Vegreville News Advertiser - September 10, 2025 by The News Advertiser - Vegreville, AB

Town of Vegreville Mourns the Passing of Former Mayor Dr. Richard N. Coleman

Town of Vegreville Submitted

The Town of Vegreville is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Mayor Dr. Richard N. Coleman, a dedicated public servant and respected community leader, on August 20, 2025.

Dr. Coleman served as a Town Councillor from 1992 to 2004 before being elected as Mayor, a role he held from 2004 to 2013. During his years of leadership, he helped guide Vegreville through periods of growth and change, always committed to the well-being of residents and the future of the community.

Dr. Coleman’s dedication, vision, and commitment to Vegreville have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

In 2012, Dr. Coleman was recognized nationally for his dedication to public service when he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, a distinction honoring significant contributions and achievements in Canada.

The Town of Vegreville extends heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Coleman’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

Please note: In honour of Former Mayor Richard Coleman’s passing, the Town of Vegreville flags were at half-mast starting September 3, 2025.

(News Advertiser/File Photos)

“Dr. Coleman’s impact on Vegreville will not be forgotten. His years of service as both Councillor and Mayor shaped the foundation of our community in countless ways. We honour his legacy, his leadership, and his unwavering dedication to the people of Vegreville. On behalf of Town Council and our community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

- Tim MacPhee, Mayor, Town of Vegreville

Back to School Traffic Safety Tips

Alberta RCMP Submitted

As the roads get busier with back to school, your Alberta RCMP is giving safety tips for students, guardians, and drivers.

Parents/guardians and students:

• Brightly coloured clothing can help make students visible when weather or time of day limits visibility.

• Teach your child to look in all directions before crossing the street, only cross at crosswalks, and always make eye contact with drivers before stepping out onto the road.

• Instruct your child to never run after a school bus as neither the bus driver nor other motorists may see them on the road.

• Show your child a safe route to walk/bike to school. Make sure to walk the route with them at least once to point out any hazards and to show them how to properly use crosswalks and obey traffic control devices.

• If using a school bus, ensure your child is aware of the traffic hazards which may be present near the bus stop. Show them a safe place where they can wait to catch the bus.

• If meeting your child at the bus stop after school, always

wait at the actual bus stop, not just nearby. Children may forget traffic safety rules and run over to you without paying attention.

• Texting or listening to music with headphones while walking can be dangerous. Children may get distracted by devices and step out into traffic without paying attention to motorists.

Drivers:

• Pay extra attention for children walking to school as you pull out or back out of your garage or driveway.

• Be mindful that it may be difficult to see pedestrians during dark mornings or evenings.

• Remember, it is illegal to pass a school bus when its lights are flashing red. Drivers on both sides of the road must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off.

• Slow down in school zones and be particularly alert for students during school hours, especially when dropping off and picking up children from school.

• Don’t assume pedestrians see you. Always make eye contact before turning to ensure everyone is aware of one another.

“Back to school can be a busy time,” says Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic. “By following some basic tips and giving yourself extra time, everyone can have a safer commute.”

Canada’s EV Ambitions

Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser – Opinion

Parts of Canada sure seem eager to throw money at an electric future. At least if it fits their narrative and politics. If you take in news regularly, you will know that the Northvolt project in Quebec is no longer on electric life support, it’s officially dead. On September 5, a Quebec Superior Court judge has declared the North American branch of battery manufacturer Northvolt insolvent as the provincial government seeks to recover $260 million owed to it.

There was still hope, although faint, back in March when Northvolt collapsed under the weight of $8 billion in debt after a series of “setbacks” including loss of orders, investors pulling back and missing of production targets.

Now, Quebec is not only chasing money, they are looking for someone to buy the plant located near Montreal. After laying off the entire workforce last week, Economy Minister Christine Frechette said the government would not provide any further funding for its planned electric-vehicle battery plant. I can’t be the only one shaking my head.

Not to let anyone down, the federal government has put a pause on their EV mandate policy that would require automakers to reach certain sales targets for zero-emission vehicles.

They will also spend 60 days (and countless taxpayer dollars) reviewing the policy called the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard.

At the same time, Ottawa will not be deterred. The Northvolt collapse comes after Honda announced in May that it was pausing a multibillion-dollar EV project in Ontario. At the time, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that Honda assured her “no jobs would be lost,” and that Honda is still “fully committed to major EV investments right here in Canada.”

Canadian entrepreneurs and scientists have no shortage of solutions to move electrification forward. We, as a country, constantly innovate and share in the successes of others with the same goals. However, it seems as though the commonsense that is part of Canadian culture seems to get lost along the way. We have the resources and desire, but despite the science not quite being there in some areas, it’s like some governments are trying to push a rope up hill.

