5037
$219,000
$49,000
After a majority of CUPW members voted on Canada’s Post’s final offer, as requested of the Canada Industrial Relations Board by the corporation, most rejected the offer.
That encompasses both urban and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers.
Canada Post said Friday, “This means that negotiations between the parties remain unresolved and the uncertainty that has been significantly impacting your business will unfortunately continue.”
Canada Post says it is evaluating its next steps after the vote.
According to CUPW, the split between those accepting the offer and those rejecting the offer was about the same on each unit, with around 30-31 per cent for, and 68-69 per cent against.
CUPW said to its workers on Friday, “With the Government's help, the Corporation threw everything it had at us.
“The Employer launched a propaganda campaign like we’ve never seen before. For months now, we’ve heard nothing but scare tactics and fear mongering from Canada Post. And yet, members stood up, stuck together, and they made their votes count.
“The Government and Canada Post tried to divide us, but we said no!”
CUPW adds, “It’s time for Canada Post to come back to the bargaining table and start seriously negotiating. With these votes behind us, Canada Post must now recognize that the only way forward is to negotiate ratifiable col-
lective agreements that meet postal workers’ needs.”
The union says it’s ready to get back to the negotiating table and staying there until a deal is reached, and it expects the same from Canada Post.
The Union also says it is calling on the federal government to “prove to postal workers that it really respects the collective bargaining process, like it says it does.
“If the government truly respects unions and collective bargaining, it will keep out. No more back to work orders. No more forced votes.”
CUPW said earlier that during this time the national overtime ban will stay in place.
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Instantweather.ca issued a notice at 4:33 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, that a tornado had been reported with a storm at Hardisty that was moving to the northwest.
Ernie Ziegler, owner of Lakeview Liquor in Hardisty, looked north east from the store on Sunday, and saw the funnel cloud to his south west, heading in that direction, he says, across his view.
Ziegler says he thinks it touched down two or three km north of the town, but hasn’t heard of any damage.
Environment Canada issued a preliminary notice at 6:34 p.m. on Sunday, confirming that at approximately 4:30 p.m. a brief tornado was observed just north of Hardisty.
“Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) received several reports and photos of the tornado; however, there have been no reports of damage at this time.
“In collaboration with the Northern Tornadoes Project, ECCC meteorologists are seeking pictures of the tornado and/or any damage it may have caused. Should you have any information regarding this event, or to report severe weather at any time, please email abstorm@ec.gc.ca, or post to #abstorm on X (formerly Twitter).”
Earlier in the day, the region was under a special weather statement from Environment Canada warning that conditions were favourable for the development of funnel clouds.
“These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rap-
idly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms.
This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground. However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado.”
Environment Canada warns, “Treat any funnel cloud sighting seriously. Should a funnel cloud develop nearby, prepare to take shelter. These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning.”
Alberta could face a deep recession in 2030, driven not by global markets but by Ottawa’s climate agenda. A new analysis warns that federal plans to cap oil and gas emissions and cut greenhouse gases would hit Alberta harder than any other province, gutting jobs, income and government revenues.
According to recent analysis by the Conference Board of Canada, a respected non-partisan economic research group, the impact of these federal climate policies would be both severe and long-lasting. As the report states:
“Given the importance of the oil and gas sector to Alberta’s economy, the province will be disproportionately impacted by the policies in the ERP [Emissions Reduction Plan]. Alberta would experience a deep recession in 2030 and would subsequently experience slower economic growth compared to our Baseline forecast. As a result, Alberta’s GDP (11.0 per cent), employment (4.1 per cent), and government revenues (9.3 per cent) would all be lower than in our Baseline scenario in 2050. Also… incomes in Alberta would be 7.3 per cent, or $3,300 lower per person.”
These are not hypothetical figures. The modelling, presented to the Alberta government in January 2025, examined a range of scenarios, including different oil price assumptions and technology adoption paths. Regardless of the outlook, one conclusion stands out: Alberta would shoulder nearly 80 per cent of all Canadian oil and gas production cuts under the proposed emissions cap.
Oil and gas account for nearly one-third of Alberta’s GDP and a major share of its government revenues. With so much of the provincial economy dependent on energy production, the consequences of these federal mandates would be disproportionately severe.
This raises serious questions about fairness, federalism and the balance of power in Confederation. Why should one province absorb the lion’s share of the cost to satisfy national targets negotiated without its full consent?
This isn’t just poor policy: it’s deliberate and destructive.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government has recognized the threat and responded by forming the Alberta Next Committee and appointing a special negotiating team. Its efforts are aimed at securing a more balanced deal with Ottawa - an “Alberta Accord” that protects the province’s core economic interests while contributing to national climate goals through technology and innovation, not coercion.
Prime Minister Marc Carney has long promoted the idea of building a green economy, and his government appears poised to continue down that path. But real transitions require co-operation. A credible climate plan cannot be built by crippling one region to subsidize another.
Alberta is already leading in areas such as carbon capture, hydrogen and clean power generation. Yet those efforts risk being undercut by federal policies that punish energy producers simply for existing.
The memory of the National Energy Program looms large. Introduced by the first Trudeau government in the 1980s, it redirected energy revenues to Ottawa, drove investment out of Alberta and triggered one of the province’s worst economic downturns. The parallels today are hard to ignore: once again, a federal Liberal government is imposing top-down energy policy with little regard for the fallout in the West.
The situation also highlights a deeper issue—the steady erosion of provincial autonomy in economic decision-making. If federal policies can devastate one province’s economy in the name of national ambition, what does that say about the future of Canadian federalism?
The numbers are clear. The proposed federal emissions cap would gut Alberta’s economy, eliminate jobs and cripple public revenues. The Smith government must escalate its pushback and build broad provincial support to stop Ottawa from repeating the mistakes of the past. Alberta cannot afford a second National Energy Program. © Troy Media
Lennie Kaplan
Lennie Kaplan is a former senior manager in the Fiscal and Economic Policy Division of Alberta’s Treasury Board and Finance Ministry.
Alberta T0B 4C0 Phone 780-385-6693
E-mail: (Advertising): production.cp@gmail.com, (News): newsroom.cp@gmail.com
by the
As I’ve been door knocking through the Camrose Constituency there’s one message that always comes through loud and clear: access to health care close to home is a top priority.
Whether it’s a regular check-up, young families visiting their family doctor, or a follow up appointment to examine an injury, Albertans shouldn’t have to drive long distances just to get basic care.
That’s why I’m proud to share that Alberta’s government is taking action to improve access to care in rural communities like ours. Two exciting programs are already making a difference.
First, we launched the $16 million Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary Pilot Program to support 74 family medicine residents committing to practice in rural Alberta.
The bursary offers up to $125,000 for rural placement to future doctors committed to staying and serving rural families after their training ends. That means long-term access to family physicians, not just short-term help.
Second, Alberta’s government is providing $6 million through the Rural Team Recruitment Grant to help rural clinics hire nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other non-physician professionals. This is about building strong, team-based care that serves the needs of the whole community.
I’m thrilled to share that Bashaw is one of the 29 clinics receiving support in this first round of funding. With this help, they’ll be able to bring in new full-time professionals to help families get the care they need close to home.
These programs are part of Alberta’s Rural Health Action Plan, a long-term strategy to make sure Albertans can access the care they need, when they need it.
Alberta’s government is listening to rural voices and delivering real solutions. These investments are a sign of what we can accomplish when we put community needs first.
We will have work to do, and as your MLA, I will always fight to make sure communities across my constituency get their share of health resources. But today, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating meaningful progress towards a stronger future for rural health in Alberta.
If you have any questions about the programs, or ideas to keep improving health care in our region, my door is always open.
Let’s keep working together for the health and wellbeing of rural Alberta.
My team and I are door knocking across the constituency. If we miss you and you would like to talk, please call the office.
Jackie Lovely, MLA Camrose Constituency
Tel: 780-672-0000 Email: camrose@assembly.ab.ca
Janelle Fuller
Four members of the Viking Wings Hockey Association will soon be on their way to the hockey experience of a lifetime.
All four were selected by officials of the Czech Hockey Experience, a group organized in Edmonton. They were scouted by a staff of knowledgeable hockey scouts commandeered by former Oiler and Stanley Cup winner, Norm Lacombe.
AAA players were selected from Yellowknife to Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and will represent the ‘best of the best’ play-
ing hockey against players of the same age abroad.
In all, four members of the U13 Viking Wings team were selected.
They are Reece Fuller from Castor, Walker Westman from Vermilion, Evander Charters from Hughenden, and Jens Aicken from Camrose will represent the Viking Wings hockey organization.
Other players from Calgary, Fort McMurray, and the Edmonton area make up the remainder of the team.
