KUREK GIVING UP SEAT FOR PIERRE POILIEVRE TO RUN IN BYELECTION
On Friday, the Conservative Party announced Conservative MP-elect Damien Kurek will resign to allow Pierre Poilievre to run in an upcoming byelection.The following letter was sent by MP Kurek to Battle River-Crowfoot constituents.
Dear Friend,
also
news regarding
may not need repair, just some basic maintenance. Macdonald stated she was told the hydrants may only require some gas kets and O-rings and won’t require digging up the pavement.
ating 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.
During discussion Coun. Amber
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 may be a bit too low.
There is some important news I wanted to pass along to you.
German added that it does seem that Big Valley has a lot of properties assessed at the minimum value, with the CAO pointing out there are 37 in total.
First, let me again reiterate how grateful I am for your support of me, Pierre Poilievre, and the Conservative Party.
Councillors unanimously approved the 2023 operating budget.
I wanted to share with you the following statement about a decision Danielle and I have made to ensure that Canada, Alberta, and this region are served in the best way possible:
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.
It has been a tremendous honour to serve the good people of Battle River-Crowfoot as their Member of Parliament since 2019. Their support and commitment to the Conservative movement and our mission to bring back hope and prosperity to this country has been unmatched. Which is why, after much discussion with my wife Danielle, I have decided to step aside for this Parliamentary session to allow our Conservative Party Leader, Pierre Poilievre, to run in our riding as the Conservative candidate in a by-election.
Pierre just finished a remarkable national campaign that received the highest vote share since 1988. Under his leadership an unstoppable movement has grown, and I know we need Pierre fighting in the House of Commons to hold the Liberal minority government to account. That is why I know this de-
cision is what’s best for Canada and is what’s best for Battle River-Crowfoot.
Although it will be hard to temporarily step away from this role, in this region I love and have always called home, the mandate given to me is one that clearly states that change is needed. Offering this seat to our Party Leader is an important step in that process. I started my political career talking about the need for government to be held to account and to ensure that rural Canada wasn’t forgotten about, this is a key way to ensure that happens.
The people of Battle River—Crowfoot will be represented well by Pierre for the remainder of this Parliamentary session, and I will keep working with our incredible local team to do everything I can to remain the strong voice for you as I support him in the process, and then run again here in Battle River— Crowfoot in the next general election.
We need to build on the momentum that we have with that strong united vision that will restore the Canadian promise. Be assured, I am not going anywhere. I am proud to be from Battle River— Crowfoot and it has been an honour to be your voice in Ottawa. I will run in the next general election to ensure we can keep doing the important work we began. Pierre Poilievre is an exceptional leader and will make an exceptional Prime Minister. We are working to ensure that there are no interruptions to constituency services, that our local EDA Board stays involved, and that you as supporters stay informed. Be assured that as final details are worked out, including my plan to reintroduce my Private Members Bill to designate a “Livestock Brand as a National Symbol of Canada” and ensure that we have a by-election in as expedient a way as
Damien Kurek
Pierre Poilievre
Bud Herbert
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Acadia Municipal Library
BY TRICIA FISCHBUCH Library Manager
Recent adult fiction additions are The Great Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson-Wheeler and The Inheritance by Joanna Goodman.
Join us for the after-school movie, Dog Man, scheduled for Tuesday May 13 at 3:30. This movie is based on the popular graphic novel series of the same name by Dav Pilkey. As always, free popcorn and juice will be provided.
Congratulations to Emberlee Niwa who won last month’s Easter Egg Hunt draw! She got to pick out a free book to take home along with a bag of goodies. We hope everyone enjoyed participating!
Oyen Lodge News
BY DIANNE SPATH
Hello, everyone. The month of April sure went fast, and now we are into May with some nice weather. The residents enjoy their walks every day, except for those breezy days. Some of the ladies are anxious to get some planting and cleaning done in the flower beds at the Lodge. Some perennials are popping up through the ground and will start looking beautiful soon.
