April 2 Weekly Review

$1 includes GST Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Vol. 48, No. 13

Viking Council calls special meeting

Patricia Harcourt Editor

A heated special council meeting took place on Friday, March 28, dealing with public feedback on several issues causing community concern.

The choosing of a space on Main Street for the relocation of the Viking Town Office, a survey that included negative feedback concerning council and a police presence during the meeting to keep the peace if necessary were all at play.

The community survey left room for those responding to make comments which included negative statements from several concerning the mayor and two members of council who were unnamed.

But Mayor Jamie Buttner and Councillors Dana Ewashko and Cindy Lefsrud offered replies to criticisms they felt targeted them.

Added to the mix was a letter from “concerned citizens” regarding the actions of council and the mayor concerning the motion of intent to purchase the old “Java” building on main street and renovate it for new office space for the town. The letter inferred that certain parties on council were too close personally to the building’s owner and the decision to make that person the building contractor was misguided since the person did not have the qualifications necessary for the job.

Ewashko stated that council should not discuss the letter as it was not signed, but was anonymous in nature.

Clr. Lefsrud expressed her disappointment and “hurt” at the survey comments which she felt were aimed at her as the “gossipy” councillor, and other remarks.

Buttner added that he has been working closely with Clr. Lefsrud, admitting she has been his “go to” for information. And Lefsrud said she has been aiming to relocate the office space to the downtown for the past couple of years, as she believes this is necessary.

Councillor Judy Acres and Deputy Mayor Julianna Merta both felt the need to inform the public that they don’t feel they are “bullied” on council. This was in reply to an accusation in the survey

comments that council was being bullied.

Mayor Buttner also spoke on this subject stating he did not bully anybody on council, as it seemed apparent that he felt the accusation had been levelled at him.

But Acres also took the opportunity to say that, despite the letter’s anonymity, it should be addressed as it was a well written letter expressing valid concerns that should not be ignored.

“I suggest this is a shot over the bow,” she said “if we don’t address it we’ll have a fire on our hands.”

Both Ewashko and Buttner said the letter was not fair in its allusions regarding people involved in the building issue.

But Acres disagreed: “I didn’t interpret it as a personal attack,” she said.

And Merta said that regarding her time on council in the past year and a half, she did not feel bullied.

Ewashko responded to another survey criticism that council is too secretive in its deliberations, going in closed session too often.

“There is no secrecy,” he said, explaining that the Municipal Government Act specifies council has to go in session for items like land and personnel, for instance.

Merta said it was difficult to respond to an anonymous person or persons writing the letter, and Acres urged council to respond as a team.

“Who do we respond to?” asked Ewashko, with Buttner saying he would like to speak to the person(s) who authored the letter in person.

But he was also adamant in that he did not see the way he handles the role of mayor as changing, stating: “I am who I am and I absolutely refuse to change…It’s against my morals.”

Councillor Lefsrud stated she has been “passionate for the last three years,” about getting a town office on main street.

“I am sorry I brought this (building proposal) forward,” she added, noting it has “caused a lot of tension in the community.”

Clr. Lefsrud then said she would like to “squash the motion and leave (the issue) for the next council,” following the fall elections, to deal with at that time.

But Acres cautioned against abandoning the search

for a new downtown office space, and suggested perhaps looking for a location with a price higher than the proposed building of $50,000 but less than a more expensive property previously considered for $2.5 million.

Lefsrud then made a motion to discuss the issue “and deal with it” by noon that day. The motion passed 4-1 with Ewashko voting against it.

Following this, the mayor read the letter out loud and a full blown discussion ensued on its contents.

“Where do we go from here,” asked Acres, “we’ve been asked to rethink this.”

Council had passed a motion to purchase the former Java building, as it is commonly known, for $50,000 pending a building inspection.

With that inspection now completed, Acres said it “told us a few things.”

While Acres said the report was to be satisfactory before proceeding with the purchase, Ewashko said his original motion was to proceed with both the offer to purchase and the inspection at the same time.

But discussion turned when Buttner made a motion to “squash the town office move entirely” which was not passed by council.

Buttner pointed out that the current office space in the Viking Carena Complex was only 621 sq. ft. compared to 1,368 sq. ft. at the proposed building on main street.

“I’m all about transparency and listening,” he said.

“I am not in favour of giving it up entirely,” said Acres, of the initiative to find new town office quarters.

“We should keep working on it,” she said, speaking in support of Clr. Lefsrud’s pursuit.

Ewashko repeated that the letter in question “should be trashed because we can’t respond to the people who wrote it.” The same for the survey results as only 34 people responded which is only three per cent of the population of Viking.

He said the former flower shop may lack some curb appeal and requires some renovation but “it’s a decent building.”

Ewashko said that for these reasons, he was against the mayor’s motion, which was lost 3-2. Voting in Continued on Page 7

Holden considers replacing snow clearing policy with bylaw

Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

Holden Village Council moved to direct Administration to prepare a snow clearing bylaw at the last regular council meeting held Monday, Mar. 17, in order to make snow removal within the village more efficient, and reduce flooding in resident homes caused by snow buildup left on the streets.

“In an effort to ease the potential damage to properties during the thaw cycle, Administration is considering the need for Council to enact a Snow Clearing Bylaw, which will give Administration more authority to enforce penalties on owners who leave their vehicles on the street during the snow cleanup operations,” the Request for Decision (RFD) provided to council states.

“Right now we have a snow clearing policy, which has no teeth,” Chief Administrative Officer Rosemary Offrey said. “If we create a replacement bylaw, get rid of the policy, and put some teeth in that bylaw, then I can deal with people who leave their vehicles on the side of the street while

the snow clearing is happening.”

The RFD says tickets would be issued to owners of vehicles that had not been removed from the street after notice had been given, by way of a sandwich board indicating the date and time their street would be cleared.

“The Snow Clearing Bylaw would indicate when the grader would be completing the snow cleanup by posting sandwich boards at the intersections of streets, stating date and times to remove vehicles from the street for the cleanup operations. If a vehicle is not removed from the street during the time of the cleanup operations, Administration will be authorized by Council Bylaw to issue a ticket to the vehicle owner. If the vehicle owner does not voluntarily pay the ticket, the ticket will be charged to the property owner’s tax account at the end of the year that the ticket is issued,” the RFD says.

“This is not intended for the first plow. This is for the day after, to go back and clean up the streets,” Offrey clarified.

The bylaw, if passed, would come into effect for next winter. Councillor

John Markel asked about what would happen to those who work out of town and may be gone for a week or two and has no way to move their vehicle.

Offrey said she would suggest that they not leave their vehicle on the street, but Administrative Assistant Amber Kostyk said, in her case and not unlike others, she has nowhere to park other than the street.

“We're having a discussion now that we will be having once the bylaw comes to the table,” Offrey said. The RFD was set before Council to make a decision on whether to give Administration the go-ahead to begin working on a bylaw, or to continue with the policy as is, or make changes to the policy.

“It is important to make note though,” Mayor Tyler Beckett said remotely, via Zoom in response to Kostyk’s comment. “I think this needs to be a more in-depth conversation; we need to see the guts of what we're discussing before we can (implement it).”

“Not only that,” Offrey said,” but the bylaw will have to be shared with the residents before we actually do second and third reading. You'll get some feedback from the residents as well. Then Council will have to make a decision on how you want to move forward,” she said.

Beckett mentioned that at the recent Chat with Council in February, residents in attendance “seemed to have a more or less positive view on it.”

“I think it's important that we make sure that the intent is not to be mean, but it's to efficiently use tax funds so that we're not doing a clean and then coming back and wasting Village money just to clean off a 20-foot section of the road,” he said.

“We can have a detailed discussion about the snow clearing bylaw at a later date,” Offrey said.

Deputy Mayor Shawn Cole moved that Council direct Administration to prepare a snow clearing bylaw based on the recommended action and discussion with Council, which was passed.

Irma church ladies keep 60 year quilt making tradition alive

Submitted

For over 60 years, ladies have gathered at the Irma United Church to create beautiful quilts. Although the names and faces have changed, the product has not: beautiful handstitched quilts and throws ranging in size from baby to queen.

The women work with donated fabric but purchase the needed thread, batting and backing.

Most weeks this year, 10 to 12 ladies gathered from the fall through to spring to create 12 to 14 quilts that will be donated to charity, or be sold at the spring supper and auction to support the work of the church. Anyone interested is welcome to join them on Mondays to sew, visit, and have lunch. This year’s supper will be April 23 at the Irma School and their lovely creations will be available in both the silent and live auction.

Wild Rose

Above: The ladies working and some of the quilts thst will be for sale at the united Church.

Survey takers leave harsh words for council

Patricia Harcourt Editor

The results of a recent community survey by the Town of Viking directed harsh criticism at council.

A special meeting was called for Friday, March 28, by Mayor Jamie Buttner. At the meeting, the comments made by respondents in the survey were brought up and discussed.

Of the survey results received, there were 24 replies online and 10 received by paper for a total of 34.

The most controversial aspects for council were the open comments, which some took exception to at the meeting. In the end, however, it was agreed that the survey, along with a letter from a group of anonymous “concerned citizens” would be made available to the public to also read.

In the comments, council was challenged as to its transparency: “Our current council has talked about being transparent. If this is the case why do they go in session at so many council meetings?” asked one person.

Another stated that some councillors are working hard and doing a good job, but added: “One of the others has let the ‘mayoral power’ go to their head and the other is a ‘gossip professional.’”

This comment said it made the town less warm or inviting and council was not made for ‘personal agendas’ to be acted upon.

“When spending money, it should require involve-

ment of the taxpayers in the community and being up front with them on costs involved. “

Administration was praised for “getting information out to the community with these topics and should continue to do so with topics,” such as the town office project.

Another person felt council did not cooperate with each other to get things done: “They just seem to be fighting with each other on discussions that need to be made for our community.”

Another respondent stated that, “I can’t believe how the mayor has let his role go to his head. He feels he can do whatever he wants.” The person felt there was a “lack of respect for the people around him.”

And a couple of councillors were criticized for “lack of respect and negative attitude.”

“I feel they don’t respect the staff and there are trust issues,” said the respondent. Another was criticized for “talking too much in the coffee shop.”

Comments continued with a need for better leadership and some councillors needing to “present themselves in a professional manner around town.”

Another felt council needed to present more unity in order to complete more projects by working together on them.

Another called for more “business oriented councillors with credibility” on council.

For another, it was difficult to watch council meetings stating “council members are not professional nor do they treat each other with any respect,” adding it

was “embarrassing to watch how they behave.”

“They also don’t seem to remember any decisions they have made,” said the person, calling for more business people and people with education on council.

Council was criticized for its “attitude and immaturity…and lack of professionalism.”

When the special meeting took place last Friday, councillors addressed much of what was said in the survey.

Dana Ewashko refused to acknowledge the survey’s validity calling it too small a sample of the population to be officially accepted as representing the feelings of the town.

Both the survey comments and the letter from concerned citizens were unsigned, he noted.

Mayor Buttner stood by his behaviour in his role on council, and declared he would be running again for a councillor position in the fall municipal election.

Cindy Lefsrud tearfully stated she was working on behalf of the people and denied any attempt to take credit or praise for herself. Lefsrud said she was hurt by the comments made in that regard.

Julianna Merta, the newest member on council, said she had read the survey and had agreed with “some” of the issues brought up in the document. Merta also denied ever feeling bullied by her fellow councillors.

Judy Acres also said she never felt bullied, adding that council should move forward with its attempts to find a new office space for the town office.

Vehicle

on fire near Viking

On March 25, police responded to a complaint of a vehicle fire southeast of Viking. When members arrived on scene the fire had completely burned the vehicle and was almost out. With the assistance of the Viking Fire and Rescue the hot spots were being monitored. A licence plate was obtained from the vehicle and the registered owner was contacted.

The owner advised he did not realize the truck was missing and confirmed that it was. He was advised the vehicle had been located and was completely burnt. The vehicle was towed.

Police have no suspects at this time.

That afternoon, police received a complaint of a disturbance in Kinsella. The complainant advised of a subject that appeared to be upset and yelling. When members arrived, the subject was gone. With the assistance of the complainant the subject was identi-

fied. Members spoke with the subject who advised they were speaking with a telemarketer and started yelling at them. The complainant was updated.

On March 26, police received a request to assist the Firearms Office to locate a firearm from a resident in the Viking area. This matter is still under investigation.

On March 27, police received a complaint from a resident advising of smoke coming from a residence in Viking. Members attended the location and found the residence to be on fire.

The Viking Fire and Rescue was dispatched to assist. Surrounding residents were temporarily evacuated for safety reasons. Viking Fire and Rescue took control of the fire and was able to extinguish it. Police contacted the owner of the residence and learned that no one was currently residing there.

On March 28, police responded to a com-

plaint of a disturbance at a local business. When members arrived, the subject had left the business. The complainant advised the subject was verbally aggressive with staff and when he finally left he was stunting in the parking lot. Members were able to locate the subject and he was warned about his actions. No charges were laid at this time.

That afternoon, police received a request to conduct a wellbeing check. The complainant was concerned for the subject who is currently going through a separation from her partner. The subject was contacted and there were no concerns for her safety, and is aware of supports available to her.

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March 24,2024

Editor’s Note: The following anonymous letter was sent recently to the Town of Viking. It is being published for the sake of readers being able to understand the full context of the discussion that ensued because of it at the Special Meeting called by the mayor last Friday and reported in this newspaper of April 2, 2025.

To the Mayor, CAO and Town Council:

We have been hearing for the past few years that the Town Office space at the Carena is inadequate and cramped and how much better it would be if the office was near or on main street. We agree with allthose thoughts. lt is very unfortunate that the office was ever moved to the Carena, a move that according to rumours at the time, was incessantly pushed by 1-2 people until Council gave in to the idea.

Now we are hearing that Council is in the process of making another move a reality - it's a good idea to move back to main street, to help main street look better and be a bit more alive.

We heard that a new office would need two lots and that it would cost $2,500,000 to build a new Town Office there. That seems excessive. Viking

Dear Editor;

Despite being in the midst of a general election and on the eve of the next wave of U.S. tariffs to be imposed on Canada, federal beer taxes are increasing by another 2 per cent today.

All because in 2017, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intro-

OPINION

needs a functional office, not a showpiece, There must be other options. Could a 2-storey building with an elevator for accessibility work? lt generally costs considerably less to 'build up' instead of 'build out'. Are there other options? The Town recently cleared, and now owns, two lots on Main Street. One

of those would be an ideal spot for a new building.

Now in the past 1-2 weeks we hear that Council has decided to renovate a very old building, the 'old flower shop’ and use it for the Town Office at a cost of $250,000. (Editor’s Note: The actual cost for the building in question was $50,000) Are you kidding?

This is totally unbelievable. Why why would you think a building with less space than the previous location on 53 Avenue would work? Isn’t that part of why the Town Office was movedto the Carena several years ago?

The 'flower shop’ would not possibly have enough office space for the Mayor, CAO, and all the other office staff, or enough storage space, as well as the essential Council Chambers. Then there's bathrooms and some kind of kitchen facilities.

We've also heard that Council is being 'railroaded' and almost bullied by three people. ls this a personal agenda for some? lf so, this whole thing is very wrong. You are on Council to work on behalf of the citizens of the town of Viking, to try to improve the town as much as possible, to try to keep our town viable, to help grow the town. Serving our community is a big responsibility. lt is not a position where you can insist on your ideas or push your own agenda.

The next thing we heard is also totally unbelievable and irresponsible, That the town wouldbe hiring a 'contractor', a person who worked for a carpenter 30 years ago. That does not qualify him in any way to be a building contractor 30 years later. Some of a building contractor's responsibilities include project planning, management, budget control, ensuring compliance with up to date building codes and safety regulations, and delivering projects on time and within budget. There are many more duties. These qualifications don't just happen.