This elite hockey experience commenced on Wednesday, Aug. 6, when
the players and their families leave for Europe, and they will return home on Saturday, Aug. 16. Their itinerary includes the cities of Prague, Brno, Stopkova, Bratislav, Vesely, and Ceske Budejovice.
While playing hockey in these regions the team will also enjoy tours of ancient castles, the ancient Cave Vypustek, and the Budweiser factory, as well as ferry tours on the river of Czechin.
We wish this group of young hockey players the hockey experience of a lifetime, playing the game they love, in beautiful Czechia.
Program Support – FIRST Seniors Choices Program Part-time Contract | 14 hours/week - 1 year Contract.
Flagstaff’s Informed Response Sharing Team (FIRST) is seeking a compassionate and organized individual to join our team in supporting the Seniors Choices Program. This role focuses on enhancing the quality of life for seniors in Flagstaff County through direct participant support, administrative coordination, and community outreach.
Key Responsibilities:
•Assist seniors in accessing program services, resources, and supports.
•Maintain accurate records and handle related correspondence, database management.
•Help plan and coordinate workshops, social events, and activities.
•Engage in outreach to promote the program and connect with local organizations.
•Support volunteer recruitment and program resource management.
•Assist with applications for federal/provincial support programs and social prescribing.
Closing Date: August 15, 2025
To Apply: Please email your resume to Stacey McLennan, Director at director@flagstafffcs.ca.
must present a clean Driver’s Abstract and a Criminal Record Check. Drivers are paid per diem depending on time driving. Call Stacey at FFCS for more information at 780-385-3976 or apply in person at the FFCS Office in Killam, at 4809 49 Ave
The Care-A-Van is available for all residents within Flagstaff County for medical appointments to the city or closer, if there’s a need for transportation even within the region. Clients cover only the cost of fuel and parking (if any). Drivers are volunteers, and the client is not responsible for paying or tipping the driver.
Dammann Alliance
This is what I know this week.
Torinia Speed and Debby Crawford were in town for a few days to visit with their dad, Ken Neyrinck, Ken is still out on his acreage at the end of the railway track.
Alex Lindfors came from Picture Butte to give his dad, Steve a helping hand. Fifteenyear-old Alex helped with the removal of the old chain link fence and a dozen of the spruce
trees
That closed in the front of the property that was formerly, Ethel McCracken’s then Margo Kun’s. Using Phyllis Alcorn’s “Who Lived Where-and When,” I can tell you that the basement was dug and foundation prepared in 1952. The Clark house was moved from their farm in the Bellshill district to go on the new foundation. Thomas Clark died the following January. Son Earl and family moved in with Grandma Myrtle Clark.
Dorothy Reister and family lived there for a short time about 1963. Tom and Ethel McCracken were the next
owners.
Neighbours to the north, Ken and Shawna Fordice spent three days in their holiday trailer at Gull Lake for a family reunion. They then went to High River for the chuch wagon races as is their tradition established with Shawna’s twin sister Sheila Erion and Lloyd.
On Wednesday, Karin McCracken, Roseann Bauman, I, and Oliver the cat went to Consort to visit with Trudy Lamoriss who is in long term care there. Oliver behaved himself and Trudy enjoyed the visit with all of us. She has a lovely view from her room.
We stopped in Corona-
tion, on the way to Consort, to visit Karin’s brother, Eric Holmberg. We found Eric looking good and attending a birthday party which we crashed and were rewarded with saskatoon and rhubarb crisp, ice cream and coffee.
Since Wednesday’s visits turned out so well, I went Thursday to take Dianne Carroll out of the extended care at Galahad and join me and Julia Feltham for lunch at my place. Dianne enjoyed a visit with the cats, one of which was hers. A little tour around Alliance yielded a short visit with Doug Bullee, Anne Clough, Rose Mare Wickstrom and Grace
Choosing home in Alliance
Maggy McIntyre
When some people think of success, they picture a city skyline. But for me, it looks more like a dirt road at golden hour. In a world that pushes you toward bigger, louder, faster, we chose small-town life here in Alliance - and we’re not regretting it.
`A few months ago, my fiancé Jesse started thinking more seriously about our future - where we should live, grow, maybe even raise children. His thoughts kept circling back to his grandparents’ farm. And just like that, here we are.
There’s history in the trees, stories in the soil, and a deep kind of comfort in the way the wind moves through the fields - like it’s always known its way home. There’s a quiet promise in all of it: that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
It’s not perfect. The winters, I’m sure, will feel extra long. The internet’s spotty. And yes, I miss a drive-thru or a 24hour corner store now and then. But there’s magic in the stillness. Here, success isn’t something you post onlineit’s something you live. It’s standing under a wide-open sky with the
person you love and realizing you don’t need more to feel full.
In the short time we’ve been in Alliance, I’ve learned something: you don’t just live here - you belong to it. You take care of each other. You show up. You slow down. And somewhere in all that slowing down, you find what you were chasing all along.
There’s no big sign that says you made the right choice - just a quiet kind of knowing.
When the dog’s at your feet, the gravel’s under your old car, and the sunsets are breathtaking… it clicks. Life out here isn’t
always easy, but it’s real. And for us, that’s enough. We’re not chasing anything anymore. Out here in Alliance, we’re already home.
Reister. Dianne finds it difficult to get in and out of the car now but we managed.
Anu had an English exam in Edmonton Saturday morning. Immigrants must take English classes within two years of landing. I took her to the appointment.
Edmonton seemed a short way to Lloydminster, so I called old friend and neighbour, Freela Brown and we had supper together at a Greek restaurant in Lloydminster. Freela and I had a good visit, and I met some of her friends who were also dining.
We are accepting applications for a Casual ATB Customer Experience Advisor. Starting immediately.
The successful candidate will:
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Banking Experience is preferred but not essential
To apply: Please submit your resume to PO Box 105, Strome, AB T0B 4H0. or via Email to: bwolbeck2@atb.com or deliver to: 5016 50 St. Strome, AB T0B 4H0
offers free employment services for all job seekers in Camrose and area.
you're looking for your first job, changing careers, or re-entering the workforce We
Resume and cover letter help
Job search support and referrals
Interview preparation and coachling
Training opportunities and funding One-to-one career planning sessions
in Killam with résumé to our Dealer Principal, Wes Campbell or Parts Manager, Jason Cornell or email wcampbell@cmchrysler.ca
Editor’s Note:
This excerpt is the third and final from Sophie Maglione’s 1994 UofA term paper on her remembered experience as an Indigenous person growing up in a Residential School in 1946.
Part Three: Accented Speech:
Over the years. I did not lose the type of pronunciation that I was taught in the early grades. I do not remember the context of these early classes, nor do I remember if I was taught the phonics method. All I know is that I learned English. I always had an accent which I probably will never lose. Was this due to the phonetic type of teaching that I received? However, today, I get laughed at by my own family and especially my children when they notice my pronunciation to certain words that do not sound right to their ears.
For example, the one that was particularly hilarious to the whole family was a hockey coach’s name, Punch Imlach. I pronounced it “Punch Imlatch” which I thought was the proper way of saying it due to its spelling, and they all roared. I live with ridicule when my pronunciation is not quite right and I hesitate with some of my words. Even my grandson notices some of these different pronunciations of mine. I explained to him why I talk the way I do and he helps with some of the words.
This is the legacy of “English” being my “Second Language.” It has been
painful and humiliating. I have had to put on a thick skin to weather these bad times. However, this has also made me into a more compassionate woman to other people with other noticeable speech problems.
Other School Experiences:
I dropped out in the early days of my Grade 12 which I was attempting to take at the St. Joseph’s School in Edmonton, Alberta. With three years in an all-white school I thought that I had been enculturated into the white society by now. How very naive.
Again, intense loneliness dogged my every move. There were no classmates to commiserate with, and no classmates I had been brought up with. There was no family support and no encouragement from any sector. I was totally alone. I was even rooming with a strange white family where I had to take care of their children while I tried to do my homework.
The lady of the house had me do her ironing before I could tackle any homework. In this 17th year of my life, I needed moral support and I did not get it. I was just a kid with no one to look out for me, just a family who wanted to take advantage of my housework expertise.
Consequently, I ended up dropping out and getting into trouble. In retrospect, I must have been hitting out at society, and I ended up hurting myself as usual.
I got married in 1962, finally making a home for myself. I had two children with my husband. By 1978, I had been married for 15 years when I decided to upgrade my interrupted schooling. I took and finished my Grade 12 at the Alberta Vocational School in Slave Lake. What a proud time in my life, when I finally finished my schooling, 21 years after dropping out.
In 1987 throughout 1989, I enrolled and completed my Early Childhood Diploma with good marks. My children were all gone by this time.
Even with the additional schooling, I find that I still have an accent and I am still learning to pronounce the correct syntax of numerous words. I am still very careful with the way I pronounce words.
