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Crowsnest Pass
Herald
Vol. 94 No. 37
October 2, 2024 $1.25
Serving our communities since 1930
Prestigious Award for Crowsnest Historical Society
Contributor photo
Outstanding Achievement Award to Crowsnest Historical Society presented by Peter Wiebe, MLA Grande Prairie -Wapiti and Chelsae Petrovic, MLA Livingstone-Macleod to Fred Bradley, a founding member of the society, representing the Crowsnest Historical Society at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 27. See full story on page 2.
8 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Bellevue Main Street revamp update NICHOLAS L. M. ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter
Bellevue Main Street Revitalization nearing completion, set for October finish Ongoing construction on Main Street in Bellevue is progressing steadily, with significant milestones already reached, according to Patrick Thomas, the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer. The project, which aims to revitalize a key portion of the community’s core, is expected to wrap up by Thanksgiving, though some minor tasks may extend into late October. “The base layer of paving was completed last Friday,” Thomas said, “We’ll be adding a top layer once the concrete work is done.” The remaining work includes completing sidewalks between 23rd and 25th Avenue, the north side of 25th to 27th Avenue, as well as finishing the interior and roof of public washrooms. Other tasks include paving a parking lot, installing streetlights, converting to underground power, and adding landscaping elements like trees, shrubs, rocks, and public furniture. The project has experienced minor delays due to rock breaking for underground installations and additional scope items, but the team remains largely on track for completion. “The goal is to have the major work done by Thanksgiving,” Thomas said. “However, some minor items might carry on until the end of October.” Local businesses and residents have faced challenges throughout the project, including access restrictions and temporary water shutdowns. “There’s no doubt that access has been restricted, with detours in place for both vehicles and pedestrians,” Thomas said. To minimize disruptions, crews installed a new waterline while keeping the old one functional until it could be abandoned, and road closures were kept as limited
Bill C-59 changes will harm Albertas NICHOLAS L. M. ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, condems the bill as harmful Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, has strongly condemned the federal government’s Bill C-59, stating the legislation contains amendments that will negatively impact Alberta’s businesses, families, and environmental progress. “After extensive discussions with businesses across Alberta, it’s clear that these changes will stifle free speech and hurt hardworking Canadians,” Schulz said, in a statement on September 27, “This is not about ‘truth in advertising,’ that’s just a smokescreen. Instead, the changes provide a platform for anti-energy and anti-business groups to silence those working to reduce emissions while growing the economy.” The federal legislation, which implements provisions from the 2023 budget and fall economic statement, introduces significant changes to the Competition Act. “Alberta submitted its feedback to the federal government, urging it to rescind the changes,” she said. Bill C-59 also modernizes the merger review regime and strengthens enforcement measures by creating new remedial orders for collaborations that harm competition. In particular, it allows the Competition Bureau to review the environmental claims made by businesses and assess their validity, a move Schulz said will disproportionately harm Alberta’s energy sector. “Ottawa has created an echo chamber where anti-energy and anti-development views are left unchallenged,” she said, “These ideological rules will threaten in-
Nicholas L. M. Allen photos
Mainstreet Bellevue is close to completion, with an end date of October.
in scope as possible. Safety standards are being closely monitored, with an onsite inspector provided by the project’s consultant ensuring compliance with Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) standards. The project is also adhering to environmental regulations under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), with approved traffic plans in place, especially for tie-ins at Highway 3. To keep residents informed, the municipality has taken a proactive approach to communication, according to Thomas. “We’ve handed out initial information to businesses and kept the public updated through Facebook, where major changes and road closures are announced,” he said. Thomas and the contractor have also been visiting businesses periodically to provide specific updates on potential impacts. With work expected to reach completion soon, the Bellevue Main Street project promises to bring substantial improvements, including enhanced pedestrian access, upgraded utilities, and aesthetically pleasing public spaces. Residents are encouraged by Thomas to follow the Crowsnest Pass Municipal Facebook page for ongoing updates on the project’s progress, traffic changes, and any potential delays.
vestments, jobs, and decades of environmental progress in our province.” Other provisions in the bill include a new tax of 2 per cent on share buybacks by publicly traded corporations and expanded GST exemptions for certain healthcare services. Schulz, however, focused her criticism on the environmental provisions, arguing they introduce vague and punitive standards that could stifle Alberta’s industries. “Businesses want to be truthful and transparent about their environmental goals, but these amendments are silencing them,” she said, “Canadians will pay the price as Ottawa continues to focus on virtue-signalling instead of addressing real issues like affordability, housing, and economic decline.” She added that Alberta is prepared to explore legal options to defend its provincial jurisdiction and protect industries from “job-killing federal overreach.”
