for a rainy day may be worked on during this time.

Keep smiling.

Allan Winarski, CPA, CGA
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No.124

Like many of you, I am watching the progression of the COVID-19 virus. The virus is serious because it can be fatal to compromised individuals (e.g. Older adults and people with medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease appear to be at higher risk of becoming very sick). It is to be taken seriously. Others end up with flu like symptoms if they get the virus and just have to ride it out as there is no treatment. The problem is that we don’t know how it will affect each of us individually.

To make informed decisions for yourself, your family, and your role at the MD, it is important for you to understand what the coronavirus (COVID-19) is, what its symptoms are, how to protect yourself, and what you should do if you think you have COVID-19. For your information, I have attached updated “frequently asked questions” from Alberta Health Services (AHS). As information changes with the spread of COVID-19, you should monitor AHS for updates. The information from AHS is most relevant to you in Alberta and our region.

If you are worried about whether you might have the virus or are at risk, an excellent self-assessment tool has been developed at MyHealth.alberta.ca. Use this self-assessment tool to help determine whether you should get tested for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself or on behalf of someone else, if they are not able. myhealth.alberta.ca

Some of you are concerned about self-isolating. The answer is that it is an individual one that has to be practiced with responsibility. If you have come back from a vacation in a foreign locale, AHS recommends that you self quarantine.

If you believe that you are inflected, the answer is that you stay away from work and other people. In the attachment to this email, consult: “What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?”

As MD employees, you are more fortunate than many employees in Slave Lake or Westlock or Athabasca, or Canada (or the world) as you are eligible for sick leave. Others do not have this option. That is why the Canadian Government is looking at freeing up Employment Insurance provisions to help those without sick leave. This is one of those times that MD leave is to be taken if you have symptoms or factors that warrant quarantine. If you have used up or run out of time, you may find yourself using up TOIL or vacation time. We will be looking at our STD benefits for application and what the federal government offers. Regardless, this virus is going to be with us for sometime, perhaps months, so your individual decisions about taking days off are serious as the MD still has to operate and conversely we don’t want you infecting people at work.

For some of you, there may be the option of working at home. That will be considered.

In the meantime, this is a time when our true colours of being Canadian will shine through. As citizens, we will take varying degrees of a financial hit and will experience inconvenience with COVID-19, but consideration for others (or yourself if you are infected or at risk of infecting others) is important so that the spread is slowed so healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed all at once as they are in Italy right now. In the end, most of us will likely catch the virus but the timing, if spread out over time, will ensure that those infected folks that really need help, if they have severe symptoms, can be helped by healthcare providers.

As we learn of new information that affects the MD and our staffing, I will update you. Meanwhile:

Keep calm and carry on (and sanitize and keep a social distance between yourself and others…).

And, keep smiling.

Allan Winarski, CPA, CGA
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No.124

To help maintain the health and safety of our residents and staff members, we ask that you please abide by the new procedures now in place for materials being received at the Transfer Sites and Regional Landfill.

Playgrounds and recreational spaces play an important role in the physical and mental well-being of the community. The MD needs your help to reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19 so these outdoor spaces can remain open, safe and accessible.

To help minimize the risk of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection to community residents and staff, changes are being implemented at the Slave Lake Family Care Clinic. As of March 23, 2020, the clinic will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, until further notice. Physical distancing in the waiting area must be observed.

Until further noticem the the Ag-Info Centre will no longer offer crop, livestock, or other one-to-one specialist services.

To help reduce any inconvenience during business hours, Paul Mulholland will now be available to pick up any of your necessary work-related items at the MD main office or Flatbush sub-office, and drop them off to you at your remote office location – and vice versa. If you require pick-up/drop-off support, we ask that you please reach out to Paul directly at 780.805.1435 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that he can assist you in the most efficient way possible.

Slave Lake Addiction and Mental Health Services is continuing to provide counselling sessions through Zoom; an online and user-friendly communications tool for video conferencing—or by phone—Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.