High voter turnout for election
Bruderheimrecordshighestnumbersinatleast15years
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Scores of voters came out for the 2025 election on Oct. 20 with some municipalities recording 50 percent or better turnouts.
The town of Bruderheim had a 40 percent voter turnout with 1,019 electors listed on their provincial prepared electors’ registry and 408 voters who cast a ballot. There were two candidates running for mayor and seven candidates running for four council positions. Elected mayor is Ron Ewasiuk and elected councillors are Luis Diaz, Lesster Quijano Acosta along with incumbents Dayna Jacobs and Arlie Young.
Returning officer Sherry Cote also gave historical voter numbers from 2010 to now, showing this year had the highest number of voters in at least 15 years.
“It is always great to receive candidate nominations to support an election in Bruderheim and to have the residents come out to vote,” said Cote. “I
noticed that there were many residents voting for their first time this year which was exciting.”
Other areas with high voter turnouts were the Village of Chipman who had a 54 percent turnout with 202 electors on their registry and 110 voters who came out to cast a ballot.
Chipman had six candidates running for three council positions. Elected are incumbents Morris Langevin and Shana McIntyre while newcomer Evelyn McNaughton was also elected.
The Village of Andrew had a 47 percent turn out with 357 electors on their registry and 167 voters who cast a ballot. They had nine candidates running for four council positions, and for the
first time having the mayor position as elected, had two candidates running for that seat. Elected as mayor is Bill Romaniuk and the four council positions went to Osama Hamed, Melissa Dyck, Kyle Stotyn and incumbent Merwin Haight.
The town of Lamont had a smaller than expected voter turnout with 23 percent. They had 1,300 people on their elector’s register and 304 who cast a ballot. There were two candidates running for mayor and seven candidates running for six council seats. Elected as mayor is incumbent Jody Foulds and elected councillors are incumbents Linda Sieker, Colleen Holowaychuk, Perry Koroluk, Al Harvey, and newcomers
Chris Mintenko and Lynn Huxley. Jay Zaal, communications director for Lamont County, could not confirm the number of electors in each division. A representative of Municipal Affairs, who oversee municipal elections, was unable to provide the numbers by press time. Councillors elected in each of the five divisions were Gerald Thorowsky in division one, incumbent Aaron Wick was acclaimed in division two, John Uganecz was elected in division three, Roy Anaka was re-elected in division four and Neil Woitas was reelected in division five.
The town of Mundare returning officer Lisa Euchuk was unable to provide the elector numbers by press time, but said they had a total of 256 voters cast a ballot in the election. Three candidates ran for mayor and Rick Patrie was elected. There were seven candidates running for four council seats and elected are Cheryl Calinoiu, Geoffrey Hughes, Jennifer Johner, and incumbent Irene Talaga.
Loss part of the democratic process, says former Reeve David Diduck
BYJOHN MATHER
It was a surprise when following the vote count of Oct. 20, Lamont County Division three councillor and County Reeve David Diduck found himself out of a job.
The voters put their confidence in newcomer John Uganecz to represent the division.
“I wasn’t successful,” said Diduck following the loss. “As part of the democratic process people are given the choice to select their representative and in this case they chose my opponent.” He said he was initially disappointed with the outcome but after a week to
reflect on it he “is OK with it.”
Diduck was first elected as a councillor in 2017 and was then selected as the Reeve in 2018. He remained Reeve until the end of this term.
Lamont
County elects its Reeve from among a council vote at the annual organizational meeting.
Diduck feels there were some major
accomplishments during his terms on council but he doesn’t take individual credit for any successes.
“We had a good council and I had a strong relationship there. Our total relationship was good with all of us focussed on positive growth and prosperity for the council,” he stated.
“As council we work well and most of our
resolutions were passed unanimously.”
He said there were some struggles during the first term but in the second term a strong administration was assembled by council.
”They( administration) have been very positive in helping to move the visions and goals of council forward,” Diduck said. “They’re experienced. And they also are dedicated to Lamont County.”
Those were the things he was very proud of.
on Page 2
Town of Lamont Mayor Jody Foulds
Former Lamont County Reeve David Diduck
The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Former reeve David Diduck all classcongratulating opponent & moving on to “retirement”
Continued from front
Diduck added the process water line was part of council’s vision to attract industrial development.
