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Red Deer Advocate FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2015
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Grim outlook pervades ATB FINANCIAL PREDICTS RECESSION FOR ALBERTA THIS YEAR, MODEST GROWTH IN 2016 BY THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — Alberta’s economy is likely going to get worse before it gets better, says the chief economist of regional financial services group ATB Financial. “It is probably going to be another eight to 12 months of pretty tough sledding for Albertans,” Todd Hirsch said
during a news conference Thursday announcing the bank’s fourth-quarter outlook. The latest outlook sees Alberta in a recession for 2015 with a 0.7 per cent contraction of real GDP, a more pessimistic view than in early July when the bank expected growth of 0.4 per cent for the year. That compares with real GDP growth of 4.4 per cent in 2014, when oil and gas prices were much
higher. “Unfortunately the economic situation in Alberta has darkened from our last forecast,” said Hirsch. ATB says the drop in oil prices is the “single reason” for the economic challenges as prices have fallen to about US$45 a barrel at present from more than US$100 in the summer of 2014. Prices were hovering around US$60 when ATB made its last forecast
in July. Hirsch expects the economy to get out of its slump in the second half of 2016 and post modest growth of 1.4 per cent for the year. Meanwhile, over the fall and into the new year could be the “roughest patch” for Albertans and the province’s economy as severance packages and savings run out.
Please see ECONOMY on Page A2
Aquathon
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Kiara McIllravey uses the backstroke to power her way through the water at the Dawe Centre Pool Thursday as she takes part in the École J. Lerouge annual Aquathon. McIllravey lead her heat from the start of the first 1.5-km run through the 300-metre swim and finished out front on the final 1.5-km run. Some 26 middle school students took part in the event, the school’s eighth annual Aquathon.
Enrolment across Central Alberta a hodgepodge of increases, decreases BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Enrolment for the new school year in Central Alberta was a mixed bag with increases and decreases. Red Deer Public Schools had 10,699 students, an increase of 101 students or about one per cent, as of the end of September. Bruce Buruma, director of communications, said with job losses in Alberta’s oil and gas industry — and the mobility of families that can result — the district was unsure about the impact to enrolment. “Most of our schools are coming in at the same levels. A few areas have had some growth, but it’s been pretty consistent when you spread that over 22 schools,” Buruma said. He said the district typically sees annual growth of about two and four per cent so there was a decline this year. But enrolment is still on the way up and the district is building a new elementary school in Inglewood to ac-
WEATHER Sun and cloud. High 20. Low 2.
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‘HAVING A GRADUAL GROWTH, WHERE IT’S CLOSE TO A PER CENT A YEAR, IT’S HEALTHY AND MAKES IT EASY TO RESPOND TO STUDENT NEEDS. IT HELPS WITH PLANNING AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS.’ — KURT SACHER SUPERINTENDENT, CHINOOK’S EDGE SCHOOL DIVISION commodate future growth. Alberta has a young population and that means long-term growth for the district, Buruma said. Enrolment at Central Alberta’s francophone school Ecole La Prairie saw a decline in enrolment. The Red Deer school, built for students up to Grade 12, shrunk to a kindergarten to Grade 8 school with 131 students because older students choose to attend other schools. Last year the kindergarten to Grade 9 school had 140 students. Chinook’s Edge School Division had
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Two trials needed to deal with lengthy list of charges BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF
10,988 students, or 72 more students which is less than a one per cent increase. The large rural division operates in communities in Red Deer County and includes Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Olds, Delburne, Innisfail, Crossfield, Cremona, Carstairs, Elnora, Bowden, Didsbury, Benalto, Spruce View and Sundre. “Having a gradual growth, where it’s close to a per cent a year, it’s healthy and makes it easy to respond to student needs. It helps with planning and supporting programs,” Chinook superintendent Kurt Sacher said. Wild Rose School Division, which serves Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Leslieville, Drayton Valley, Breton, and Condor, ended September with fewer students. Enrolment stood at 4,824 due to 98 fewer students, or a two per cent drop. Superintendent Brad Volkman said the economy did force some families to move to find work.
Two trials will be set for a man facing a long list of 26 charges, including several firearms offences. Michael Alois Schaab, 42, is accused of trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine and numerous firearms offences. He was arrested during a police search of a rural property near Markerville last spring. On Thursday, in Red Deer provincial court, his counsel Andrew Phypers entered elections of two trials by a judge alone in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench. Phypers requested a preliminary hearing for both trials. Preliminary hearings are held to test the strength of the Crown’s case before heading to trial. Because Schaab faces two sets of charges, one prosecuted by the Federal Crown and one by the Provincial Crown, the two trials were necessary.
Please see ENROLMENT on Page A2
Please see TRIAL on Page A2
Gunman opens fire at community college A gunman opened fire at a rural Oregon community college Thursday, killing at least 10 people before dying in a shootout. Story on PAGE A7
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