Aug. 1, 2024 will go down in Alberta’s damage prevention history as the day when the digging community finally had an option to choose how they wish to have locates performed. Yes, after over two years of work, the Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) program launched in Alberta!

In the realm of domestic life, few tools are as effective in fostering cooperation and organization as the honey-do list. This simple yet powerful list serves as a communication bridge between partners, helping to allocate tasks and responsibilities in a way that is both manageable and constructive. Whether you are newlyweds or long-time partners, the honey-do list can enhance your home environment and strengthen your relationship. And here in Alberta, if that honey-do jar still looks a little too full, you’d best get at it before the days are too short and too cold!

Last weekend, and traveling from the south of Calgary, my wife and I took a drive through Highwood Pass. It was a picture-perfect day and the seasonal colours are starting to emerge.

Growing up near the Eastern Townships of Quebec, where the Appalachian Mountains begin (or end?), we took the forest’s vibrant fall colours for granted and simply assumed the oranges and reds were seen everywhere. But, as summer fades, Alberta's Rocky Mountains also transform into a breathtaking tapestry of vibrant colours, marking the arrival of fall. The fall season, typically spanning from late September to November, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and serene landscapes that attract visitors from near and far.

Along with two of my very esteemed damage prevention colleagues, Nick Bonstell and Jean-Guy Coté, I had the distinct honour of being invited to Ontario One Call’s (On1Call) inaugural Conference and Tradeshow a few weeks ago. The three of us, and ON1Call President and CEO, Jim Keech, were invited to participate on a DigSafe Panel Discussion.

Join us at the JW Marriott ICE District in Edmonton on April 14-15, 2025, and celebrate DigSafe Month by learning about all things damage prevention and utility safety. This two-day event will be packed with educational sessions, training opportunities, recognition awards, a tradeshow, and more!

Today, most meetings begin with a "Safety Moment," a short info-bit promoting safety awareness that resonates with everyone. It could be as simple as ensuring your vehicle’s windshield washer fluid is full before a long drive or promoting enhanced awareness of school zone speed limits. There truly is an endless list of safety topics to choose from but, when you’re put on the spot to present one, you’ll often find none come to mind!

I’ve spent a lot of years telling our agents that “September is just May, but later in the year.” Less generally, September is often the time of year where we tend to see a moderate amount of employee attrition; some agents go back to school (for those starting a new career path), some first-year agents have had a large enough sample size to determine the job just isn’t for them, and some — by incident or necessity — have to leave. This of course results in a “busier month,” not by dint of increased locate requests (though homeowners rushing to complete their work before first frost is a contributor), but by a smaller work pool.

As president of Utility Safety Partners, I sometimes get to do some really fun stuff. For instance, I spent a day last week capturing video footage for 2025’s damage prevention education and awareness with ATCO Gas employees. We’d talked about this effort for ages! So, the sense of accomplishment when the day’s efforts concluded was very real!