It takes many years of working in the building industry to learn this. We have construction businesses in our community that could do the job. You

Viking council shares letter it received from ‘concerned citizens’

should not be hiring a totally unqualified person to head a project of that magnitude (or any project for that matter). That usually causes mismanagement, mistakes and extra costs.

The person named is totally unqualified as a building contractor. lf true, is this a case of hiring a friend instead of hiring expertise? Totally and morally wrong as Council members working for the community.

We hope that all the above are false rumours. lf they are, we apologize for sending you this letter, lf they are not rumors, please rethink your ideas. There must be a solution somewhere between a $250,000 reno of a toosmall, inadequate old building and a $2,500,000 showpiece.

We appreciate the time each of you spend as members of Town Council. We know that it can be a thankless job. And we usually agree with most decisions that you make, but please do your due diligence in this case as you serve as Mayor, CAO, and Councilors. Thank you to each of you. Unfortunately this has to be sent to you anonymously. We are residents of Viking But because of our connections to some of the people involved in this, we must rernain anonymous. Signed, Concerned Citizens

duced automatic, annual, inflation-based increases to alcohol taxes. Over the period, beer taxes have soared by 18 per cent.

Beer Canada is calling on all federal party leaders to commit to ending these automatic annual beer tax hikes and roll back this increase

Box 240, Viking, Alberta, T0B 4N0

Ph 780-336-3422 Fax 780-336-3223

News: vikingweeklyreview@gmail.com

Ads: vikingreview@gmail.com

Website: www.weeklyreview.ca Published every Wednesday at 5208 - 50th Street, Viking, AB. Agreement #40005387 Publications Mail Registration No.09205

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

should they form the next government on April 28.

Some key facts:

• Taxes now make up nearly 46 per cent of the retail price of beer in Canada.

• The escalator tax increases automatically every April 1 without a vote or debate in Parlia-

ment. Since its introduction by the Trudeau government in 2017, federal beer taxes have increased 18 per cent.

• The industry supports 149,000 Canadian jobs across urban and rural communities.

CJ Hélie, President of Beer Canada

RATES: Within Alberta - $40 per year (Includes GST) Overseas - $210.00 per year and U.S.A. - $115.50 per year Counter Sales Copies: $1 copy including GST. E-Subscriptions: 1 Year - $16.75 plus

Special Council Meeting

Continued from Front

favour was Buttner and Lefsrud, voting opposed was Acres, Merta, and Ewashko.

With that, Buttner said he was “proud” of council’s achievements. “I think we are doing the best we can with the tools we have,” he said.

The council went on to discuss the results of the recent town survey.

Merta said she was not shocked by the comments, and agreed with some of them.

But she added: “I am not being bullied,” and, “It would be good for the public to see,” the survey results for themselves.

The mayor said his response to “being bashed” is that he is not going anywhere: “My name will be on the ballot,” he said, referring to the fall municipal elections.

Ewashko said he was “blindsided” by the survey, and felt the questions were set up to result in certain answers being given.

Lefsrud spoke in favour of surveys and the town holding town halls where people can ask questions and receive answers in a meeting rather than an open house setting.

The RCMP attended the meeting and spoke to council about their own concerns.

Sgt. Ray Stack, Viking Commander, interjected at the meeting asking for time to speak. The mayor said that the protocol was for guests to request to be put on the agenda of a future meeting.

However, Stacck said he had tried to get on council agendas and couldn’t.

He also said he has been to many town councils in the municipalities in which he has served over the years, and has never seen a more contentious council as the one in Viking.

Instead of going to the town office for help, he said citizens were coming to the detachment for help on town issues. Stack wondered why the citizens don’t

NOTICE OF Annual General Meeting

Phoenix Gas Co-op Ltd.

The Annual General Meeting of Phoenix Gas Co-op Ltd. will be held at the Wainwright Communiplex, 700 - 2 Ave, Wainwright, AB T9W 1C4 starting at 7 p.m. on April 9, 2025.

Voting Members are encouraged to pre-register for the AGM by contacting the Phoenix Gas Co-op office at 780-842-4653. (The doors will open at 6 p.m. on the 9th for individuals who wish to register at the door, please allow time for this process.)

Royal Purple donates to Preschool

Viking Royal Purple member Dawn Hodgins donates $200, on behalf of their group, to Preschool treasurer Jennifer Venne. The donation will go towards the preschool’s Ladies Night Out fundraising event.

feel comfortable going to the town with their complaints or grievances.

He was attending the meting to ensure things went smoothly, as there had been an incident earlier of someone trying to kick in a door to gain access, said Stack.

Stack also said that at councils in other jurisdictions, he was welcome to attend on a monthly basis just to check in with them.

He questioned why council wouldn’t help out the police by giving its policing priorities for the community, a request council rejected at the last regular meeting.

And he stressed that the “usual channel” was for the commander and the town’s CAO to keep the lines of communication going between the police and the town.

Another message was that Stack was the person authorized to handle any issues, and not a former interim commander who works elsewhere but might live in the area.

This included any safety concerns a councillor might have based on threats or behaviour by another person.

•Day-to-day duties will vary and some longer days and weekend work will be required.

•Experience and Class #1 drivers licence an asset, but not a necessity. Must have valid Class #5 and own transportation to work.

•Competitive wages depending on experience and long-term employment potential for the right candidate.

To apply: Please contact Colin Hudson @780-806-0501 or email quinlexholdings@gmail.com

Battle River School Division is accepting tenders to perform grass mowing services at any one or all of the following locations: C.W. Sears as well as Tofield School as one contract located in Tofield, AB, Round Hill School, Ryley School, Strome School and Viking School, in their respective communities. Please note that some of these contracts may also include Bus Barns.

Grass mowing is required for the 2025 season. Bidders are responsible to examine the site(s) before submitting a tender(s) to satisfy themselves as to the nature and location of the work to be performed. The Contractor is responsible for all permits, licenses, insurance and other fees to carry out the services specified.

Sealed tenders fully executed, dated and marked “BRSD Grass Mowing (specific location/s)” will be received by:

Battle River School Division

4724-41 st Street, Camrose, AB T4V 0Z6

Closing date: Thursday, April 10th at 2:00 PM RFP documents available upon request. For inquiries contact Jennifer Hauck at: 780-672-6131 ext. 5258 or jhauck@brsd.ab.ca The lowest, or any, proposal will not necessarily be accepted.

✔ Are you tired of your current environment and looking for a change?

✔ Do you want to work in a tight-knit rural community?

If you possess leadership qualities, maintain a clean and organized work area, are full of energy, passion for customer service, very well organized, highly motivated individual, represent excellent communication skills to convey information clearly to team members, are enthusiastic, love helping customers and thrive on solving mechanical problems, WE NEED TO TALK!

Battle River School Division Tender for Grass Mowing EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Bondara Oilfield Services Ltd is looking for O

To apply for this position please submit a resume to the following email:

We offer clean, fun, safe, and a warm work environment to work in. Competitive pay plan plus Health Benefits Package for you and your Family.

Join us in delivering an exceptional work experience while showcasing your skills as an Automotive Mechanic.

Apply by resume Attention Wes, in person at Campbell McLennan Chrysler in Killam or by fax 780-385-3803 or email wcampbell@cmchrysler.ca or Gerry Keyzer, Service Manager at service@cmchrysler.ca

Berton Kent Blazek died in the early morning of March 26, 2025. Berton was born in Antigo, Wisconsin on July 10, 1926.

An only child, his early years were spent working on the family farm where his life-long love of stationary engines and machinery began. Berton served in the United States military on the Korean Peninsula, and re-

Berton Kent Blazek OBITUARIES

turned to the U.S. working as a logger in Northern California. Berton dedicated his life to serving Jesus Christ and met the love of his life, Joyce Arnold while attending Bible School in southern Saskatchewan in the early 1950’s. Berton worked as a minister, in the forest industry, and in 1971 purchased a farm near Innisfree where he and Joyce lived until 2024.

He is mourned by his daughter Myrna Lynn Murdoch (Colin), his son Verle Blazek (Corrine), grandchildren Kerry Lynn Jacobs (Jaden, Kohle, Faith), and Arlen Jacobs (Natalie, Berton, Theodore, Russell). He is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Wymoga Blazek and grandson, Jacob Blazek.

A graveside service will be at Innisfree Cemetery Wednesday April 2, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Viking Funeral Services 780-336-4842 www.vikingfuneralservices.ca

HELP WANTED

We are currently looking to hire person/persons for Auction Coordinators/Setup Personnel for online auction sales. Work to be conducted at our auction site 2 miles north of Camrose on Hwy 833. Must have knowledge of farm equipment and related items. Some lifting required.

Job duties include accurately list and lot items for online auctions. Preference given to experienced auction staff with setup experience.

Starting wage $25-$30/hour. Criminal record check required.

Position required for 2 weeks in April, June, August and October.

For more information contact Jody Lindstrand at 780-679-8101 or submit resume to jody19661@live.com

By Marjorie Lawson

Congratulations to the U15 Girls who won provincials in St. Paul on the weekend.

A rec hockey tournament hosted by the Irma Men’s Club closed

IRMA NEWS

out the hockey season at the Irma arena.

There will be an Open House at the Irma public library on Wednesday, April 14, during regular evening hours. Come out for sweet treats, door prizes and new books.

The spring Steak Fry at Albert Hall takes place on Saturday, April 5.

The heavy, wet snow from last week should give good moisture as we move to spring planting.

Temperatures will

moderate as the week progresses.

The transfer site is now open on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 11-4 p.m. for summer hours.

Anne Younker and Amy Newton are going on a cruise to the Bahamas this week.

Francis Younker is visiting with daughter Laura and family in California.

Get well wishes go out to Jim Ford who is in hospital in Edmonton.

In fact, we’ve been serving rural Alberta communities for 75 years. Our credit union launched in 1950 with $128, 21 members and a mission to help our neighbours and our communities. It’s still our mission today. That’s why we return 75% of Vision’s profits to our members, why we provide full-service banking in underserved rural communities, and why we make contributing to charitable causes in our hometowns a priority. Learn how Vision supports our members and our communities.

IRMA NEWS

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Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

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The Beaver County Chronicle

Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Volume 18, Issue 13

Beaver County adds street lights in Kinsella for improved safety

Patricia Harcourt

Beaver County Council has agreed to add street lights in the Hamlet of Kinsella for safety reasons.

At council’s March 26 regular meeting, Dan Blackie gave his report stating the hamlet made a request last August “for the installation of additional street lights throughout the community.”

He explained that the community was prompted to make the request “due to a noticeable increase in crime,” he explained. He said that residents believed that an increase in street lighting “would help deter criminal activity and enhance overall safety.”

County administration had already been working on getting price quotes from Fortis on new street lights and had identified “key areas where new street lights would be beneficial,” said Blackie, general manager of infrastructure, and included two on the north side of Queen Street and two more on Third Avenue between Main and King Street.

“The locations were selected based on traffic flow, visibility concerns and community feedback,” he said.

This need for more lighting was an idea supported by the Viking RCMP Detachment with a letter sent to the county last October.

“RCMP expressed concerns about the safety of Kinsella residents and highlighted that the poor quality of security camera footage had often hindered their ability to resolve cases effectively,” said Blackie.

Fortis and the county met in late January to discuss the best locations for street lights with the spokesperson for the community.

Both Fortis and the spokesperson also identified a spot on main street for a fifth light to be placed.

Blackie explained that Fortis offered to

invest $17,000 in installation costs leaving the county to pay the remaining $21,200 of the total costs.

Fortis will charge an additional $29.24 per light per month for ongoing operational costs, or $46.40 for the total of five lights.

Although council eventually passed the recommendation to obtain the five new lights for the hamlet, there was a great deal of discussion ensued following Blackie’s report.

“Three were requested (initially) so residents should be happy with five lights,” commented Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson.

Division 2 Councillor Lionel Williams asked if the yearly costs would be borne by the residents, but Blackie said the entire county would pay the monthly charges.

But Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce felt this could “open up the floodgates” for such requests. Also, he said that current street lights do not illuminate or shed much light.

“Street lights are not much of a deterrent these days,” he said, suggesting placing an intense light on one of the existing poles might work better.

“It would shed more light,” he said.

But Blackie nixed the idea of using “giant lights,” saying administration would not be able to bargain with Fortis on a price.

With the new street lights, it was necessary to have two more added because “they don’t fan out like they used to,” he said.

“A petition in Kinsella with an RCMP letter started this,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kayleena Spiess. “This was a recommendation from the RCMP.”

A motion was made by Pederson for council to approve the installation of five new street lights in Kinsella for the costs cited in the report.

In his comments, Bruce added that he wanted to ask Fortis if placing extra lights on top of

existing lights for side lighting would be “a more cost effective and better method of lighting.”

Spiess said research on solar lighting had been done as well but was more expensive than regular lighting.

“And Fortis ate some of the price,” said Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec, councillor for Division 3.

The motion to go along with the recommendation passed 4-1.

Holden, Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking

IMPORTANTDATES

IMPORTANT DATES

April2

April 2

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Governance & Priorities Committee Meeting

April 16

9:30AM-4:30PM-Governance&PrioritiesCommitteeMeeting April16

9:30AM-4:30PM-RegularCouncilMeeting

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Regular Council Meeting

WHATS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY

WHATSHAPPENINGINOURCOMMUNITY

Book Club

Location: Ross Creek Community Hall, 531041 Rge Rd 191

Rural book club that meets the first Tuesday of each month Meetings run from 7PM - 8PM, all ages welcome!

BookClub Location:RossCreekCommunityHall,531041RgeRd191 RuralbookclubthatmeetsthefirstTuesdayofeachmonth.Meetings runfrom7PM-8PM,allageswelcome!

Tofield AA - Thursdays, 8 - 9 PM

Basement of Bardo Lutheran Church, 4737 57 Ave, Tofield

Viking AA - Wednesdays, 8 PM, Zoom option also available Golden Valley Lutheran Church, 5327 56 Ave, Viking https://area78aa org/meetings/147-3

TofieldAA -Thursdays,8-9PM BasementofBardoLutheranChurch,473757Ave,Tofield. VikingAA -Wednesdays,8PM,Zoomoptionalsoavailable. GoldenValleyLutheranChurch,532756Ave,Viking. https://area78aa.org/meetings/147-3

Submit your event/s, meetings and/or gatherings to the events calendar on the website! Just head to the website, under the Explore menu click on County Region Events Calendar We have partnered with Go East to share local events on our website!

Submityourevent/s,meetingsand/orgatheringstotheeventscalendaronthe website!Justheadtothewebsite,undertheExploremenuclickonCountyRegion EventsCalendar.WehavepartneredwithGoEasttosharelocaleventsonourwebsite!

Beaver County will be holding an in-person public hearing to give residents an opportunity to provide input on the proposed Repealing Bylaw The purpose of this Bylaw is to repeal bylaws that are either no longer relevant, the County no longer has jurisdiction over the matter, they need updating, they were not repealed when they were replaced, etc

BeaverCountywillbeholdinganin-personpublichearingtogiveresidents anopportunitytoprovideinputontheproposedRepealingBylaw.The purposeofthisBylawistorepealbylawsthatareeithernolongerrelevant, theCountynolongerhasjurisdictionoverthematter,theyneedupdating, theywerenotrepealedwhentheywerereplaced,etc.

The proposed bylaw and the bylaws which may be repealed can be viewed below or obtained at the Beaver County Office (5120 – 50 Street, Ryley) or on the County’s website under the News section at www beaver ab ca Repealing Bylaw (2025) #25-1168

Theproposedbylawandthebylawswhichmayberepealedcanbeviewed beloworobtainedattheBeaverCountyOffice(5120–50Street,Ryley)or ontheCounty’swebsiteundertheNewssectionatwww.beaver.ab.ca.

