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Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 3
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Successful Initiation tournament in Viking doubles participation Patricia Harcourt Editor
The Dee-Jay Plumbing and Heating Viking Gas Kings Initiation Tournament was a great success on Saturday, Jan. 11, with 16 teams taking part at the Viking Carena Complex. "It was awesome," said Laurel Weisgerber, who coordinated the event along with Brandi Bird. "I am getting emails and feedback saying they can't wait to come back to Viking." Visitors were very impressed with the Carena facility. "They enjoyed the rink and Viking, they really enjoyed the community and can't wait to come back," she said. A total of 235 players came out to play in the daylong tournament as the temperatures outside started to dip into a deep freeze. Hockey players took to the ice representing hosts Viking Gas Kings, as well as visitors including Camrose Vikings - Canucks, Camrose Vikings - Flyers, Sherwood Park 205 Wolves, Sherwood Park 203 Blades, Lloydminster Blazers 10, Mannville Hawks, Sherwood Park 105 H a m m e r h e a d s , Lloydminster Initiation 7 Blazers, St. Albert Electric, Holden Oilers, Battle River Knights Initiation #2, Camrose Vikings Canadiens, Wetaskiwin Tom Thumb Jets, Vegreville Wranglers, and Sherwood Park 2018 Golden Gophers. Weisgerber was ecstatic about the amazing number of teams that came out for the fun event, with numbers doubling over last year's tournament. A highlight for the crowds attending, as well as the players, was a visit from
Hunter, the Edmonton Oilers' mascot. Hunter was everywhere that day making friends in the lobby, in the stands, and on the ice as excited children crowded around. The day also featured onice puck toss, raffle draws, 50/50 tickets, and the Viking families' VF4F, an indoor activity centre. The Viking Gas Kings played Lloydminster Blazers in the morning, followed by the Sherwood Park 105 Hammerheads in the afternoon. Viking's first game with Lloydminster saw #2 Harper Amundson take the Hearts and Hustle award, with #11 Conley Docksteader taking the MVP. For the second game against Sherwood Park, #13 Jaxon Parr took the Hearts and Hustle, and #5 Miles Weisgerber garnered the MVP. The Holden Oilers played afternoon games with St. Albert Electric and Lloydminster Blazers. In the first game with St. Albert, #12 Dayne Jober earned the Hearts and Hustle award, and #8 Adessa Hofer took the MVP. In game two against Lloyd, #10 Brielle Cameron took the Heart and Hustle award, and #21 Zackary Hellekson was given the MVP. All the participants were given medals to recognize their participation in the tournament. All day the lobby was abuzz with spectators out to enjoy food and drink from the Carena concession. Plus, they got to see their favourite team and/or players in action with good sportsmanship and love of the game all that was needed to make it a day full of fun for everyone.
A highlight of the Viking Gas Kings Initiation Tournament last Saturday was a visit by Hunter the Lynx, the official mascot of the Edmonton Oilers. Players crowded around the mascot following the end of two PATRICIA HARCOURT PHOTOS games at the Viking Carena Complex.
Members of the Holden Oilers Initiation (orange/navy) scramble to keep the puck away from St. Albert Saturday during an Initiation tournament.
Page 4 - The Weekly Review, Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Opinion
Have an Opinion? Write a Letter to the Editor. Email news@weeklyreview.ca or mail to Box 240, Viking, AB, T0B 4N0, All letters must be signed by their author.
