Macdonald stated that $3,000 was also added to the
tative; it’s not certain the repairs are needed.
The CAO also mentioned some good news regarding fire hydrant repairs: it appears the hydrants may not need repair, just some basic maintenance.
Macdonald stated she was told the hydrants may only require some gaskets and O-rings and won’t require digging up the pavement.
After looking at the proposed operating budget Coun. Clark German complimented the CAO.
“I think you did an excellent job Elaine,” said German.
He also asked the CAO if she’d had a chance to look into the amount of water Big Valley actually purchased, but Macdonald answered she wasn’t able to do that yet.
German noted he felt the village should be as prepared as possible for water purchases because an unexpected and non-budgeted purchase could have a big financial effect on the village.
Councillors discussed the municipal assessor, with Macdonald stating she was very happy with Big Valley’s assessor. The CAO stated the village’s assessor knows the job very well and meets all the requirements of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). Mayor Dan Houle responded that in his opinion assessments in Big Valley
During discussion Coun. Amber Hoogenberg asked why numbers show the village’s water usage has dropped year to year.
Macdonald answered the village has had a couple of leaks repaired over the past few years.
Hoogenberg also mused that the water tower has been drained and refilled which may have also played a role.
OYEN UNITED CHURCH
$10K Mission and Service Grant helps Breakfast Programs
The Oyen United Church was successful in receiving a $10,000 Mission and Service Grant through the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church of Canada. The grant proposal demonstrated Oyen United Church’s request to enhance its work in the community to support Assumption, Oyen Public and South Central High Schools’ Breakfast Programs and Oyen and District Food Bank and to develop stronger relationships with community partners. The grant reflected the importance of food in nurturing healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. The grant also emphasized that no one should go hungry. It also recognized the challenge of a small community to raise sufficient
funds to run these programs as the cost of food continues to rise and budgets are stretched.
In the past, Oyen United church has hosted their March Soup and Sandwich to donate one hundred percent of the proceeds raised to our three local schools’ Breakfast Programs. Oyen United also supports the Oyen and District Food Bank with the collection of financial contributions and food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The congregation also gathers toiletries, toques, gloves, scarves, and socks to be included in the Christmas Hampers, which Oyen Family Community Support Services and the Food Bank orchestrate. Oyen United is also
the treasurer for the Thrift Store and supports operations of the Food Bank and Thrift Store with many volunteer hours.
Fifty percent of the funds from this grant will be distributed to the three schools based on their population. When SCHS Principal Dawn Peers was informed of the donation, she exclaimed, “This is so exciting! Now we can offer more protein!” The remaining fifty percent will go to the Oyen and District Food Bank.
Oyen United Church is so grateful for this opportunity to enhance its work in the community and live out its Vision Statement, “That God’s love is seen in our daily living.”
Students from Assumption Roman Catholic School will benefit from the Mission and Service Grant for the Breakfast Program. The Oyen United Church is developing stronger relationships with community partners, including all three schools and the Oyen Food Bank. PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER
A
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EXCITING PLAYOFF HOCKEY! Oyen Senior Men’s Hockey ‘Eagles’ congratulate their goalie Mason Fildey-Holyj, who held on to a shut-out win over the Hughenden Jets Tuesday, February 25, at the Oyen Arena. On the offensive side, Braxton Thornton, Dillon Muzyka, and Lane Swenson each contributed to the final score of 3-0. The thrilling game was well attended by local and Hughenden fans, resulting in an impressive 50-50 take-home purse of over $1700. Thanks to Hanna Dental for their $1500 guarantee on the winnings. With the series on the line at 2 wins each, the Eagle’s victory earned them the right to move on to the second round in the East Central Senior Hockey League playoffs. The Eagles now meet the Provost Combines for another best-of-five beginning Friday, February 28, at Veren Place in Provost. The second game took place in Oyen on Sunday, March 2.
Why is defending women’s rights still relevant today?
Every year, March 8 marks International Women’s Day. This event highlights the progress women have made, while also acknowledging the critical need to continue advocating for women’s rights. Here’s why this struggle remains relevant today.
Persistent inequalities
Everyone has the fundamental right to live free from violence and discrimination. Howev er, injustices in education, access to healthcare, voting rights and physical autonomy continue to affect women disproportionately around the world.
Unfortunately, the rights of women and girls are still being violated. For example, they’re at a higher risk of experiencing sexual harassment and violence, as highlighted by movements like #MeToo. Additionally, studies have shown that women around the world are paid less than their male counterparts for perform ing the same work.
Moreover, there’s still a long way to go to ensure all women have access to safe and equitable sexual and reproductive rights. In many parts of the world, women are forced by others into decisions around marriage, pregnancy, sterilization and abortion, often at the expense of their freedom and sometimes even their lives.
Protecting women’s fundamental rights requires that these injustices be addressed and eliminated. Society can thrive only when their rights are protected.
Women and girls make up half of the global population, and their potential is equal to that of men. According to the United Nations, when women are respected and empow ered, they directly contribute to sustainable development, economic growth, peace and security.
Do you want to get involved in defending women’s rights? Contact your local municipality to find out about activities you can participate in.
OPINION:
Government doesn’t operate like a business
BY JOAN JANZEN
Actor/comedian Bill Murray once said, “The best way to teach your kids about taxes is by eating 30% of their ice cream.” In Canada you would be eating almost half their ice cream. Columnist Katherine Whitehorn offered the following parental advice: “The easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any.”
Our children and grandchildren will be the ones who will pay for the costly decisions presently being made by government. Faytene Grasseschi interviewed Blaine Higgs, former Premier of New Brunswick, who shared his perspective on government spending.