RepealingBylaw(2025)#25-1168

Bylawswhichmayberepealed:

Bylaws which may be repealed: Bylaw #6 - Publication and Distribution of Meeting Minutes via Newspaper: Bylaw is no longer relevant

Bylaw #83 - Appointment of Assessor: Bylaw is no longer relevant

Bylaw #145 - Employee Pension Plan: County Policy replaces bylaw Bylaw #646 - Councillor Pension Plan: Section 12 of County Policy #HR-006 – County Policy replaces bylaw

Bylaw#6-PublicationandDistributionofMeetingMinutesvia Newspaper:Bylawisnolongerrelevant. Bylaw#83-AppointmentofAssessor:Bylawisnolongerrelevant. Bylaw#145-EmployeePensionPlan:CountyPolicyreplacesbylaw. Bylaw#646-CouncillorPensionPlan:Section12ofCountyPolicy #HR-006–CountyPolicyreplacesbylaw.

Detailsofthepublichearingareasfollows:

Details of the public hearing are as follows:

Date: Wednesday,April16,2025

Time: 10:15a.m.

Location: CouncilChambers,BeaverCountyServiceCentre,5120–50 Street,Ryley Contact: MeaganWalshat780-663-3730ext.1023or mwalsh@beaver.ab.ca

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 10:15 a m Council Chambers, Beaver County Service Centre, 5120 – 50 Street, Ryley Meagan Walsh at 780-663-3730 ext 1023 or mwalsh@beaver ab ca

If you wish to attend in person and speak to or submit written comments regarding the proposed Repealing Bylaw, please register/submit to Kady McKinney (kmckinney@beaver ab ca) by no later than 4:30 pm, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Written submissions will not be accepted during the public hearing

Ifyouwishtoattendinpersonandspeaktoorsubmitwrittencomments regardingtheproposedRepealingBylaw,pleaseregister/submittoKady McKinney(kmckinney@beaver.ab.ca)bynolaterthan4:30pm, Wednesday,April9,2025.Writtensubmissionswillnotbeacceptedduring thepublichearing.

If you submit written comments regarding the proposed bylaw, the information you provide may be made public subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ,

Ifyousubmitwrittencommentsregardingtheproposed bylaw,theinformationyouprovidemaybemadepublic subjecttotheprovisionsofthe FreedomofInformation andProtectionofPrivacyAct.

VILLAGEOFRYLEYNoticeofDecisionoftheDevelopmentAuthority

VILLAGE OF RYLEYNotice of Decision of the Development Authority

ThisistonotifyyouofadecisionoftheDevelopmentAuthority wherebyavarianceisbeingissuedauthorizingthefollowing development:

This is to notify you of a decision of the Development Authority whereby a variance is being issued authorizing the following

Application No

Debbie Sych

4748-50 Avenue, Ryley AB Construction of a temporary building

Constructionofatemporarybuilding

Theapplicantoranypersonwhoclaimstobeaffectedbythisdecision mayappealthedecisiontotheDevelopmentAppealBoard.The appealshallbemadeinwritingandshallbedeliveredeitherinperson orbymailtotheSecretaryoftheDevelopmentAppealBoardnotlater than14daysafterthedateofIssueofNoticeofDecision.

Appeal Deadline: April 9, 2025

The applicant or any person who claims to be affected by this decision may appeal the decision to the Development Appeal Board The appeal shall be made in writing and shall be delivered either in person or by mail to the Secretary of the Development Appeal Board not later than 14 days after the date of Issue of Notice of Decision

SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD

BEAVER COUNTY BOX 140 RYLEY, AB, T0B 4A0

ApplicationNo. Applicant: Location: Development: AppealDeadline:April9,2025 SECRETARY SUBDIVISIONANDDEVELOPMENTAPPEALBOARD BEAVERCOUNTY BOX140 RYLEY,AB,T0B4A0

DEVELOPMENTPERMITS

ThefollowingDevelopmentApplicationshavebeenAPPROVED(except whereotherwisenoted)bytheDevelopmentAuthorityundertheprovisions ofLandUseBylawNo.98-801,subjecttotherightofappealtotherelevant appealbody-SubdivisionandDevelopmentAppealBoard(SDAB)orLand andPropertyRightsTribunal(LPRT).

The following Development Applications have been APPROVED (except where otherwise noted) by the Development Authority under the provisions of Land Use Bylaw No 98-801, subject to the right of appeal to the relevant appeal body - Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT)

APPEALDEADLINE

APPEAL DEADLINE APRIL 30, 2025 DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

Appeal Body

AppealBody ApplicationNo.

APRIL30,2025 SDAB

Application No

Applicant

Landowner

Location Development

020020-24-D0009 HeatherWheeliker

Heather Wheeliker

Lot 21, Block 2 Plan 190 TR in NE 35-51-20-W4 Discretionary Use – 288 ft2 Cabin (Temporary

Same Lot21,Block2Plan190TRinNE35-51-20-W4 DiscretionaryUse–288ft2Cabin(Temporary Accommodation)

Any person wishing to appeal an application may do so by serving written notice on the prescribed form (stating reasons for the appeal) to the relevant appeal body For information on how to appeal can be found our our website Services > Planning & Development > Appealing Planning Decisions

Anypersonwishingtoappealanapplicationmaydosoby servingwrittennoticeontheprescribedform(stating reasonsfortheappeal)totherelevantappealbody.For informationonhowtoappealcanbefoundourourwebsite under Services>Planning&Development>Appealing PlanningDecisions

Further information regarding the above decisions may be obtained from the County Office Ryley Alberta

Furtherinformationregardingtheabovedecisionsmaybe obtainedfromtheCountyOffice,Ryley,Alberta.

Beaver County is currently accepting submissions for the

RFQ2025-14INFR 2025 HERBICIDE SUPPLY

Closes: April 16 @ 10 a m Local time

Please find complete information for all requests on our website > Business > RFPs, Tenders, Leases & Sales

Pleasefindcompleteinformationforall requestsonourwebsite>Business> RFPs,Tenders,Leases&Sales BeaverCountyiscurrentlyacceptingsubmissionsforthe following: RFQ2025-14INFR2025HERBICIDESUPPLY Closes:April16@10a.m.Localtime

We’re looking for some motivated team membe to join our team! What’s your superpower?!

We’relookingforsomemotivatedteammembers tojoinourteam!What’syoursuperpower?!

Attention outdoor enthusiasts! Planning your next camping adventure? Why not try out Camp Lake or Black Nugget!

Access the online booking tool on our website under Explore menu

Attentionoutdoorenthusiasts!Planning yournextcampingadventure?Whynot tryoutCampLakeorBlackNugget! Accesstheonlinebooking toolonourwebsiteunder the Exploremenu

SPRINGDUSTCONTROLPROGRAM

SPRING DUST CONTROL PROGRAM

Residents looking to reduce dust on county roads near their property can now apply for spring dust control The deadline to submit your application is April 15!

Residentslookingtoreducedustoncountyroadsneartheirproperty cannowapplyforspringdustcontrol.Thedeadlinetosubmityour applicationis April15!

How to Apply:

Scan the QR code to access the application form, or visit www beaver ab ca and navigate to:

Services > County Roads > Dust Control

HowtoApply: ScantheQRcodetoaccesstheapplication form,orvisit www.beaver.ab.caandnavigateto: Services>CountyRoads>DustControl. Submityourcompletedformbyemailto infrastructure@beaver.ab.ca,mailitin,or dropitoffinpersonatouroffice.

Submit your completed form by email to infrastructure@beaver ab ca, mail it in, or drop it off in person at our office Act now to secure dust control for the upcoming season!

Actnowtosecuredustcontrolfortheupcomingseason!

MAKEYOURVOICEHEARD-REGISTERTOVOTE!

Did you know that registering to vote in advance makes election day easier and faster? By signing up ahead of time you ensure your name is on the list and avoid last-minute hassles Participating in elections is a vital way to have your say in the decisions that shape our community

Didyouknowthatregisteringtovoteinadvancemakeselectionday easierandfaster?Bysigningupaheadoftime,youensureyournameis onthelistandavoidlast-minutehassles.Participatinginelections isavitalwaytohaveyoursayinthedecisionsthatshape ourcommunity.

Don’twait—checkyourregistration statusandsignuptoday!

Don’t wait check your registration status and sign up today!

Visit www voterlink ab ca or scan the QR code to get started

Visitwww.voterlink.ab.caorscanthe QRcodetogetstarted.

Nominationsarenowopenfor the2025MunicipalElection. ThinkingofrunningforCouncil?

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Municipal Election Thinking of running for Council?

Visitourwebsiteunder: Government>MunicipalElection2025 orscantheQRcodetoviewallElection informationincludingkeydates,thecandidate informationpackage,andnominationforms.

Visit our website under: Government > Municipal Election 2025 or scan the QR code to view all Election information including key dates, the candidate information package, and nomination forms

Mailinglist

JOINOURINFRASTRUCTURE–CONSTRUCTION TEAMFORTHEUPCOMINGSEASON!

JOIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE – CONSTRUCTION TEAM FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON!

Website InformationonCountyprogramsandservicescan befoundonourwebsite,alongwiththelatestnews.

Seasonal(6-8months)PositionsAvailable: Class1Driver-EquipmentOperatorIII

Seasonal (6-8 months) Positions Available:

Class 1 Driver - Equipment Operator III

Weareseekingmotivatedandskilledindividualsforavarietyof positionstosupportourconstructionprojects.Ifyouarelookingfor anopportunitytoworkinadynamicteamenvironmentand contributetoCountydevelopment,wewanttohearfromyou!

We are seeking motivated and skilled individuals for a variety of positions to support our construction projects If you are looking for an opportunity to work in a dynamic team environment and contribute to County development, we want to hear from you!

Valid Class 1 Licence with a good driving record

Gravel hauling/spreading experience is an asset

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Ability to work in all weather conditions

Ability to perform physical tasks and operate heavy machinery safely

Class 3 Driver - Equipment Operator II

Qualifications: ValidClass1Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Gravelhauling/spreadingexperienceisanasset Abilitytoworkindependentlyandaspartofateam Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions Abilitytoperformphysicaltasksandoperateheavy machinerysafely Class3Driver-EquipmentOperatorII

Valid Class 3 Licence with a good driving record

Willingness to train on light & heavy equipment

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Ability to work in all weather conditions

Ability to perform physical tasks and operate machinery

Qualifications: ValidClass3Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Willingnesstotrainonlight&heavyequipment Abilitytoworkindependentlyandaspartofateam Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions Abilitytoperformphysicaltasksandoperatemachinery safely

Equipment Operator II (multiple positions)

EquipmentOperatorII(multiplepositions)

Valid Class 5 Licence with a good driving record

Team player with a strong work ethic

Willingness to train on light & heavy equipment

Qualifications: ValidClass5Licencewithagooddrivingrecord Teamplayerwithastrongworkethic Willingnesstotrainonlight&heavyequipment Abilitytoworkinallweatherconditions

Ability to work in all weather conditions

Abilitytoperformphysicaltasksandoperatemachinery safely

Ability to perform physical tasks and operate machinery

Interestedapplicantsarerequestedtosubmittheirresumesto: HumanResources,BeaverCounty,Box140,Ryley,ABT0B4A0 Orbye-mailto:careers@beaver.ab.ca

Interested applicants are requested to submit their resumes to: Human Resources, Beaver County, Box 140, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 Or by e-mail to: careers@beaver ab ca

WE’RE ALSO LOOKING FOR...

Economic Development Coordinator - One Year Term

This role will drive business growth, tourism, and economic initiatives to shape the County’s future A great opportunity to make a lasting impact!

WE’REALSOLOOKINGFOR... EconomicDevelopmentCoordinator-OneYearTerm Thisrolewilldrivebusinessgrowth,tourism,andeconomic initiativestoshapetheCounty’sfuture.Agreatopportunity tomakealastingimpact!

For more info visit our website. The Careers page can be found under the Government menu. Or scan the QR code!

“Despitetheforecast,livelikeit’sspring!” Formoreinfovisitourwebsite.The Careerspagecanbefoundunderthe Governmentmenu.OrscantheQRcode!

-LillyPulitzer

Getnews,meetinghighlights,theroadconstruction schedule,theChronicle,andmore-directtoyourinbox!

County prepares for fall municipal election

Patricia Harcourt

Beaver County is paving the way for fall general municipal elections.

Margaret Jones, Manager of Legislative Services, presented county council March 26 with several pieces of legislation to make the elections run smoothly.

Council approved establishing agreements with school boards for election services.

“Both the Battle River School Division and the Elk Island Catholic Separate School Division have electoral wards within the county,” stated Jones in her report to council.

“Both school boards have requested that Beaver County conduct their school trustee elections which in the case of BRSD will include the towns and villages” she said. “The towns and villages have agreed to partner with the county to conduct the election within their jurisdictions.”

The school boards have agreed to pay $1,350 per voting station if both municipal and school board elections are held.

Council also agreed to provide applications to vote by special ballot to be accepted in writing, by telephone, in person or by email between 12 p.m. on September 24 and 4:30 p.m. on October 17.

Voting hours were set by bylaw with three readings given. Voting stations will be kept open continuously on election day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.n.

A bylaw to establish multiple voting stations within the county was also passed, preparing the county legislatively to put the necessary mechanisms in place for the voting that will occur on election day.

Divisions 1, 2, and 5 will have two voting stations and Division 3 and 4 will have one voting station for a total of eight in all.

The municipal election will be held on Monday, October 20.

The school board elections would then be held in conjunction with the municipal election at the municipal voting stations. And even if no municipal elections are required, the election for boards of trustees would still be held, said Jones.

First Nations’ fire strategies save homes

Sonal Gupta Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As wildfires raged toward their community in 2023, the Little Red River Cree First Nation in northern Alberta broke the rules. They gathered community members, many of whom were uncertified firefighters, to try to save their homes.

“We put out a call and 88 of us showed up, grabbed whatever gear we could find and got into a barge. We smudged, said a prayer and crossed the river.”

It was eerily quiet, and there was an ominous orange glow in the sky. The stench of burning plastic and propane filled the air, recalled Conroy Sewepagaham, chief of the First Nation located near Fox Lake.

The province was officially in charge of firefighting, but local firefighters felt they had to act.

“This is our home. We had to go back to the old ways, as the elder said, and fight these fires,” said Sewepagaham.

They worked through the night for several months, which allowed daytime crews, managed by the provincial firefighting force, to staff the front lines during the day. They saved about 30 to 40 homes. Even with their efforts, the damage was catastrophic. Fire destroyed more than 100 homes and 200 structures in the community.

As the 2025 fire season approaches, the Little Red River Cree and other northern Alberta First Nations are looking at lessons learned from past fires and the challenges ahead. The Little Red River Cree say they’re still faced with limited resources and poor collaboration with the province, and have never been recognized for their homegrown fire management success.

The community submitted a plan for a bigger, improved water plant to lift the boil-water advisories and ensure a water supply to help fight house fires and protect against possible forest fires. For years, the community has been asking for better water pressure systems, extended water lines and fire hydrants, Sewepagaham said.

“It’s the new fire season, and we’re still waiting.”

Indigenous people make up five per cent of Canada’s population but are 42 per cent of those evacuated during wildfires. Fox Lake residents were evacuated again for several weeks last year.

Responsibility is often placed on the communities to prepare for fires and evacuations but there is often no follow through with funding or support, said Amy Cardinal Christianson, a Métis scholar and expert in Indigenous fire stewardship and wildfire management.