Canadians have our MLA provides rural crime update own royalty to pay for, thank you very much Although most people would love to live the entitled lifestyle of the Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to potentially leave the senior royal circuit for a part time civilian life in Canada is complicated and controversial. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it more difficult when he said Canadians will pay half of the couple’s security yearly while they are in Canada. So roughly $1 million of Canadian tax dollars. No problem for the privileged. Both PM Trudeau and the Royal Family are use to a taxpayers-funded jet-setting lifestyle. No questions asked. The Trudeau family just flew back on a private taxpayerfunded jet from a vacation in Costa Rica. During the 10 day vacation, two pilots and two flight crew along with the aircraft sat on the tarmac on standby for 218 hours. The Canadian royal couple stayed at a villa that costs in excess of $3,000 per night. RCMP security were on hand for the entire trip. As much as he tries, Trudeau’s spending is nothing compared to what the Royal Family gets funded by British taxpayers. The British Sovereign Grant, which pays the Royal Family for official duties, paid out $140 million in 2019 alone. The Sovereign Grant is supported by the government and covers things like royal travel, communications, information, and the maintenance of all royal palaces. The Royal family has other income as well to support its lavish properties, designer clothes, and a team of staff exceeding even the Canadian prime minister. In all, the Crown Estate is worth some $12.5 billion. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly worth some $15 - $20 million combined, and made some $8 million just last year for public appearances. Most of their present income comes from Prince Charles's income from the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast portfolio of property and financial investments, which brought in $36 million last year. This revenue is used to "fund the public, private and charitable activities of The Duke and his children." Of course the Duchess of Sussex has her own money too, having been an actress on the TV show “Suits” for seven years at a reported $50,000 per episode. Critics of the couple think they may be exploiting or monetizing the royal brand. Well, no kidding. The happy couple have a UK trademark for the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, so their plans to monetize may be similar to the Trudeau Foundation. That organization has tripled its annual growth since Justin became prime minister, including a half million yearly in donations from foreign investment, which use to be exactly zero. The Trudeau Foundation is now worth over $150 million. Personally I could not care less if the royal couple made its way to Canada. We have our own royalty, our PM, to pay for as Canadian citizens. Do we really need more? KERRY ANDERSON
There have been a number of inquiries over the past few weeks at the office with regard to what is happening as a result of the townhall meeting Minister Schweitzer and I held in Camrose several weeks ago. Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, announced the government's initial plan to combat rural crime. The plan includes measures to deter crime, reinforce property rights, give victims a stronger voice in the justice system, and put 400 more first responders - boots on the ground - in more rural areas. The measures announced yesterday have been developed in response to the concerns raised by the over 2,500 rural Albertans in the over 20 townhalls Minister Schweitzer conducted all over rural and the over 8,000 submissions he received online. • The government wants rural Albertans to know that we have listened to them. We have heard them. And we are standing with them. We are doing everything we can as a provincial government to ensure they feel safe in their communities. • The plan includes 5 measures: • Defending the rights of law-abiding property owners through proposed amendments to the Occupiers' Liability Act. These measures that will be introduced will ensure that a criminal trespasser will not be able to sue a lawabiding property owner who is defending their property and family against trespassers who are, or who they believe to be, in the commission of a criminal act. • The caveat is that if a homeowner commits a criminal act themselves, then this provision would not apply and the trespasser could potentially pursue a civil action. • Please note: this legislation has no relation to the doctrine
of "castle law", which would require an amendment to the Criminal Code, a federal piece of legislation. This is provincial legislation that falls within "property and civil rights", which is within provincial jurisdiction. • Furthermore, the legislation that will be introduced will take effect retroactively January 1, 2019. Please note: this date was not chosen due to reasons related to Eddie Maurice. It was chosen to correspond with the provisions of the Limitations Act (generally referred to as the Statute of Limitations).