“For several years in a row Premier Higgs was named the best fiscal manager of a province by the Fraser Institute and has been credited with walking a province off of a fiscal cliff,” Faytene reported. In 2010 Higgs started serving in different capacities up until 2023.
“After 33 years in a business career I thought I can give back now,” Higgs recalled. “In 2014 we (Conservatives) lost the election. We were in opposition and watched everything we put in place being thrown out, most notably the Accountability Act was reversed.”
He said it’s very disheartening when a new government rolls back whatever the previous government did, which is
unlike the business environment where he worked for 33 years. “In a business environment you’re always building on each other’s successes; you learn from each other,” he said.
“When I left my former career, the individual who I trained for three years took over and did things better than I did. But they built on what I did and what’s beyond. However in government they throw away what others did and start over.”
Higgs realized the decisions being made are politically motivated. “A project might be doing very well, but as soon as a new government comes in it gets tossed,” he said. “How often would you do that as a career individual in any profession?”
The former Premier learned a few things about the decision-making process of governments. “I was in finance for four years and got to see how decisions were made. The philosophy to get elected was to promise everything to everybody and worry about finances later. The interesting part is - in government they don’t come in with experience. There’s no criteria to be a politician,” he added.
He also listed a popular government strategy which is to spend money as quickly as possible before departing, which really helps to explain a lot of decisions that have been made lately. An
email from Canadian Minute reported the PM’s announcement of a major infrastructure project: a high-speed rail line connecting Toronto and Quebec City. It is the largest infrastructure initiative in Canada’s history.
YouTuber David Krayden reported Prime Minister Trudeau recently pledged $5 billion in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. By comparison, the EU with 27 countries combined, pledged $3.5 billion. Krayden also reported, according to a RCMP news release, “We only have about half a billion dollars in frozen Russian assets. Where is he going to get this money from? Is he going to send more of your tax dollars claiming they’re seized Russian assets?” Krayden asked. It’s a good question, but the answer remains unknown.
And last but not least, the Heritage Minister said the federal government would increase the CBC’s funding and make it more stable.
“The government is so tone deaf!”
Franco Terrazzano from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) said emphatically on Bridge City News. “After all the criticism Canadians have brought forth on the CBC, the government’s plan is to nearly double the cost to taxpayers.” He said the Minister’s recommendation would cost taxpayers about $2.5 billion a year.
Another member of CTF, Kris Sims
reported the following information online: “The Heritage Minister is saying we should remove the CBC’s funding from the budget system. Meaning the $1.4 billion they get now per year should not show up in any way in budget documents. She’s saying it should be baked into legislation and into statutes so that it is automatically there and members of parliament don’t get to debate it and they don’t get to vote on it.”
Franco added, “What they’re really doing is ducking accountability.” When Ryan Thorpe from CTF filed access to information requests about how the tax-funded CBC spends taxpayer money, it refused to answer. Consequently the CTF is taking the CBC to court to get the information. They’re budgeting $20,000 for the court fight. It’s a sad state of affairs when a non-profit organization has to budget for $20,000 to discover how taxpayer money is being spent.
So how did the former Premier of New Brunswick earn the designation of best fiscal manager of a province and manage to walk his province off a fiscal cliff? “When I ran in 2016 I ran on ‘the province comes before politics’,” Higgs answered.
What a great concept: placing the well-being of our provinces before politics. We need more leaders who will do the same.
Public Notice
MD of Acadia and Special Areas Board
MD of Acadia and Special Areas Joint Irrigation Project Proposed Terms of Reference for Environmental Impact Assessment
The MD of Acadia and Special Areas Board (the Proponent) proposed the MD of Acadia and Special Areas Joint Irrigation Project (the Project) to increase irrigation capacity within the MD of Acadia and Special Areas No. 2. Through the development of irrigation infrastructure, the proposed Project aims to increase the yield and variety of crops that may be cultivated by producers and provide associated opportunities and benefits to the economy.
The Project centre point is proposed to be located between ATS 22-3-W4M and ATS 233-W4M approximately 250 km east of Calgary, AB, and 100 km north of Medicine Hat, AB. The Project area extends from Township 20-25, Ranges 1-4 W4M.
The Project is expected to include the creation of two preliminary reservoirs referred to as Reservoir A1 located within Section 24-23-4 W4M, and Sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30 of Township 23, Range 3, W4M; approximately 1 km north of Red Deer River, on the boundary between the MD of Acadia and Special Area No. 3, and Prince’s Spring Reservoir located within Sections 22, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35 of Township 21, Range 3, W4M and Section 3 and 4 of Township 22, Range 3, W4M; approximately 5.5 km southwest of Bindloss, AB, within Special Area No. 2.
The Project requires a new Red Deer River pump station to be constructed where water is diverted out of the Red Deer River and pressurized for pumping. Various secondary pump stations, water conveyance canals, secondary reservoirs, a pipeline network, and power generation facilities (solar farm and electrical generation stations) are anticipated within the Project area to provide water supply and delivery for the Project.
The proposed irrigation area will service only the MD of Acadia and Special Area No. 2. The water in these reservoirs is expected to be used to irrigate approximately 43,706 ha (108,000 acres) within the project’s 54,450 ha (134,550 acres) of agricultural land, with an estimated 19,900 ha (49,200 acres) in the MD of Acadia and 23,800 ha (58,800 acres) in Special Area No. 2.
The Project will involve a new water diversion license for the Red Deer River.