“The one thing industry told us was to locate here they would need access to water so yes, we were proud when approvals for this came through in the spring.
“My one hope is that the council moving forward will continue to move that project forward. It’s approved and there’s grant funding to build the intake.”
He said while he has enjoyed making many new contacts in his position as Reeve and former chair of the Alberta's Industrial Heartland but he doesn’t see any roles in consultancy moving forward.
“I appreciate the many friends I’ve made through my years on
council but I’ve basically been voted into retirement,” he states with a chuckle.
“I’ll be spending much more time with my family, especially my grandchildren and pursue other endeavours such as expanding my farming operations.”
Diduck admitted he was surprised by the election results.
“I thought I ran a good campaign and my platform was sound,” he said. “I visited probably about 95 per cent of the residents in the division.”
He said there were some who said they didn’t agree with him and he was OK with that.
“I felt pretty comfortable going into the Monday vote,” he added. “I’m not sure where I went wrong.”
Diduck will remain on
the Lamont Healthcare Board as a public at large member.
“That’s not a council appointment,” he said.
He’ll also be involved with the Andrew Lions Club.
He was on the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association, the St. Michael Landfill Commission, the Community Adult Learning Council and the Lamont County Library Boards and a member of council.
“I’ll tell you one thing, he said. “It’s opened up a lot of space in my daily calendar.
“I do want to congratulate John (Uganecz) on his election and wish him well on representing the ratepayers of Division three,” he said.
“My time on council has been a rewarding experience. Lamont County is in a much better place financially and its potential for future growth is huge.”
He hopes the new council continues to promote future development and continues to support the service levels both desired and needed by the County residents.
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CAMPBELL, Donald Ross
~ June 7, 1930 to October 5, 2025 ~
One of the hardest things in life is to accept and notify the passing of one loved so much.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Edith and John; brother Raymond; sister Josephine; grandson Logan; brothers-in-law Ed and Bill; and Karren’s son, Shane Edward.
He is survived by his loving wife, Karren of over 40 years; sisters Eileen and Jackie; sons Shane, Scott, Hugh; daughters
Heather and Judy; step-daughters Tracie and Perrie; grandchildren Brennan, Erika, Carlena, Hailey, TJ, Jim, Shyla, Sarah, Ashley, Jessie, Kiefer, and Justin; and several great-grandchildren.
Of all the special gifts in life, however big or small, to have Don as a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa and greatgrandpa is the greatest gift of all. None on earth can take your place. Remember Don with a smile; he was not one for tears. Be reminded of all the fond memories made over the years.
The family extends their gratitude to the wonderful doctors and staff who cared for Don at the Smoky Lake Healthcare Centre.
Cremation has taken place and at Don’s request, no service or celebration of life will be held. Reflect instead on all times had together. Already missed and loved always.
Photos, memories, and condolences may be shared through www.parkmemorial.com
Province ends teacher strike with back-to-school legislation
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Teachers and students will be back at school on Wed. following the passing of Bill 2 the Back-toSchool Act in the legislature on Monday.
Government officials debated the bill late into the night, finally ending at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday.
“My expectation is that students and teachers will be back in the classroom on Wed.,” said Premier Smith during a press conference Oct. 27.
Finance minister Nate Horner said the bill was necessary as negotiations have gone on for 18 months with no movement.
“Unfortunately, students have been the ones paying the price for the ATA strike. Immediate action is now required to protect them and restore stability to Alberta's education system,” he said, adding the bill will impose the last offer made by the government on the teachers. It also ensures no formal local bargaining will occur until Aug. 31, 2028.
“This pause on local bargaining is necessary to prevent new strikes over local issues and to ensure that students and parents are not disrupted again for the entirety of the agreement,” said Horner.
The bill also stipulates penalties of up to $500 per day for individuals participating in illegal strike action and up to $500,000 per day for organizations.
Justice Minister Mickey Amery explained that the notwithstanding clause protects the bill from court challenges for the duration of the fouryear deal.
“It will remove the uncertainty a court case could create. But most importantly, using the notwithstanding clause in this case preserves the sovereignty of the legislature to act in the public interest,” said Amery.
“We must protect Alberta's children from a prolonged and unneces-
sary delay in their education. We will not apologize for putting children first.”
In the press conference, Smith said the provincial
Unfortunately, students have been the ones paying the price for the ATA strike.