Winter 1994:
I have now arrived at the University of Alberta after 48 years of actively pursuing my education. In my younger days, if someone had told me that I would still be going to school in 1994, I would have told them they were crazy. Nevertheless, the road has been rocky and very difficult. I have had to make a lot of adjustments, both in my personal and my academic life. Maybe not knowing the English language caused me to take so long to complete my journey. Unfortunately, I am not finished yet. I have a full two years to finish what I started. Ironically, I do not want to teach “English as a Second Language,” but I
do want to teach native children and I want to teach them to be proud of who they are and where they came from.
The greatest irony of all is that my daughter Sherryl is majoring in English at the University of Lethbridge. Her command of the English language is superb. She has taken rhetoric in one of her classes and she can give a very good argument. She is so sure of herself in the English language, which is her first language.
Her favourite authors are William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth. As matter of fact, she attended a William Wordsworth conference in England this past summer.
One of the things that I did not teach her was the Cree language, because I lost it during my circuitous route to where I am today. The total irony of the whole situation is that English was my second language and it is now my daughter’s first language.
In this instance, the federal government has accomplished its assimilation policy, started in the late 1880s.
However, Cree is still being taught at the University of Alberta and this is one of the languages that will not disappear as a lot of other languages have fallen into oblivion.
There is hope yet for us that want to pursue our native language. But, the Cree language will never again by my first spoken language!
Sophie Maglione
Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
Battle River School Division (BRSD) announced last week that their new superintendent, Natasha Wilm, officially started in her new role on Friday, Aug. 1.
“Ms. Wilm holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Alberta. She completed her Master of Education in Leadership from the University of Alberta in 2009 and most recently achieved a Human Resource Certificate from Bow Valley College,” the Division says.
Wilm has worked for BRSD for 13 years, but first started teaching in 2001 in Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools.
“She has held various school leadership roles before moving into central office, first as Director of Learning; then, Assistant Superintendent - Human Resources. Throughout her career she has maintained support for culturally responsive and inclusive practices. She believes
that every student deserves to feel accepted, welcomed, and valued for their unique strengths and diversity. As a leader, she listens deeply, acts decisively, and prioritizes collaborative decision making to support student learning and staff and student well-being,” says the Division.
BRSD says that Wilm is excited for the opportunity to lead the Division and that she possesses a strong commitment to rural education and prioritizes trust, strong relationships, a passion for learning, and transparent communication.
“I am honoured to serve as Superintendent of Schools/CEO for BRSD and look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place.
“With a focus on relationships and the distinct strengths of rural education, I am committed to working alongside staff, families, community partners, and the Board of Trustees to foster inclusive environments where all students can develop the knowledge and
skills to thrive and achieve their goals,” Wilm said.
Wilm lives in the City of Camrose with her husband Jason and three children Hannah, 20, Marissa, 18, and Joshua, 15.
“She is an avid sports fan, has a love of reading, and enjoys spending time at the lake with her family. The Board of Trustees extends congratulations to Natasha,” the Division says.
BRSD Board Chair Patrick McFeely says, “Natasha is reflective through her decisionmaking and has a comprehensive understanding of the intricate components of rural education. She is committed to local community relationships and values inclusive thinking.
“Natasha is dedicated to a collaborative environment, aspiring to foster a workplace where each person feels enthusiastic and valued.
“Her willingness to provide a collaborative space - where all working groups are in-
Ethan Neufeld Student Reporter
The Living Room is hosting an all-age welcome gaming tournament on Thursday, Aug. 7, allowing anyone to join and play Mario Kart World or Smash Bros Ultimate.
Daniel Jackson, programmer and assistant for the tournament, says “Come expecting to have fun, friendly competition.”
There are two different brackets for each game. For Smash Bros, there is an under-14 bracket and an open bracket for all
ages. Mario Kart has an under-eight option and open option as well.
The tournament will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday with qualifying rounds being played on separate monitors until around noon, when an included lunch sponsored by the local Wild Rose Co-op Food Store will start. At 1 p.m. the tournament games will commence, with four players playing at a time. Final matches will begin at 3 p.m. although if there is enough people, a quarterfinal round may be needed.
The finals and semi-finals will take place on the big screen, with the winner from the Smash Bros under-14 bracket taking home a Lego set, along with the winner from the under-eight bracket for Mario Kart.
The winners of the open brackets get to take home their own trophy, along with their names being put on a trophy to stay at the theatre, like the Stanley Cup.
The winners trophy will collect names over many years, as Jackson says he absolutely plans on more like this in the future. “We’ll see what
email: sedgewicknews@gmail.com
And just like that it’s August. Wow! I hope you are enjoying your summer to the fullest.
The weather is finally here to match the activities.
We joined the Flagstaff Fun Wagon in Sedgewick last week for Nerf gun wars. A few kids made it out to enjoy the parkour obstacles that were set up. Hopefully you have a chance to participate in an event near you. Check out all the fun things they have planned for August in their ad elsewhere in this paper.
The Village of Lougheed is in full prep mode for their annual Fair. It will be a full day filled with all kinds of activities, action and participation. It all kicks off with Pancake Breakfast and the Parade. Come on out and support the Lougheed Ag Society as they show you all that Lougheed has to offer. See their flyer in this issue for more information.
The Sedgewick and Lougheed United Churches concluded their services for the summer with Camp Sunday. The choir joined for some
songs and around the fire hymns. There will be no Worship Services during the month of August. Enjoy your summer!
The Flagstaff Kids Connection Daycare is hosting their AGM this month. Everyone is welcome to join. Be a voice for children and families by volunteering as a board member. See what’s next for our children and community.
A family in Hardisty is mighty generous. They are welcoming the public and hosting a Sunflower selfie and Corn Maze on their land outside of town all month long. Admission is free, but they kindly ask you to consider giving a donation to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. Join for a picnic, family pictures, and more. Thank you to Hays Land and Cattle for this
opportunity in Flagstaff County!
And I know no one wants to think about going back to school yet, but CHSPS has a fun event planned for the first week of school. There will be a ‘meet the teacher’s night with Food trucks. Bring parents, grandparents, friends and join at the school parking lot for supper and try some different foods!
If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, the Flagstaff Scottish Club would love your help at their annual Highland Festival. You can volunteer for a couple hours and then enjoy free access to the event. Consider it! They have many different positions to choose from. It's an event worth experiencing!
happens next year, but I expect even bigger and better things”
Jackson and his team have been working on this event since the beginning of July, ensuring all goes to plan and everyone has fun. “Good sportsmanship is expected from all competitors,” says Jackson.
This tournament is not the first, although it has never been done to this scale.
There are currently over 40 players registered, with each player getting to test their skills in at least two games.
Jackson and who he calls “his amazing team” are excited to bring fun activities to the region, helping the community thrive, and keeping kids entertained during summer. “We are looking forwards to get to know the kids in out community better.”
SATURDAY, AUG. 16, 2025 AT 10:00 A.M.
LOCATION: 50501 RG. RD. 192 Tofield, Alberta
DIRECTIONS: Being from Highway 14 & Davidson Rd. (RG. RD. 192) go 1 mile south.