Take the case of B.C. truck builder Edison Motors. They have a novel idea to build a plug-in electric/diesel semi truck. They built Canada’s first Production Electric Hybrid Truck; consisting of their our own powertrain, chassis and cab. They have prototypes as well as builds currently in the works for commercial clients.

Edison offers both fully electric and diesel-electric vocational trucks depending on customer demands. Of course there is range anxiety, which is where their approach (which is not unique) comes in. If fully electric doesn’t provide enough power or if the truck works in an area where charging infrastructure doesn’t exist, they have designed in an on-board generator that can keep the batteries fully charged while working.

I included “not unique” because I can already hear the detractors claiming “this won’t work” and “EVs are garbage.” Across the world, freight-trains have been electric and diesel-electric since the 1930’s and are incredibly efficient at moving heavy freight. When you hear the train spooling up that big diesel, it’s not powering the wheels on the train, it’s powering an electric motor. If still skeptical, you can research the advantages of electric motors.

Now the problem currently facing Edison? Our government. They have an issue with getting federal government approval due to their use of a generator, which is classified as “offhighway,” rather than a regular engine. They have been told ‘you can’t build a plug-in hybrid semi truck, we have no legislation that allows you to do that right now.’ So why can’t our

Ambitions - CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

3 Opportunities to Grow Your Farm’s Success

News Canada

(NC) Farming has a romantic image, but in reality it’s also an industry that needs to manage growth and opportunity like any other. As Canada’s agriculture sector navigates a changing world, here are three areas where your farm could be ready to grow to the next level:

Feeding a growing global market. Canada has a well-deserved reputation as a breadbasket, with our farms’ wheat exports coming in only behind Russia and Australia. But new opportunities are appearing on the world stage that may grow farmers’ earnings on a more diverse

range of crops.

For instance, India’s economy and standard of living are both rising rapidly. There’s an expanding market there, and throughout South and Southeast Asia, for high-quality plant-based proteins, like Canadian soybeans, peas and lentils. There’s also more demand for biofuels in the region, which is great news if you’re considering planting more oilseed crops.

Filling supply gaps at home. If you’re looking to focus more on growing fruits and vegetables, or just avoid trade uncertainty, there’s ample opportunity to grow your sales right here. Did you know that

to meet current domestic demand, fruit production would need to be five times higher than it is right now, or that vegetable production would need to double?

Investing in technology can be an important part of your business growth. Greenhouses in particular are more advanced than ever in Canada, with farmers and scientists experimenting with new lighting, irrigation and diffusing glass to boost yields.

Planning for sustainable growth. No business can profit in the long term if it’s not doing business sustainably. For farmers, that means taking advantage of available knowledge and resources.

“Farmers work hard at creating plans to grow their business sustainably, which can mean economically, environmentally as well as socially,” says Lorna McKercher, national director, agriculture at RBC. “Financial institutions are working alongside them to help with strategies for managing their risk while planning their growth.”

It also means gearing your farm to use

fewer resources to produce more food. Canadian farms have a track record of sustainability—for instance, we have one of the lower levels of freshwater use for agriculture, at 11 per cent. Whether you’re looking close to home or abroad, there are opportunities waiting for your farm to grow in new ways. With the right planning and support, you’ll be ready to meet them.

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the ﬁnal word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

90 Years Ago – September 11, 1935

It is against the regulations of the Game Act to shoot prairie chickens at all in the Vegreville District. Those who really want to surround the odd chicken will have to go west of the CalgaryEdmonton-McLeod branch of the C.P.R. or else do a lot of explaining when they’re questioned regarding the odd chicken they may have picked up. Hungarian Partridge may only be shot in this district during October and November. Another point not to overlook is that you must lay two fish on the counter and get that all-important slip of paper that extends to you the privilege of hunting for Game Birds.

Willingdon is experiencing a building boom. We notice five new buildings going up in full swing. The hospital is growing by leaps and bounds.

Fire which broke out early Sunday morning, completely destroyed the home of Mr. Nick Boychuk. Mr. and Mrs. Boychuk were away for the night and the two boys that were at home were sleeping out in the tent. The house caught on fire at 4:00 o’clock and in half an hour was burned down to the ground.

75 Years Ago – September 13, 1950

The new fire truck for the Vegreville Volunteer Fire Brigade will be on its way west from the G.M. plant in the east at the end of this week, Fire Chief Armand Mercier reports. The cost of the new equipment runs around the $10,000 mark and will see Vegreville ranking as the best for town fire protection.