- Minister Horner
government will also immediately begin collecting data and publicly reporting on class sizes and composition.
“Numbers and data help provide clarity,” she said. “This will help guide government’s immediate and future policy, funding and decision making.”
Smith announced the government will create a Class Size and Complexity task force in
addition to $100 million a year for the next three years to hire 1,500 more educational assistants.
Smith said the government is also committed to hiring at least 3,000 more teachers in addition to investing $8.6 billion to building 130 new schools.
Teachers will also get the pay raise promised during the last round of negotiations they rejected which includes a 12-17 percent increase over the next four years.
Jeff Park, Executive Director for the Alberta Parents’ Union, said the move will ensure kids get an education without interruptions.
“This is the second major learning disruption most young families have experienced, after almost two decades of uninterrupted learning,” said Park referencing the
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COVID pandemic where schools were shut down for prolonged periods.
“We would have preferred a negotiated set-
tlement, but parents do not have a seat at the bargaining table, and our first priority is that our children receive an edu-
cation. We support the Government of Alberta taking action to return children to class.”
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Lamont
Opinion
Province moves aheadlet’s put separatism to rest
BY JOHN MATHER
So in the past week, Alberta had the Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani read the speech from the throne to open the fall session of the Legislature.
She referenced the 2023 Thorne speech where it was stated at that time, “The world needs more Alberta energy – not less – and Alberta’s government intends to empower Albertans to deliver it.”
“Honourable Members, that is exactly what this government has done every moment since that time, and it will continue to do so until the job is done.
This government has driven back the anti-energy movement in our country and helped to turn the tide of national public opinion from anti-oil and gas sentiment into a national consensus that Alberta’s energy resources are a national treasure that can and must be developed aggressively using the made-in-Alberta technologies that allow us to do so in the most environmentally responsible manner.”
She continued on stating Alberta as continuing to win the “battle for our freedom and provincial rights –because your government believes we are on the right side of history and Albertans will not be denied their prosperous future.”
She reported the province is actively working with Ontario to build an oil pipeline to that province and actively co-operating with Manitoba, Saskatchewan and First Nations to gain access to the Port of Churchill for future oil and gas exports.
Lakhani pointed out because of the province's diplomacy and negotiating efforts with the U.S. the “vast majority of Alberta exports – from energy to agriculture and almost everything else – have remained tariff-free.”
The speech highlighted improvements the government would be making to infrastructure on Alberta highways, improvements committed to for schools and teachers, despite the ongoing strike, improvements to rapid transit in both Calgary and Edmonton, and social services.
Health services are to continue being reformed to improve services to all Albertans.
And it touched on the sovereignty issue.
CONTINUED
“Honourable Members, this government has been clear and will continue to be so. Your government believes in a strong, free and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.
“Sovereignty does not mean separation. Strength and self-determination do not have to mean national independence. And one can love this province with all their heart – and love our nation just as much.”
“In fact, it is your government’s view that both Canada and Alberta can only succeed when a proper constitutional balance has been restored and Alberta is empowered to freely pursue its full potential while Ottawa focuses its efforts on key areas of federal jurisdiction.”
That is a pretty clear statement of where the government stands on separation.
Which brings up a couple of side points to the throne speech.
The Republican Party of Alberta, a small group of doom and gloomers who clamour for Alberta independence, issues a release regarding the speech from the throne from its leader Cameron Davies.
“As the Alberta Legislature reconvenes for its fall session, I extend my best wishes to all members for a productive term. But let’s be clear: this session must confront the defining issue of our time, Alberta’s independence.”
“For too long, the UCP has clung to the illusion that Ottawa can be reasoned with,” Davies went on. “Despite years of evidence, from stifled pipelines to crushing carbon taxes, the Premier still believes that pleading for fairness will change anything.
"The diplomacy has failed. The paperwork has failed. What hasn’t been tried is trusting Albertans themselves.
“It’s time for Premier Danielle Smith to stand with the people of Alberta, not with Ottawa, and call a binding referendum on independence. Let’s Albertans decide our destiny.”
Well the last time I looked the Republican Party of Alberta had no seats in the Alberta Legislature.
Zero seats!
And the elected representatives are the people I trust to guide the welfare of this
province moving forward.