Tractor: 2013 Kubota MX5100 F.W.A. Hydro Tractor, 3-ph, PTO c/w Kubota LA844 F.E.L. c/w quick attach bucket, joystick controls, 484 hrs., S/N 65489
Antique Collector Equipment: AC WF Tractor, complete restore, PTO, pulley cast seat, S/N WF6230, new rubber; (2) JD B Tractors, tricycle front, pulleys, completely restored, S/N 185836 & 256822; (2) AC B Tractors, good rubber, pulleys, S/N B02137 & B9469; International FC Tractor c/w tricycle front, PTO pulley, completely restored, S/N FC41191; Lister 2-cyl. Generator c/w air comp, trailer & box; R.A. Lister 5-hp diesel pump eng. c/w wagon, S/N 564743; Lister 2-hp Pump Eng. c/w trailer, S/N 88229; Fairbanks Morris Z Pump Engine c/w trailer; T. Eaton 6-hp Pump Engine c/w trailer, S/N KC176691
Collector Car: 1949 Buick Super Model 51, 4D, new radial tires, 68628 original miles, blue in color, S/N 25091251
Trailers: Load Trail Tandem Axle Bumper Pull
Trailer c/w 20-ft deck, ramps, winch, S/N 4ZECF202081046406; 40-ft Single Axle
Highboy Trailer, yard uses only; 2 W Yard Trailer
Mowers: 2020 Toro Series 3000 Z Master Zero Turn Front Mount Mower c/w 52-inch deck, 280 hrs., S/N 406539373; JD D170 Hydro. Lawn Mower c/w 54-inch deck, 26-hp Equipment: Land Pride 1860 3-ph Rough Cut Mower; 8-ft Blade c/w Skidsteer hook-up; Pallet Forks; 5-ft 3-ph Scarifier; 48-inch & 32-inch Lawn Sweeps; 5-ft F.E.L. Bucket; 250 Galvinized Tank c/w trailer & pump; Magnum A Generac Company 8 KVA Power Generator c/w light tower, 10525 hrs.; Trailer Gas Powered Woodsplitter
Antiques: Louis Hanson Hyd. Lift Barber Leather Chair; Assort. Antique Oil Cans; Antique Oil Tank c/w pump; Assort. Lanterns; 1-gal & 2gal. Cream Cans; Crock Jugs from 1/4-gal. to 3gal; Wooden Barrel; Wooden Phone; 2 Machettes; Brass Fire Extinguisher; Parking
Meter; AC Mailbox; Assort. AC Tractor Parts; Coffee Grinder; Toledo Post Office Scale; Assort. AC Scale Tractors; Harry Batty J & J Taylor Limited Safe c/w combination & key; Harrow Cart; Walking Cultivator; Small Liquor Kegs; Small Steam Tractor replica; Large Assort. Signs; Cast Bell; Assort. Crosscut Saws Tools: 4-Post Electric Over Hyd. Car Hoist; Hyd. Press; Ingersoll Rand Twin Cyl Air Compresser; Gas Powered Washer; Miller 180 Auto Set Mig Welder c/w bottles; Honda FB 5000X, 2000 & 1000 Generator; Acytelene Cutting Torch c/w bottles & cart; Mod-U-Blast Sandblaster Box; (3) Bolt Bins c/w bolts; Makita Planer; 12-ft Band Saw; 3/4-inch Socket Set; Large Openend Wrenches; Drill Press; Cutoff Saw; A-Frame Hoist; Stihl Gas Weeder; Stihl & Husqvarna Chainsaws; Assort. Power Tools; Assort. Wood Working Tools; Pipe Wrenches; Parts Washer; Many more items Miscellaneous: Job Box Alum Ramps; Assort. Ladders; Assort 6-inch x 8-inch Blocking; Quad Sprayer c/w 8-ft booms; Clevises; Booster Cables; Heavy Power Cords; Assort. Slings; Assort Brass Fittings; Assort. Oils & Spray Cans; Assort Auto Parts; Shop Fridge; Microwave; Ice Maker; 4-Drawer Filing Cabinet; Truck Sleeper; 2-inch Honda Water Pump; Large Assort. 2-inch Collapsable Hose; Quad Tires; Chains; Boomers; Live Animal Traps; Jerry Cans; Quad Box; Rachet Straps; Assort. Scrap Iron; Camping Misc.; 24.5 Truck Tires c/w rims; 250-gal. Plastic Water Tank; Firepits; 8-ft x 14-ft Platform; Assort Small Trailer Tires; Alum Toolbox & Fuel Tank combination; Many more items Guns: Ruger 223 c/w scope S/N 695-12986; Mosberg Defender 12 ga. Shotgun,
Killam RCMP Detachment Report for the period of Friday, July 25 to Thursday, July 31
Friday, July 25
A break and enter was reported from a warehouse/old bunk house near Hardisty. Members attended and cleared the building, nobody found inside. Members found extensive damage to the building with graffiti. No witnesses or suspects.
A break and enter was reposted from the ATCO building in Forestburg. Lock was cut but nothing appeared to be missing. No witnesses or suspects.
Member attended an ongoing dispute between neighbours in Forestburg. Member spoke with the complainant and gave solutions offered to alleviate the tension.
Saturday, July 26
A traffic complaint was filed where a Subject was driving in the middle of the lane and not allowing the Complainant to pass. Patrols made. Vehicle not located.
Killam Member was assisting at the Bruce Rodeo and stopped a white pickup truck and conducted a MAS (Mandatory Alcohol Screening). Test was administered which resulted in a fail. The roadside appeal was offered to the Subject and accepted. This also resulted in a fail. Vehicle seized and towed. Licence destroyed.
Sunday, July 27
A truck was reported stolen from a garage in Forestburg. Vehicle was later recovered south of Forestburg. Grey mini van seen in video surveillance. Nothing to identify the vehicle or the occupants. No witnesses or suspects.
Wednesday, July 30
The Elks Hall in Hardisty was reported broken into. No sign of forced entry. Miscellaneous items were stolen. No witnesses or suspects.
Farm equipment was reported abandoned on Highway 13. Member contacted the Registered Owner to have it removed.
Thursday, July 31
A black GMC truck was reported swerving in the lane, from the shoulder to the middle line. Vehicle last seen going eastbound on Hwy 608. Member made patrols. Vehicle not located.
Killam /Forestburg RCMP are reminding citizens that 310-RCMP (310-2767) remains a fully active, provincewide phone line dedicated to handling non-emergency police matters. Whether you need to report a suspicious person, property damage, or a minor theft, this number connects you directly to the appropriate RCMP detachment - no area code required.
The 310-RCMP line is an important tool that helps streamline the reporting process, ease pressure on 911 services, and support more efficient police responses to non-urgent incidents.
- Assistance to Canadian Federal
1 - Breach of Peace
1 – Disobeying order of court
1 – Disturbing the peace 1 – Harassing Communications 3 - Information File
2 - Items Lost/Found – except passports 2 - Mental Health Act
3 - Moving Traffic – Speeding Violations
3 – Other Moving Traffic Violations
3 - Other Non-Moving Traffic 3 - Traffic Collisions 1 – Unsafe Storage of Firearms
Uttering threats against a person
Annual General Meeting
Thursday, August 14
6:30 p.m. at the Daycare (5006 47 St Killam)
◊ Be a voice for Children & Families-Volunteer as a Board Member at our Daycare
◊ Join us for our AGM and see What’s Next for Our Children and Community
◊ Be Informed - Be Involved
◊ Be a Part of Shaping Your Child’s Future
◊ We are looking for people to join our Board of Directors! 780-385-0672
Regular meeting to follow
Saturday, August 9 Pancake Breakfast 8-10 am Lougheed seniors centre Parade at 10:30 am men’s baseball & ladies softball at the diamonds museum open all day museum features include kids money pit, bingo, gift shop, ice creem, iceD coffee bench exhibits on display until 4pm entertainment for KIDS - kids corner including games & TRAIN beer gardens market vendors cattle show & judging hoRse show & judging meals & snack booths all day roast beef supper 5-7 pm lougheed community hall
Ethan Neufeld Student Reporter
The Village of Forestburg hosts its annual summer celebration on Saturday, Aug. 9, with over 20 activities and affairs for all ages. This year marks the sixth celebration for Forestburg’s birthday, which started on the village’s 100th birthday with no plans on stopping.
The Friends of the Forestburg Fire Department is hosting a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. encouraging all to start their day at the fire hall on main street.
The fire department will also being doing various demonstrations and activities throughout the day and compete in several games against the RCMP in a fun competition sponsored by Lovish Garg, local Canco operator.
Battle River Train Excursions are being hosted by the Battle River Rail and the Friends of the Battle River Railway, along with a community 106th birthday cake at the train station.
Live music will also take place at the Many Horses Saloon.
There will be bouncy houses near the park and activities at the Forestburg Library for younger children.
The new and improved Wanda School Museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. welcoming all visitors, along with the Forestburg and District museum.
Cody’s Wine and Spirits, previously known as Battle River Liquor will be celebrating its new ownership and rebrand with a grand opening, ribbon cutting and promotions.
The new owner, Tracey Neufeld, says “I’m very excited to be on this
exciting new adventure. My late husband Cody and I shared many cups of coffee and glasses of wine, discussing plans and ideas if we ever got the opportunity to buy the liquor store.
“I am thrilled that me and my boys are able to honour his legacy by doing just that.”
Volunteers are needed to be put in jail and to pay the bail for a fun catchand-release jail fundraiser. Call 780582-2335 to volunteer.
Anyone is welcome at the Forestburg Pool for a day of free swimming for all ages.
A flea market will also take place on main street with farmers market vendors and more.
Activities will also be hosted by the Heisler Archery Club at the park.
Plans for a ball tournament have been made, if you’d like to join or
want more information contact Dez Strauss.
Join the Seniors at the villa for coffee and dessert sponsored by the Golden Age Club after getting hot dogs, ice cram, mini donuts, pop or water at the Devonian Park.
Other activities you can participate in with your family are three legged races, tug of war, fun/run/bike, and for the first time in roughly 20 years, coal car races will take place, says organizer Blaise Young, something he says he’s looking forward to seeing again.
To end the day of fun and excitement, the annual fireworks display will take place that evening at the ball diamonds.
More items and activities are still being lined up, for more information see ad in this week’s paper.
Council Highlights briefly identify decisions made by Council. Council encourages its residents, businesses and stakeholders to keep in touch with Council news.
2025 Used Miscellaneous Equipment Sale Results
Council approved the following bids received for the 2025 Tender for the Sale of Used Equipment:
Item #1 - $28,000 + GST from Scott Whitehead for the 2007 John Deere 6430 Premium Tractor w/ JD376 Loader w/ grapple fork.
