Make Alberta Better, Jim Gray

Make Alberta Better, Jim Gray

By Barbara Burggraf

Steve Allan introduced today’s very well-known speaker Jim Gray whose can do attitude has earned him many accolades including the Order of Alberta and Canada. He hails from Kirkland Lake, Ontario and we are fortunate that he moved to Calgary in 1956 to pursue a career in Alberta's energy sector. In 1973, he co-founded Canadian Hunter Exploration, an organization that became one of Canada's largest and most successful natural gas companies. He sold it for $3.4 billion according to Steve Allan. Jim is an outstanding community leader, mentor and extraordinary volunteer who lives the Rotary ethic –service above self. He is also an advocate for Wellness Alberta.

Jim spoke about how health is at a cross roads and that chronic disease and injury account for 90% of the illness burden in Canada. Did you know that Alberta spends a miserly 1% of the health budget on prevention? Jim is advocating for an additional 1% levy to be spent on wellness which could be derived from additional tax on tobacco, alcohol, or sugar sweetened beverages. His vision and the vision of his guest Dr. Chris Eagle is the creation of a provincial Wellness Foundation that would invest in primary care prevention strategies and wellness education. Jim and Dr. Eagle asked us to sign a petition at www.MakeAlbertaBetter.ca

Jim and Dr. Eagle pointed out that the only way to bring health care costs in line is to focus on prevention strategies that produce a financial return of $50 in saving for every dollar spent. For the sake of present and future generations let’s make Alberta better by creating and fostering a culture of wellness that will improve the quality of life for many years to come. Exercise, good nutrition, active living, reducing the effects of childhood trauma that can result in mental illness are the keys to a better life for all Albertans. Jim’s vision is a no brainer and with his leadership I have faith that the Alberta Wellness Foundation will be a reality very soon. Learn more at www.wellnessalberta.ca

Kim Van Vliet thanked Jim and announced that she had signed his petition using only her smart phone. She mentioned that her Grandfather was the first Physical Education teacher in Alberta too. She presented Jim with a CAWST certificate noting that a donation had been made in his name. Rob Brookwell was proud to give Jim a copy of 100 years of history of Rotary Club of Calgary.

Our Speaker, Jim Gray