Which brings me to Thomas Lukaszuk and his Forever Canadian petition. All the signatures must be collected by Oct. 28. Then they have to be verified for fake names, duplicate names and overall legitimacy.
Yet, Lukaszuk’s supporters are complaining because the majority of provincial and federal politicians have refused to sign his database-gathering formwork.
The CanadaWill Project identified 72 of Alberta’s Federal and provincial politicians who have refused to state whether they support or oppose “Alberta separation.
“Each politician was contacted four times between October 2 and October 20 and asked a single, direct question: “Do you reject Alberta separatism? Yes or No.”
“Silence from elected leaders is not neutrality—it’s complicity,” said Tim Glowa, Co-founder of CanadaWill.ca. “We scraped and reviewed two years of public statements and news coverage, then reached out four times to every MLA and Alberta-based MP. Those who ignored our requests are now classified as ‘Pro Separation / No stance’ in our database. Albertans deserve clarity from their elected representatives.”
Well, one should ask themselves this: Regarding the Federal politicians… if Alberta were to separate it stands to reason they would all be out of a job. And so would those Alberta senators.
Why? Because if Alberta is independent it will have no affiliation except through agreements with the rest of Canada.
Do some really think those elected MPs and unelected Senators want to give up their massive salaries?
I don’t think so. And their pensions would also disappear.
And for this, provincial politicians which includes the majority of the NDP caucus who don’t want to sign the petition it’s because they see it as a frivolous vanity project of Lukazuk’s and they don’t want their names associated with his database.
The province has unequivocally stated its belief in Canada.
As long as the Feds work in collaboration with the province and allow them to develop their natural resources, especially here in Alberta, separatism will fade in obscurity.
Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter Crystal Moren
(This From Where I Sit column was intended for last week. Sorry for the mix-up)
BY HAZEL ANAKA
By the time you read this, the municipal elections will be over. Edmonton is guaranteed to have a new mayor. Elsewhere, many of the incumbents around the province will be back in council chambers. Many other new faces will be crossing those thresholds for the first time. No doubt some very good people will lose their seats and others who never should have been elected will be back. Our gratitude should extend to everyone who participated in this democratic exercise.
Ideally, we all will have voted. Ideally, we will have carefully weighed the options. There is an immutable law that says leopards
FROM WHERE I SIT: Critical Work
don’t change their spots. The serious, duty-bound, committed ones will remain serious, dutybound, and committed. The ones who resign early, miss meetings, don’t do the required prep work, and fluff their way through life will continue to do so.
The swearing in ceremony is important but it doesn’t bestow responsible personality traits or work ethic changes onto those in whom they’re lacking.
Over the years I’ve had enough frank decisions with CEOs in the private and public sector to know that they cringe at the prospect of ‘breaking in a new council or board’ especially if there’s a wing nut or two elected/appointed.
Getting newly elected people up to speed is a painfully slow process. Heck, it can take a year to learn all the acronyms. No CEO or senior staff will begrudge this time and effort if the councillor is an eager learner willing to put in the same time and effort.
The formal training will include providing in-house orientation about departments and service areas as well as
facilitating attendance at annual conferences hosted by provincial bodies like Rural Municipalities Association (RMA) or Alberta Municipalities. Less formal guidance and advice is provided through recommendations in meeting packages and it comes from many sources. Fellow councillors and longterm staff members with invaluable institutional history and experience will explain policy, precedents, rationale. Legal and audit advice available to municipalities can guide council in extreme conditions. The Municipal Government Act is the ultimate authority governing behaviour. But countless other legislation, regulations, codes of conduct, confidentiality oaths, and norms both empower and limit any one councillor’s ability to act.
A council is only as good as the sum of it parts. If someone has been elected with a private agenda or is misinformed about his/her roles and responsibilities it is going to be a fouryear rocky road for everyone. “Group think” is not the goal but working to gain consensus is a
Lamont and Area
LAMONT UNITED CHURCH 5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB 780-895-2145 Rev. Deborah Brill
reasonable expectation of any council. Members also need to understand that a council decision is final and binds all members regardless of how they voted. Individual council members must understand that they are the face of their municipality whether at meeting with a provincial cabinet minister at the
legislature, at a farmer’s gate, at a zone meeting, at a provincial conference, or in council chambers. It’s a small gossipy world and tales of impropriety spread like wildfire. Being a lightweight or buffoon isn’t a good look for anyone.