Item #2 - $38,000 + GST from Robert Dickson for the 2015 McCormick X6, 460L FWA Tractor w/ three-point hitch.
Item #4 - $5,100 + GST from Larry Terway for the 2019 Kuhn GMD280HD Disk Mower.
Item #5 - $7,675 + GST from McArthur Northern Enterprises Ltd. for the 2017 Kubota ZD1211 72” Zero Turn Mower.
And to explore other sales options for Item #3 - the 2015 XH1500 S3 Shulte Mower w/ 2016 FLX1510 Schulte Flex Arm, as no bids were received.
Bylaw 06-25 Amending Land Use Bylaw 01-23 — First Reading
Council gave First Reading of Bylaw 06/25, for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 01/23 as presented. The amendment is required to allow Resonance Energy Ltd., the opportunity to begin the process of establishing a data processing facility in an area classified as Agriculture District.
Iron Creek Museum — Request for Additional Financial Assistance
Council respectfully declined to provide additional funding in the amount of $10,000 to the Iron Creek Museum for the Sons of Norway Log Hall restoration project. Council had previously provided $10,000 for this project.
Procedural Bylaw 07-25
Council approved Procedural Bylaw 07-25, as presented. There are numerous revisions throughout the bylaw that help clarify certain sections. Three major revisions involve the removal of the Council Code of Conduct due to new legislation, the provision of public hearings by electronic means, which is now mandatory, and the replacement of all FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) references with ATIA (Access to Information Act).
Animal Welfare Funding
Council approved to provide funding for animal welfare for a property within a hamlet, to mitigate potential risk to public safety.
Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) Presentation
Shannon Paquette, Donor Relations and Development Officer for STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society), gave a presentation to Council on the history and operations of STARS, including current statistics on STARS activity in the Flagstaff area. Flagstaff County has provided STARS with over $250,000 in funding between 2008 and 2025. In 2023, Council approved that STARS funding be increased from $8,000 to $15,000 for 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Once approved, the full Council Meeting minutes can be found at www.flagstaff.ab.ca under the “Council” tab and in the “Meetings and Minutes” section.
Well hello folks. I hope you are enjoying our summer weather. We are either sweating to death with 31-degree weather or the morning temperature reaches one degree. Whoever said Alberta weather is predictable was totally wrong!
Why a few days ago we were presented with a funnel cloud near Hardisty. There were fantastic photos with running commentary on Facebook and The Community Press also has great photos elsewhere in this edition. It was absolutely frightening.
The funnel cloud touched down on Highway #881, in the valley, just a few miles north of Hardisty. The funnel cloud touched down on the highway and entered the farmers field, right at the Enbridge pump station. Some folks commented that it seemed like it was following the creek. I did not hear of any massive damage or loss of human or animal life.
God help us, what is next, an earthquake or a volcano eruption? I sure hope not. You have to feel sorry for all the poor Russian folks dealing with their recent harsh earthquake and tsunami issues.
I was chatting with a nursing colleague and we were discussing odd pets we have had in the past. She had an interesting little story about ducks. Her 18-year-old grandson was working at a golf course, weed wacking, when he disrupted a duck nest filled with eight eggs.
He later checked on the nest and noticed it was abandoned. What should he do now? He picked up the nest with eight eggs and took it home. With the help of his parents and younger sister (14) he was able to get an incubator and a heat lamp and lots of loving help. He soon became the
proud dad of seven ducklings. One egg was not viable. His parents and sister all joined in to raise the new babies.
You probably all remember watching TV shows where adult Robbins bring worms and insects to their babies, who all squeak and squawk with open beaks. They are very dependant on their parents for sustenance in the first weeks of life.
Well these ducks were different. My friend informed me that the family did their research and they provided water and a special duck feed that the ducks gobbled up. They even got right into the water and drank the water they swam in. They were eventually housed near a slough and had a happy existence. Boy, it sounds like these birds are really tough, mature, and independent so soon after hatching.
Mother Nature is certainly amazing. They all fly south for the winter so I guess they must get right at it so they can be strong and fit for the long flight to their winter home.
These ducks turned out to be mallards, a common wild duck. I was informed that some mallards even winter at the Forestburg power plant because of the access to warm water. Interesting eh?
My friend informed me that she also had a duck for a pet and her name was Natasha.
Her boyfriend presented her with this duck as a gift and she gracefully accepted the wee duck and raised her in her family home. She was treated like a pet dog or cat and had the run of the household. Her favourite resting place was between my friend’s slippers. It would have been warm and cozy and have her mommy’s scent.
When my friend was not home Natasha followed her father around the house and out into the yard. Once my friend was in nursing school, Natasha went to live on an acreage-type farm. She
was given fertilized eggs to hatch, which she did successfully, and raised them all on her own. She was about five years old when she went to duck heaven. What a lovely lit-
tle story. So, if you are allergic to dogs or cats why not consider a duck as a pet?
Our swimming lessons at Hardisty Lake are on week two this week. Best
wishes to all the students and thank you to the teachers, helpers, and organizers for all their hard work. We are so lucky to live in this vibrant, wonderful little community with Hardisty Lake and our wonderful campground. Enjoy the rest of your summer, folks, and please call me with your summer news.
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Former Battle River-Crowfoot Member of Parliament Damien Kurek and his wife Danielle Kurek recently cast their vote in the upcoming by-election that will decide who will follow him in representing the region in Parliament.
Kurek says, “It was with confidence and great hope that my wife, Danielle, and I left the Elections Canada Returning Office in Camrose after writing Pierre Poilievre’s name on the ballot for Battle River-Crowfoot.
“After stepping down to allow this process to take place, I am more confident than ever in my decision to create an opening for our Conservative Party Leader, Pierre Poilievre, to run in this riding and represent the hardworking
people in our region.”
Kurek referenced Poilievre’s comments in a forum held last Thursday in Camrose, saying, “He has the unique ability to bring a megaphone to our local issues and amplify them on a national stage.
“He’s already done this with great effect when he spoke of the energy superpower in Hardisty, or the danger prison guards face at the Drumheller penitentiary.”
Kurek added, “Born and raised in Alberta, Pierre has held and consistently fought for Alberta values. He will not only be a strong voice for this region, but he will also fight for us against the Liberal gas and diesel vehicle ban, overtaxation, and government overreach.
“He will defend our farmers, our lawabiding firearms owners and expand
our military. He stands for faith, family and freedom.
“Danielle and I are proud to have voted for and supported Pierre in this by-election.
And we encourage you to vote for
Pierre Poilievre, the only candidate who will bring our issues to the national stage and stand up to the Carney-Liberals. You can vote at the Camrose Returning Office at the Duggan Mall until Tuesday, Aug. 12. ”
The Battle River Community Foundation (BRCF) awarded a $6,000 grant to the Town of Killam.
Wes Campbell, Director with the BRCF Board, presents the cheque to Kimberly Borgel, Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Killam.
Borgel states, “The Town of Killam continues to invest in and maintain our infrastructure, while being good stewards of the environment.
“This is why one of the priorities for our Recreation facility is to replace all existing lighting with more energy, cost-efficient LED lights.
“With the installation of the new fixtures, the
saving is over 5,600 watts of energy per year! The cost savings is so important as annual operating expenses continue to increase; we need to find ways to keep these increases to a minimum.
“We are very grateful for funding programs like Battle River Community Foundation Grant Program, which makes projects like this more affordable to our organization.”
The Killam Agriplex is an important recreation facility for the people of Killam and the surrounding communities.
The building hosts the Killam Memorial Arena and the Killam Regional Indoor Pool, as well as a
fitness centre.
The building also hosts the Family Resource Centre. Run by Parents for Fun in Flagstaff, the resource centre contains a large-scale play structure as well as other amenities for children and parents.
Finally, the Agriplex houses a multi-purpose room with space for 120 and a small kitchen, making it a perfect place to host meetings and events.
The grant for the Town of Killam is funded from income earned from the Samm Family Fund, the Gordon Enghoj Fund, as well as the Battle River Community Foundation Community Funds.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of David Butcher of Sedgewick. He passed away at the Killam General Hospital on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the age of 71.
Davis was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
David was born on September 1, 1953, in Hardisty to John and Pauline Butcher. He was the second of two children, following his
beloved sister. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Lougheed.
In 1981, David met his future wife, Bonnie, thanks to a bit of matchmaking from his grandfather, Edwin Butcher. A year later, on June 19, 1982, they were married. Together, they spent 43 beautiful years raising their three children on a farm south of Sedgewick.
David was a kind, quiet, and hardworking man - often described by those who knew him as a gentle giant. Always willing to lend a hand, he embodied humility and generosity in all that he did. He had a deep love for farming, enjoyed playing crib, listening to country music, and cherished every moment with his grandchildren.