“Indigenous people have been removed from decision-making about wildland fires and their territories, even though they're primarily impacted by fire,” she said.

Last year, the nation lobbied for a joint task force between the province and their local government to deal with future fires, but it hasn’t happened yet. They have also pushed for FireSmart programs to reduce fire risks by managing vegetation and preparing homes. But those

were deemed too expensive by the governments.

Indigenous communities can’t make decisions about their lands when it comes to fire because they are stuck in a jurisdictional limbo between federal and provincial governments, Christianson said. First Nations communities are under federal jurisdiction while wildland fire and emergency management is under provincial control.

The Little Red River Cree have also been pushing the provincial and federal governments to help them establish their own firefighting division and branch. Currently, they work with other crews but don't have full control.

“We know the woods, we know the landscape and we know the changes in elevation,” Sewepagaham said. “We’ve always had a deep relationship with the land. We used fire as a tool, but we are now seeing how climate change is making these events harder.”

After the Indian Act was amended in 1981, Indigenous communities gained more autonomy, including the ability to farm and reintroduce traditional practices. This change allowed the nation to develop a wildland firefighting business, called the Wildland Firefighting Inc., which is provincially recognized.

This enabled them to provide their wildland firefighting expertise to the province and assist in wildland firefighting efforts across northern Alberta. Since the 1990s, they have trained two or three wildland firefighters from each household in their community.

But they face challenges integrating provincial firefighting protocols with their traditional knowledge, which the province is reluctant to recognize. This results in delays and inefficiencies, Christianson said.

"It’s never easy to evacuate a community, but they (Little Red River Cree) had learned and taken an approach where they were the ones with answers to help support their community."

In 2024, the local firefighters helped the successful evacuation of their 8,600 residents, using boats and canoes on rivers at night when winds were calm. The province assisted with helicopters equipped with night vision.

Sewepagaham said the community was relieved that everyone got out safely.

"It was a sense of pride to see them doing what we did last year," Sewepagaham said. "That’s because of our traditional firefighting practices."

Firefighter training and certification processes have also become more strict over the years and many community members still are not qualified to participate.

“We only had one window to show up and prove to the province that we were fit and ready to fight fires,” Sewepagaham said.

This year, precipitation and snow levels are near normal so the community is preparing to rebuild after several years of drought and heat that have exacerbated the danger.

"The winds and heat are stronger now, and we have to think about new ways to manage these fires and protect our communities, " Sewepagaham said

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

COMING EVENTS

Killam Health Care Hospital Reunion for all Past and Present Employees

Saturday, May 24

From 2 to 5 p.m. at the Killam Catholic Church Basement Hall 5214-50 ave

Round Hill Easter Market

Monday, April 14

from 5 pm - 7 pm.

For a table, text or call Terry 780-678-6131

TM14C

EDMONTON COIN SHOW & SALE

- April 12/13, 2025, 10 am - 4:30 pm, Sunday,10 am - 3:00 pm.. Lions Centre; 11113 - 113  Street, Edmonton. Free market evaluations. Dealers from across Canada * Auctions * Displays * WATCHES * Family friendly!  www.edmontoncoinclub.com/shows.

Viking and Area Gymkhana Club

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Viking Rodeo Grounds Elections, fundraising, meets, etc will be discussed.

COMING EVENTS

St. Paul's United Church in Hardisty Annual Spaghetti Supper and Silent and Live Auction

Monday, April 7

Hardisty Town Hall

Adults - $15

Children 6-12 - $10

Ages 5 & Under - FREE Supper Served 5 p.m.

Silent Auction Starts at 5p.m.

Live Auction Starts at 7 p.m.

For more info call Fay Bronson 780888-3504 or Gail Kobitzsch 780-8882266. Auction items, with donor name attached, can be dropped off at Town Hall on April 7 @ the Town Hall after 10 a.m. to Ricci Matthews. Thank you for your continued support

The Viking Historical Society is accepting bids for re-roofing of the Hafso house at the Viking Museum Grounds. Materials could be either metal or asphalt. All local contractors are encouraged to submit bids to Box 106, Viking, AB T0B 4N0

COMING EVENTS

COMING EVENTS

Not ready to let go of your freedom (but needing support)? I can help with that. Enjoy your home. Light cleaning/meals. Emotional/mental companionship. Games/Cards. Phone Jackie (780) 385-1019.

FOR SALE

Please join us for a bridal shower for Maegen Kuilboer in celebration of her upcoming marriage to Tyler Bendfeld.

Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. Killam Seniors' Centre Registry available at Guardian Drugs (Killam) and Killam Home Hardware.

Tofield Golden Club

Perogies, Sausage and Sweets Thursday, April 3, 2025 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 5004 - 54 Ave, Tofield. $12 at the door Take-out and Gluten Free options available. All ages welcome!

Galahad Lions Club

50th Anniversary Celebration April 5, 2025 at the Galahad Agriplex Celebrating Fifty Years of Community Service Supper and Dance- $55.00 per person Happy Hour 5:30 Supper 6:30 Dance to follow-Music by Bandit Tickets available by calling either Ernie Gamroth 780 385-1543 bralpaca@syban.net Allen Dietz 403 742- 9610 dietzallen8@gmail.com

The Viking Historical Society Annual General Meeting, followed by a regular meeting, will be held Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Viking Legion. New members are welcome to attend!

Anyone who is interested in any Raspberry Plants, Blueberries, Saskatoons - This is your last chance for Ordering. Deadline is April 30. They must be gone by June 1. Contact Brian at 780-678-0053 whether they need to be potted or bare root.

2008 Dodge Ram 3500 St Quad 4x4 Auto. Positive Air shut off, power chip, 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel. 329,000km - approx 23/mpg. Excellent condition. Call 780-888-1666

12/13p

BUILDINGS FOR SALE

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-9747678 www.integritybuilt.com. 13P

Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN USE EFFICIENT CEREAL IN CANADA. Attracting Japanese Interest. OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre. WHEAT – Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01 Super Oat. PEAS – Very Early Yellow Peas, Forage Peas. ALSO AVAILABLE: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-5562609.

or Untreated.

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

FOR RENT

If anybody who likes country living and is looking for a place to rent, Brian has a basement available with two bedrooms. Would like a nonsmoker. The rent would be $800 per month, plus a damage deposit equal to one month's rent. Located 4 miles east of Bawlf, off Highway 13 on Range Road 172, the second place on the east side of the road. No pets allowed.

If interested, call Brian at 780-6780053 for appointment to view. Available May 1.

FARMLAND FOR RENT

West ½ of SW Qtr Sec-27-Twp-56Rge-21-W4. Strathcona County. South Bank of North Saskatchewan River. 72 Acres. 60 cultivated for grain/hay. Phone landline: 780-434-0388 11/12p

HELP WANTED

The Viking Historical Society is looking for summer staff at the Viking Museum. Duties include yard maintenance, cleaning, directing tours, and cataloguing artifacts. Students and mature applications alike may apply with resume and cover letter to Box 106, Viking, AB T0B 4N0

HEALTH

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-4535372.

SERVICES

PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

Medical Taxi Service

Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175

•Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5

•Absolutely NO Hidden Fees

•Escort to Reception/Waiting Room

•Pick up and Drop off at your door

•Top Notch Service!

•Includes up to 4 Hour Wait

•Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810

CLUES ACROSS

SERVICES

Drywall Taping/Ceiling Texturing

40 years experience on the job, from commercial buildings to new homes to home renovations. No job too small. Experienced Killam drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job, big or small. Don't want to do it yourself? - Give me a call!

Flagstaff Taping & Texturing

Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251

Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097 tfnp

Painting

Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 tfnp

1. McCarthy acolyte Roy

5. Ancient Korean chiefdoms 10. Not soft 14. Jai __, sport 15. Philosophy 16. Do what you’re told 17. Gaffe

18. Widely known and esteemed

19. Amusement park attraction

20. Popular comic strip Viking

22. Usually has a lid

23. American sportscaster

24. Lung fibrosis

27. General’s assistant (abbr.)

30. Pouch

31. Upset

32. Partner to hem

35. Astronomy unit of distance

37. Witch

38. Gradually disappear

39. Regions

40. Possesses

41. Body parts

42. A way to comprehend

CLUES DOWN

1. Currency

2. Ceramic jar

3. Reagan’s Secretary of State

4. God worshipped in Kanesh

5. One thousand cubic feet (abbr.)

6. Semitic

7. About blood

8. Benign tumors

9. Move one’s head

10. Hours (Spanish) 11. Hebrew calendar month

12. Advise someone 13. Colors clothes 21. The sun does it

23. Concealed

25. City of Angels hoops team (abbr.)

Droop

Away from one another

A harsh scraping sound

43. Defraud

44. Sandwich type

45. Expression of disappointment

46. Popular Dodge truck model

47. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet

48. Soviet Socialist Republic

49. Songs to a beloved

52. Custom

55. Partner to cheese

56. West Indies trees

60. Member of a Semitic people

61. Plant that originated vegetatively

63. Squandered one’s money

64. Ethiopian river

65. Excessive fluid accumulation in tissues

66. Acquire by one’s efforts

67. Irish goddess

68. Hungarian village

69. Cereal grasses

32. Attaches to a wall 33. Capital of Ethiopia: __ Ababa

German river

Disappointed

Star Wars character Solo

Supervises flying

Nonsense

Automobile

A parent is often one

Fencing sword

Body part

Region

Hogshead (abbr.)

Soak in water

Flower cluster

Romanian city

Farm building

Ali’s surname at birth

Waxy bird beak covering

Stiff bristles

VCR button

Small amount

From the Hwy #26 & Hwy #36 junction so PREVIEWING & BIDDING STARTS AT 10 AM & BIDS START CLOSING ON AT 10 AM

TRACTORS

●1995 CASE IH 9270 4WD tractor, 335 hp. Cummins 855 engine, 7,035 total hours w/ engine rebuilt @ 6,800 hours,Outback GPS & autosteer, 12F/3R standard transmission, like new 520.8R42 duals, 4 hyd’s., leather seat, LED lights, shedded, excellentcondition.

●2010 JOHN DEERE 4720 MFWD utility tractor, 1,166 hours, 58 hp. engine, front weights, 3 pt. hitch, 540 pto., 2 hyd’s., hydrostatic, 13.6-28 rears,8-16 fronts, shedded, excellent condition.

●2018 K-LINE 2900 Speed Tiller vertical till disc, 20 ft., 10” spacing, 20” notched blades, basket rollers, mudscrapers, 385/65R22.5 tires.

●2020 RITE-WAY land roller, 50’, 3 sections.

TRAILER

AUCTIONEERS NOTE:

●2013 JOHN DEERE 4630 s/p 80 ft. sprayer, 1,433 engine hours, 534 spraying hours, 49,706 acres, Greenstar 3, GPS, 600 gallon tank, like new 600/70R30 tires + (4) 320/80R42 tires & rims, 20” spacing, shedded, excellent condition, + MANY MORE OPTIONS! ●(4) TRIDEKONcrop dividers.

GRAIN TRUCK & VEHICLE

●2009 MACK t/a grain truck w/ 20 ft. steel box & hoist, 469,429 km., 338 hp. engine, 10 speed Eaton Fuller automatic, Kramble remote control endgate & hoist, like new 11R22.5 tires, shedded, excellent condition. GVWR = 52,000 lbs.

●2006 FORD F-250 Lariat super duty extended cab 7 ft. flatdeck truck, 187,240 km, 4X4, automatic, 6.0L diesel engine, cruise, power heated leather seats, power windows, locks, & mirrors, like new LT275/70R18 tires.

●2011 JOHN DEERE 9770 STS combine w/ 2013 JD 615P 15 ft. pickup, 1,788 engine hours, 1,180 separator hours, fine cut chopper w/ integrated chaff spreader, Crary hopper extension, GPS ready, 2 way radio, HD final drive, Pro Drive transmission w/ harvest smart feed rate control, 520/85R42 duals, shedded, excellent condition, + MORE OPTIONS!

●2016 JOHN DEERE 630FD Hydra Flex draper header, 30’ p/u reel w/ plastic fingers, upper cross auger, skid shoes, singleknife, fore & aft, single point hookup, shedded, excellent condition.

●HORST CHCF header transport w/ 4 way steering, (fits up to 36 ft. headers), adjustable hitch, 11L-15FI tires, shedded.

●2017 SPRINGLAND UTL40 grain auger w/ mover, 10”, 40 ft., 35 hp. Kohler motor, LED lights, reversible gear box, 205/75R15 tires.

●(2) WESTEEL ROSCO ±4600 bushel 6 ring x 19 ft. hopper bottom grain bins w/ double skids, temperature cables, bottom manways, ladders, & (1) has horizontal air rocket.

●(2) WHEATLAND 1612 smooth wall ±2750 bushel hopper bottom bins w/ poke holes.

●(2) BUTLER ±1800 bushel 3 ring x 14 ft. hopper bottom grain bins w/ ladders.

●2014 SWS tri-axle dually flatdeck trailer, 30 ft. (25 + 5), fold up beavertails, 8 ½ ft. wide, ST235/80R16 tires, GVWR = 30,000 lbs. SIDE X SIDE The Mattinson’s took exceptional care of their equipment! Their farm is located near the MacKay sale, so make a day of it & preview both sales!

●2005 NEW HOLLAND 575 square baler, 540 pto., 75” p/u, shedded, excellent condition.

●Flaman 5 hp. & 7.5 hp. aeration fans.

●(2) Grain Guard 100,000 btu. bin heaters.

●2018 POLARIS Ranger XP1000 Northstar, 10,216 km, 896 hours, new motor @ 750 hours, cab, 4X4, A/C, winch, shedded.

or

LOCATION: From the Hwy. #26 & Hwy. #36 junction

of Viking go 11 km east on Hwy. #26 to Rg. Rd. #120A & then go 1/4 km south.

LOCATION:

From the Highway #14 & Highway #834 junction east of Tofield go 15 km south on

PREVIEWING & BIDDING STARTS AT

10 AM

& BIDS START CLOSING ON

●1983 JOHN DEERE 8650 4WD tractor, 9,246 hours, 290 hp. engine, 16 speedpartial powershift, 4 hyd’s., 20.8R38 duals.

●1979 INTERNATIONAL 1086 tractor w/ Ezee-On 2100 FEL & 7’ bucket, 10,909 hrs., 146 hp. engine, 540/1000 pto., 2 hyd’s., 16F/8R powershift.

●1980 INTERNATIONAL 1586 tractor, 6,866 hrs., 179 hp. engine, 1000 pto., 2 hyd’s., 12F/6R partial powershift w/torque amplifier, HI/LO.

●1983 DEGELMAN 12 ft. 6 way front dozer blade w/ IH 1586 mounts.

GRAIN HANDLING

●2018 MERIDIAN Grain Max ±2300 bushel hopper bottom grain bin, single skid.

●WHEATLAND 705EF ±250 bushel hopper bottom grain bin / feed bin.

●TWISTER ±1650 bushel 4 ring hopper bottom grain bin, single skid.

●(3) WESTEEL ROSCO ±1850 bushel 5 ring hopper bottom grain bins, single skids.

●BRANDT 1070 mech. swing grain auger, 10”, 70’,single augerhopper flighting, 540 pto.

●BRANDT840 grain auger, 8”, 40 ft., w/ Honda 20 hp. electric start motor.

●HODGE mech. swing grain auger, 8”, 60 ft., single auger hopper flighting, 540 pto.

●HAUL-ALL 18 ft. dualcompartment “V” hopper on skid, 7 ft. wide, (2) hyd. driven augers.

●FLEXI-COIL 800 29 ft. air seeder w/ Flexi-Coil 2320 TBH 230 bu. tank & Valmar, levelling harrows, 12” spacing, single shoot, Nichols knock sweeps.