Conventional wisdom says the ‘people have spoken and are never
wrong’ and that we get the government we deserve. With the world ablaze with problems and people experiencing unprecedented anxiety about the future, I truly hope the level of government closest to us is up to the challenge. This is critical work that requires the best people we can elect, from where I sit.
From the files of the Lamont Leader
AA Meetings Thursdays at 8:00 pm Bruderheim
SUNDAY
WORSHIP
10:30 AM
May 6, 2014 issue of the Lamont Leader: Grade 8 student Ben Marshall of Lamont won silver at the K of C Provincial free throw competitions in Sherwood Park during Spring Break. Ben loves basketball and practices every chance he gets.
Bruderheim open house explains carbon capture
BY JANA SEMENIUK
An open house, hosted by ATCO Enpower and Shell Canada Energy, showed Bruderheim residents where a future carbon capture storage hub, known as Atlas, will be located near Shell Scotford, as well as described the process of capturing and storing CO2.
Approximately 30 people gathered at the Bruderheim Community Hall Oct. 16 to hear presentations, view large maps and images as well as have their questions answered. The event was also catered with a meal by Lamont’s Tom’s Catering.
Atlas project manager Carmen Hamm said Atlas is a partnership between ATCO Enpower and Shell. She said there is currently a carbon capture unit, known as Quest, that’s been operating since 2015. It’s located at the Scotford Upgrader, and Hamm said the new hub projects mean they can capture and store CO2 for other companies.
She said the town of Bruderheim is located within the phase one area although the unit itself will be built near Scotford.
Alexa Tomlinson, subsurface and measurement monitoring and
verification lead for Atlas, described the process for capturing and storing CO2.
She said once the CO2 is captured it is injected two kilometers down into the ground and stored in small spaces located inside the basil Cambrian sandstone layer.
“That's the container; all of those little, tiny spaces combined is where we're putting the CO2,” said Tomlinson, holding samples of rock to show the crowd.
“We're going to gently displace that salty water (inside the rock) and put our CO2 in those little, tiny holes.”
One attendee asked if what is being captured is a liquid or a gas.
“It’s a gas at the point we capture it then, as part of the process, it will be compressed until there’s enough pressure that it’s in a liquid state and remain liquid the whole time,” said Thomlinson.
“This is permanent storage and we would never be able to get it back out.”
Another asked about how the below ground temperature could affect the stored CO2.
“You are drilling two kilometers (down) it’s very warm down there. Will it re-gasify the liq-
uid and if so, will you just burn that off through a flare?” he asked.
Thomlinson said the pressure was sufficient to keep the CO2 in a liquid state.
“And CO2 doesn’t burn,” she said.
Thomlinson said construction on the new carbon capture project near Shell Scotford would begin with a pad built in November and drilling to start early in the new year.
Alexa Thomlinson, monitoring and verification lead for the Atlas carbon capture project, explains the process of carbon capture using a sample of basil cambrian sandstone rock. Thomlinson gave her presentation in Bruderheim at an open house by ATCO Enpower and Shell on Oct. 16.
A heartfelt thank you to all who took the time to vote in the municipal election - my family, and everyone for your overwhelming support; it means so much. Together we can choose the path for our community. Join a committee, start a committee, attend an event. You too can make a difference Linda Sieker
Photo: Jana Semeniuk
When Meta meets AI: It’s a tale of misinformation
BY TIM SHOULTS
October wasn’t just National Newspaper Week – it was also municipal election season in two provinces (Alberta and Quebec, with Newfoundland and Labrador just finishing their elections last month).
Those are the first municipal elections being contested while Meta is blocking news from its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, in Canada.
Perhaps just as importantly, they’re the first municipal elections to be conducted since AI has come into our lives.
Those two facts may come together in some very concerning ways for those looking for information to help them make their choices for municipal councils and school boards this fall.
Here’s a recent local example: One of the local Facebook groups in my
hometown of St. Albert, recently had someone ask a question about which city councillors voted for and against on a controversial issue before council earlier this year. A fellow citizen very helpfully replied with the list.
The problem was that one of the councillors listed was a name I’d never heard before.
A quick Google search revealed that the mystery man was, in fact, a city councillor — but for the City of Lethbridge.