On Monday, an Elections Canada poll station was set up in the family room from 9:00-11:00, for the residents to vote. The rest of Monday morning was exercises and walking outdoors. It was a busy morning, so there was no Catholic Church. In the afternoon there was bingo. Tuesday started with exercises and the regular bus run downtown for the residents to do their shopping. Mid-morning was a one-on-one scrabble game with a resident. I am getting better at scrabble. I thought I was winning, and in the end, we both had the same
score, so it was a great game. After lunch, there was a pub afternoon, in which refreshments and snacks were served, followed by piano music with Taylor Neilson. Happy Birthday to Chippy on April 29th.
Wednesday morning started with a one-on-one, followed by crossword games and in the afternoon, there were shuffleboard games. Wednesday, April 30th was “National Hairstylists Day”, so thanks to all the hairstylists for making everyone look and feel great after their appointments. Thursday started with exercises, followed by walking outdoors, and in the afternoon, card games were played. Happy Birthday to Mary Loose on May 1st.
Friday morning started with horse races. #3 horse Lazy was the top winner that day. Friday was “National Fitness Day,” so we got in some outdoor walking before lunch. In the afternoon, there was card bingo, and in the evening, there was music by the Jorgensons. Have a great week, everyone.
Damien Kurek wins Battle RiverCrowfoot riding with 82.8% of vote
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Battle River-Crowfoot MP, Damien Kurek was re-elected by an overwhelming majority in the General Election held April 28. Kurek received 53,584 votes, while his nearest counterpart, Brent Sutton from the Liberal Party received 7,566 votes.
Only four days after being re-elected, Kurek has stepped aside so that Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre can run in a byelection.
The following is a statement issued by Kurek after his win.
Once again, it is an honour to serve as your Member of Parliament here in Battle River-Crowfoot. To all those who voted for me and those who didn’t: thank you for making your voices heard in our democratic process. You can count on me to work for you and fight so that you, rural Canada, and the values we hold are heard in our nation’s capital.
While the national results don’t reflect the change that so many had hoped for, our national Conservative team made a significant breakthrough and will hold the Liberals to account during their fourth term. This allows us to be in a strong position to make sure they follow through on the promises they made during their campaign, promises that in many cases reflect priorities that Canada’s Conservatives have led the conversation on for years.
To Alberta, Western Canada, and the many Canadi-
...Kurek/Poilievre
possible, you will be kept informed.
Pierre Poilievre is a man of principle, character, and is the hardest working MP I have ever met. His energy, passion, and drive will have a huge benefit here.
Pierre looks forward to visiting soon, where he will have a chance to connect with the incredible people of Battle River—Crowfoot, and fight for you and all of Canada in the House of Commons to bring about the change our nation so desperately needs. I also look
ans who feel left behind and divided after a decade of Liberal policy: Conservatives hear you and won’t stop listening to, working for, and fighting for the promise of Canada. There will be lots of questions that need to be asked about what that looks like. And my commitment to you is that I will be unafraid to fight for answers.
Finally, to our campaign team, the local Conservative association, the many volunteers who helped in various ways, and those who helped facilitate the election: we couldn’t have done this without you. From Danielle and I, thank you!
forward to helping him in the by-election to ensure that both he and this region are well served. Danielle and I entered politics to serve our region, province, and country, and while we didn’t expect that it would include a change like this, it is our desire to serve you in the best way possible. That is what ultimately led us to make this decision and offer.
Thank you, Damien & Danielle Kurek
Danielle and Damien Kurek at the Watch Party on election night, April 28, 2025. SUBMITTED
NHL coaching improvement not always rewarded
BY BRUCE PENTON
Duck! Here comes the axe!
Greg Cronin probably deserved better than to be fired at the end of the 2024-25 National Hockey League season. After all, he led the Anaheim Ducks to an 80-point season (35-37-10), which was a league-leading 35.5-percent increase over the previous season’s disastrous 59-point campaign.