Many other parts of Alberta have had severe frosts during the past few weeks, but this particular district has escaped very well. On Monday and Tuesday mornings of this week, some light frosts occurred, sufficient to damage tender vegetables and flowers but not harmful to the crops, which are too far advanced to suffer from frost now.

The Farmer’s Union of Alberta announced the resignation of its secretary-treasurer, R.J. Boutillier. Mr. Boutillier said he resigned “because of differences over policy and organization.” He did not elaborate.

A revolutionary new thermostat which contains its own tiny heating system has been developed by Minneapolis-Honeywell engineers to prevent the “overshooting” and “droop” that cause fluctuation in room temperature when ordinary old-type controls are used.

The hummingbird and dragonfly are in the same speed range – 50 to 60 miles per hour.

50 Years Ago – September 11, 1975

Dr. N.J. Kuzyk has been appointed the Grand Exalted Ruler of Canada of the B.P.O.E. Elks. For the past 24 years, Dr. Kuzyk has been a member of the Elks and has held numerous positions. He was the past Exalted Ruler of the Vegreville Lodge; the District Deputy of District 10B; and the past Provincial President of the Elks. The Grand Opening of Style Furniture took place Friday afternoon with Councillor Kay McKenzie doing the honors of cutting the ribbon. Around 900 people traveled through the doors of the new furniture store owned by Bill Triska and Stan Horvat. The door prize, a swivel rocking chair was won by Miss Corrine Knott of Vegreville. Bill Triska, manager of the store has been employed at Triska’s Trucking Ltd. for 17 years. Prior to that, Mr. Triska was employed as a salesperson for 4 ½ years at what was known as Wade’s Furniture Store. Stan Horvat, for the past 17 years, has been involved in the building construction trade.

The Canadian Forces have recently announced the secondment of Major W.E. (Hank) Tatarchuk of Vegreville, to the organizing committee for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Major Tatarchuk has been named as the coordinator of basketball for the 1976 Olympic Games and will be responsible for all aspects of the basketball program.

25 Years Ago – September 12, 2000

A motion calling for the installation of video cameras on all Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) buses over a five-year period was passed unanimously at an August 31 board meeting.

With the help of a few hundred volunteers from across northern Alberta, and a few from Manitoba, a new Kingdom Hall, complete with landscaping, was built over the week-end in Vegreville.

Licensed Practical Nurse Jeannet Sadownyk and Unit Clerk Arcadia Kitz were surprised by an anniversary cake at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Jeannet has worked at the hospital for 40 years, while Arcadia has worked there for 35 years.

Vegreville Preschool opened its doors Monday morning for the first time at its permanent location next to A.L. Horton School. “We are filled to capacity this year, with 63 children enrolled. We’re very happy, and we think the community is too because we’re getting positive comments from people,” said Preschool Association President Pam Kieser. Preschool also has a new teacher this year, Noreen Hopper. One role of the Vegreville News Advertiser is to promote dialogue on various issues of concern to area residents. We accomplish this by welcoming Letters to the Editor and allowing various issues to be debated through our pages. All letters must contain the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be printed, however the writer’s name may be withheld from publication in special circumstances deemed appropriate by the Publisher. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, spelling and grammar, taste or for reasons of potential libel. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to withhold letters from publication.

Poilievre is the One Thing Standing in Poilievre’s Way

Doug Firby Troy Media Contributor

It wasn’t the Liberals who cost Poilievre the election. It was the image he projected and the movements he chose to align with.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has cleared the first hurdle in his post-election redemption tour—winning his own seat back in an Aug. 19 byelection. Granted, it was the easy one. What lies ahead makes a root canal look like a day at the spa.

If Poilievre wants to become prime minister, he’ll need to stop barking and start leading. Canadians got more than their fill of the growling Opposition pit bull. Now, they’ll want to see someone who can govern—not just hurl grenades from across the aisle.

As expected, Poilievre coasted to victory in Alberta’s Battle River– Crowfoot riding, pulling in a whopping 80.4 per cent of the vote. It was hardly a race, though that didn’t stop the media from breathlessly trying to manufacture one. Even a ballot littered with 214 mostly fake candidates, courtesy of a mischief-making electoral reform campaign, couldn’t trip him up.

But that was the warm-up act. The real show starts in January, when Poilievre faces a party leadership review. And let’s be honest, some Conservatives are still scratching their heads, wondering how a guy who blew a 25-point lead to the most tired, scandal-plagued Liberal government in recent memory is still calling the shots.