I replied to the Facebook poster, who told me they tried to post the article from our website which listed the councillors in favour and against, but of course, Facebook wouldn’t let that happen due to their spat with the federal government over the Online News Act.
Instead, the poster got their list from an AIassisted search in Google, which missed
one of the councillors in favour and erroneously substituted the councillor from Lethbridge.
It’s the first AI-hallucinated error I’ve seen on social media this election campaign, but it might not be the last.
This isn’t a question of some bad actor trying to spread misinformation online. This isn’t even someone lazily throwing the first thing they ask Google for up onto Facebook. This is someone who made a good faith effort to source local news, then turned to what they thought would be a trusted alternative in AI and ended up inadvertently posting misinformation.
It’s a clear demonstration of the need for professional, fact-checked reporting at a critical time, and a warning that that reporting isn’t nearly as accessible as it needs to be. We get only one chance every four years to choose the
women and men who will lead our city and make countless decisions that impact it for decades to come.
To make those choices with erroneous information is frightening, and while citizens on Facebook chat groups are well-meaning, the possibility for error is clearly there. And without the ability to post links to verifiable, factchecked information done by people who are paid to do that and nothing else on Facebook — one of the principal channels people will be using to get their information — that possibility for error to go uncorrected is high.
We might have caught one error thanks to me being on Facebook at the right time, but we’re too busy covering local news to be policing Facebook for local misinformation. We’re also not going to be able to solve Facebook’s issue with
the Canadian media industry before voters go to the polls, so we’re going to need some kind of workaround. And it’s going to need to involve you, the reader.
We have a saying in the business: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.”
For this election campaign, I’d like to offer a
different version of that: if you come across a piece of information that is critical to your next vote, check it out on the website of your local news source.
Yes, it’s more work, but having verified facts is worth it.
Tim Shoults is publisher of the St. Albert Gazette.
8
The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, October 29, 2025
BOOderheim Trunk or Treat delivers spooktacular fun despite the weather
BY MELISSA
MACINTOSH-YOUNG
Rainy skies couldn’t scare away the Halloween spirit in Bruderheim last weekend as the town’s annual BOOderheim Trunk or Treat went ahead—this time indoors!
Despite the lastminute venue change due to weather, more than 280 little ghouls and goblins came out to enjoy the frightfully fun
community celebration.
Local businesses and residents showed off their creativity, decorating tables and transforming the indoor space into a spooky wonderland of treat stations.
Kids of all ages paraded through the event in their costumes, filling their bags with candy and smiles. Adding to the festivities, the Bruderheim Agricultural Society hosted free
pumpkin carving, giving families a chance to get hands-on and create their own Halloween masterpieces.
Organizers say the event was another big success and hope to make next year’s BOOderheim Trunk or Treat even bigger and better—hopefully with a little help from friendlier weather.
Elk Island U11 Alex Holt’s 10 goals keeps team unbeaten
KERRY ANDERSON
These are some of the results from Minor Hockey League games held recently. (Please note that scores and scoring is taken from the websites, and some game scores and scoring is dependent on proper league entries).
Elk Island U11 (4-0-0) downed CNN Spurs 9-4 on Friday at Lamont Arena led by Alex Holt’s 5-goal game. Other goals went to; Marcus MacDonell (2g 1a), Dennis Sobkow, and Braden Roy. Assists went to; Colbin King (2a), Owen Martz (1a), Enzo Francis Bouzane
(1a). Derek Bonner got the win in goal. On Saturday, Elk Island hit the road against CR Knights and won a 14-1 game led by Alex Holt’s five goal 6-point game. Braden Roy got a hat trick. Others on the scoresheet were; Marcus MacDonell (2g), Owen Martz (1g), Jaxon Labrash (1g), Enzo Francis Bouzane (1g), Hendrix Pierce (1g), and Colbin King (1a). Stratteon Robinson got the win in goal.
Elk Island U13 (0-4-0) dropped an 8-7 game on Saturday at Lamont Arena. Christian
McLeod (2g 1a) and Sawyer Wytrykush both had two goal games. Other goal-getters were; Mary Sobkow, Quinn Dickinson, and Kayden King. Assists went to; Ellie Poirier (2a), Jaxon Calder (2a), Landen O’Connell, and Jaxton Fertuck.