The Director responsible for Environmental Assessment has directed that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report be prepared for the MD of Acadia and Special Areas Joint Irrigation Project. The MD of Acadia and Special Areas Board has prepared a proposed Terms of Reference for this Environmental Impact Assessment, and through this public notice, invites the public to review this document. Your name and comments submitted will be accessible to the public.
The proposed Terms of Reference and associated project information can be viewed at the following locations:
MD of Acadia: https://www.mdacadia.ab.ca/about-us/irrigation-project/ Special Areas Board: https://specialareas.ab.ca/regionalirrigation/ Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Register of Environmental Assessment http://www.alberta.ca/environmental-impact-assessments-current-projects.aspx
For further information on the MD of Acadia and Special Areas Joint Irrigation Project or copies of the proposed Terms of Reference and associated project information please contact:
MD of Acadia and Special Areas Joint Irrigation Project c/o Special Areas Board Communications Box 820, 212-2nd Avenue West, Hanna, AB T0J 1P0
Individuals wishing to provide written comments on the proposed Terms of Reference must submit them by April 22, 2025 to:
Director, Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Assurance Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
c/o Alison Watson, Environmental Assessment Coordinator 2nd Floor, Petroleum Plaza, South Tower, 9915 – 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8
E-mail: environmental.assessment@gov.ab.ca
By providing your comments, you are consenting to the public disclosure of your name and comments. You should not include any information that you do not want disclosed publicly. Other personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, will be removed. Your name and comments are being disclosed under the authorization of Section 35(1)(a)(ii) of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
Privacy Statement
The personal information being collected is for the purpose of the Alberta Environmental Assessment program. This collection is authorized by Sec33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For questions about the collection of personal information, contact Environmental Assessment Registrar at 780-427-5828, environmental.assessment@gov.ab.ca or mail to 2nd Floor, Petroleum Plaza, South Tower, 9915 - 108 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8
Pop89: Seeing beauty
BY MADONNA HAMEL
Some things are beautiful. One cannot walk along the ridge of 70 Mile Butte and look out over the vast, open grassland as the sun limns the horizon into eternity and shrug. Standing, small and silent under a big sky, there is no debate around the subjectivity of the notion of beauty. There is no condemnation of artistic canons as they pertain to the idea of beauty. The increasingly “golden” grasses are not a commentary on the spoils of capitalism and empire. They are a cause for wonder. They elicit a kind of full-body inner humbling. We emit a gasp, not not a “meh”.
cultures have wise traditions and ancestors worthy of our observation and respect.
Respecting and employing tradition means we lose our terminally unique status. It means having to recognize the shoulders of the giants upon whom we stand. And worst of all, it’s frightening to consider ourselves as just another slob on the bus, just another conduit for beauty. We are not The Creator but creative, thinking God’s thoughts after God.
The response to beauty is not mental. It is visceral. So, too it appears, is the response to ugliness. Yesterday I got a look at the covers belonging to the books on the International Booker Prize long-list. My first response was: Are you kidding? Do they not want to sell books? Are all these designers deliberately trying to not sell books? I don’t judge books by their covers, but I do respond to the invitation a beautiful cover offers. But these covers repelled any interest in the stories inside.
The ugliness of the covers went far beyond a purely subjective idea of attractive. In fact, they reminded me of the art of the Futurists who glorified the machine age of the early 20th century.
The Futurists saw war, violence and speed as ultimate expressions of art. The art that came out of Futurism was deliberately ugly and boxy. Buildings and sculptures were cold imitations of cogs and wheels, detached and isolated from nature.
I realize there is a phase in every artist’s life when they believe they are the first to challenge, smash and deride ideas of beauty. “Beauty and beautiful modes of expression are bourgeois,” we insisted. “And I will never sell out to the system.” It get it, it’s a predictable period of an artist’s life, like a teenager rebelling against the ways of the parents. It’s good to keep a bit of that sprit, like a vaccine against mediocrity or cliche.
And when I speak of beauty I am not talking about glamour, with its violent cosmetic surgeries and obscene fortunes spent to maintain superficial laws of “attractiveness”. True beauty is not a disguise, but a revelation, a light that shines from within. Beauty is the opposite of pornography which cleaves sex from intimacy, separates bodies from souls, reduces human beings from humans doing things to each other.
I understand the age-old urge of casting off tradition for the innovative. But once you’ve stood in front of one of George La Tour’s Magdalens or Caravaggio’s Pauls, you cannot but respect the skill and rigour borne from a long tradition of studying composition, colour, shadow and light. Not to mention allegory and symbolism.
Ironically, as the academy leans toward contempt for western tradition, it values the traditions of indigenous cultures, of which they know much less and have not lived. I am not besmirching Indigenous tradition. On the contrary, I’m noting here that Indigenous traditions have a strong tie to generations past and future. Tradition is the way they give the ancestors a voice. All
“Beauty and beautiful modes of expression are bourgeois,” we insisted.
While studying art I learned about a principle called the Golden Mean. It has been described by philosophers as “the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of lack.” Apparently, the ratio of 1:6 is the ideal balance of background to foreground in landscape paintings, among other forms of art. The ratio repeats itself in nature, as in, for example, the rate of growth of a nautilus shell. Seeing beauty in nature, and co-creating with beauty, can be a frightening experience because we cannot control it, it forces our guards down.
In art school I began to see how naturally-gifted artists seemed to work with the golden mean without even knowing it - as if it were the path of least resistance, taking one to a beautiful destination, the way a river finds the quickest way to the sea. Similarly, I’ve learned, when out hiking, to look for the deer paths. Deer forge the easiest, safest path down the butte. They don’t make life difficult for themselves. Scientists and mathematicians get this, too - when discovering a beautiful equation they often refer to it as “elegant in its simplicity.”