●FLEXI-COIL System 82 harrows, 80 ft., 12” tines.

●2000 HARMON 2400 MVP 32 ft. coil packer.

●MORRIS CP-531 deep tillage cultivator w/ spikes, 31 ft., 12” spacing, 3 bar harrows.

●INTERNATIONAL cultivator w/ 3 bar harrows, 20 ft., 10” spacing, 8.5L-14 tires.

●INTERNATIONAL 27 ft. field cultivator w/ spikes, 4 bar harrows, 10” spacing.

●INTERNATIONAL 46 disc, 12 ft., smooth blades, 8” spacing, ST225/75R15 tires.

●INTERNATIONAL 300 Diskall seed drill w/ trail type coil packers, 14’, 7” spacing, (1) new tire.

HARVEST

●1993 MASSEY FERGUSON 8570 rotary combine w/ MF 9700 header & 13’ p/u, 4,287 eng. hrs., 2,925 sep. hrs., chopper, straw spreader.

●1993 MASSEY FERGUSON 8460 combine w/ MF 9550 header & 13 ft. pickup, 2,844 engine hours, chopper, Kirby straw/chaff spreader.

●1985 MASSEY FERGUSON 885 swather w/ 21 ft. p/u reel, 2,952 hrs., single knife, rear hitch.

●Massey Ferguson 20 ft. straight cut header, fits MF 860 combines.

●6 Ft. swath roller, P235/75R15 tires.

TRAILERS

●1997 DOEPKER tridem 42 ft. grain trailer, air susp., 8 ½’ width. GVWR = 82,500 lbs.

●38 ft. t/a grain trailer, 66” high sides, 8 ft. wide, roll tarp. FARM USE ONLY.

●2007 MANAC 53 ft. tridem hiboy flatdeck trailer, 11R24.5 tires, GVWR = 87,083 lbs.

●2006 MANAC 48 ft. tridem hiboy flatdeck trailer, 11R24.5 tires, GVWR = 87,083 lbs.

●2002 ROADMASTER 50 ft. tridem hiboy trailer, live roll, GVWR = 100,309 lbs.

●1989 SCONA Trombone tandem stepdeck lowboy trailer, 49 ft., live roll, 10R17.5 tires.

AUCTIONEERS NOTE:

From farming to trucking Ron & Mary have done it all; as they transition into retirement a great variety of items is UP4BIDS!

AT 10 AM

●2003 KENWORTH W900B highway tractor w/ 18 ton picker & 22 ton hydraulic winch, 751,864 km, 24,274 hrs., 475 hp. ISX Cummins, 18 speed Eaton Fuller, diff. lock, 4.11 axle ratio, GVWR = 46,500 kg. + MANY MORE OPTIONS!

●2002 KENWORTH W850 highway tractor w/ sleeper, 1,222,337 km, 27,835 hours, 475 hp. ISX Cummins,18 speed Eaton Fuller, diff. lock, GVWR = 46,500 kg. + MORE OPTIONS!

●1996 KENWORTH W250 highway tractor w/ sleeper,

●SPRAY-AIR 80 ft. p/t sprayer, 450 US gallon poly tank, 7” spacing, hyd. pump, 1000 pto. ●CHEM HANDLER II w/ valves.

●1992 HONDA Gold Wing GL1500 Interstate motorcycle, 131,259 km, 6 cylinder, 1500cc 4 stroke engine, 5 speed transmission, shedded. SPRAYER

●1975 KOHLER 150 KW Cummins diesel industrial generator on skid. ●Haybuster 256 +II bale processor.●Vicon 4 wheel hay rake. ●Kinsella rock picker. ●Bale spear. ●National 600D adj. spreader bar. ●(14) Bin anchors. ●Raven Cruizer II portable GPS kit.●Bale feeder. ●Poly feed troughs. ●Watermaster floating water pump. ●Cattle squeeze.●1/2” & 3/8” rubber matting. ●Electric fencing supplies. ●Assorted fenceposts. ●(3) Metal baskets & enclosed metal bin. ●Co-op ride-on lawn tractor w/ 28” rear tiller. ●Qty. of HD chain. ●±75 Pallets of miscellaneous items.

MOTORCYCLE

1,351,540 km, 460 hp. N14 Cummins, 18 speed Eaton Fuller, diff. lock, dual stacks, GVWR = 46,500 kg. + MORE OPTIONS!

●1975 FORD 9000 t/a truck w/ 14 ft. gravel box & hoist, 299,765 miles, box extensions, 13 speed Eaton Fuller, GVWR = 44,800 lbs.

GRAVEL TRUCK

PREVIEWING & BIDDING STARTS AT 10 AM & BIDS START CLOSING ON AT

TILLAGE & SEEDING

●2010 CASE IH 435 Steiger 4WD tractor, 4,746 hrs., 435 hp. eng., 4 hyd’s. w/ return, big 1000 pto., + MORE !

●2013 KUBOTA M135GX MFWD tractor w/ FEL & 8’ bucket, 6,694 hrs., 135 hp., shedded, +

●1977 CASE 2470 4WD tractor, 5,858 hrs., 213 hp. ●1976 CASE 2470 4WD tractor, 9,624 hrs., 213 hp.

●2009 CASE IH Puma 140 MFWD tractor w/ FEL & 8’ bucket, 5,737 hrs., 140 hp., shedded, + MORE!

●1979 CASE 2670 4WD tractor, 256 hp., ±500 hours on rebuilt transmission & engine, 12F/4R.

●1997 NEW HOLLAND

LIVESTOCK RELATED

●2009 KUHN Knight Pro Push 2054 t/a manure spreader.

●2002 CATTLELAC 410 feed mixer wagon, 1000 pto.

●GEHL 7210 s/a feed wagon, 540 pto.

●2000 HIGHLINE 7000 bale processor, 1000 pto.

●2002 HAYBUSTER 2640 bale processor, 1000 pto.

●1999 HAYBUSTER 256 +II bale processor

●WHEATHEART High & Heavy hitter postpounder.

●Arbor Hi-dump silage wagon ●(2) EASYWAY 250 & 175 bu. creep feeders. ●RAY’s GP50 hopper feed tank ●QUAD ROPER calf catcher. ●Feed dispenser grain wheel.●±(125) 25’ freestanding panels ●±(36) Pipe framed feed bunks. ●Cattle handling system, selling individually. ●(2) MORAND squeezes. ●Cattle oiler. ●Solar livestock watering system. ●(3) Calf shelters. ●±(8) Bale feeders. ●(2) 30’ windbreaks. ●Homemade portable loading chute.

●2009 NEW HOLLAND P2050 51 ft. air drill w/ NH P1060 430 bushel TBT tank, 21,799 acres, + MORE!

●BANDIT 1700 liquid fertilizer cart, 1,700 gal. tank.

●INDUSTRIAS America 2228X 3 pt. hitch disc

●1997 FLEXI-COIL System 85 heavy harrow, 70 ft.

●1983 FLEXI-COIL System 92 harrow packer, 60 ft.

●FLEXI-COIL 60’ diamond harrows, 9.5L-15 tires

●HUTCHMASTER wing up tandem disc, 22 ft.

●1979 NODET GOUGIS t/a seeder, 38 ft., 540 pto.

●INTERNATIONAL 7200 14 ft. hoe drill.

●HINIKER 1540 cultivator/rodweeder, 40 ft.

●1996 FREIGHTLINER highway tractor, 1,441,816 km., 18 speed, 530 hp., rebuilt motor ±900,000 km.

●1981 IH t/a grain truck w/ 20’ box, 168,319 km.

●1981GMC 7000 t/a grain truck w/ 19’ box, 34,885 km.

●1980 CHEVY C70 t/a grain truck w/ 14’ box , 17,031 km.

●1980 CHEVY 70 t/a grain truck w/ 17’ box, 47,349 km

●1980 FORD 800 t/a grain truck w/ 20’ box, 76,692 km.

●1979 FORD 9000 t/a grain truck w/ 17’ box, 276,505 km.

●1979 FORD 900 t/a grain truck w/ 20’ box, 106,223 km.

●1977 IH Transtar t/a grain truck w/ 14’ box, 79,466 miles.

●1972 IH 1700 t/a 20’ flatdeckbale truck, 345 V8 gas.

●2011 FORD F-350 Lariat Super Duty crew cab truck, 6.7L diesel, 150,000 km., automatic, + MORE!

●2007 GMC Sierra 2500 extended cab truck, gas.

●1999 DODGE Dakota extended cabtruck, 325,075 km.

●1997 FORD F-150 extended cab truck, 450,395 km.

●1981 CHEVY flatdeck dually sprayer truck, 45 ft. boom, gas, 5 spd. manual, 600 gal. tank, + MORE!

HAYING

●2015 JOHN DEERE 569 round baler, 11,286 bales.

●2001 HESSTON 856A round baler, 11,200 bales.

●MATADOR 7900 windrow inverter, hyd. pickup.

●Vicon 3 pt. hitch 8 wheel ‘V’ hay rake.

●9 Wheel side delivery hay rake.

●10 wheel ‘V’ hay rake.

●2012 MACDON Westward M105 TRACTOR

●2001 DOEPKER Super ‘B’ grain trailer, 28 ft. lead, 31 ft. rear, air suspension, GVWR = 77,000 lbs.

●1998 LODE-KING tri-axle highboy 53’ trailer w/ 57 ft. pipe framed bale hauling deck, GVWR = 83,775

●1980 RAM t/a highboy 33 ft. sprayer trailer w/ (2) ±2600 gallon poly tanks & hoses.

●1978 ARNE’S 31 ft. t/a belly dump gravel trailer.

GRAIN HANDLING

●2022 BRANDT 1380-XL+ electric swing auger, 13”, 80 ft.

●WESTFIELD TR100-61 mech. swing auger, 10”, 61 ft.

●WESTFIELD TR100-51 mech. swing auger, 10”, 51 ft.

●WESTFIELD MK 100-61 mech. swing auger, 10”, 61 ft.

●WESTFIELD utility auger w/ 2 hp. 220V motor, 6”, 15 ft.

●2004 BRANDT 5000 grain vac w/ hoses, 1000 pto.

●2017 MERIDIAN Grain Max 3000 bushel hopper bin

TRAILERS MISCELLANEOUS

●WHEATLAND 2000 bu. hopper bin w/ single skid. ●(2) GRAIN GUARD 3 hp. & 5 hp. bin aeration fans. The Lyons family farm has been in the family for over 100

LOCATION: From Hwy. #14 & Hwy. #834 junction east of Tofield go 12 km south on Hwy. #834 to Twp. Rd. #494; then go 1.6 km east to Rg. Rd. #185 & then go 2 km south.

PREVIEWING

&

BIDDING STARTS

AT 10 AM & BIDS START CLOSING ON AT 10 AM

●1997 JOHN DEERE 9200 4WD tractor, 4,242 hours, 310 hp. engine, 4 hyd’s. w/ return, 12F/4R, 20.8R42 duals, Trimble EZ-Steer 500 GPS, 1 owner, excellent condition. + MORE!

●1980 INTERNATIONAL 1086 tractor w/ IH 2250 FEL, & 5 ½ ft. bucket, 11,443 hours, 130 hp., 3 hyd’s, 540/1000 pto., good condition.

●1949 JOHN DEERE ‘M’ antique tractor w/ 7 ft. cultivator, 20 hp. gas, 4F/1R, 540 pto., new front end, steering wheel & components.

TILLAGE & SEEDING

●KELLO-BILT Series 210 t/a offset disc, 14 ft., 10” spacing, 25” blades, refurbished by Kello-bilt in 2020.

●2000 FLEXI-COIL 5000 air drill w/ Flexi-Coil 2320 TBT 230 bushel tank, 39’, 12” spacing, 1 owner, VG condition. + MORE OPTIONS!

●FLEXI-COIL 85 heavy harrow, 70 ft., 5 bar, 5/8” x 26” tines, 1 owner.

●PATTISON FB2100 fertilizer cart, ±2400 gal. tank, 3” plumbing, Honda GX 200 pump, ground driven John Blue pump, excellent condition.

●2012 HY-GRADE 1400RS 14 ft. pull dozer, 1 owner, excellent condition.

●LEON 700 deep tillage 38 ft. cultivator, 12” spacing, 3 bar harrows.

SWATHER

●1998 PREMIER 2930 Turbo swather w/ MacDon 960 header & 25 ft. p/u reel, 1,632 hours, Cummins, HI/LO range, 1 owner, VG condition. + MORE!

GRAVITY WAGON

●BRENT GT600 ±600 bu. gravity wagon, roll tarp, 8” x 13 ft. hyd. driven utility auger, shedded.

COMBINES & HEADERS

●1998 JOHN DEERE 9610 Maximizer combine w/ 14 ft. p/u, 3,649 eng. hrs., 2,922 sep. hrs., fine cut chopper, JD yield monitor, air foil sieve, 30.5L-32 fronts, 14.9-24 like new rears, recent $9,000 workorder, 1 owner, shedded, excellent condition.

●1998 JOHN DEERE 9610 Maximizer combine w/ 14 ft. p/u, 4,652 eng. hrs., 3,393 sep. hrs., 2nd owner, excellent cond., + MORE OPTIONS!

●1990 JOHN DEERE 925F platform straight cut header w/ 25 ft. p/u reel & plastic fingers, single knife, transport, skid shoes, shedded.

●(2) -1984 JOHN DEERE 224 rigid platform headers, (1) w/ 24 ft. UII p/u reel, & (1) w/ 24 ft. bat reel, transport wagons, single knife, shedded.

SPRAYING

●2005 SPRA-COUPE 7650 90’ sprayer, 2,525 engine hrs., VG condition, + MANY MORE OPTIONS!

●1980 RAM t/a highboy 28 ft. sprayer trailer w/ (2) Freeform ±2,200 gallon poly tanks.

GRAIN HANDLING TRUCKS

●(2) MERIDIAN Grain Max ±4000 bu. hopper bins w/ double skids, (1) w/ 6 ft. air rocket.

●(3) WESTEEL ROSCO ±6300 bushel 8 ring x 19 ft. hopper bottom bins w/ double skids, 6 ft. air rockets, & OPI temperature cables.

●(2) GOEBEL ±7800 bushel 6 ring x 21 ft. hopper bottom bins w/ triple skids, aeration tubes, roof vents, OPI temperature cables.

●(3) GOEBEL ±2800 bushel 4 ring hopper bottom grain bins w/ single skids.

●(2) TWISTER ±2200 bushel 5 ring hopper bottom grain bins w/ double skids & low profile hoppers, aeration tubes, bin full indicators.

●(2) WHEATLAND ±1800 bu. smooth wall epoxy lined hopper fertilizer / grain bins w/ single skids.

●GO TECHNOLOGIES portable 225,000 btu. grain dryer w/ cart, & Flaman 7.5 hp. aeration fan.

●(3) FLAMAN 5 hp. bin aeration fans.

●FLAMAN 7.5 hp. centrifugal aeration fan.

●CALDWELL 3 hp. bin aeration fan w/ approximately 100 ft. of 220V electrical cord.

●SAKUNDIAK HD8-39 auger w/ hyd. mover & Kohler 30 hp. engine, 8”, 39 ft., remote.

●WESTFIELD MK130-71 mech. swing auger, 13”, 71’, 540 pto., dual auger hopper flighting, 1 owner.

●WESTFIELD MK100-71 mech. swing auger, 10”, 71 ft.

AUCTIONEERS NOTE:

Marvin & his son Chad are retiring from farming. Most of the equipment was purchased new and has been meticulously maintained and shedded so you can bid with confidence!

●2007 WESTERN STAR highway tractor, 450 hp. Mercedes eng., 1,457,460 km, 13 spd., shedded.