David is lovingly remembered by his wife,
Bonnie Butcher; his children: Jason Butcher, Justin (Amanda) Butcher, and Rose (Kyle) Franz; his nine grandchildren; and his sister, Janice (Ben) Andres.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Timothy Hanton and the staff at Killam General Hospital for their compassion and care during David’s final two months.
A private service for family and close friends will be held on August 10, 2025.
For those in the community who wish to pay their respects, a luncheon will be held at the Lougheed Community Hall on August 10 at 12 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson Association of Alberta.
We are overwhelmed by the care and concern of our family and friends these past few weeks. Wade received the best of care from Red Deer Cancer Centre and Dr Hanton and the staff at the Killam Health Care Centre.
Thank you to Les & Cheryl Fee at Fee & Sons for your compassion and professional service with our family at such a difficult time.
Sue MacKinnon, you did such a wonderful job of giving words to our thoughts and memories. Being such a special friend to our family made it mean even more.
Bonnie Milton and Greg Hammond; thank you for your eulogy portraying life as you remembered ‘Uncle Wade’.
Tracy Petreman, thank you for your expertise and helping Lisa with the slide show.
Carol, Shelly, and Kerri the lunch was delicious; you really did make it special.
Our nephews for running the bar and Bob for giving Wade his final toast; thank you.
The visits, calls and texts, food brought to the house, the beautiful bouquets, and many memorial donations were so appreciated; thank you.
He was our rock, and we don’t know how we will continue without him, but as he always told us when we were questioning or struggling with something; ‘you’ll figure it out’.
We feel so blessed to live in such a wonderful caring community.
The Bonnetts Jacquie, Mark, Aryn and Chad & Kailyn, Lisa, Brett and Tyson & Edyn
Toonie Clothing Sale. Friday, Aug. 8 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9 - 9 a.m. to Noon. Daysland United Church. 31p
VBS is happening again this year, hosted at Viking Alliance Church
This is open to all children who will be going into kindergarten, all the way through to kids who will be going into grade 6 this Fall. There is no cost. It will be running this year from August 18 to 22
To register, visit vikingalliancechurch.com and go to the VBS 2025 page.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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SUMMER SALE!
$500 Off a pair of hearing devices! Free remote control!
Can be combined with government funding from AADL of $900 Benchmark Hearing Centre Main Street Daysland Phone 780-374-3748
Or book online! benchmarkhearingcentre.ca
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High Noon on the Prairies
An annual reunion/get-together for veterans.
All Veterans Welcome! Aug. 18-21 at Hardisty United Lake Church Campground
Please contact Bob Stuart at 780-385-4224 or Dan Lemire at 780-781-0954, or email: hnotp@hotmail.com 27/32p
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Raspberries are ready!!!
Garden Vegetables ready!!! East of Sedgewick, off Highway 13, turn north on RR122, then go north 3 miles. Helen Tanton - 780-888-6800 28tfnc
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102nd Annual Lougheed Fair THIS SATURDAY! August 9 starting at 8 am. Parade at 10:30. Show N Shine at 1. Beer Gardens / Market Vendors Kids Entertainment / Food / Snacks / Exhibits Full day of events for all ages you do not want to miss!
Garage Sale, Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16. Friday 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 5607 49 Ave, Killam, AB 31/32p
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Gathering of the Clans Highland Festival 2025 Sedgewick, Alberta at the Recreation Grounds Saturday, August 23 Gates open at 10 am. Heavy events, artisan vendors, demonstrators, pipes and drums, highland animals, kids zone, food trucks, and much more. Evening entertainment starts at 5pm Dance with Cabot’s Crossing starts at 7pm. Overnight camping available and a donation breakfast Sunday morning. Advance gate admission and tickets to the Ceiliedh (dance) are available now at flagstaffscottishclub.com/gotchf-event
2006 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. 158,250km Rebuilt Status. 2 new front tires. $4,500 obo. Power windows, locks, seat - needs windshield, 400km on oil change. Text me at 587-500-6087 31p
BLS Fresh Garden Products
The following will be available soon: peas, beans, cucumbers, cabbages, dill. For other products please text 780-860-2672. In the Bruce area.
TM32-35P
Equipment for Sale
1999 John Deere 566 Round BalerTwine only. 23,877 bales Call Roger at 780-385-1070 30/32p
Champion 8000w/10,000 Dual fuel generator with CO Shield. Operates on either gas or propane. Like NEW (only has 1.5 hours run time on it) Comes with all cords, attachments, etc. Call or text: 780-385-0354. Asking $1,000. 30/32p
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Trees for sale: Brian has the following for sale: Windbreak trees, poplars, disease resistant and fuzz free. AC Sundancer, fast-growing, 3 years old; Open leaf poplar, fastgrowing, 3 years old; Laurel leaf Willows, 2-16', 2-12', and 4-6' available. Cherry and Plum trees also available. Buyer’s responsibility to dig out all trees. Call Brian to make an appointment at 780-678-0053. Must be gone by Aug. 15 30/31p
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If there is anyone looking for any raspberries or cherries from Daysand and area, you can get them beside the Daysland Pharmacy from Brian's Market Garden. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 30/31p
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For anybody who likes picking berries, Brian would like them to come and pick raspberries. They should bring their own pails, and must call for an appointment for the day and time. After 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or after 4 p.m on Saturdays, or anytime on Sunday. Picking will be done every two days at $10 per gallon pail. Contact Brian at 780-678-0053 to make your appointment. 30/31p
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INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com.
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*1989 8460 COMBINE - 2901 hours; *1984 860 Massey Combine - 2367 hours; *885 Massey Swather - 18 Ft. UII Header, Crop Lifters - 2636 hours. Ph: 780-829-2270; email jlinhondo@gmail.com.
Co. Buying? Selling? Let's Find the Fit for You! Call/Text 780-238-7694 TM27-32P
$20/wk for the first 35 words
45¢ for each additional word 4 Papers
16,000 readers SERVICES
Town & Country Guardian Drugs - Killam
We have: •a colour photocopier. •cold pop and fresh snacks. •a great selection of giftware, houseware, fragrances, clothing, toys, games, plush animals and more. •a big selection of greeting cards. •stationery. •seasonal gifts •vitamins, minerals, supplements •free gift wrapping •prescription service 6 days a week.
General Contractor
Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Gasfitter. Bathroom Renos & Tile New to the Area.
30 plus Years of Experience. Dave 403-999-8464
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Mike & Dave RV Inc. Service, Storage, Parts. Call us today! 780-415-5015 or visit our website: www.mdrv.ca
**Located just 11 kms North of Tofield on Highway 834**. TM27-32P
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
Drywall Taping/Ceiling Texturing
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
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
Hakim Oberg Law ALA HAKIM OBERG Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public Based in Forestburg, AB 5004 - 49 Ave. (Professional Centre, 2nd Floor) Please call for appointment. 780-238-6938
ala@hakimoberglaw.com www.hakimoberglaw.com
Hawkeye Custom Corral Cleaning Hawkeye Ag Inc is your complete solution for corral cleaning. We also provide services in the agriculture space: land clearing, pen rebuilding, aggregate for small and large farm operations. Based out of Lamont. 780-718-7479
CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
VISIT OSOYOOS, BC - A haven for snowbirds looking for milder winter weather and an abundance of activities! Hotel suites starting from just $850/month. Learn more at www.osoyoossnowbirds.com; call the Osoyoos Visitor Centre at 1-888676-9667 or email: visit@destinationosoyoos.com to request digital information on wintering in Osoyoos.
FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2025 AUCTION PROGRAM: Firearms, Ammunition, Accessories, or Militaria. Collections, Estates or single items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Contact us: 1-800-694-2609, Email: sales@switzersauction.com or Visit us www.switzersauction.com for Auction Dates & Details.
George Lee Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Author’s note: The following is the first story in a series on social media roles, effects and strategies in politics and public life, especially at the provincial level in Alberta.
A former Alberta cabinet minister and deputy premier, Thomas Lukaszuk regularly comments online — sometimes bitingly — about the news and politics of our times.
But he strives to adhere to a doctrine carved into a wooden plaque that somehow came into his possession, perhaps as a gift: “Tweet others as you wish to be tweeted,” it reminds him.
“I often ask myself: how would I receive the message I’m posting?” says Lukaszuk, the member for Edmonton-Castle Downs from 2001 to 2015 under the old Progressive Conservatives.
“The person it’s aimed at should know that I know more than I'm tweeting,” he says. “That I'm actually holding back, that I'm being kind as I try to get a point across.”
Now the CEO and a partner with Canadian Halal Financial Corporation, Lukaszuk is in the news these days for his Forever Canadian campaign and referendum initiative. Forever Canadian aligns him against Albertans who in the past may well have supported the Progressive Conservatives, back when it was the dominant party in a right-leaning province.