But back to this new rash of ugly, “difficult” book covers. When I say “ugly” I’m referring to the intent as much as the aesthetic. I feel provoked, and I resent the provocation to irk me, the potential reader. The fonts are indisputably hard to read, the titles either fall off the cover, or are bent into squiggles or camouflaged into similar-coloured background shapes or become lost in a sea of language resembling the first page of a master’s thesis. The covers seem intent on drawing attention to the designers, not the novelists or the stories inside.
Stymied, I turned to my designer friends for insight, asking: What’s going on? is this a rejection of beauty? Is this intellectual-academic-conceptual assault on the visual world is deliberate? One friend described the covers as “anti-sensual”, another as “resembling a student assignment” and yet another as an inevitable, cyclical “ intentional rejection of a former aesthetic”.
I suspect that by replicating the anti-beauty approach to art taken by the Futurists, these hyper-conceptualist designers are shooting themselves in the foot. In the eyes even. And it might be time to go for a walk and watch the sun set.
Gushue faces strong field at Brier
BY BRUCE PENTON
Until he’s dethroned, Newfoundland’s Brad Gushue will be the favourite every time he slides out of the hack at the Canadian men’s curling championship.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Gushue has a record six Canadian titles in his distinguished career, and he’s going for No. 7 this week in Kelowna at the Montana’s Brier. A victory would give him and his rink of third Mark Nichols, second Brendan Bottcher and lead Geoff Walker an unprecedented four consecutive championships.
Since winning his first Brier in front of home fans in St. John’s in 2017, Gushue has guided his rink to Brier titles in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Last year, in Regina, the 2017 world champion and 2006 Olympic gold medallist defeated Mike McEwen of Saskatchewan in the final for his third consecutive win.
Despite Gushue’s stellar record in recent Briers, he and his rink are far from a sure thing this week in Kelowna. Among the 18 competitors are at least three or four who could easily dethrone him and recent mediocre Grand Slam results indicate that Gushue and his rink could be ripe for the taking.
In January’s WFC Masters in Guelph, Gushue went winless in four games within his pool and, naturally, didn’t advance to the playoffs. But that event was held shortly after former Brier champion skip Bottcher had joined the team, replacing E.J. Harndon, and the team chemistry may have not been up to snuff. It should be by now.
Again, this year’s Brier field is solid. Four rinks — Gushue, Dunstone, Mike McEwen and Brad Jacobs —pre-qualified through a variety of on-ice successes, while the other 14 rinks qualified through provincial and territorial championships.
McEwen, Dunstone and Jacobs are likely the strongest challengers to Gushue. All have had success on the Grand Slam circuit this year and any one of those rinks would be strong challengers to the suddenly dominant Scottish rinks on the world stage. (Bruce Mouat of Scotland is No. 1 in the world while the top Canadian-ranked team is Dunstone, at No. 3. Gushue has fallen to eighth).
Other Brier contenders could be four-time Brier champ Kevin Koe, Northern Ontario’s John Epping,
Since winning his first Brier in front of home fans in St. John’s in 2017, Gushue has guided his rink to Brier titles in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Saskatchewan’s Rylan Kleiter and Manitoba champ Reid Carruthers.
Whoever comes out of Kelowna wearing the Brier crown earns a trip to Moose Jaw for the world championships starting March 29. And if the winner in Kelowna thought the competition was stiff in the Okanagan city, just wait. Mouat and Ross Whyte of Scotland are ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the world. Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller is No. 2 and Germany’s up-andcoming rink skipped by Marc Muskatewitz showed signs in Grand Slam events recently that he’s ready for the world stage. Italy’s Joel Retornaz is also a world power and lately, curlers from Asian countries — mostly on the women’s side, mind you — have shown they’re on the way up.
Gushue’s not thinking that far ahead. Kelowna and the Canadian championship is his focus this week and the challenge is daunting.
Donald Trump wants to take over Canada just so his country can win a hockey tournament again.”
• Headline at TheBeaverton.com: “Canada annexes 4 Nations Championship”
• Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur, on X: “Making (Wayne) Gretzky the honourary captain … (at the U.S- Canada final) was almost the equivalent of a phantom limb. His silence while palling around with a man who wants to destroy Canada is deafening.”
• Comedy guy Steve Burgess of Vancouver: “ Gretzky is our honourary captain? He’ll go to centre ice and surrender.”
• Comedian Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “Fans in Montreal not only booed the U.S. anthem, they booed the announcement asking fans to show respect for the anthem.”
• Another one from Rolfsen, after a number of arrests were made during the post-game celebrations following the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl win: “Most of them were released the next morning. The worst ones were sentenced to watch Rocky V.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Canucks starting goaltender Thatcher Demko is out week-to-week, and he’ll be replaced by backup Kevin Lankinen. Demko is hampered by a lower body injury and a lower save percentage.”
• Headline at fark.com: “Travis Kelce showers Taylor Swift with $100K in Valentine’s gifts. Meanwhile, the rest of us are still debating if a $20 box of chocolates is too much.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
• Columnist Norman Chad, on more things overheard from the four-legged competitors through the years at the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden: 1. “I’m fed up with online dating — how come everyone looks like Lassie in their photo?”; 2. “There’s a German Shepherd in Stall 231 who acts like they won World Wars I and II.”
• Globe and Mail columnist Cathal Kelly, on the recent U.S. animosity toward Canada and its chumminess with Russia: “ If Hollywood made Rocky IV again, Ivan Drago would be from Winnipeg.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “Maybe
Name: Greg Maccormack Position: Catcher
Name: Josh Rolheiser
Position: Infielder and Right-handed Pitcher
Where are you from? Oyen, Alberta
Billets: Dale & Tricia Rolheiser
Baseball Academy?