On Sunday the team dropped an 8-3 game on the road against Pembina. Mary Sobkow (1g 1a), Sawyer Wytrykush and Christian McLeod scored for EI. Assists went to; Kayden King and Ellie Poirier.
Daylight Saving Times Ends Sunday, Nov. 2
Buy Canadian should fund Canadian jobs and news, not U.S. Big Tech
A Message from Canada’s news publishers
To the Government of Canada,
We applaud the Government of Canada’s ambition to build Canada strong, and commitment in the forthcoming Budget to Buy Canadian
Last year, the federal government including agencies and Crown corporations spent over $100 million on advertising. Most of it went to U.S. Big Tech.1
Why are we funding American tech monopolies that extract tens of billions a year out of Canada -- largely untaxed -- at the exp ense of local journalism and culture, and whose platforms have become vectors for division and disinformation?
Let’s reinvest our ad dollars in Canada. In Budget 2025, the Gove rnment of Canada should follow Ontario’s lead and set aside a minimum of 25% of its advertising budgets for Canadian news media.
At no additional cost to taxpayers, the government can support local jobs while getting its message out in a brand safe environ ment. Far fewer Canadians trust ads on Facebook and Instagram than those published by Canadian news media. 2
Buying Canadian advertising in Canadian news media is both the right and smart thing to do.
Respectfully, Canada’s news publishers
Little hands hard at work - kids enjoying free pumpkin carving thanks to the Bruderheim AG Society. photo by Melissa MacIntosh-Young
Dangerous driving cause of 4th collision this year at notorious intersection
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A fourth collision, so far this year, occurred on Oct. 22 at highway 16 and 855 south of Mundare but was not due to the intersection itself, according to police.
Cpl. Gina Slaney, public information officer with the Alberta RCMP, said police were dispatched at 8:12 a.m. on Oct. 22 to a collision at highway 16 and 855 that was due to dangerous driving.
BY JOHN MATHER
For the fourth year, No Stone left Alone will form part of the Lamont Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Children from throughout the Lamont County region have been asked to participate and represent the 24 soldiers who gave their lives for our freedoms from
BY JOHN MATHER
The third quarter July through September monitoring stats from the Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership show air quality in the region was at low risk for 84.8 per cent of the time.
That figure and others for the quarter are based on 14,945 hours of air monitoring across 10 monitoring stations across the region which includes Redwater, Gibbons, Fort Saskatchewan, Bruderheim and stations in Lamont County and one portable station.
The low risk category was achieved for 12,676 monitored hours, 1,971 hours were noted in the moderate risk category representing 13.2 per cent of the total hours monitored.
High risk air quality was recorded for 102 hours representing .7 per cent of the total and 196 hours or 1.3 per cent of the total hours were in the high risk Air Quality
“RCMP attended a traffic stop where the driver fled police,” said Cpl. Slaney. “Dangerous driving led to the collision which happened to end near that intersection.”
Slaney said police felt the collision was inevitable due to the driver’s behaviour and not directly related to the intersection. She added the investigation is ongoing.
The intersection south of Mundare has been a
Lamont in the First World War.
The program, which is dedicated to honouring and remembering Canada’s veterans, was first started in Lamont four years ago and this year is a collaboration between Lamont and Lamont County Family and Community Social Services.
heated subject for elected officials and residents over the years as 13 collisions have occurred since 2022 with four of them fatal.
So far this year, there have been three related to the intersection itself, within two weeks of each other, two of them fatal.
This July, a 61-year-old man lost his life in one collision and a 17-yearold girl lost her life in another.
The program will be held towards the end of the Lamont Ceremony which is held at Lamont Community Hall on November 11.
During the No Stone Left Alone ceremony the students will place a poppy on a cross representing Lamont’s fallen soldiers.
Health Index (AQHI).
The total low risk number is the largest amount in this category recorded for the past three years.
“HAMP was formed in 2000 to respond to increasing public interest in air quality in a region with some of the most condensed industrial development in the province,” said Nadine Blaney, HAMP’s executive director.
“Today our multistakeholder structure ensures every voice is
heard, including a very strong public component of people living in the HAMP region.”
HAMP will host an open house this afternoon (Oct. 29) to mark the grand reopening of it Southfort Air Monitoring Station in Fort Saskatchewan at 201 Town Crest Road, between Town Crest Centre mall and the Dow Centennial Centre Transit Park and Ride
The open house is from 2 to 4 p.m.