BY BRUCE PENTON Sports Columnist
Cronin, probably among the least-recognizable coaches in the NHL outside of southern California, will deservedly get some coach-of-the-year votes but his relative success this season didn’t carry enough weight with Ducks’ general manager Pat Verbeek.
“I think I see this team at a point to where my expectation of this team is to make the playoffs next season,” Verbeek told Yarkbarker.com.
Coaching the Ducks for two years, Cronin’s record wasn’t great, but the talent he had to work with wasn’t so hot, either. His teams finished 25 games under .500 and the playoff drought for the team goes all the way back to 2018. Still, a 21-point improvement from one season to the next usually results in a contract extension with a big raise, not a firing.
Verbeek wasn’t happy with the team’s offence, which ranked 30th of the NHL’s 32 teams. Mason McTavish and Troy Terry tied for the team lead in goals with 22, and finding more firepower is at the top of Verbeek’s to-do list. With that in mind, high-scoring free agents Mitch Marner of the Leafs and Nikolaj Ehlers of the Jets are on his priority list.
So who will be the NHL’s coach of the year? Washington’s Spencer Carbery got a lot of attention this year for leading the Capitals to an Eastern Conference title and improving their points’ total from 91 to 111. Ottawa’s Travis Green will get a few votes for the Senators’ vast improvement from last year, in which they
garnered 78 points, to the 97 and a wildcard playoff position this year. Scott Arniel of Winnipeg should get some consideration for the season-long consistency that earned his team the President’s Trophy, but the Jets’ season-over-season gain was not that spectacular (110 to 116). Another top candidate is Montreal’s Martin St. Louis, who guided the Habs to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Montreal was second-last overall in early December before something magic started to happen in Montreal. Whether it was the team’s core finally coming together, the emergence of rookie flash Lane Hutson on defence or the coaching strategy of St. Louis working its magic, the Habs were red-hot down the stretch.
But the best of them all might be Dean Evason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who didn’t make the playoffs, but went right down to Game 82 before being eliminated. The Jackets’ point improvement (66 last year to 89 this year, a 34.8 per cent increase) was impressive, even more so when you consider that their best player, Johnny Gaudreau, was killed in an August car-bicycle crash. But Evason’s percentage improvement still didn’t match Cronin’s 35.5, and look where it got the ex-Ducks’ bench boss.
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “Tiger Woods’ design firm is going to build a nine-hole short course at Augusta National. Prediction: They’ll hold a tournament there called the Mistresses.”
• Super 70s Sports: “I cannot emphasize how little I care what the speed of a home run was. ‘He crushed a 105.8 mph homer!’ means nothing to me. To paraphrase Satchell Paige, ‘Did it go over the fence, wild child?’”
• From an X user called Thank the Stars: “If they do speed and launch angle for HRs they should do it for every ball in play. Let the people know about that 60 mph soft grounder with a launch angle of seven.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com, after the first day of the NFL draft: “Imagine being Cam Ward, No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. And all the media is about the guy who HASN’T been drafted yet.”
• Columnist Norman Chad: “Shedeur Sanders has
RURAL WATER FEASIBILITY
fallen so far down in the NFL draft, he’s watching it with me tonight.”
• Super 70s Sports, on Shedeur Sanders not being drafted in the NFL’s first round, as had been expected: “If 32 teams individually decide your talent isn’t worth you being a migraine headache, that’s not getting ‘blackballed.’”
• Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “No phones are allowed on the course at the Masters. It’s like a Salvadorean prison for Tik-Tokkers.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “The Canucks recently banned the video game Fortnite during their road trips. I’m thinking that might actually be the game Vancouver was playing this season — it didn’t look like hockey.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
Town of Oyen Library: Booknotes
BY DAYNA WILSON Library Manager
FICTION: The Legend of Meneka /by: Kritika H. Rao
Passion Project: A Novel / by: London Sperry
PERIODICALS: People Magazine
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.
