Opinion
2021 Statistics Canada census shows Red Deer has 37 more residents than 2015 municipal census
According to Statistics Canada, Alberta’s population sits at 4,262,635 residents, an increase of 4.8% since 2017.
Here in Central Alberta, we saw Blackfalds’ population increase by 12.2% from 9,328 to 10,470, Sylvan Lake’s population increase by 8% from 14,816 to 15,995, Penhold’s population increase by 6% from 3,287 to 3,484, Lacombe’s population increase by 2.6% from 13,051 to 13,396, Innisfail’s population increase by 1.8% from 7,847 to 7,985 and Red Deer’s population increase by 0.4% from 100,418 to 100,844.
Red Deer’s municipal census of 2015 had Red Deer’s population at 100,807 so we now have 37 more residents than we did 7 years ago.
The Statistics Canada census says we have 100,844 residents, an increase of 427 residents since 2017 but it also shows we have 43,404 homes an increase of 3419 homes, compared to 39,985 homes in 2017.
That is 8 new homes for every new resident.
Basically, we have the same number of taxpayers, paying ever increasing taxes for ever increasing services spread over more area. In 2017 1,000 residents would be paying property taxes on 398 homes, in 2021 those 1,000 residents would be paying taxes on 431 homes.
If you look at the faster growing communities, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Lacombe, and you would also see that they invested in their recreational facilities at exponentially larger rates per capita than Red Deer. Any correlation?
The thought is that for every mile from the centre of the city, you build a home the annual maintenance costs for the city increases by $1,000, whether that still remains true, I do not know. If a new neighbourhood is built without growth and if maintenance costs grow exponentially, then does it makes sense to keep adding neighbourhoods, building new houses and adding new roads, sidewalks, bus routes, infrastructure and services.
I am just asking for a breather. According to federal and municipal censuses we have grown by a total of 37 people since 2015, but we have built new neighbourhoods, roads, sidewalks, facilities, depreciated our home assessment values, and increased our taxes.
The province has grown 12 times faster than Red Deer. Blackfalds has grown 30.5 times faster. Penhold is growing at 24 times the rate of Red Deer.
Time for a rethink? Just asking.
Alberta Sheriffs Branch
Crown appeal against acquitted peaceful protestor Evan Blackman back in court June 19
News release from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that a hearing date for Evan Blackman’s summary conviction appeal has been set for June 19, 2024. The hearing will take place at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa.
The Crown’s evidence against Blackman at his trial consisted of a 14-minute drone video, with no sound, and the testimony of one officer from the scene. For nine minutes of that video, Blackman is seen as part of a group of protestors standing across from a line of police officers on Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa. Blackman is shown de-escalating the situation by holding other protestors back and putting his hand up to stop them from confronting the officers. He is then seen kneeling in front of police for the five minutes prior to his arrest. At one point, while on his knees, he takes off his hat, puts his hands on his chest, and starts singing Canada’s national anthem.
The Ottawa Crown Attorney’s Office is appealing Blackman’s acquittal on charges of mischief and obstructing the police relating to his participation in the Freedom Convoy protests, specifically on February 18, 2022, the day police conducted an “enforcement action” – clearing Ottawa city streets following the invocation of the Emergencies Act by the federal government four days prior.
Blackman was acquitted after a one-day trial on October 23, 2023. The Justice Centre provided lawyers for Blackman’s defence at that trial and continues to support him throughout this appeal.
At trial, Mr. Blackman pled “not guilty” to all charges. The judge dismissed the case against him due to limited evidence and the poor memory of a police witness on key elements of the criminal offenses.
After his February 18, 2022 arrest and release the same day, Blackman discovered his three bank accounts had been frozen pursuant to the Emergency Economic Measures Order.
Chris Fleury, lawyer for Blackman, notes that if his client had been convicted, his intention was to bring an application for a stay of proceedings under section 24(1) of the Charter, seeking a remedy for the freezing of Mr. Blackman’s bank account. If Mr. Blackman’s acquittal is overturned on appeal, he intends to file this application.
Chris Fleury says, “The limited evidence available at Mr. Blackman’s trial showed Mr. Blackman attempting to de-escalate a volatile situation between police and protestors on February 18. He pled not guilty to the criminal offences that he was charged with, and the trial judge ultimately agreed and found him not guilty. This appeal is an attempt by the Crown to reframe findings of fact that they disagree with as legal errors. Mr. Blackman and I are looking forward to our day in Court at the appeal hearing.”
From StosselTV
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