Sure, the party faithful can point fingers: Donald Trump took a swipe at Canada and lit a fire under national anxiety. Mark Carney popped up looking like the Liberals’ knight in shining economic armour. And Poilievre’s campaign—courtesy of the ever-strategic Jenni Byrne—misread the mood with the precision of a broken weathervane.

But let’s not kid ourselves. Those excuses don’t hold water.

Letters Welcomed

The blunt truth? Voters saw the scowling, sloganslinging Poilievre, heard what he was selling, and said, “No thanks.” After a decade of Liberal drift, the country was primed for change. All Poilievre had to do was not scare people. Instead, he fumbled the moment.

Two things blew it for him.

First, in the showdown over who could stand up to Trump, Canadians bet on the guy with actual financial gravitas. Mark Carney—former governor of not one but two central banks—looked like the adult in the room. Poilievre? Too many Canadians saw him as Trumpadjacent, with all the bluster and none of the credibility. Even Trump has had warmer words for Carney than for Poilievre, which says something.

Second, Poilievre tried so hard to keep the Conservative tent “big” that he rolled out the welcome mat for the fringe. He didn’t lose his Ottawa seat because he forgot the potholes—he lost it because he hitched his wagon to the Freedom Convoy, that anarchist tailgate party that brought downtown Ottawa to a screeching halt. Voters in his own riding watched their MP cheer for the chaos. They didn’t forget.

In that, Poilievre is channelling his ideological twin in Alberta, Danielle Smith. Both have mistaken the noisy minority for the silent majority. In pandering to people who won’t be satisfied no matter what, they’ve alienated the moderates they need to win. Worse, he spooked progressive and centrist voters into backing the Liberals just to keep him out.

And then there’s the women’s vote—or lack of it. A recent Angus Reid poll shows 64 per cent of women have a negative view of Poilievre. That’s not just a crack in the base. It’s a canyon.

So here’s the thing: if he survives the leadership review in January, Poilievre will need a full-blown political makeover. Less “Dr. No,” more “Here’s how.”

from the pages of the vegreville observer

Compiled by dan beaudette

A Welcome Space for Youth

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Vegreville and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) now has a new program for youth.

Youth Program Facilitator for FCSS, Crystal Clark, explained that the program is funded through the Alberta Crime Prevention (ACP) Grant and is called The BASE (Belonging, Access, Support, Empowerment). “It will be a youth resource hub for ages 12–24, designed to be an accessible and welcoming place where youth can connect with supports, access resources, and participate in opportunities that reflect their needs and interests.”

They received the grant in 2024. Clark stated that they applied because there was a clear need in Vegreville for more youth-focused supports, mentorship, opportunities, and an accessible space where youth could belong, find resources, and engage with their community.”

FCSS discovered that a grant like this was needed in Vegreville through community consultations, feedback from youth and families, and observations of gaps in after-school supports. “After-school hours are a particularly important time for youth. Many young people don’t have structured or positive options to stay engaged. This

Notice of Nomination Day

Local Authorities Election Act (Section 26)

LOCAL JURISDICTION: Town of Vegreville, PROVINCE OF ALBERTA Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is Monday, Sept 22, 2025 and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following oﬃces will be accepted until 12:00 NOON on Nomination Day. Nominations can be submitted by appointment, by emailing or calling Returning Oﬃcer Jenny Cooper.

Oﬃce(s) Chief Elected Oﬃcial (Mayor) Councillors

Returning Oﬃcer Contact Information: Jenny Cooper 780-603-9620 election@vegreville.com

Number of Vacancies 1 6

window of time can be when youth feel the most disconnected, so having an accessible resource hub like The BASE helps ensure they have a place to go, stay busy in a positive way, connect with others, and access the supports they may need,” Clark mentioned.

Clark went on to say that there are no restrictions; their focus is on creating a hub that reflects what youth and young adults want and need.

The Alberta Crime Prevention Grant provides two-year funding to support staffing, resource development, and youth-led initiatives for The BASE to be overall successful.

Also, the program will be shared by the people it serves. “This means the program will be youth-led and youth-driven. We are in the middle of launching the BASE

Welcome Space for Youth - CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Notice of Nomination Day

Local Authorities Election Act (Section 26)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS

ESTATE

OF Terry Norman Zinchuk, who died on April 2, 2025

If you have a claim against this estate you must ﬁle your claim by October 14, 2025 with:

Kuzyk Law Oﬃce Barrister and Solicitor Postal Drawer 929 5038-50 Avenue Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1S1

If you do not ﬁle by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.

LOCAL JURISDICTION: Village of Innisfree, PROVINCE OF ALBERTA Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is September 22, 2025 and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following oﬃces will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction oﬃce set out below within the period beginning on January 1 , 2025 and ending at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day.