Top 10 reasons to advertise in
Because if I want The Leader to cover my event or provide space for my event, I know they need revenue to pay for it! One hand washes the other. I never take without giving back.
I like the idea of having an independent news agency in our area, because I don’t want to just be fed propaganda from municipalities, police and school boards just to appease me!
For years there was no media in the Lamont County area, just leaching media from other areas covering events here only for advertising dollars and no vested interest.
I don’t just advertise with The Leader to make sales but also to fend off competition from other businesses in the area and from other towns and cities in the area too.
I know if I don’t advertise with The Leader, that my event will not be covered when it happens mostly because they don’t know about it, but also because I didn’t support them so why would I expect them to support me.
The Leader is a local business, employing local people, donating to local charities, and involved with local causes. Tech giants do nothing for my family, my neighbours or my community.
The Leader covers all of Lamont County. These are my friends and neighbours and we support one another.
I try to buy all my printing from The Leader, or at least get a quote. They are honest and good to deal with. When I have a problem they look after it for me from printing to advertising.
I budget a portion of my revenue to advertising with The Leader. It’s smart business to re-invest in promoting my business.
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MISSING DOG
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If you see her, please call 780-385-0480 or 780-385-4500 42-43
To Give Away: Bus seats available for free (out of a school bus-legs on one side only) Call 780-914-7861
COMING EVENTS
Sedgewick SDA Church Free Community Harvest Supper
Sunday, November 2 at 5pm Sedgewick SDA Hall Blue sign at 42029 RR 131 SW 1-42-13 W4M Sedgewick, AB info@sedgewickadventist.ca
Flagstaff Scottish Club Annual General Meeting will be Sunday, November 23, 2025, 2pm at the Clubhouse in Sedgewick. 4402 47Ave. All interested folks are encouraged to attend. Dinner to follow. Please call Ian Malcolm for more information and to RSVP for dinner at 780-390-0096. 43/44c
COMING EVENTS
Flagstaff Players Annual General Meeting Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Sedgewick Community Hall All are welcome! 43/44c
GALAHAD LIONS CLUB ANNUAL FALL HAM SUPPER
Sunday Nov 9th Galahad Agriplex 5 to 7 pm
43/44c
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Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
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Fall break still on despite students being behind due to strike
BY JANA SEMENIUK
The weeklong fall break from school, usually slated for mid November each year, will go ahead as scheduled this year despite the nearly month-long teacher strike.
Elk Island Public Schools notified families by email last Wed. that the break will go ahead as planned.
“The Division office has received several inquiries from parents and caregivers about the traditional November break, and whether EIPS is considering using those four days to address classroom learning missed during the current labour disruption,” said the email.
our its commitment and will not be cancelling the November break. Schools will be closed from November 10 through November 14.”
“As many families and staff members have already made plans to travel or take part in other activities during that time, EIPS will hon-
Students have been out of school since Oct. 6 due to the teachers’ strike and slated to return Oct. 29 with Backto-School legislation from the Alberta Government.
Highway to get resurfaced from Highway 16
to north of Mundare
BY JOHN MATHER
Highway 855 will get a makeover in 2026.
The highway will be resurfaced from Highway 16 north to Highway 29 including through the Town of Mundare.
Former Lamont County Division One councillor Daniel Warawa said the County had worked on getting the road improved for a long time.
“We found out they’re resurfacing the highway and we asked if they could do something about the curve on the hill north of Mundare,” he said.
He said while campaigning he had asked a resident if they had asked him for some land to improve the curve and he was told yes.
A spokesman for Alberta Transportation. And Economic Corridors said Oct. 27, the design work for the surfacing project had been completed, but the tender had not yet been let, so she couldn’t give a timeline or cost for the project.
She was able to state that there were no plans to widen to Highway to improve the narrow shoulders and a left turning lane at the inter-
section of Highway 15 at the south end of Mundare won’t be added to accommodate the
traffic. The road will also be resurfaced through Mundare.
Last year, we raised $1,885! With your help, we can get to that number again!
Lamont Leader; Kerry, Michelle, Brennan & Garrett Anderson; Crystal & Hunter, Sylvia & Family, Aileen, John Mather, Jana Semeniuk & Family, Anonymous #1, Al Harvey & Family;