●1996 FREIGHTLINER highway tractor, 1,234,202 km, 13 speed, N14 Cummins, shedded.

●1981 INTERNATIONAL Transtar 4300 highway tractor w/ sleeper, 1,301,878 km., 9,746 hrs., Big Cam 400Cummins,13 spd.,GVWR = 52,000 lbs.

●1972 GMC 6500 tandem gravel truck w/ 17 ft steel box & hoist, rebuilt 366 engine, 10F/2R, HI/LO, new battery & starter,needs brake work.

●1973 FORD fuel delivery truck, 1000 gal. tank, 5 & 2 transmission, FIELD USE ONLY.

●1998 DOEPKER tridem 42 ft. grain trailer, roll tarp, remote chute, 1 owner, excellent condition.

●1983 t/a 38 ft. grain trailer, roll tarp, two hydraulic underbelly augers, 11R22.5 tires.

●1994 UTILITY s/a 24 ft. reefer van trailer, 295/75R22.5 tires, diesel powered refrigeration. ●Homemade t/a 18 ft. flatdeck trailer, mobile home axles, 9 ft. wide, 8-14.5LT tires.

MISCELLANEOUS

●Front mount 5 ft. quad blade. ●Homemade pto. slough pump w/ s/a transport trailer. ●OPI hand held digital temp. monitor. ●OPI bin temp. cable. ●±1700 Gal. poly fertilizer tank. ●Air compressor. ●(13) 6” x 30 ft. aluminum irrigation pipe & trailer. ●Grain moisture tester w/ scale. ●(2) Poly grain hoppers. ●Anhydrous hose. ●Sotera chem. pump. ●Implement jacks ●Barrel drum pumps. ● (3) Bin venting cones. ●(4) Bin venting screens. ●JD combine p/u belt. ●BE water transfer pump. ●MacDon parts. ●Flexi Coil parts. ●Fifth Wheel hitch w/ rails. ●Hydraulic rams.

●± (15) -Pallets of farm related items!

Agriculture Section Agriculture Section 2025

An annual supplement to your local papers saluting the important businesses and people keeping our ag industry strong

Grapes among common household items that may be poisonous for your pet

Cassandra Lundbek Staff Reporter

March was the month recognized as Pet Poison Prevention Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers that common household and environmental toxins pose to our animals. With nine out of ten pet poisonings occurring within the home, and incidents increasing around festive seasons like Easter, Halloween, and Christmas, it’s vital to understand which substances can be harmful to your pets, whether they’re dogs, cats, or horses. Recognizing these risks is key to safeguarding your pets.

Unfortunately, pet poisoning is frequently an emergency, often caused by every day items that owners may not recognize as dangerous. West Wind Veterinary Hospital recommends taking the following steps for prevention: take an hour to assess risks and pet-proof your home and barn, ask a veterinarian before giving any medications, store all medications and potential toxins safely, and ensure everything your animals might be able to eat is safe.

“Poisons are best treated by prevention of exposure. If accidental exposure occurs, treatment should be started before any symptoms are noticed,” warns Dr. Deborah Carroll of West Wind Veterinary Hospital.

For dogs and cats, over-the-counter and prescription medications are

among the leading causes of poisoning. Human medications such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and even vitamins can have toxic effects on pets. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free items and some peanut butter brands, is highly toxic to dogs and can cause severe hypoglycemia and liver failure. Foods like chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, and raisins can be deadly, leading to kidney failure, anemia, or neurological issues. Household products such as antifreeze, rodenticides, and cleaning agents also pose serious risks.

With gardening season just around the corner, it’s important to research any plants you plan to bring into your home or garden. Ingesting plants like aloe, daffodils, azaleas, and English ivy can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or more severe symptoms in pets. Some plants, like lilies, are highly toxic to cats and can cause fatal kidney failure. For horse owners, toxic plants and environmental hazards are a significant concern.

“All pastures should be inspected for weeds and other hazards before use. All feed changes should be gradual,” Dr. Carroll advises.

Alsike clover, while not native to Canada, was introduced in the 1800s and can be found in pastures, along roadsides, and in ditches throughout Alberta. It can cause photosensitivity

and liver damage in horses. Maple and Box Elder trees also pose a risk, as wilted leaves can lead to severe anemia in horses. Even black walnut shavings, sometimes used in bedding, can induce laminitis.

It is important to consider the placement and use of pesticides and rodenticides around barns and homes, as they can be fatal if ingested by pets. Additionally, contaminated feed, such as hay containing botulinum toxins from decaying organic matter, can lead to severe neurological damage in horses. Symptoms of poisoning in horses vary widely but may include colic, muscle tremors, incoordination, or sudden behavioral changes.

As we move into the warmer months, concerns about blue-green algae become more prevalent. This toxic algae can bloom in stagnant or slow-moving water, such as dugouts, ponds, and lakes, posing a significant health threat to dogs, cats, and horses. Dogs are especially vulnerable due to their tendency to swim and drink from natural water sources. Horses can be exposed when drinking from contaminated troughs or bodies of water.

Blue-green algae produce toxins that affect multiple organ systems, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea,

muscle tremors, seizures, liver failure, and even sudden death. If exposure is suspected, immediate veterinary attention is crucial.

“The most common error is waiting too long before seeking veterinary advice,” says Dr. Carroll.

Quick action can mean the difference between life and death. If poisoning is suspected, owners should immediately contact their veterinarian or an emergency poison control hotline, such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Centre or the Pet Poison Helpline, both available 24/7. Note that consultation fees may apply.

Prevention is the best defense against poisoning. Pet owners should store all medications, chemicals, and toxic foods safely out of reach. Regularly inspecting pastures for harmful plants, securing feed and supplements, and avoiding exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and toxic algae can help protect horses. Being mindful of potential hazards around the home, barn, and farm can go a long way in ensuring the health and safety of all animals.

This spring, take the time to assess your environment and make any necessary changes to keep your pets and livestock safe from harm.

community

Mayor Dueck and Council

• 4712 51 St Lamont 5,800 sq ft shop with office and sales space. Shop was used for agricultural machinery repair. Price: $450,000

LAMONT COUNTY

• HWY 834 between HWY 16 and TWP RD 530 Lamont County 19.48 acres with power and a holding tank. Nice building site. Price: $215,000.00

• 5317-50 Ave Andrew. An 18,000 sq. ft. manufacturing shop with office and storage space on 2.3 acres of land Price: $1,700,000

STRATHCONA COUNTY

• Parts of SW and SE-7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price: $5,100,000 We’re Always Looking For New Farm Listings!! Give us a Call, We’d Love To Sell Your Property!

Leslie Cholowsky

Alberta Agriculture reports that the period between the melting of snow and the emergence of fresh grass and leaves creates the highest risk for spring wildfires.

Last year Alberta’s Agricultural Service Boards released a shelter in place tool meant for municipalities as they prepared for an upcoming fire season.

The document had good advice for making a plan to shelter livestock in place in case of emergency, but also includes advice based on basic FireSmart principles to be applied to every building found on a farm or acreage.

One of the first things to do this spring is to assess your property and outbuildings. Storing items like piles of firewood, construction materials (or deconstruction materials), patio furniture, and other combustibles against or near a building can be a major fire hazard, according to FireSmart Canada.

Combustible mulch can ignite, producing embers that could ignite other combustible materials in your yard, increasing the chance of flames spreading to outbuildings or your home.

FireSmart guidelines recommend that evergreen trees, with cones and needles, not be within 10 m of a home or outbuilding.

FireSmart suggests you plan a 1.5 metre area around your outbuildings that is a non-combustible surface, to reduce the chance of wind-borne embers starting a fire.

Materials like gravel, brick, or concrete fit the bill perfectly, while woody shrubs, trees, and tree branches should be avoided. Well-mown grass is also suitable for this zone. A mown lawn is a fireresistant lawn, according to FireSmart guidelines. Grass shorter than 10 cm (around 4”) is less likely to burn.

Plant only fire-resistant plants and shrubs within a 10 m radius, and avoid using bark or pine needle mulches within 10 m of a building. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock can significantly reduce your risk of fire.

Regularly clean up accu-

mulations of fallen branches, dry grass, and pine needles from the ground to eliminate surface fuels. Remove all branches to a height of two metres from the ground on evergreens within 30 metres of your buildings.

FireSmart guidelines say that reducing the risk of a surface fire on your farmland includes managing

vegetation around fence lines, corral lines, and ditches. A buildup of grass, weeds, and brush make excellent fuel for wildfires.

Reducing vegetation around buildings lowers the risk of wildfire, same as old corrals and unused corners of the yard.

FireSmart rules around feed storage say that dry bales are a magnet for

sparks and embers. Once ignited, they cause fires that can quickly spread and be difficult to put out. Store bales a good distance away from outbuildings. Clean up old hay and straw from broken bales.

Being prepared for a wildfire may help decrease the chances of a grass or wildland fire causing damages to your buildings.

Province says it’s investing $330M over

to improve rural health

Anna Smith

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Budget 2025s new Rural Hospital Enhancement Program would invest about $330 million over three years to support health capital projects in communities across the province.

If passed, Budget 2025 will provide $15 million to support project planning in rural communities, which includes conducting facility and functional assessments of rural hospitals to determine what capital planning solutions and services are required to maximize each facilitys potential, said the province.

Rural Albertans should be able to access the health-care services they need close to home.

The new Rural Hospital Enhancement Program will ensure we are continuing to make data-driven decisions, and that resources are

being appropriately deployed to address the areas with the greatest need, said Minister of Health Adriana Lagrange.

Once project plans for each facility are developed, they will be used to inform future capital planning discussions and funding decisions for new projects, expediting the time between planning and construction.

Alberta’s government is also supporting existing capital programs and projects that will maximize the potential of rural health-care facilities.

The province says these investments aim to ensure that rural patients can receive care in the communities where they reside, reducing the need for long-distance travel to urban centres for essential medical services, reducing the pressure on major centres and support the wellbeing of

rural Albertans.

”As an MLA from rural Alberta, I know first-hand how important it is to have access to high-quality health care facilities close to home,” said Minister of Infrastructure Martin Long in a statement.

“This investment in projects in rural communities across Alberta will enhance care and strengthen our communities. I cannot wait to get to work on these critical projects.”

Support for Ag needed over China tariffs

George Lee Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A reignited trade war the one with China has made federal action essential to protect Alberta farmers and agrifood industries, UCP members and ministers said last week.

On March 20 China imposed 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil, canola meal and peas from Canada, along with 25 per cent tariffs on fish, other aquatic products and pork. The move followed Canadas tariffs launched last October of 100 per cent on Chinas electric cars and 25 per cent on its aluminum and steel.

But Chinese allegations and actions affecting Canadian canola go back at least to 2019. Thats when the worlds most populous country restricted Canadian canola for three years, claiming pests were found in the major Prairies product.

We are pressing Ottawa for urgent support, including compensation, market diversification efforts and a stronger focus on trade negotiations, Agriculture and Irrigation Minister R.J. Sigurdson told the legislature.

It’s very clear that due to the scope and scale of the impacts of this trade war (with China), the only institution that can compensate our farmers enough is the federal government. We need them to come to the table, and we need them to deal with this and support our farmers right now, said the minister.

A trade restriction blocked canola shipped by two major Canadian players between March 2019 and May 2022, with China alleging pests were detected in shipments.

Pundits speculated, however, that the restriction was a reaction to Canadas arrest of the chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei. Detained in Vancouver over U.S. charges of bank and wire fraud that were eventually dismissed, Meng Wanzhou returned to

China in 2021 after she was released from house arrest.

Then came Canadian tariffs announced last year on electric cars, steel and aluminum from China, and the trade war was on again. Almost immediately, in September, China announced an antidumping investigation against Canada. This year years tariffs of canola, peas, pork and aquatic food followed.

Matt Jones, the minister of jobs, economy and trade, said: “The uncertainty these tariffs create for business disrupts supply chains and reduces market confidence, but were committed to working with federal and international partners to protect our economy, diversify trade and maintain global market access.”

“A $30-billion industry in Canada, canola supports thousands of goodpaying jobs,” Jones said.

Alberta Treasury Branch reporting says that in 2024 Alberta exported over $408 million

in canola oil and meal and over $138 million in dried peas to China.

Alberta government data pegs the value of all 2020 exports to China at $4.5 billion. That number had grown by nearly half to $6.7 billion by 2024.

Said Jones, “the member for Calgary-South East, We need to ensure that these new tariffs dont slow down our momentum.”

Canada followed the lead of the U.S. under Joe Biden last year in instituting an electric car tariff to protect the North American industry from the communist superpowers subsidies.

The earlier dispute had already cost the canola industry between $1.54 billion and $2.35 billion in lost sales and lower prices between March 2019 and August 2020, reported the Canola Council of Canada.

China is Canadas largest canola seed destination, with more than 4.5 million tonnes worth $3.8 billion exported in

Continued on Ag Page 22

Viking Meats

Southern Alberta irrigation: the deep expense of expansion

Cal Braid

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Historically, the productivity coming out of an irrigated parcel of land is significantly higher than dry land. It also has the security of having a productive crop year over year because it’s not completely weather dependent on rainfall. However, there’s a catch: It ain’t cheap.

As general manager of Canada’s largest irrigation district, David Westwood knows the business of supplying water to thirsty farmland. Westwood’s St. Mary River Irrigation District has upwards of 500,000 acres under irrigation after amalgamating with the Taber Irrigation District in 2022.

While irrigation is a more surefire ticket to crop success than dry land, Westwood said it involves a lot more than buying pivots for one’s land. The overall cost includes the pump, power source, pipeline, controls, and in-

stallation fees, and that’s just the hardware for a functional system. A quarter section pivot could cost $160K to $175K factoring in the components and setup.

“It’s a significant capital investment, and it’s not just putting in the pivots,” Westwood said. “For example, if that land now becomes a potato crop, you’re going to be looking at having to then build storage to be able to handle the potatoes, because based on your contracts, they ship all year round. You’ve got to store them in the off-season when it’s not growing season, all those kinds of things. It’s almost always much more than just the investment in the actual irrigation infrastructure of the pivot; it’s all the ancillary things of what you need to do on your farm to be able to grow that product, store that product, and then ship that product.”

Fuel and truck costs are an added consideration, too. Farmers require trucks

or in some cases, a fleet of trucks and drivers to haul loads of crops to elevators or processing facilities.

In 2022, SMRID increased its expansion limit acres. The District’s modeling indicated that between the pipeline modernization project savings plus the extra storage from the planned Chin Reservoir expansion, it would be able to service up to 80,000 more acres.

“We had a lottery for the first 15,000 acres and we’re doing these in very di-

gestible (increments) over many, many years. Those now have been fully subscribed for and by this irrigation season coming up, those new 15,000 acres are now potentially coming into production.”

Some farmers will be irrigating on previously held dry land, and some are expanding upon preexisting irrigation.

“Some are just putting irrigation acres on a parcel of land that did not have irrigation acres on it before, but a part of that par-

cel did so,” Westwood explained. “A classic example would be they had enough irrigation acres under the circle pivot, but in the past had never chosen to have irrigation acres in the four dry corners of a circle pivot. But now they’ve chosen to put irrigation acres on all those corners, and it gives them

the flexibility they may want to do a corner arm system, or they just may want the water that comes along with those acres.”

Building a progressive and productive farming business is no cinch, but modern advancements have turned agriculture into a huge business–if you can afford the buy-in.

What’s different about PowerRich Fertilizer

When you compare the PowerRich fertilizer program with traditional fertilizer you’ll notice 3 big differences and they are:

PowerRich, along with your present nitrogen program, provides a total fertilizer. In addition to phosphorus and potassium PowerRich also provides all of the other nutrients that are either absent from your soil or in a form unavailable to your crops.