Blue Jays
Name: Rylan Caplette-Tarrant Position: Pitcher Where
from? Moose Jaw, Sask. Billets: Steph & Joe Trotchie
Oyen Long Term Care adopts the White Rose Program
At a Family Resident Council meeting, some residents voiced a need for a more consistent and compassionate approach to end-of-life and bereavement in Long-Term Care. Staff echoed this sentiment. From this insightful request, the White Rose Program, originally developed in the Calgary zone, was adapted to fit the needs of this site.
The following gives a program overview.
When a resident is at the end of life, a White Rose poster is placed at the entrance to their room. This visual reminder increases staff and family awareness
and fosters a calm, quiet, and compassionate environment. For visitors, a cart containing items such as a device to play music, coffee, tea, and cookies is brought to the room.
Once a resident passes away, their bed is respectfully covered in white bedding where a faux white rose wreath is placed, as well as a white rose memorial sign at the entrance to their room. At the dining table, a bouquet of faux white roses and a memorial place mat honour their spot. To establish a peaceful area where residents, family, volunteers and/or staff can share their condolences, a console table containing faux white roses, an LED candle, a picture frame, cards, pens, and a card box is available. These cards are later sent to the family. The local funeral home also brings the funeral notice and obituary to place in this area.
or a catalogue, please call:
The Oyen & District Health Care Foundation was honoured to fund this very worthwhile project.
PINK SHIRT DAY!
Pink Shirt Day is an annual event that takes place on February 26th to raise awareness about bullying and promote kindness. Schools that participated around the area were: (top) Oyen Public School; (middle left) Warren Peers School; (middle right) New Brigden School; (bottom) Assumption RC School.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Bylaw 930-25
Pursuant to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), being Chapter M-26 of the Statutes of Alberta, notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Oyen intends to consider a proposed amendment to the Town’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Bylaw 890-22. The primary purpose for the amendment is to accommodate recently annexed parcels on the eastern border into the Town, and to update the statutory policy names of recently adopted Area Structure Plans (Oyen Railyard ASP and Oyen East Industrial ASP).
The proposed amendment will update the maps contained in the MDP, including the Town municipal boundary, and the future use of those lands for industrial purposes. Should you wish to address council in person, a public hearing for Bylaw 930-25 will be held in the Town of Oyen office at 201 Main Street, on March 11, 2025 commencing at 6:00 p.m., following the public hearing for Bylaw 929-25. Council will hear from any person claiming to be affected by the proposed bylaw.
Additionally, written comments may be delivered to Box 360, 201 Main Street, Oyen, Alberta, T0J 2J0 or emailed to cao@oyen.ca; submissions will be received up to March 10, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
The proposed Bylaw 930-25 can be reviewed online at townofoyen.com, or copies may be picked up Monday through Friday at 201 Main Street, Oyen from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed Land Use Bylaw, please reach out to the Town of Oyen CAO or PRMS Senior Planner in advance of the public hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is for Council to hear comments and concerns from the public, detailed questions may not be able to be answered at the public hearing. *Once the public hearing is closed, no further feedback will be accepted by the Council.*
For more information, please contact: Debbie Ross, Town of Oyen CAO
NOTICE OF POSTPONED PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Bylaw 929-25
Pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, being Chapter M-26 of the Statutes of Alberta, notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Oyen POSTPONED the public hearing for the proposed Land Use Bylaw 929-25 until March 11, 2025. The public hearing is required to be held prior to the second reading of the proposed new Land Use Bylaw 929-25.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed Land Use Bylaw, please reach out to the Town of Oyen CAO or PRMS Senior Planner in advance of the public hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is for Council to hear comments and concerns from the public, questions may not be able to be answered at the public hearing. *Once the public hearing is closed, no further feedback will be accepted by the Council.*
The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) serves as the “rule book” for the development within the Town of Oyen. The LUB regulates the development of land and buildings on a site-specific basis, based on the policy directions set by the Municipal Development Plan. The LUB regulates how land can be used, including what uses are appropriate and where they can be located. The LUB aims to balance landowner’s rights with the interests of the community. Bylaw 929-25 will replace the current Land Use Bylaw 891-22 with an updated Land Use Bylaw.
Some of the key changes in proposed Bylaw 929-25 include:
• extensive revisions to the definitions, including deleting terms that are not used in the bylaw and ensuring every use in the bylaw is defined;
• clarification of the roles and responsibilities and powers of the development authority;
• clarification of what development does not require a development permit;
• updating the development permit processing requirement to meet the Municipal Government Act, such as the types of notices issued and gaining consent for email communications;
• revisions to the general regulations, such as accessory buildings (shipping containers);
• updating the permitted and discretionary uses in each land use district, such as increasing the uses that are in the permitted uses category;
• updating the regulations in each district;
• including a new RA-Residential Acreage District, and including larger residential properties in this new district;
• including a new ‘Short-Term Rental’ use in the residential districts;
• amending the Land Use District map to rezone a few properties including the ‘Fish Pond’ to Community Services District.
Should you wish to address council in person, a public hearing for Bylaw 929-25 will be held in the Town of Oyen office at 201 Main Street, on March 11, 2025 commencing at 6:00 p.m. Council will hear from any person claiming to be affected by the proposed bylaw.