Oﬃce(s) Number of Vacancies

Councillor THREE (3)

Location (Address) of Local Jurisdiction Oﬃce: Village of lnnisfree Administration Oﬃce 5116 - 50 Avenue lnnisfree, Alberta TOB 2GO

DATED at the Village of Innisfree, in the Province of Alberta this 2 Day of September 2025

Shuang (Lisa) Han Returning Oﬃcer

25092OO0

Standing in the way - CONTINUED from PAGE 6

Enough with the attack ads: It’s time to offer actual solutions to issues like Canada’s tariff crisis. If he wants to land punches on Carney, he’d better throw something more substantive than “He’s doing a bad job.”

NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY

JURISDICTION: COUNTY OF TWO HILLS NO. 21 PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

Notice is hereby given that NOMINATION DAY is SEPTEMBER 22, 2025, and that the nominations for the election of candidates for the following oﬃces will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction oﬃce set out below within the period beginning on January, 1, 2025, and ending 12:00 noon on Nomination Day.

(1)

Location (Address) of Local Jurisdiction Oﬃce:

TWO HILLS COUNTY OFFICE 4818-50 Avenue, Two Hills, Alberta, T0B 4K0

Dated at the Town of Two Hills in the Province of Alberta this 5th day of September A.D. 2025.

Cindy Kotelko, Returning Oﬃcer Division 1

He needs to show Canadians that behind the slogans is someone with the depth and maturity to lead. Someone who can unite, not just divide.

Even Ontario Premier Doug Ford, not exactly the gold standard for tact and diplomacy, offered advice that Poilievre might consider: “Work with the prime minister—as Team Canada.” Being the Opposition leader isn’t just about throwing rocks from the cheap seats. It’s about proving you can rise above partisanship when the country needs it. And if Poilievre doesn’t like Ford’s advice, he might want to count up the majority governments. Ford: three. Poilievre: still waiting.

Bottom line? The job ahead is no cakewalk. Judging from his stiff, scripted performances, it’s fair to wonder whether he has the range. But the path is clear enough. Either he swallows his pride and changes course, or he cements his place as a colourful footnote in Canadian political history—remembered not for winning power, but for throwing it away.

Doug Firby is an award-winning editorial writer with over four decades of experience working for newspapers, magazines and online publications in Ontario and western Canada. Previously, he served as Editorial Page Editor at the Calgary Herald.

Local Jurisdiction: Town of Mundare Notice is hereby given that Nomination day is Monday, September 22, 2025, and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following oﬃces will be received at the Town of Mundare oﬃce ending at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day.

(1)

Location (Address) of Local Jurisdiction Oﬃce: Town of Mundare, 5128-50 Street Mundare, AB T0B 3H0

DATED at the Town of Mundare, in the Province of Alberta this 3 Day of September 2025 Lisa Euchuk Returning Oﬃcer

NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY

Local Authorities Election Act (Section 26)

Local Jurisdiction: The Buﬀalo Trail School Division, Province of Alberta

Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is Monday, September 22, 2025, and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following oﬃces (Wards 1-7) will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction oﬃce set out below between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 12:00 noon on Nomination Day.

A $200.00 deposit (cash, certified cheque, or money order) must accompany the nomination paper (form 4) in accordance with Bylaw 02/2020 of The Buffalo Trail School Division and pursuant to the Local Authorities Election Act - Section 27, 29 and 30 being Chapter L-21 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000 a Criminal Record Check in accordance with Bylaw 03-2024 of the Buffalo Trail School Division a Form 5 – Candidate Financial Information and the required Notice of Intent in accordance with 147.22 of the LAEA. A nomination paper shall not be accepted by the Returning Officer unless the correct deposit accompanies the nomination paper along with the current criminal record check (within 30 days) the Form 5 and Notice of Intent. The Nomination form must be signed by the minimum number of electors – Sect. 28(3.01) LAEA. Nomination papers are available at Buffalo Trail Public Schools Central Services or online at https://www.alberta.ca/municipal-election-forms

Ward 1 (North-West):

One (1) Trustee to be elected by residents in the areas of the County of Minburn, the County of Vermilion River, the MD of Wainwright, in the Village of Innisfree, the Village of Mannville; AND the Hamlet of Clandonald, the Hamlet of Minburn; AND the Holt Hutterite Colony, the Mannville Hutterite Colony, the Mixburn Hutterite Colony, the Spring Ridge Hutterite Colony; AND excluding the Town of Vermilion and Surrounding area.

SEE BTPS WEBSITE – btps.ca>Board> Election