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$30 million investment to help develop national transportation logistics hub at Red Deer Regional Airport

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News release from the Province of Alberta

Investing in the Red Deer Regional Airport

Budget 2023 is investing $30 million to expand the Red Deer Regional Airport, clearing the way to develop a national transportation logistics hub in central Alberta.

As Alberta’s government continues its focus on growing and diversifying the economy, an investment in the Red Deer Regional Airport will provide new opportunities in central Alberta. Improvements will support the development of a shipping and receiving hub in central Alberta and attract new investment opportunities to create high-paying jobs.

“Alberta’s airports play a critical role in strengthening and diversifying our economy by expanding access to markets, as we don’t have direct access to tidewater. This investment will allow additional aviation cargo and logistics services, which will not only provide new travel options and get more products to market but also create jobs and help attract new investment to central Alberta.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

The expansion will support the growth of rural communities in central Alberta while enhancing the safety of local residents and airport users by creating an additional emergency access to the airport and the Hamlet of Springbrook. This new funding builds on a $7.5-million grant from Alberta’s government in 2022-23 for the airport to repair and upgrade its runway.

“This is definitely exciting news. The Red Deer Regional Airport is situated along one of the busiest transportation hubs in the province. This expansion will provide huge economic benefits to central Alberta.”

Jim Wood, mayor, Red Deer County

“The city and county recognize the Red Deer Regional Airport as an economic catalyst. The city, as a joint appointer for the airport with the county, is working together to be a key logistics hub based on our prime location. Thank you to the Province of Alberta for their investments in central Alberta.”

Ken Johnston, mayor, City of Red Deer

“We are glad this government has recognized the unique opportunity the airport and central Alberta can play in expanding our economic impact through diversification. We already have a tenant looking to expand their business as a result of this positive development. By building the road north, we now have the opportunity to access the additional 220 acres, which we hope will bring in cargo, aircraft repair and other airline-related services. This expansion project will also result in a new passenger terminal allowing for 737 aircraft passenger service.”

Graham Ingram, chief executive officer, Red Deer Regional Airport

“Air Spray has partnered with the Red Deer airport for over 50 years. We are the largest business at the airport, employing over 150 highly trained aviation professionals. Air Spray is delighted with the news of this major investment at the Red Deer airport. This investment allows Air Spray to move forward with our expansion plans to add additional hangar space at the airport.”

Paul Lane, chief operating officer, Air Spray Airtankers

Funding through Budget 2023 will support north end road construction and civil works, including water sanitation, stormwater and fibre optics, to Township Road 374 to support new business opportunities for the north end land development. The development of the north end road will also create additional emergency access to the airport and will increase safety for the community as it continues to grow.

“As the MLA for Red Deer-North and as a resident of Red Deer, I know this expansion will be a welcomed addition for the community. This expansion will be an asset to the transportation corridor, as it will attract new passenger and cargo services, improve tourism and create jobs. I am happy to see further investments that will support our booming community.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education and MLA for Red Deer-North

“Centrally located on the dynamic Calgary-Edmonton corridor, the Red Deer Regional Airport enjoys great competitive advantages. This transformative $30-million capital investment for the airport will leverage those advantages, increasing the economic capacity of the airport, thereby increasing economic activity and prosperity in Red Deer and central Alberta.”

Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South

Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health-care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.

Quick facts

  • Alberta’s aviation and aerospace industries employ more than 18,000 people (2022, Statistics Canada).
  • These industries contributed $1.5 billion to the province’s GDP in 2021.
  • The province is home to three low-cost Alberta-based carriers – Lynx Air, Swoop and Flair Airlines.
  • Alberta’s government created the Strategic Aviation Advisory Council in 2020 to provide expert advice to government on how aviation and aerospace can increase economic development opportunities, expand markets and create jobs in the province.

This is a news release from the Government of Alberta.

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Alberta

Japan to resume imports of Canadian processed beef, 20 years after mad cow disease

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OTTAWA — Japan is lifting the last of its restrictions against Canadian beef, 20 years after BSE, often called mad cow disease, devastated this country’s cattle industry. 

The federal government says Japan is reopening its doors to processed beef and beef patties from Canada.

The move puts an end to the market access barriers Japan put in place in 2003, after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, was discovered in Alberta.

While Japan initially shut its border to all Canadian beef, it has been lifting restrictions in stages over the years, most recently with its 2019 decision to begin accepting Canadian beef from cattle older than 30 months of age.

The federal government says Japan is now Canada’s second-largest market for beef, with exports worth $518 million in 2022.

Around 40 countries closed their borders to Canadian beef during the height of the 2003 BSE crisis, resulting in billions of dollars in losses for the industry.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2023.

The Canadian Press

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Alberta

Statements from the family members of Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan

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Statements submitted by the Edmonton Police Service

Ryan Family Statement

We want to thank the public for the overwhelming outpouring of support they have provided our family, and Brett’s EPS and first-responder family, during this extremely difficult time. Grieving the sudden loss of a beloved member of our family is ineffable. Brett was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a father-to-be. He was a multi-talented individual, dedicated friend, respected colleague, active community member and volunteer, and compassionate first responder whose calling was to help those in need. His absence is profound, and we, along with his brothers and sisters in blue, will miss him. We have had the incredible experience of witnessing the extraordinary support a city can provide a family in their most significant time of need. Thank you for your selflessness expressed through thoughtful words, blue ribbons, touching tributes, acts of kindness, and much more. As we prepare to say our farewell, we thank you for respecting our privacy and for continuing to do so in the coming days and weeks as we grieve this tremendous loss.

 

Jordan Family Statement

We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the public for the extraordinary lengths you have gone to support our family, and Travis’ EPS family, in this time of great tragedy. We are beyond words as we continue to grieve this unspeakable loss. Travis’ sense of adventure was boundless and led him to a life well-lived. He was a son, a husband, a brother, and a loyal friend. Alberta may have called to his heart, but the East Coast ran through his veins. His family roots in Nova Scotia have deep ties to the province filled with friends, family and loved ones. We want to extend our thanks for their continued love and support and pay homage to them for the profound effect they had on his life. He was passionate about giving back to his communities, and his willingness to help was limitless—all the makings of a great police officer and an even greater human being. This loss has cast an enormous void in our lives, and we, along with his EPS brothers and sisters, will miss him fiercely. The incredible outpouring of support we continue to receive in this city and across the country has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated. We thank you for respecting our family’s privacy during this difficult time and for continuing to do so in the days ahead as we prepare to say farewell to a great man.

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