But even in the stormy waters of Alberta’s renewed conversation about separation, Lukaszuk does his best to keep things from being personal or angry.
And foul language? That’s a hard no in the tiny part of the social media universe Lukaszuk can control — his own image and his own voice.
Not so careful or self-restrained are untold millions of others. And their negative effects on elected officials and democracy it-
self are only starting to be measured and understood — even though by some definitions social media is nearly three decades old.
Commentary that’s threatening, abusive and often anonymous shows no signs of tapering off.
Self-regulation from major players is limited at best and their processes are often opaque.
Major platforms have scaled back content controls. Complicating matters is that they limit the data they make available to organizations like the Samara Centre for Democracy, says Alex MacIsaac, senior research coordinator with the organization.
“Recent changes in digital platform trust-andsafety approaches indicate that the state of social media will continue to worsen,” MacIsaac says. Several platforms have changed community guidelines to remove user protections, and Samara has also noted layoffs of “massive portions of their trust-and-safety departments.”
Cofounded by Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan in 2007, Samara bills itself as Canada’s leading non-partisan organization focused on strengthening and protecting Canadian democracy. Among its initiatives is a machine learning system called SAMbot that sorts tweets during election campaigns.
“The largest challenge we’ve faced as researchers on this topic is access to social media data,” MacIsaac asserts.
“Major platforms have always been largely uncooperative with civil society’s appetite for access to even simple social media data, and in recent years platforms have become even more restrictive in terms of what’s accessible and who can access data from them for public interest research.”
F-BOMBS AND MORE
But it doesn’t take long for anyone with the internet and a search engine to find abusive and threatening content attached to major political names.
When Lukaszuk tweeted that it’s “time to shut that down” in reference to separatism in Al-
berta, one commenter responded: “Canada is a socialist [expletive] and you can [expletive] off.”
Another time on X, the former Twitter, Lukaszuk was called “fascist scum” for saying two Freedom Convoy participants would look good wearing orange, an apparent allusion to prison garb.
Meanwhile, sitting members in Lukaszuk’s old haunt deal with a barrage of online abuse, regardless of their side of the floor.
Adriana LaGrange, who once had a rock thrown through the window of her Red Deer-North constituency office, is a former education minister and now the minister of primary and preventative health services.
“Address the measles crisis, you [expletive] idiot” is a recent X reply to a LaGrange post.
Said another X user: “You are vertically and mentally challenged. Just resign.” What LaGrange’s height has to do with anything wasn’t made clear.
Another comment hints at personal repercussions for LaGrange because of her handling of health care. “Life has a funny way of evening things out you ghoul.”
Replying to a LaGrange tweet about seeking input from health workers on branding a new provincial health corporation, an X user wrote: “Can you just [expletive] off already grifter? You will go down in history as being the single [expletive] Health Minister in Alberta. What an absolute [expletive] piece of [expletive] human being you are.”
LaGrange’s office did not respond to multiple Macleod Gazette requests for an interview. In fact no elected members of the UCP agreed to take part in this series, after the paper made requests to specific members and an overall request through the premier’s office.
Nasty comments aren’t reserved for members of the ruling party. And members of the LGBTQplus community, as well as anyone who stands up for them, always attract
spikes in abusive commentary, multiple studies have noted.
On Reddit, a legacy post calls Brooks Arcand-Paul a pile of excrement. The member for EdmontonWest Henday, a gay Indigenous man, has also been called a cuck – a derogatory term derived from cuckhold that’s taken on a life of its own on the internet. And he’s been told on Reddit to “get stuffed.”
Posts like those take a personal toll, says ArcandPaul, the NDP’s critic for Indigenous relations. Threats, dehumanization and expressions of anger can be emotionally devastating, especially when they combine with the ups and downs of their target’s personal life.
But Arcand-Paul insists he was not naïve about what lay ahead when he decided to run for office.
He remembers schoolyard banter in Morinville, near his home community of Alexander First Nation in northcentral Alberta.
“I was not, you know, misled,” says ArcandPaul, who ran successfully in Alberta’s 2023 general election.
“I knew racism and homophobia were omnipresent in interactions, in jokes, in off-the-cuff remarks. But it was never direct. It was never hurtful. And it was never like there was violence attached to it.”
Inspired by the rise of Rachel Notley and the NDP on the provincial scene, Arcand-Paul relocated his emerging legal career from Toronto in 2017. The University of Alberta graduate had fin-
ished law school in Ontario and articled with the province’s Ministry of the Attorney General.
Before seeking office in Alberta, he entered private practice. Twice he worked directly as counsel for individual First Nations, one of them his own.
One stretch of public derision over a statement he made in the legislature meshed with private pain — a cousin had been shot dead by police — to put him “in a really dark place,” Arcand-Paul admits. The noise was amplified by mainstream media stories and opinion pieces.
So he closed his X account. Today, support staff assist him in monitoring posts and shielding him
from the more egregious comments that make the digital rounds. He carefully curates the platforms he does use to protect himself, his friends and his colleagues.
Among the people he turned to for advice was Janis Irwin, an NDP colleague more experienced in government and public life.
Queer and female, Irwin doesn’t shield herself from the digital world, where her feeds are a mix of her private and public personas.
“I love telling other politicians and people getting started, don't do what Janis Irwin does,” quips the provincial member for Edmonton-HighlandsNorwood, “because I do my own social media.”
Estate of John Wesley Oberg; aka John Oberg who died on February 27, 2024
If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by September 15, 2025 with Duncan Craig LLP Attention: Kayla Thompson at 2800, 10060 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3V9 and provide details of your claim. If you do not file by the date above, the Estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
Leslie Cholowsky
Darcy Spady is the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for the upcoming Battle River-Crowfoot byelection.
Spady says his family settled in the Battle River area in the early 1900s, near Alliance, and he says through his work and family ties, and his wife’s family, he’s very familiar with the Killam and Viking areas. He presently lives near Three Hills.
Spady has spent a career in the energy industry and has most recently worked with emission reductions.
Spady said he hasn’t always been a member of the Liberal Party.
Spady says, “You know, I'm very comfortable with Mark Carney. I've always been impressed with him. And over the years, I've become much more of a centrist.”
He explains that his career has taken him all over the country, “And I have some work relationships with people that are quite familiar with the Liberal Party. And so over the years, I've found a comfort zone in what they're doing. “And when Mark Carney took over, I was very happy, very pleased that we're getting a real businesslike sort of approach. It's not ‘fuzzy,’ it's not ‘words.’ It seems to be getting things done, which is what central bankers tend to do. So that's literally why I signed up.
“I thought, you know, I can represent this, this party, this philosophy. I'm kind of saddened that in my homeland, in east central Alberta, people just have this weird phobia that they can't vote for a guy who's doing a good job.”
Spady says, “I refuse to look back. I look forward to the future. Look what we could do if we changed our seat count in Alberta from two to three. Can you imagine if there was a seat in the government caucus that talked about Battle River? Yeah. Because even though we have one from Calgary, one from Edmonton, you know, they're not as familiar with agricul-
ture and energy.”
“I think what we're seeing from Mark Carney right now is not a whole lot different than what we saw from Peter Lougheed in the 70s, so I am very comfortable.
“Why does it always have to be blue paint? The answer is making less sense to me. When this opportunity came up, there was no shift to philosophy.
“Looking at the new government and Mark Carney's government and the way he's taking the country, I can feel right at home as a centrist, as a liberal, but I knew that the battle would be steep, because people are looking at the colour of paint on the tractor and not at the tractor.”
Spady says he’s spent half his life working in the constituency, with what he calls “Global-edge technologies in the energy business” that make Alberta a world-leader in clean energy technology.
“I think we can celebrate the incredible work at the energy industry does. This is world-celebrated stuff. I've given classes in Abu Dhabi on CO2 sequestration projects in Alberta.
“The world is wanting to hear about our energy industry but all I'm hearing about is grumbling about the government. It made me a little angry and I thought, we have to celebrate the incredible technology in the patch that our people are doing.
“And we have to celebrate the Ag industry. I mean, we've got a crushing plant, we've got the old Sunny boy plant. But why aren't we making durham? Why aren’t we making pasta instead of shipping our durham to Italy? Why aren't we making sausage like they do in Acme that rivals the stuff that comes from Tuscany?
“Why aren't we agricultural world leaders in process, not just production? “I think there' a lot to celebrate. And to me, I have a very good comfort zone in saying, vote me in and the voice of this region will be heard on the government benches.
Spady added, “There's usually a liberal option on the ballot, but it isn't somebody people know or respect, or is from here.”
Spady says the major issues he sees
for this region is a focus on agriculture and energy. “We have to have solid markets and a government representing us to make sure we have solid markets.
“The second thing is in the energy side, we are the best. We probably produce the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy in the world. And the most environmentally correct hydrocarbons on the planet. One of the things we do extremely well is emissions reduction.