1. Defending the rights of law-abiding property owners from trespassers. To further strengthen property rights, the government will be introducing legislation to raise the maximum fines for trespassing up to $10,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for subsequent offences as well as possible jail time up to 6 months. This legislation will also be increasing the maximum amount a court can order for financial loss for property damage due to trespassing to $100,000. Furthermore, in response to occupations by animal rights radicals such as the incident at the Jumbo Valley turkey farm, the proposed legislation will create offences and penalties for people who trespass on agricultural operations and any organization found complicit in these attempts to bully and intimidate could face fines up to $200,000 2. Deterring metal theft. Many thieves are breaking onto property to steal metal, like copper wire for resale. They are also stealing materials from critical system like electric lines, telecommunications, cables, and transportation infrastructure. The government proclaimed the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act to deter metal theft by making it diffi-
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cult for criminals to monetize stolen materials by selling it for scrap. It requires scrap dealers to report suspected stolen property to authorities and we will develop regulations to ensure they obtain ID from sellers and keep proper records of their transactions for potential police investigations. 3. Giving victims a stronger voice. Whole communities will now be able to submit Community Impact Statements before a court during sentencing to describe the far-reaching effects of crime on a community - including the emotional, physical and economic impact, or mental health effects from the fears they may have for their own security. We will also be creating a new Restitution Recoveries Program to help victims collect outstanding court-ordered payments by using the provincial powers to enforce measures such as garnishing wages or seizing and selling property. 4. Creating the RAPID Force. To put more first responders in more rural areas, the government will be creating the Rapid Alberta Provincial Integrated Police Force - the RAPID Force - by granting additional roles and authorities to the Alberta Sheriffs, the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Branch. The RAPID Force will put an additional 400 boots on the ground to assist the RCMP and other police services to ensure security is deployed in response to 911 calls more quickly and effectively as possible. • Taken together, these measures will provide the strongest protections for rural residents in Canada. • These measures are only beginning, and the government will not let up until rural Albertans feel safe. Jackie Lovely Camrose MLA
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The Weekly Review, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 - Page 5
Word on the Street: RCMP intervene after threats uttered on social media On January 6, police received a complaint of a threat that was being uttered on social media. Police spoke to the subject who posted the statement and he agreed to take it down, he was issued a warning about posting statements of harm to people. On January 7, police responded to an unsecured business. The complainant advised she attended a business but there was no one inside. Members attended the location and the doors were locked and business was secure. That evening, police received a wellbeing check request. The complainant advised he was speaking with his wife over the phone but now can not get a hold of her. Police were able to contact the female and determine that she was fine.
On January 8, police received a request in assisting with a mental health patient. Police attended the location and the 18-year-old male was located and was escorted to the hospital at his request. On January 9, police responded to an abandoned trailer in the ditch. The trailer was located and was towed. This matter is still under investigation. On January 12, during regular patrol members observed an off highway vehicle being operated in the ditch. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was spoken to. The driver was unable to produce registration or insurance for the off highway vehicle. A violation ticket for Section 119(a)(b) under the traffic safety act, drive uninsured off highway vehicle was issued.
Church Services For January 2020 Golden Valley Lutheran Church Pastor Alvin Sorenson - Office: 780-336-3155 Sunday School: 11 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.
Roman Catholic Family Father Luan Vu Office: 780-336-3382 Viking: 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month mass will be at 11:15 a.m. 2nd and 4th Saturday - 6:30 p.m. If there is a 5th Sunday, mass will be at 9 a.m. Holden: Saturday, 1st, 3rd, and 5th, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2nd and 4th, 9 a.m. Vegreville: Saturday: 4:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sunday at 9 a.m. 2nd and 4th Sunday at 11:15 a.m. If the month has a 5th week, service will be Saturday at 4:30 p.m
United Church Rev. Scott Reynolds - Office: 780-336-3103 Viking: Sunday School- 9 a.m. Sunday Worship- 9 a.m. Irma: Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m.
Viking Alliance Church Rev. Darren Anderson - Office:
780-336-4950
Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.
www.vikingalliancechurch.com
Irma News
IRMA NEWS By Marjorie Lawson
Bill and Wendy Holt
enjoyed a week in Mexico. Maureen Currie is now making her home at Points West in Wainwright. Keith continues his recovery from a broken leg at Wainwright Hospital. A large contingent of fans travelled to Calgary to watch Carson Soucy and the Minnesota Wild player Calgary Flames on
Thank You
We, the residents of Vialta Lodge send a Sincere Thanks to the Viking and area families and the Pee Wee Hockey team for the wonderful Christmas gifts we received. Your kindness made a lot of Seniors grateful for being remembered in this kind way. Small towns have a special way of showing Love to their neighbours. God Bless You!!
Thursday evening. Be sure to get your tickets for the February 7 fundraiser for Irma 4H Beef Club and the school band. There will be a roast beef dinner and band concert. Bob Allen has announced that he will be retiring from his position at Buffalo Trail School Division effective August 2020. Cold weather did not
deter a large crowd from attending the Sharon Lutheran turkey supper on Sunday. The church hosted a lovely meal in support of their mission trip to Mexico in early February to build a home there. The forecast is for really cold temperatures in the days ahead. Stay warm!
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