PowerRich fertilizer uses nutrients that are all compatible with one another. PowerRich uses primary, secondary and micronutrients which are compatible and are readily available to your crop.

The third main difference with the PowerRich fertilizer program and traditional fertilizer, is that rather than applying the fertilizer all in one shot, the PowerRich program is a 3 part program that is tailored to the different requirements of your crop as it grows.

Warnings from prairie farmers about carbon capture risks

Poitras Staff Reporter

In a recent release from National Farmers Union (NFU), the organization explains that prairie farmers are expressing their concerns about the dangers of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

“CCS projects pose a number of risks to human, animal, and environmental health.

Pipeline ruptures pose asphyxiation risks from CO2, as well as contamination risks from toxic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, which is carried alongside CO2. Concerns also have been raised about CCS storage facilities leaking and leading to dissolution of CO2 into groundwater. The dissolution of CO2 in water creates carbonic acid, which is unsafe for both humans and livestock” NFU says.

The goal of CCS is to cut carbon emissions to

limit the rise of global temperatures. As defined on the Shell Canada website, “carbon capture and storage is a combination of technologies that capture and release carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground, preventing its release into the atmosphere.”

“At Shell, we believe that CCS will be essential for helping society to achieve net-zero emissions,” Shell Canada’s website says.

In a meeting on the carbon capture project held in October of last year in Viking, concerns were raised about the usage of good farmland during the process of CCS.

“We are not looking for areas where there is good farmland (to use). The work is mainly underground,” geophysicist Alexa Tomlinson explained.

However, NFU board member Glenn Norman, of Red Deer County, says CCS is not the answer.

“Geological carbon cap-

ture and so-called ‘storage’ is no solution at all to climate change. Nearly all attempts to date have failed and leaked to the surface, contaminating both ground and surface water,” Norman said.

“The NFU, in collaboration with other groups, is focusing its attention on the Cold Lake CCS Project,” NFU says.

“Carbon Capture aids and abets the priorities of the oil and gas sector, which prioritizes unsustainable extraction and exploitation. In solidarity with farmers and the Indigenous peoples affected by the Cold Lake CCS Project we must understand that is not in their interests. When we make connections to what Albertans have endured: the droughts, the wildfires, the smoke and poor yields, to the risks of CCS, it is clear that the Cold Lake Project does not benefit us,” NFU youth president Adama

Bundu, of Edmonton, said.

There is currently a running facility, Quest CCS, operated by Shell Canada on behalf of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project located at the Scotford Upgrader northeast of Edmonton.

“Shell opened the refinery and styrene plant at Scotford in 1984. A monoethylene glycol plant was added in 2000. The Shelloperated Scotford Upgrader opened in 2003 and it was expanded in 2011. The Shell-operated Quest CCS facility was added to capture CO2 from the three hydrogen manufacturing units within the upgrader in 2015,” Shell’s website says.

In June 2024 Shell announced the Final Investment Decision for Polaris, the carbon capture project at Scotford, as well as the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub in partnership with ATCO EnPower.

“The Atlas Carbon Storage Hub from Shell

and ATCO EnPower intends to store CO2 emissions generated in the Alberta Industrial Heartland region. The first phase of Atlas will store CO2 emissions captured by Shell’s Polaris carbon capture project. CO2 emissions captured by Polaris will be sent to the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub via an approximately 22-kilometre pipelineto two storage wells located in Strathcona County. CO2 will be stored approximately two kilometres underground in the Basal Cambrian Sands, the same formation used to successfully store CO2 from the Quest CCS facil-

ity currently operating at Shell Scotford,” Shell Canada Community Relations Advisor Janine King said in a previous interview with the Tofield Mercury.

“Polaris and Atlas will build on the success of the Quest carbon capture and storage facility at Scotford, which has safely captured and stored more than nine million tonnes of CO2 from the Scotford upgrader since 2015 that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere. Both projects are expected to begin operations toward the end of 2028,” she said.

Vanessa

By Sylvain Charlebois (Troy Media)

Canada has started a trade war with China, yet few in Ottawa seem willing to acknowledge the consequences.

Unlike the United States, which often imposes tariffs as a bargaining chip only to later negotiate, China takes a far more calculated and punitive approach. When Beijing retaliates, it targets industries with both economic and symbolic significance, ensuring maximum pressure on its adversary.

In Canada’s case, that means agricultural exports—particularly canola, known globally as “Canada oil,” and Atlantic lobster, both of which have now become collateral damage in this escalating dispute.

The fallout is already being felt. Starting March 20, Canadian grain farmers, hog producers and seafood harvesters face 100 per cent tariffs when exporting to China, a critical market for these sectors.

Canola, which generated $3.72 billion in exports in recent years, is now under anti-dumping investigations, while rapeseed oil—a major processed product—is being hit with prohibitive tariffs. Pork exports, once thriving, have dwindled as China tightens import restrictions, and the billion-dol-

lar seafood industry, led by lobster and crab, is now facing similar uncertainty.

This crisis was set in motion by Ottawa’s decision last October to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and batteries, mirroring a move by the United States. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to align with U.S. President Joe Biden, aiming to shield North American manufacturing from an influx of cheap Chinese imports.

But now, with both leaders gone, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear he has no intention of reversing course.

China’s retaliation follows a familiar pattern. When Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver in 2018 at the request of the U.S., Beijing didn’t retaliate against Washington—it went after Canadian farmers, restricting key agricultural exports.

The same playbook is being used now, yet Ottawa appears either oblivious or unwilling to acknowledge how much damage this is causing to its own producers.

At the core of this conflict is Canada’s high-stakes bet on electric vehicles and battery manufacturing. The federal government has commit-

ted nearly $50 billion to develop the sector, funding projects like Stellantis and LG’s battery plant in Windsor, Volkswagen’s gigafactory in St. Thomas, Ont., and Northvolt’s facility in Quebec—despite Northvolt’s financial struggles and reports that its parent company is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Additional billions have gone to Ford and other automakers as part of

Canada’s strategy to become a global battery hub. While these subsidies are intended to create jobs and secure supply chains, they come with immense financial and economic risks. There is no guarantee that Canada’s EV industry will be globally competitive or that these government-backed projects will deliver on their promised returns.

Continued on Page

BULLARAMA

Alberta organization seeks to improve farm mental health services

Kari Janzen Staff Reporter

AgKnow, providing an Alberta approach to farm mental health, seeks to provide better access and use of the mental health services currently available, and works to ensure those services align with the needs of farmers.

“The work that resulted in AgKnow began in 2021 when the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation responded to a resolution from the Agricultural Service Boards asking for farm specific mental health resources and services,” AgKnow program director Linda Hunt said.

“The initial ask was for Agriculture Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) to adapt some mental health resources for agriculture industry. To do that we needed to know which resources and who needed them, which resulted in the project becoming a needs assessment, and then a quest to answer the question, What does a made for Alberta Farm Mental Health program need to be?” Hunt said.

AgKnow is working to increase the capacity of mental health providers in the agriculture industry to address to growing concerns about farmer mental health.

“Research in Canada is showing that farmers have higher rates of suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression than the general public, and in the US they found farmers are twice as likely to die by suicide than the general public. But what should or can be done about it? There are programs asking this question across Canada, and some exciting new supports that are becoming available.

“But what would work for farmers here? We discovered that there are places in the province that mental health services are underutilized and the providers are unsure what is preventing farmers from accessing them. In other places the services either don’t exist or are overburdened with demand. So, since 2021 AgKnow has been connecting with farmers, farm associations, and professionals that work in agriculture, health care programs, and researchers to work out how to increase the capacity of our health and mental health providers and our agriculture industry to support farmers, their families, and veterinarians,” Hunt said.

AgKnow is undergoing many projects and initiatives, including funding research, pilot programs, working with industry groups, attending events to speak with farmers, providing online webinars, and conducting surveys.

“We seed funded research in Alberta so we can get a good handle on what is happening now, and continue to con-

nect and encourage new projects that make discoveries or validate methods of outreach. We pilot programs like our farm informed counselling network, and workshops on resiliency, suicide prevention, and mental health literacy.

“We work with industry groups to incorporate mental health content into publications where farmers are already engaged, like the calving resources at the Beef Cattle Research Council (www.beefresearch.ca/blog/how-to-prepareyourself-and-your-beef-operation-for-calving-season/).

“We also attend events with farmers and talk about the struggles on farm for their feedback and insights. We provide online webinars designed to encourage deeper understanding of topics that farmers have identified as important. We conduct surveys and take the results to program and service providers in hopes we can encourage the development of services that meet the needs of farm families. It is important to us that we are meeting the needs of farmers and a benefit to their farming operation,” Hunt said.

In order to operate, AgKnow applies for grant funding, but that does not cover all costs associated with running the organization.

“Funding has been a big challenge for us. Even though the province has been very supportive, project grants do not cover all of our costs, so we need to leverage the grant investment with nongrant funds. Last year our one-year grant finished and the four-year grant application was delayed so we ended up working with our stakeholders to keep things moving. The support from industry has rolled in in small bits and has been keeping us afloat but not providing the stability required to keep employees.

“These are the growing pains that many worthwhile initiatives go through and the outpouring of support from rural municipalities, farmers, and farm associations gives me optimism that things can get better,” Hunt said.

If individuals or businesses are interested, AgKnow has a donation link on their website and Hunt said they are always open for sponsorship conversations.

“We are working on an agreement that will give us charitable status so we can issue charitable receipts, and in the meantime a number of partners have provided funding to keep things moving. I am very grateful to ATB, Results Driven Ag Research, PorchLight society, rural municipalities, and individual donors that have contributed financially and with in-kind support.

Continued to page Continued on Ag Page 18

Ottawa has essentially chosen to apply a supply management-style approach to an emerging sector—limiting competition, inflating costs and betting taxpayer money on an industry that is far from proven. As history has shown, when markets are heavily managed, consumers end up with higher prices, lower quality and fewer choices.

In prioritizing Ontario and Quebec’s manufacturing jobs, Ottawa has knowingly sacrificed the interests of Canadian farmers and seafood harvesters. Yet, rather than acknowledging this trade-off or offering support, the federal government has remained largely silent.

The absence of a response from new Agriculture Minister Kody Blois is particularly troubling. With farmers already struggling due to rising costs and declining margins, the imposition of 100 per cent tariffs on critical exports

is a major blow.

If Minister Blois does not act swiftly to defend Canada’s agricultural sector, farmers and seafood harvesters will be left to bear the full weight of Ottawa’s geopolitical gamble.

Canada’s handling of this trade war has been reckless. Instead of mitigating risks, the government has gone all in on an industry that remains untested while turning its back on agricultural sectors that have long been pillars of the Canadian economy.

If Minister Blois and the government fail to intervene, the economic consequences for Canadian farmers and seafood producers will be severe. Ottawa may have been willing to make this gamble, but it’s the agricultural sector that will ultimately pay the price.

What a mess.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Canadian professor and researcher in food distribution and policy. He is senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and co-host of The Food Professor Podcast. He is frequently cited in the media for his insights on food prices, agricultural trends, and the global food supply chain.

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This has been the hardest and yet most rewarding project I have every worked on,” she said.

When asked what questions people usually have in relation to AgKnow, Hunt said most ask how they can help.

“It’s not a hard sell, as the last few years have been very difficult for the health care system in Alberta, and for rural residents it has felt like a centralization of services in the urban areas. So much change in how or if services are available,

and at the same time some new services being rolled out that blanket the province, like Counselling Alberta which offers no wait time, long and short-term counselling services, virtually everywhere in the province, and, in some places, in person, on a sliding scale thanks to funding from the new Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

We are excited to be partnering with them and increasing the number of farm informed counsellors in their network so

that every farm family has affordable access,” she said.

Hunt said that AgKnow has been funded as a discovery project, but with the huge need, they are working with the ARECA board to work out how to move from a short-term discovery project to a long-term initiative.

“We have an updated report with recommendations that is being published on our website right now as well as some videos from our stakeholder engagement ses-

sions that anyone interested can watch and provide feedback through an online form. It’s really helpful to us to hear from farmers from all types of farms, and all areas of Alberta so we can really speak with their voice when advocating for services and ensure the services will actually meet real needs in the industry,” she said.

Hunt said the best way for people to stay in touch and find out what the organization is up to, is through the website, AgKnow.ca and by sub-

scribing to their newsletter.

“Getting farmers to participate in our surveys and engagements helps us stay on track to make a real difference for the community. Right now, we have a survey about farm transition that is helping us dive deeper into the “farm family dynamics” that are a main driver of farm families to reach out for counselling support,” she said.

Battle River Railway a Central Alberta success story

Leslie Cholowsky

The Battle River Railway New Generation Co-op (BRR NGC) was started in 2010 with local investors, many of whom were farmers, to purchase a shortline railway that serviced the communities of Kelsey, Rosalind, Forestburg, Heisler, Galahad, and Alliance.

The Co-op has different types of shares

In all, it’s 52 miles of straight railway, the longest straight section of railway in Alberta, they say.

BRR General Manager Matt Enright says the original model for the railway was under the single-desk model, and was a sure-fire way to get producer cars to clients/shareholders in an age of big crops and small rail capacity.

A lot has changed since then.

BRR has experienced a lot of growth, and now has multiple revenue streams. That includes rail freight, shipping grain, fertilizer, and fly ash. Enright says a new contract will soon also bring bentonite clay hauling. BRR is also now doing grain merchandising.

Revenue also comes from rail car storage and switching, transloading, and even tourism, although the latter is a break-even at best.

In 2020, BRR purchased existing grain elevators in Rosalind, Heisler, and Alliance, and added transloading to its revenue streams.

In about 2021, BRR added some track at Forestburg to substantially reduce the amount of switching required, also reducing the impact of operating across public crossings.

In 2024 BRR got rid of three 70-yearold timber bridges on the line, replacing them with concrete ‘box culverts.’ Not only was this time efficient, with less than a week per bridge, it was also cost efficient, with an expected lifespan of 100 years. The new culverts are also able to handle flood runoff more efficiently and safely.

Enright says this project was funded by the federal Rail Safety Improvement Program with a grant for $2.9 million.

In 2022, BRR applied for grant funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund, part of that was meant to cover the bridge upgrades, and part to extend a spur line into the Forestburg Industrial Park that is currently under development.

After two years, news of that grant’s approval came, after the Rail Safety Improvement Grant had been received; luckily the two were stackable.

This grant was for $5.7 million but a lot had changed since the application went in. With this additional funding, instead of bridge improvements, BRR was able to do bridge replacement, with most of that cost covered by the two grants.

A revised project list for the NTCF grant has been approved, which includes building the track out in Alliance this year, as well as adding five times the existing storage capabilities, with five 900-tonne bins and also adding a

third track. This will provide the ability to load 100 cars.

“That represents a lot of growth and room to grow a grain business. We feel like there is a lot of potential in Alliance, they are close to a lot of acres.”

Enright says in Forestburg the plan for construction season 2027 is hopefully to put a rail spur in as well. “We would like to see a tenant in place by then.”

Enright says all projects under the Continued on Ag Page 32

The Battle River Railway New Gen Co-op owns the shortline raiway that runs from just east of Highway 53 to Alliance, and is based out of Forestburg, shown here. At the bottom of the photo is the two-track locomotive house. The upper right corner shows a corner of the new industrial park in Forestburg where a rail spur could be built to accomodate an industrial tenant needing rail access.

Municipalities want end to oil and gas property tax loopholes

Brett McKay Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) says its members are facing an unpaid oil and gas property tax burden of $253.9 million. As new arrears are added each year, the chance of recovering these unpaid millions is shrinking, and municipalities are calling on the province fix well-known loopholes that let debtor companies off the hook.

