More and more, we see paternalistic policy from the UCP. I know many who would benefit from the national pharmacare program: diabetics who cannot afford medications and test supplies who progress to diabetic complications, and those who cannot afford birth control. Our provincial government claims Albertans have access to programs and do not need pharmacare coverage but this is not the case. I’ve tried, and help simply isn’t there, particularly for low-income people. Albertans should be able to choose to participate in federal pharmacare, not to mention the cost-saving bene ..read more

By Samantha JohnsonFor Southern Alberta Newspapers May 2, 1883 – The Prince Albert Times and Saskatchewan Review A successful trial was recently made in London of an electrical streetcar. The car ran a distance of four miles in a satisfactory manner. No doubt the oldest inhabitant of Ontario, P. Patterson departed this life recently in Otterville, ON. He is said to have been 120 years of age. A bill has been introduced in England to increase the time during which the solemnization of marriage can occur. Presently, it is between 8 a.m. and noon, which will lengthen to 6 p.m. Any boys who can’t ..read more

Ever since we’ve been publishing an annual report on CEO pay in Canada, I’ve had a bone to pick: CEOs and the rich generally get a special tax rebate when they sell assets like real estate or stocks at a profit. That profit is called a capital gain, and if you declare more than $250,000 in a year, your tax break will be smaller due to the government’s surprise change in this year’s budget. As of June 25, 2024, well-off Canadians declaring over $250,000 a year in capital gains will now have to declare 66.6 per cent of that gain as income instead of only half. This will also apply to corporation ..read more

By Nerissa McNaughtonFor the News During the clean audit report provided by delegate Patrick Treadwell, CPA from MWG Chartered Professional Accountants, at the latest council meeting, a brief mention was made of the upcoming budget considerations for mandated asbestos remediation in public buildings. While the regulations and timelines regarding this are evolving, asbestos remains a serious threat. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself and/or the occupants of a property you own, lease, or rent. What is Asbestos Once hailed for its resilience and insulating properties, asbestos is n ..read more

By Cal BraidSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter On April 29, Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) and mayor of Wetaskiwin, came out firing on a subject that he has repeatedly objected to over the last year: the introduction of political parties into municipal elections.  His press conference came in the wake of an announcement that Bill 20 will move forward as a ‘pilot-project’ in Calgary and Edmonton. The bill would allow political candidates to declare their party ties while running for municipal office. It would also enable the provinc ..read more

Lethbridge County With the arrival of spring, construction and operational projects have begun on roads throughout Lethbridge County. Crews will be busy over the next several months on road reconstruction, dust control application, vegetation management and more. These activities keep our essential transportation network safe and reliable for motorists and ensure producers can efficiently move their products. County crews have already experienced several incidents where workers have been put at risk from vehicles passing at high speeds and too close to equipment. To keep our road network safe ..read more

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South News A proposed rezoning could mean Coaldale will be home to an eco-dairy operation. During their regular April 22 meeting, Coaldale town council reviewed a Land Use Bylaw amendment for an existing dairy farm in southwest Coaldale. The application concerns a portion of land, legally described as NE4-09-20-W4M, along the southern boundary of town that is the current location of  Elk Creek Dairy Farms Ltd. dairy operation. With the current Urban Reserve (UR) zoning in place, the farm cannot expand or improve its existing dairy operation. The applicant, Brian Sto ..read more

By Al BeeberSouthern Alberta Newspapers The provincial government is boosting funding for its irrigation rehabilitation program . The province is providing in Budget 2024 $19 million for the program which is an increase of $5.5 million over last year. “This is money well spent,” said Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson at an announcement in Vauxhall on Tuesday, “as expanding and modernizing irrigation infrastructure will ensure that Alberta’s irrigation districts can deliver water to producers efficiently and reliably while improving productivity and competitiveness in our agri ..read more

Town of Coaldale On May 3, the Town of Coaldale once again updated its list of official competitions for the 2024 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG).  In September of last year, Coaldale was chosen by the Southern Alberta Recreation Association (SARA) to host the 2024 Games, which will be the first to offer full programming since 2019 when the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to the Games for 4 consecutive years. Since September, Town staff have been busy organizing the Games, including finalizing a list of official competitions, which now includes darts.  “One of the many benefits of ..read more

By Heather CameronSouthern Alberta NewspapersLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter During the 2024 Ag Expo there was an event called “thinkAg: Career Fair” hosted by Ag for Life and youth from Coalhurst, Kate Andrews School, Picture Butte, Cardston, W.R. Myers in Taber, and Warner School came to learn from professionals associated with the agriculture industry. During that event, Andrew Klassen, Regional Marketing Manager, and Derek Wentz, another manager, spoke about career opportunities within Viterra. Klassen stated that Viterra is one of the largest agricultural companies in the world with ..read more