Library Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 12-5; Tuesdays 2-7 403-664-3644 ext. 2 aoymlibrary@ oyenlibrary.ca www.oyenlibrary.ca www.facebook.com/ OyenLibrary
Honouring the incredible life of STARS founder Dr. Greg Powell
It is with great sadness that STARS announces the passing of founder and former CEO, Dr. Greg Powell.
Dr. Powell, whose inspiration for STARS was sparked by his experience in Saigon during the Vietnam War, passed away on April 30, 2025 at Foothills Hospice in Okotoks with his wife, Linda, and his family by his side. He was 77.
While his life is celebrated, rich with experiences, talent and ingenuity, Dr. Powell’s passing leaves a hole in the heart of STARS and for the people who loved him.
“From the very beginning of his distinguished medical career, Dr. Powell was committed to saving lives. Early on, he recognized too many patients were dying because they couldn’t get the care they needed fast enough and was motivated to change that,” said Dr. John Froh, president and CEO of STARS.
His vision and determination to build a charitable helicopter emergency medical service that was truly all about providing access to world-class care for every patient, is unparalleled.
Dr. Froh continued, “All of us at STARS extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Powell’s family and loved ones and our thoughts are with them as we share in this profound loss. Countless people are alive today
REMEMBERING WHEN
because of his ground-breaking vision and enduring tenacity and for that we are honoured to carry on his mission.”
The entire STARS team expresses their deepest condolences and sympathy to the Powell family for their immense loss.
When Mom played ‘Refrigerator Tetris’
BY KEITH SCHELL
If we had video games in our youth, our mother probably would have become the undisputed Tetris champion of the world.
For those unfamiliar with Tetris, it was created at the Soviet Academy of Sciences in Moscow by Russian software engineer Alexey Pajitnov. Originally intended as a test for a new Russian computer, Tetris is a simple stacking game where you have a limited amount of time to stack different shaped blocks (known as “tetrominoes”) into a matrix (playing board). The goal is to minimize gaps and fill the matrix completely, causing the blocks to disappear and earning points for your success. Released on June 6, 1984, Tetris quickly became one of the most popular and addictive video games worldwide.
When we were growing up, Dad’s job would pay him on Friday, and so like many other families, grocery shopping for our family was usually done on Saturdays. Mom didn’t drive yet, so Dad would take Mom and us kids into town on Saturday mornings to do the shopping for the upcoming week. Mom would go into the grocery store to shop for the family, and Dad would usually take us kids along with him as he ran his errands around town so Mom wouldn’t be disturbed while grocery shopping. When we got home after finishing the weekly shopping, Mom would usually enlist us kids to help her bring the groceries in the house and help her put them away.
Once the car was unloaded and everything was in the house, Mom would tell me to begin to put the cold stuff away in the refrigerator while she began to put the other stuff away in the cupboards. I would try my
best, but I always seemed to run out of space in the refrigerator before all the cold items were put away. Usually, I would end up telling Mom there was no room left in the refrigerator for all the cold stuff that was still sitting on the table. When she was done putting everything else away, she would come back over to the refrigerator and, with an exasperated sigh, tell me to “stand aside” so she could show me how it was done.
And with me watching in amazement, she would take the remaining cold items from the table and begin to play ‘Refrigerator Tetris’.
I watched as she would stand this on its side, stack that up and down, turn this around so it would fit lengthways, put that in the crisper with the vegetables, put this on top of something else on the middle shelf, put that on one of the shelves on the door, put this in with the eggs, place that on top of the cheese and the butter, jam this between jugs of juice on the door, and slide that in on top of everything else in the last remaining bit of space on the top shelf. Somehow, she managed to fit everything in the refrigerator before anything began to melt or spoil.
I couldn’t believe how she managed to fit all that stuff in the refrigerator. She maximized every square inch of space on a weekly basis, and nothing cold was ever left out on the table.
If the Tetris matrix on the video screens ever looked like the inside of a refrigerator, our mother would have been a world Tetris champion. To this day, I have never seen anyone else able to stack a refrigerator like our mother did when we were young.
And she is still stacking strong to this day!
(Love ya, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!)
Dr. Greg Powell