Have you ever wondered how Rural Electrification Associations The position they take will people have a say in the laws (AFREA) is invited into discussions depend on party platforms, their that get passed? Or whether it’s regarding the , the policies on , own personal beliefs, and it will possible to have a say at all, the rules on , and many other also be based on what they have beyond casting an election vote matters that affect the way REAs every four years? operate. Your REA board works determined most people think Even if you do tune in when with the Federation to bring about a certain issue. Our REA is the Legislative Assembly is forward a unified REA voice that a member of the AFREA, a debating new bills (proposed presents informed ideas and Federation that strives to speak laws), it’s easy to get the solutions on how to best regulate for and represent REAs and their impression that laws are made electricity for all Albertans. members’ needs. and passed only under the Effective representation involves 2016-17 has been a busy year Legislature dome. all of us contributing wisely in for discussing changes to But laws are in fact considered these discussions. Alberta’s electricity sector. As a year-round by cabinet ministers It is true that no minister or co-op, we encourage members and MLAs when they talk to MLA can agree with every single to ask questions and give citizens to find out what they are opinion they hear. But it is also feedback to your board about thinking. Laws begin with us – true that no minister or MLA your REA and its role in the citizens and groups of citizens operates in a vacuum. electricity market. We are who are concerned about issues Eventually the cabinet minister committed to giving you the that affect them. responsible for a portfolio, and information and tools you need This is exactly what is going on MLAs representing their to understand and advocate for when the Alberta Federation of constituents will form a position. REAs and our communities.
Have you ever wondered how people have a say in the laws that get passed? Or whether it’s possible to have a say at all, beyond casting an election vote every four years? Even if you do tune in when the Legislative Assembly is debating new bills (proposed laws), it’s easy to get the impression that laws are made and passed only under the Legislature dome. But laws are in fact considered year-round by cabinet ministers and MLAs when they talk to citizens to find out what they are thinking. Laws begin with us – citizens and groups of citizens who are concerned about issues that affect them. This is exactly what is going on when the Alberta Federation of Rural Electrification Associations (AFREA) is invited into discussions regarding the , the policies on , the rules on , and many other matters that affect the way REAs operate. Your REA board works with the Federation to bring forward a unified REA voice that presents informed ideas and solutions on how to best regulate electricity for all Albertans. Effective representation involves all of us contributing wisely in these discussions. It is true that no minister or MLA can agree with every single opinion they hear. But it is also true that no minister or MLA operates in a vacuum. Eventually the cabinet minister responsible for a portfolio, and MLAs representing their constituents will form a position. The position they take will depend on party platforms, their own personal beliefs, and it will also be based on what they have determined most people think about a certain issue. Our REA is a member of the AFREA, a Federation that strives to speak for and represent REAs and their members’ needs. 2016-17 has been a busy year for discussing changes to Alberta’s electricity sector. As a co-op, we encourage members to ask questions and give feedback to your board about your REA and its role in the electricity market. We are committed to giving you the information and tools you need to understand and advocate for REAs and our communities.
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