“And, to me, the energy transition discussion, the carbon discussion that the Carney government has put forward, to have the large emitters pay makes perfect sense, where large emitters can pay into a fund, and that fund finances zero-emission devices and in many cases, those devices are financed with carbon offsets.”
“We're way ahead here in Canada and this riding is right at the front of the pack.”
Spady says that as a country, he thinks that clearly Mark Carney was elected the leader that was the best to deal with the threat of Donald Trump and the U.S. “Whenever you have turbulence, you must have a captain that holds the rudder firmly.” He adds, “The whole process that's rolling out this week is so critical.”
He says going from the last 10 years with no offshore pipelines to one for gas and one to oil. “Having tidewater egress is critical. Having the ability to put through major projects in a reasonable time frame with consultation is so critical. What I see from this government, we are moving quickly, and that's so critical for Battle River Crowfoot.”
As far as dealing with Trump, Spady says, “There's two sides. There's controlling and managing what Donald Trump hands us. That's sort of out of our control.
“But what is in our control is what economy and what the government has really, really focused on, I think all the premiers have, is having one economy east to west. We are Canada. We need to be united. We need to have one economy, and so we can control that.
“So I would love to be part of the solution. If we don't put a voice in this
present government, if we don't have a voice in the Liberal party, we won't have a voice.
“And that's the beauty of a by-election. You know exactly the person, the party you put in is either going to be the party in government or in opposition. It's a very straightforward conclusion.”
In the general election, the Liberal candidate for the region was Brent Sutton. Spady says he was interested at that point, but was just too busy to have the time to put a campaign together. “Here I’ve been able to commit 100 per cent of my time for six weeks.”
Spady says he has no real animosity for the Longest Ballot Committee, who he says followed the rules in place, but he’s more concerned for candidates who have experienced death threats and intimidation.
He says he’s had a pretty good experience while door knocking, saying that people are polite if they turn him away, but adds, “I've had a few altercations where people have raised their voice and said various things, which, you know, it's a bit unpleasant, but you move on.” He feels the online intimidation and rudeness is uncalled for.
In closing, he says, “My little mantra that I say is ‘I’m Darcy Spady, I'm from Three Hills, and I don't want to be Prime Minister.’
“I really don't. I want to be here to serve this riding from the government benches.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Christian Heritage Party candidate for the upcoming by-election, Jeff Willerton, says he’s the owner of a small marketing firm, the author of four books, “including the almost 20-time underground bestseller ‘Fix Canada,’” and is a veteran of both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
He’s 61 years old, he says, and presently lives in Airdrie, although, “I would relocate in a heartbeat were I to win.”
Willerton says the political bug bit him 31 years ago.
“Some good reading led me to subscribe to conservatism, but the Tories lost
Leslie Cholowsky
Grant Abraham is not only the Battle River-Crowfoot candidate for the United Party of Canada, he’s also the party leader. He is Alberta born, and three of his four sons were born in Alberta. He is a lawyer by profession, and has done a lot of overseas work, “I’ve been involved in a lot of international law and humanitarian work as well.”
He doesn’t live in Battle River-Crowfoot now, but says if he wins the election, he will move from his current residence in Calgary.
Abraham ran in the last general election in the Ponoka-Didsbury constituency, where he gained, he estimates, about three per cent of the vote. It was the first time the United Party appeared in a general election.
Abraham says he is what you’d call a “small c” conservative. “I hold the same values as the people that I’m asking to not vote for Pierre Poilievre in this election. I’m trying to get them to see that what the Liberal government is doing to Canada and to Western Canada and what the federal Conservative Party is enabling them by failing to stop or challenge or ask questions or confront.”
He says at one time he was in the Conservative party. In 2022, he ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party without being an MP. He said he was able to raise the funds, “but was blocked in advancing in that race.” He adds, “I’m not here to whine about that, but it is part of the pedigree story of my own conservative perspective, and on a lot of issues, the
me when they abandoned the traditional definition of marriage in 2016.
“I’d heard about it a few times, but at that point I checked out the Christian Heritage Party. I read their platform for the first time and fell in love with it.”
Willerton ran in the general election in St. Albert-Sturgeon River, but says, “When I got the call to run in Battle RiverCrowfoot, I responded ‘If not me, who? And if not now, when?’ and here we are!”
He thinks the issues in Battle RiverCrowfoot aren’t dissimilar to those faced by all Canadians.
“We are, for instance, being very intentionally steered toward the cliff by immoral spendthrift Liberal governments.
“The Tories aren’t as bad as the Liberals on some issues, but on many others they’re the equally woke mirror images of each other.”
As far as major issues facing Canada, Willerton says, “Today we abort our future, indoctrinate and sexually mutilate our youth, and euthanize our past.
Conservative Party isn’t conservative anymore.”
He said that was the start of his role in starting the United Party. “It’s been started by people, by Canadians, all across the country that are of the view that Alberta is the place that can liberate all of Canada.”
He says that’s why the United Party talks about, “Alberta Independence and Alberta sovereignty because so many Canadians feel that the existing constitutional infrastructure, Supreme Court activism, the two-tier policing, has led us to a position where there’s no longer any balance of power and that the Canada that we have is broken and getting worse.
“Further than that, we have a whole series of comments that have been made by the Liberal government, and this is probably the most important part of the argument for why I started a new party. It is because we heard Justin Trudeau tell us that Canada will be the first post-nation state. We heard him tell us that COVID has provided us with an opportunity for a reset.
“And that’s why I’m contending for our culture, our values, and our traditions, against a system that is unravelling our nation and Alberta is the only place that has the strength, I think, to stand up and force this.
“And right now, the battle between the two Canadas is happening in Battle River Crowfoot. Yeah.
“And it’s between an equalization-paying federalist who is telling Alberta that he’s going to unleash energy, the energy sector in Alberta, but he won’t leave the Paris Climate Accord. Albertans need to see these things clearly and vote accordingly.
“If we recognize that the Canada that we all love and grew up in is now being deconstructed, the only thing that we need
“In all these ways we’re on self-destruct mode, and none of the mainline parties are willing to address them.”
He says that his party’s plan to address Trump’s tariffs and policies is to “be a good neighbour.
“To clean up our act and end this ‘postnation state’ garbage which would effectively place the enemy (the international body that would govern us in this dystopian scenario) on their northern border.”
Willerton says he thinks the Longest Ballot Committee’s involvement in the upcoming by-election is, “Ridiculous. It accomplishes nothing. Laws were broken in getting people to sign blank nomination forms. Heads should roll.”
Willerton sums it all up by asking voters to: “Vote with your conscience.
“The Christian Heritage Party is about the business of promoting life, family, and freedom.
“We will defend innocent human life from conception to natural death, restore
to be doing is actually have Alberta moving to a strong and free separation where we can establish a constitutional republic with inalienable rights that we want as a people. And then set up a system that is the pride of the world and the rest of Canada will be overlooking our lawn over the fence saying, hey, how do we join?
“This just isn’t the same discussion about separation that we used to have. It’s a much bigger issue because the Canada that we have kind of tolerated is now getting increasingly worse and more tyrannical. And we really have no idea with the current spate of Liberals and their leader. We really have no idea because they chose not to do a budget and it’s really difficult to get a handle on the liberal party right now.”
Abraham says that he thinks the issues that Canada is facing is “the fact that we have international treaties that are defining our sovereignty right now, and we have an American president that believes that the sovereignty of the Canada people is being undermined by a system of government that is hosting concepts or threats that would make him take the position to say that Canada could become at 51st state.
“Those are major issues, equalization and the imbalance of our electoral system, and our constitutional framework that won’t allow change.”
Abraham says that Trump’s demands on fentanyl and border security weren’t trade requests but value requests.
He says both the Liberals and the Conservatives jumped the gun on retaliatory tariffs. “We’ve all been alone around long enough to know where we complement the US economy. And we’re not going to win a tariff war with the Americans.” He thinks that the core of the American complaint was organized crime, that he says
the traditional definition of family and restore and defend freedom of speech, as without it we are unable to defend any of our other rights.”
both sides of the Canadian federal government have ignored. He says that the key to normalizing relations with the USA start with “the truth. You start cleaning up the parasites that are draining the health of the nation, then our international trade becomes healthy.”
Abraham says he thinks the Longest Ballot Committee has “been made a way bigger deal than it needs to be, it’s just visual noise; a distraction.” He thinks the only person to benefit from it would be Poilievre who he says has the most name recognition.
In closing, Abraham says, “I think I think the message that I have been telling is that the voting people of Canada have voted for 140-plus conservative MPs that haven’t said anything about the real issues.
“You now have the opportunity to vote for one voice that’s going to tell you the truth about salvaging this country, seeing a strong and Alberta first and liberating the rest of Canada.”