Additionally, written comments may be delivered to Box 360, 201 Main Street, Oyen, Alberta, T0J 2J0 or emailed to cao@oyen.ca; submissions will be received up to March 10, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
The proposed Bylaw 929-25 can be reviewed online at townofoyen.com, or copies may be picked up Monday through Friday at 201 Main Street, Oyen from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
For more information, please contact: Debbie Ross, Town of Oyen CAO ph: 403-664-3511 email: cao@oyen.ca
Shirley Vanstone celebrates her special day with sisters and other family
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. The month of February has come to an end, so that means we are getting closer to spring. February ended better than it started, with better temperatures, but now we have to be careful of all the ice.
Monday morning started with exercises, followed by crib games. In the afternoon there was bingo. Two lucky winners got a bingo on I 29. Congratulations to Irene Hittel and Madeline Nichols, who got a $20 gift certificate for Alberta Clothing.
Tuesday morning, there were exercises and a one-on-one scrabble game with a resident. I’m still not the champion Scrabble player, but the scores are getting a lot closer. The FCSS van was at the Lodge on Tuesday morning to pick up residents for downtown shopping. Tuesday afternoon, there was an ice cream parlour.
Wednesday morning there was Church with Brad. At 11:00, the Handi bus took some of the residents and the Activity Coordinator to have lunch at the Homestead Restaurant in Empress. Bev Walker operates the restaurant, so the residents enjoyed a meal and a visit with Bev and her mom. Big thank you to Sandy Lockhart, who volunteered to drive the Handi bus for the Lodge that day. On the way home the residents wanted to stop at the Acadia Valley Café for coffee and pie. It was a beauti-
ful day for an outing.
Wednesday, February 26th, was “Pink Shirt Day.” Some residents wore pink for the day. Pink Shirt Day is an opportunity to stand against bullying and demonstrate a commitment to safe, accepting, inclusive and equitable schools, work sites and communities. Be kind to each other.
Thursday morning started with a crossword, and in the afternoon was the monthly birthday bash. Chocolate cake with cream cheese icing and strawberry ice cream was served along with coffee and tea.
Friday morning started with exercises, followed by horse races. In the afternoon, there was card bingo. Happy Birthday to Shirley Vanstone on February 28th. Shirley’s two sisters from the Edmonton area, along with other family members, were at the Lodge for a visit on her special day.
On Friday, March 7th, the “World Day of Prayer” will be held at the Oyen Lodge in the Activity Room at 11:00 a.m. Congratulations to the Oyen Eagles for winning their playoff games against Hughenden, now they play Provost. Good Luck, Oyen Eagles.
We would like to welcome Micheal Herman to the Lodge. We welcome Father Rodell Abanto on Monday mornings at the Lodge for church service at 10:30. Happy Birthday to Sandra Woytkiw on March 2nd.
Have a great week everyone and enjoy the weather.
Town of Oyen Library: Booknotes
BY DAYNA WILSON Library Manager
FICTION:
An Amish Cinderella / by: Shelley Shepard Gray
B is for Bonnet / by: Shelley Shepard Gray
The Baxters : A Prequel / by: Karen Kingsbury
Beneath the Stands / by: Emily McIntire
The Dark we Seek / by: Kyla Stone
The Garden : A Novel / by: Nick Newman
First-Time Caller / by: B.K. Borison
The Girls of the Glimmer Factory : A Novel / by: Jennifer Coburn
Heart of the Glen / by: Jennifer Deibel
The Hope we Keep / by: Kyla Stone
The Lost House / by: Melissa Larsen
The Nurses of Eastby End / by: Anna Jacobs
Paranoia / by: James Patterson
Sarah’s Song : A Novel / by: Karen Kingsbury
We All Live Here : A Novel / by: Jojo Moyes
The Wedding People : A Novel / by: Alison Espach
With This Ring / by: Amy Clipston Winter’s Wishfall / by: Ceri Houlbrook
JUVENILE FICTION:
I.R.L. / by: Jenny Goebel
YOUNG ADULT FICTION:
Anticipation / by: Neil Taylor
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS AND EARLY READERS:
Duckie & Snaps : We cannot be Friends / by: Ame Dyckman
I Spy Things that Go / by: Jean Marzollo Bulldozer’s Big Rescue / by: Elise Broach
LARGE PRINT ADULT FICTION:
Healing her Amish Heart / by: JoAnn Brown
The Amish Widower’s Surprise / by: Laurel Blount
GRAPHIC NOVELS:
Kaiju No. 8 : Exclusive on the Third Division / by: Keiji Ando Wings of Fire. Book 8 : Escaping Peril / by: Barry Deutsch
The Racc Pack : Vol. 2 Prince and the Pawper / by: Stephanie Cooke
The “Let Them” Theory : A Life Changing Tool / by: Mel Robbins
Validation : How the Skillset that revolutionized psychology will transform you / by: Caroline Fleck
OYEN LIBRARY OF THINGS:
Portable Dvd player with 7”screen
PERIODICALS:
People Magazine
Hello Canada
Country Living
Woman’s Day
SERVICE OPTIONS:
The library is currently open as usual, but we have added a curbside service option as well. If you prefer to pick up materials this way, please call ahead or email to let us know which day to put them out.
If you are unable to come out to the library due to physical conditions we can do deliveries within the town limits. Please just give us a call at the number listed below.
BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt. com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com.
COMING EVENTS
BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269/wk (based on 25 words or less). Reach 75 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903; www.awna.com; email classifieds@awna.com.
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FEED AND SEED
GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 500,000 Alberta readers weekly. Three options starting at $269, $299 or $599 to get your message out! KEEP people in the loop with over 75 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1-800-282-6903, 780-434-8746 www.awna. com.
FOR SALE
2.5 ACRE LOTS, year round creek. Water well in place, power to property line. Septic approved, irrigation rights on creek. Creston, BC. Call Shelly 250-254-0132, email shellylamb55@gmail.com.