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Wednesday, October 2, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 9
Rural Albertans role with new NDP leader GEORGE LEE The Macleod Gazette - LJI
Naheed Nenshi promises increased visibility in rural Alberta The NDP’s path to success in a general election that’s still three years away places a new emphasis on small-town Alberta, party leader Naheed Nenshi said. “I think it’s fair to say that in the past, Alberta’s New Democrats have not been as visible as we should be outside of Calgary and Edmonton. So we have to show up in cities like Red Deer and Lethbridge and Medicine Hat and Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray more than we have,” Nenshi told The Macleod Gazette in a recent interview. “We also need to show up in smaller communities and in truly rural areas, and really help folks see what our offer is.” Nenshi said an 87-riding strategy is introducing him to well-prepared NDP volunteers who give him confidence in the party’s future. “We’ve got wonderful people who’ve been working for us and wonderful people who will run for us all over the province.” The former three-term Calgary mayor said he’s warmly greeted at events like the Ponoka Stampede in central Alberta. An NDP resurgence is evident in constituencies like Highwood, immediately south of Calgary, which boasts a top-five NDP membership total, Nenshi said. The 52-year-old won the party’s leadership in a first-ballot rout June 22 over three sitting members of the legislative assembly. The race to replace Rachel Notley — the first NDP leader in the province’s history to form the government — saw Nenshi take 86 per cent of the eligible vote in what the party said was a record turnout. Despite the party’s two successive election losses under Notley, Nenshi said the former premier has laid important groundwork. “I’ve always rejected left, right, centre. I figure those are terms that matter to journalists and political scientists, but less so to human beings who just want great public services, a thriving economy, good jobs and reasonable taxes. And fundamentally, I think that the Alberta NDP under Rachel Notley was already that party.” Nenshi said that while deciding whether to run for the leadership he was “pleasantly surprised to discover that. . .the party already represented the values and ethics of your average Albertan.” Still, he was nervous that broadening the NDP tent would face pushback from within. “But I’ve actually found very little resistance. I found a party full of everyday Albertans who are really excited about change.” Nenshi’s predecessor led the NDP to power in 2015, capitalizing on discontent with the ruling Progressive Conservatives after Alison Redford’s unpopular premiership. Smaller communities played a significant role in Notley’s historic win, with 20 seats beyond Calgary and Edmonton landing in the NDP’s favour. The final tally had the NDP celebrating a 54-30 victory over the Jim Prentice PCs and the Wildrose Party combined. Cont’d on page 10
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Exceptional quality, newer construction 4-bedroom 3-bathroom home with stunning mountain views. This 5.8 acreage has a mixture of mature trees, as well as a meadow and a rock outcrop. The house was set up with an option of a master bedroom and bathroom on the main loft. Main floor laundry. Amazing views. floor or in the beautiful $985,000 CALL JOHN MLS
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Discover the charm of this historic property located in downtown Coleman. Exceptional rock and brick craftsmanship, well preserved with impeccable straight lines. Property showcases the rich history of the area. Offers a main floor adorned with high ceilings, towering windows that flood the space with natural light, and captivating wood floors. Front, side, and back access. Opportunity to be a part of Coleman’s legacy. Upper floor, has own access with residential use. Two land titles. $450,000 CALL JOHN MLS Back lane access.
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Great 2 bedroom weekend or retirement property. Nice quiet location with big yard.
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Rare opportunity to acquire a level lot in Blairmore which may be suitable for a modular home. This lot is close to the municipal services. Lot is 39’ x 115’ with back lane access. Close to medical services and shopping. Beautiful walking trail just outside the front door. Crowsnest River nearby. $119,000 CALL JOHN MLS
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LUNDBRECK
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Very affordable, modern building on main street Bellevue. Recently rezoned to multiple residential zoning, can now be converted to apartments. Large lot adjacent to the building, allows for additional development on this property. There is also a shop area with a 10’ door at the rear. The street in front of the building, including pavement and underground
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