In 2024, the unpaid oil and gas property taxes owed to rural municipalities grew by $67.8 million, more than 50 per cent higher than the outstanding taxes owed in 2023, according to a survey of RMA members.

The portion of this debt owed by insolvent companies is now over 60 per cent, leaving municipalities with little

choice but to accept their losses and write off the debt.

“When these companies are put up for sale or transferred, there is no opportunity for municipalities to attach that unpaid property tax portion to the resale or to try and get any of the value back,” said RMA President Kara Westerlund.

“There is no mechanism, whether legislation or within the (Alberta Energy Regulator), that allows us to be a creditor.”

The fact that municipalities are powerless to compel tax payment is well known within the oil and gas industry, Westerlund said.

The recent spike in the number of insolvent companies suggests several non-viable companies continued operating, and not paying taxes, in 2023 before going under last year,

according to RMA.

The growing issue of insolvency highlights the need for the AER to “adopt a more effective approach to ensure that the oil and gas industry meets its tax obligations to municipalities while still operating,” the RMA said in a its 2024 report on unpaid oil and gas taxes.

Rural municipalities are owed over $100 million by operational companies. Though hundreds of oil and gas companies currently have unpaid property taxes, a handful of bad actors are responsible for a huge portion of the debt. The ten worst offenders owe a combined $67 million, and a single company owes over $27 million to 19 municipalities.

“The attempts in the last several years to put

a stop to this type of behaviour in the industry are not working. RMA is willing to work through the solutions.

Westerlund said RMA is hoping to meet with officials from Municipal Affairs and Energy and Minerals to create a

“We're willing to come to the table. But enough is enough,” Westerlund said.

bility strategy and implement solutions to strengthen enforcement and eliminate the unpaid property tax problem.

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It’s the Experience — make memories and fulfill your Bucket List in 2025 with Battle River Train Excursions. With headquarters in Forestburg, the Friends of the Battle River Railway (FBRR) are delighted to offer private charters alongside a great lineup of theme-based day train excursions this year.

2025 Excursions

May 17 - Sip N’ Ride Brewery Tour

June 14 - Historic Heisler Hotel Excursion

July 19 - A Prairie Town Train Excursion

August 16 - Explore Farm to Fork by Train

November 29 & 30 - Murder on the Battle River Express

December 13 - Santa Daze Train to Alliance

For more information about private charters, renting the station, or any of our train excursions, visit:

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China Tariffs

Continued from Page 7

2023, the federal government published in a September statement.

The UCPs Glenn van Dijken, the member for Athabasca-BarrheadWestlock, said last week: “Alongside the energy sector, Alberta’s economy rests on the health and prosperity of our agricultural sector. It supports thousands of jobs and contributes billions to our provinces economy.

“Canadian farmers and food producers now face serious economic uncertainty thanks to China and their retaliative tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.”

Grant Hunter, the UCP member for TaberWarner, said: “This escalation in trade tensions has already significantly impacted bilateral trade and will continue to do so while these tariffs remain in place.”

Sigurdson, the Agriculture Minister, called the situation ”very complex” and said its full impact remains unknown.

“Our province, of course, has a long history of standing up for its economic interests, and thats exactly what were doing,” added Sig-

urdson, the member for Highwood.

The legislatures discussion of trade with China takes place as the Trump effect continues shaking the foundation of geopolitics and geoeconomics.

Since his inauguration in January, President

Donald Trump has posted and postured about using tariffs in a way he claims will amp up homeland industries and create a golden age in the U.S.

The levels and broad brush of his U.S. tariffs are unprecedented in post-Second World War

trade, and most economists say they wont achieve what Trump says they will.

Although Trumps tariffs against Canada have been on-again, offagain, some level of implementation supposedly happens this week.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada will have to adapt to a new era of its trade relationship with the U.S. A federal election in

Canada on April 28 further complicates matters, as leaders for the three major parties crisscross the country on the campaign trail.

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Organic Alberta holds conference to equip farmers with information

Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter

Established in 2004 and originally named Going Organic Network of Alberta, Organic Alberta represents over 660 organic producers and processors in Alberta, along with over 100 businesses across the organic community with the mission to represent, support, and grow Alberta’s entire organic industry. The organization holds training and informational workshops regularly across the province.

A recent conference was held in Nisku, running from Friday, February 28 to Sunday,

March 2.

“Organic Alberta has hosted this Annual Conference and Tradeshow since 2015. It brings together over 200 attendees, including farmers and ranchers, industry professionals, organic experts, and key stakeholders in the organic sector,” Small Farm Canada’s website said in promotion of the event.

“In 2025, we are delighted to collaborate with the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association to launch the Agri-tourism 2035 Growth Strategy. With over 25 speakers and multiple break-out sessions, the annual Organic

Alberta conference offers a fantastic opportunity to equip farmers, producers, U-pick berry growers and agritourism operations with the information they need to succeed while fostering valuable connections within the industry,” the website said.

The conference included Member of Parliamentfor the Edmonton Riverbend riding, Matt Jeneroux, who spoke on mental health awareness, along with the impact of tariffs, counter-tariffs and a team Alberta approach presented by Bianca Parsons, the Executive Director of the Alberta Food Processors Association.

Both Organic Alberta and Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association held their AGM during the Nisku conference, covering topics to be explored in the upcoming year. Currently, less than 25 per cent of domestic demand for organic vegetables at retail is filled by Canadian producers. With the growing desire for organic products, more than 20 million Canadians are buying organic products weekly, Organic Alberta’s website says. There are nearly 5,000 certified organic farms in Canada and the number is rising as there is an increase in research and funding that is being distrib-

uted to the organic sector.

To help encourage new farmers to enter organic farming, Organic Alberta launched the program ‘Young Agrarians’ in 2015, funded by Peavey Mart’s Agricultural Community Grant. The program has been a successful initiative that helps grow the next generation of ecological farmers in Alberta who are looking to gain skills and knowledge by helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges of starting a farm. Farmer-to-farmer relationships begin to develop by networking at workshops and farm tours put on by the Young Agrarian program.

Tofield Ag

Busy B Bargains

Mundare farming family legacy honoured with provincial award

Mundare farming family legacy honoured with award

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Michael Zeleny was in his 20s when he first immigrated to Canada in search of a new life during the early 1900s.

After first arriving in Vancouver, he eventually purchased 160 acres of land near Mundare for $3,700 in 1920. Soon after, he met and married his bride, Eva.

Little did he realize that over 100 years later, his descendants would not only still be working the land and calling it home, but the Zeleny name would be forever chiseled into history with an Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award from the provincial government.

Last month Zeleny’s son, Clarence, 88, along with his wife Norma and their family were presented with the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch award at their home by Fort SaskatchewanVegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk.

The award recognizes farms whose families have owned and operated the same land for 100 years or more.

Robb Zeleny, Clarence’s son, said he’s very proud of his family’s farming history being recognized with the award.

“It’s a proud feeling. Not too many farms can farm on the same quarter for that many years and live there too. Grandpa lived there, dad lived there, that’s (huge),” he said. “I think (dad) was happy about it. He didn't show too much emotion, but I'm sure he was proud of it.”

Zeleny said his grandfather was one of the first in the area to have power installed, and he farmed until 1961 when Zeleny’s father Clarence took over. Zeleny said his father introduced cattle to the farm in 1963 which had, up until then, been raising pigs, chickens and grain.

He said over time, the farm which had once encompassed 160 acres, grew at it’s peak to over 3,400 acres.

Zeleny’s memories of growing up on the farm with his two sisters Arlette and Shauna, include having egg fights with old eggs found forgotten in the barn, spending time with the family dog Rex, and feeding newborn cattle.

“Living on the farm was truly the best life a person could ever ask for,” wrote Zeleny’s sister Shauna in a letter.

“There are so many memories we had growing up that made us who we are today.”

Shauna shared a heartwarming memory in her letter of the special care she gave to the many cats who lived on the farm.

“One of my jobs was to pick eggs from the chicken coop after school, but we also had probably 20 cats on the farm which I loved.

There were days when there weren’t enough leftovers to feed those cats, so I decided they couldn’t go hungry. I made a decision to take the profit from the eggs and feed a few dozen a day to the cats,” she said.

“Dad couldn’t figure out why the chickens stopped producing, but I think he knows now.”

Zeleny’s other sister Arlette described how her parents encouraged each of the three children to raise a calf of their own and once it was time to sell, put the

money into their bank accounts. She said her parents also passed

down the life lessons to their grandchildren.

“Dad and mom

looked after all nine grandchildren. All of them were instilled with life long learning lessons which we are all grateful for,” she said.

Meanwhile, Zeleny credits his son, Kyler, for the award happening at all.

“Kyler, my son, did all the paperwork. He's the one that got all the wheels going, did paperwork, phoned the city, phoned Jackie and got the wheels going,” he said.“

Continued on Page

Robb Zeleny tosses some grain into the air for a fun photo with his father, Clarence, standing nearby in 2014. The image was captured by Zeleny's son, photographer Kyler Zeleny.

RCMP arrest teenager with $15K in drugs

On March 19, the Red Deer RCMP Crime Reduction Team executed a search warrant on a residence in the Rosedale neighbourhood of Red Deer. As a result of the search warrant, police have seized approximately 800 grams of cocaine, packing materials, a digital scale and approximately $14,495 of Canadian currency.

A youth, aged 16, was arrested on scene and was found in possession of 16 pre-packaged bags of cocaine and two spitballs of cocaine.

The youth, who cannot be named under Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with the following offences:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking

• Proceeds of crime over $5,000

• Illegal possession of government documents

The youth was taken before a Justice of the Peace and was released on a Release Order with conditions.

They are scheduled to appear in court on April 3, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

“This arrest is part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt street level drug trafficking within Red Deer. Drug trafficking poses a threat to the safety and well-being of everyone, and we are committed to holding those involved responsible,” said Sgt. Robert Daisley. "We encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it. If you see something, say something”

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Mundare farmers

two quarters of dad’s,” he said adding there is still interest in farming from his sister’s families.

Continued from

Continued from Page 24

“He wanted it for Christmas, but Jackie just couldn't get there in time, so we gave it to (mom and dad) just a few weeks ago. I really appreciate Kyler doing this, because if it wasn't for him, we would have never have had this award.”

Kyler, a photographer and story-teller, has published three books so far on his small-town rural observations, and last Aug., Maclean’s magazine wrote an article on Kyler’s 2023 anthology ‘Bury Me in the Back Forty’.

The book chronicles small-town Mundare through photos taken by Kyler over a nine-year period.

Today, Zeleny said his dad was still farming with him up until last year. He said his father, who by nature is a gogetter, is starting to slow down.

“Dad was farming with me as of last year, no problem, 88 years old, and then all sudden, his knee (gave out) and he can't move around. It's bothering him, because he's a type of person that's got to go out and feed the cats and get the mail and whatnot, and he can't do that,” he said.

As far as the future of the Zeleny farm goes, Zeleny said his part may end when he retires.

“At peak time, we were farming 3,400 acres, and we had 300 animals in the yard, but we don't do that now, because we're slowing down. Dad sold his cattle, I sold my cattle, and now I am farming 1500 acres with

“It’s a proud feeling. I mean you’ve got three generations of Zelenys farming on the same quarter. I have a son, but his interests are not in the farm so it’s probably going to stop when I retire. It was a pleasure farming with my dad all of these years.”

The farm’s original owners, Mike and Eva Zeleny, both passed away months apart in 1972; Eva first at the age of 77 on Feb. 4 and Mike on May 19 at the age of 82.

According to the province’s website, the Century Farm and Family Award program began in 1992 and more than 1960 family farms have been recognized since its inception over 30 years ago.

The Zeleny children, Robb, Shauna (red pants) and Arlette with their father Clarence enjoying time with a newborn calf and the family dog, Rex, in 1974

Photo: Robb Zeleny

Clarence and Norma Zeleny sit proudly at their home with their Alberta Century Farm and Ranch award last month. Photo: Robb Zeleny

Bees

Joe Konecny Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Government of Canada’s 2023 Statistical Overview of the Canadian Honey and Bee Industry illustrates the size and impact of bee farming.

“Beekeeping is an important agricultural industry in Canada, producing honey and other hive products, and delivering valuable pollination services to farmers of orchard fruits, many berries, vegetables, forage, and the production of hybrid canola seed,” according to the report.

In 2021, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) estimated that the total annual economic contribution of honeybee

pollination was about $3.18 billion. When honeybee pollination of hybrid canola seed is also considered, the total estimated contribution is $7 billion per year.

The number of hives across the country increased in 2023 to 794,341, about 3.6 percent more than the previous year, consistent with the previous four years.

The volume of honey produced in Canada in 2023 increased 23.4 percent from a year earlier to 91.8 million pounds. The total value of the national harvest increased 8.2 percent over the previous year to $277 million, about 22 percent higher than the average of the previous four years.

About 64 percent of Canadian honeybee

colonies are in the Prairie provinces – Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta – however the majority (59 percent) of beekeepers with one or more honeybee colonies operate in Ontario and British Columbia.

Ontario and B.C. beekeepers manage 23 percent of colonies in Canada, however, the Prairie beekeepers accounted for 81 percent of national honey production in 2023, totaling 74,222 thousand pounds. Nationwide, 91,807 pounds were produced.

NTCF grant funding must by completed by March 2028 for reporting.

“Our main goal in Forestburg is to have the site development-ready,” Enright says, adding that the Village is a great partner in that by providing road access.

“We’ve got two years to market that development. Different clients have different needs, and might want a different configuration for a rail line. We are optimistic about rail accessibility bringing customers to the Forestburg development.

“We are on that stage of growth where we can be seen as a safe place to invest with successful partners.”

Enright says BRR’s expansion of services really follows the Federated Coop model, where diversification enhances profit for shareholders. “We are owned by our members, so our profit goes back primarily to those who invested in the short line, and those who use it.

“The shortline industry has passed the ‘prove it’ stage into established business and growth stage.”

That’s where BRR has an advantage over other shortlines, in that the rail quality in this shortline is superior to many other branch lines.

And growth has been very important to BRR and its members, he says. “In 2015 we started moving oil and grain, then oil stopped and there was a poor grain crop. Trying to reduce costs and manage through that was a lot less fun than figuring out how to grow and bring on new employees and new customers.

“We’ve had very committed shareholders. The vast majority of money put in were through investment shares. But we have committed shareholders, who feel proud to receive dividends and support a local business.”

vest locally.

“To have an avenue here where locals can invest locally turns into people who today are very proud to be shareholders.”

Overall, Enright says,

“The sooner the grain is on rail, the better it is for road authorities throughout the province,” he says.

“The Province spends a whole lot of money building and maintaining roads and almost zero money supporting rail.”

Enright says agreements with the Province put the entire cost of maintaining crossings on BRR’s shoulders. That includes four lighted crossings on Secondary Highway 855, and Highways 36 and 53, and the old 36 near Galahad, along with 53 uncontrolled crossings.

He says the Province’s Locomotive Fuel Tax went up March 1, some-

thing that hits a shortline harder than the big players.

BRR also supports the Friends of the Battle River Railway, who own a passenger car and open air car and run different tourism excursions throughout the year.

At Christmas, BRR partners with them to run local excursions by donation which they then donate to the local Food Banks. “We see that as a positive local interaction.”

P.O. Box 123, Lougheed, AB T0B 2V0 Manager: Jeremy Simpson Phone: 780-386-3771

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He says, “The new generation co-op model works very well in rural Alberta,” he says.

“In general we don’t lack capital or investment, we lack the ability to in-

Alliance Rail facility.

Rosalind Rail facility.

Heisler Rail facility.