HEALTH
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372.
SERVICES
CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/
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ACADIA MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
Longer hours on Wednesdays starting March 11
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH Library Manager
This week’s new books include: The War We Won Apart: The Untold Story of Two Elite Agents Who Became One of the Most Decorated Couples of WWII by Nahlah Ayed (non-fiction), The Girl’s a Killer by Emma C. Wells and The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore (both adult fiction), and Dog Man: Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey (juvenile graphic novel).
Thanks to everyone who came out for the movie on Tuesday. The next afterschool movie is scheduled for Tuesday March 25th.
Remember that we have a new puzzle set up. Feel free to come in anytime during library hours to work on it!
The library will soon be open a little longer on Wednesdays. Beginning March 11th, library hours will revert to the usual hours of 1-6PM Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
“It was good to walk into a library again; it smelled like home.” - Elizabeth Kostova, The Historian
PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www. firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
Put Canada first and defend!
BY DAMIEN KUREK Battle River-Crowfoot MP
After 9 years, the NDP-Liberals have weakened our military and as a result Canada has lost the respect of our allies. Our national safety and security requires we rebuild our military and assert control in our North. Plus, with the looming threat of substantial tariffs from the USA, our relationship with our closest neighbour has been put to the test, and it’s more evident now than it ever has been Canada needs to be able to show that we can defend ourselves.
Conservatives have started laying out a plan to put Canada First and to rebuild our military. Pierre Poilievre’s approach is to ensure our military has the resources and equipment they need, and once again, restore pride, honour, strength, and respect in Canada’s armed forces. This includes rejecting “woke” and to rebuild a warrior culture.
We need to increase military spending to 2% of our GDP, which is desperately needed. And, unlike the Liberals, we know we need real investment, and not just change the way we calculate the number. Canada has been falling short of this commitment, and a correction is long overdue.
Today, Canada is facing growing threats from all directions, but our Arctic is especially at risk with growing geopolitical threats. Russia and China, especially, seem to be eyeing the potential in the Arctic for shipping routes, resources, and proximity to major players in the global market.
To take back control of the Arctic, Conservatives have outlined a commitment to:
• Double the size of the 1st Patrol Group of the Canadian Rangers from 2,000 to 4,000 Rangers.
• Acquire two additional polar icebreakers for the Royal Canadian Navy as well as deliver the two polar icebreakers the Seaspan and Davie shipyards are currently building for the Coast Guard by 2029, versus the Liberals’ unknown timeline.
• Build at least one permanent Arctic military base within two years: CFB Iqaluit, Canada’s first permanent Arctic military base since the Cold War.
Iqaluit already has a Forward Operating Location as well as a functional airport and seaport which can accommodate military operations and can be expanded. The base would be able to host a full RCAF wing to launch and land new F-35 fighter jets. These jets would deter, intercept, and destroy threats. Expansion would also enable Poseidon P-8s aircraft to carry out search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) work. The base would also fuel local economic development in Iqaluit with better runways, energy systems, transportation and infrastructure.
Protecting the North is one step. Our military is critical to the safety, strength, and prosperity of all of Canada. This includes ensuring Camp Wainwright has what it needs, which I have the honour of representing here in Battle River—Crowfoot. Camp Wainwright is a world leader in training soldiers for the battle field, and I will continue to make the case for how important this base is for our military’s future.
Inline with Pierre Poilievre’s dollar for dollar commitment, which would require a dollar of savings for each new dollar spent, the funds to pay for this military commitment would come from cutting foreign aid. Aid which, under the Liberals, has gone to dictators, terrorists, and global bureaucracies.
To those who are serving now and have served in the past, thank you. Canadians owe a debt of gratitude to those who have spent their lives fighting for this great nation and for peace around the world. We owe it to them, and our future, to get it right.
Canada first. Canada last. Canada always. As your representative in Canada’s Parliament, I will continue to work for this and a strong future for Battle River— Crowfoot and all of Canada.
Budget 2025: Snip. Taxes cut for Albertans
As the province faces headwinds from tariff threats that could cause inflation, Alberta’s government is ensuring Alberta families have more money in their pockets to support their families. By fulfilling a promise to cut personal income taxes, Albertans will take more money home on every paycheque.
Starting this year, Alberta taxpayers will benefit from a new eight per cent personal tax bracket on income up to $60,000, down from the previous rate of 10 per cent. When this new tax cut takes effect, taxpayers will save up to $750 in 2025, while two-income families will see savings of up to $1,500, which will help them and their families with the cost of groceries, housing, utility bills or other priorities.
“Over the past few years Albertans have faced an unprecedented cost of living crisis, largely due to the irresponsible actions of the federal Liberal government. That’s why Alberta’s government is taking action to cut personal income taxes for two million hard-working Albertans - fulfilling our campaign promise - so that Albertans can keep more of their hard-earned dollars to help support their families.”
Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta
“By fast-tracking this new eight per cent tax bracket, Albertans can keep more of their hard-earned money this year. This is just one more way we’re helping Albertans find their way forward during turbulent economic times.”
Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
Overall, this personal income tax cut is expected to save Albertans $1.2 billion in 2025, with savings rising to $1.4 billion in 2028. Most taxpayers will start to see the benefit of the tax cut on their paycheques after July 1, when payroll withholdings are adjusted.
With low personal and corporate income taxes, low fuel tax and no sales tax, Albertans and Alberta businesses generally pay lower overall taxes than those in other provinces. In 2025-26, Albertans and Alberta businesses would pay at least $20.1 billion less in taxes than they would if Alberta had the same tax system as any other province.
Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
Damien Kurek
CEREAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
• Cereal Board of Trade Annual General Meeting 7:00 PM at the C.J. Peacock Centre. Seeking volunteers to help promote business and improve life in and around Cereal.
- Cereal Cottages Coffee on Tuesdays 10:30
- 11:30 AM
- Quilting Club weekly Wednesdays 10:00 AM
- 4 PM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
- Chase the Ace weekly Thursdays 7:009:00 PM at the Cereal Hotel
- Cereal Playground most Tuesdays 10:00 AM at the CJ Peacock Centre.
EMPRESS
THURSDAY, MARCH 6
• NEW Chair Yoga 10:00 AM at the Empress Friendship Centre. No charge. Everyone welcome. Led by Jasmine Jangula. Funded provided by Oyen FCSS. Will also be held March 13, 20, 27.
MONDAY, MARCH 10
• Empress Friendship Centre Friendship Suppers 5:30-6:30 PM. Please RSVP to 403-565-2000. Please leave your name and number attending.
Heather Norris, Mission & Service Co-ordinator, presents Ms. Wolfe (left), principal of Assumption Roman Catholic School, with a cheque to be used toward their Breakfast Program. “Nutritious breakfast items are available to all 62 Assumption students,” says Christie Caskey. Imogene Hauck, chairman of the Oyen United Church Board and Rev. Johnny Rhoad accompanied Heather to the school. The students gathered around the presenters for a photo.
PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER-
Carmen Hoffmann, South Central High School Breakfast Co-ordinator, receives a cheque for the South Central High School Breakfast Program from Heather Norris, Mission & Service Co-ordinator. Accompanying Heather are Rev. Johnny Rhoad and Imogen Hauck, chairman of the Oyen United Church Board.
“The nutrition program started at SCHS in the 201718,” says Carmen.
“I am an EA at the school and get an extra hour a day to organize and serve the students every morning. Toast, bagels, cereal and waffles are a staple. I try to serve fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, applesauce and fruit cups as budget and sales at local stores allow. Community members have donated muffins, egg bites, strudels and scones to the programs that the kids have really enjoyed.
“We have some families who have made donations of margarine, jams, yogurt, cream cheese and honey to help out. We have received some cash and gift card donations as well. The food bank has helped us in the past with donations. Every little bit has helped and is greatly appreciated as our budget was severely cut a couple years ago and it is such an important program at our school. Usually I serve between 30-70 students,” concluded Carmen.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society 2025 AGM. Member Meeting 1:00-2:00 PM at the Village of Empress Community Hall. Membership is $5 / year. Join us.
MONDAY, MARCH 24
• Empress Friendship Centre Friendship Suppers 5:30-6:30 PM. Please RSVP to 403-565-2000. Please leave your name and number attending.
TUESDAY, MARCH 25
• Empress & District Historical Society AGM 7:00 PM Empress Friendship Centre. New members welcome.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
• Empress & District Fine Arts, Cultural and Leisure Society Plant & Pie Sale 10:00 AM2:00 PM. Empress Community Hall.
• Empress Community Yard Sales 9:00 AM3:00 PM. More than 10 families! Don’t miss it!
- Game Night Saturdays at 6:00 PM at the Community Hall. Come join us for a night of fun and excitement. Play games and hang out with friends and family.
- Classic Movie Night every Monday at the Empress Community Hall at 7:00 PM. Bring your blanket & lawn chair. Popcorn, chips, candy, pop, water and hotdogs available in the canteen! Free Admission. A different classic film each week. Sponsored by Empress & District Fine Arts, Culture and Leisure Society.
OYEN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
• Regular Pot Luck Supper and Meeting for Oyen and District Seniors (50 +) at Oyen and District Seniors Recreation Centre. Supper at 6:00PM and Meeting at 7:00PM. Call Lynda 403 664 0908 or Beth 403 664 2462 for further information.
MARCH 10-23
• Badlands Badgers annual online auction. Located on Facebook page “Badlands Badgers Online Auction”
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
• Oyen Skating Club presents “Mary Poppins” 5:30 PM. Come out and enjoy a night to support our local skaters. Concession will be open along with a prize table.
PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER
Carla Stammers, the Breakfast Lady as the kids tend to call her, receives a cheque from Heather Norris, Mission and Service Co-ordinator for the Oyen Public School Breakfast Program. In her 24th year as an EA, Carla cooks eggs, sausages, cinnamon pastries, toast, muffins, cereal, smoothies, waffles and breakfast sandwiches. Accompany Heather are Rev. Johnny Rhoad and Imogene Hauck, chairman of the Oyen United Church Board.
PHOTO BY DIANA WALKER
. Please try to keep wording to a minimum. We try our best to place as many events as possible, but closer dates will take priority. Please support the businesses that advertise in this newspaper. Without them, this publication would not be possible!
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
• Oyen United Church Soup and Sandwich 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Adults $15, Kids 6-12 $5, under 6 Free.
FRIDAY, MAY 2
• Oyen United Church Soup and Sandwich 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Adults $15, Kids 6-12 $5, under 6 Free.
- Oyen Town Council meet 2nd Tuesday of every month 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. - Fun League Curling. Tuesday evenings. Enter teams to Jackie Dick 403-664-0157. - Cash League Curling. Wednesday evenings. Enter teams to Brett Peterson 403-664-8868. - Sturling League Curling. Thursday at noon. Enter teams to Jerry Logan 403-664-6001.
SIBBALD
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
• Sibbald Community Club presents “The Sibbald Games.” For details call/text Olivia (306) 430-8487 or Chandra (403) 6640469.
