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Alberta NDP urges Provincial Government to crack down on covid restriction violations

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Press release from the Alberta NDP

NDP CALL FOR FULL ENFORCEMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS AFTER UCP DIRECT POLICE TO GO EASY ON OFFENDERS

Alberta’s NDP are calling on the UCP government to enforce existing public health restrictions after it was revealed that police agencies across the province had been instructed not to charge or ticket offenders.

“The time for education has passed. We need enforcement of the rules,” said NDP Justice Critic Irfan Sabir. “We’re now in a dangerous third wave of the pandemic and those who are intentionally flouting the rules are threatening public health and safety. It’s time for Jason Kenney and his UCP government to finally grow a spine.”

Under questioning from the NDP on April 6 during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, Bill Sweeney, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Security said the provincial government encouraged police chiefs to take a  “measured approach to enforcement” of the public health restrictions.

“Given that the pandemic is a rather unique situation for all of us, including police officers, the intent was to inform, to educate, to warn, and, only as a last resort, to charge. That was an approach that we encouraged and that police chiefs and authorized employers for the most part have adopted,” said Sweeney.

In an emergency council meeting on Monday evening, Calgary police chief Mark Neufeld told committee members that “Our partners at the province have asked us not to fill the courts with $100 mask bylaw tickets and to be more strategic in the enforcement.”

“The vast majority of Albertans are already following the rules – we can’t let this lawbreaking minority ruin it for everyone else. It risks the health and safety of Albertans and will only prolong the pandemic,” said Sabir. “The UCP needs to immediately reverse their order to go soft on these offenders and give direction to police agencies that now is the time to fully enforce the public health orders.”

On Tuesday, the NDP put forward several proposals to step up enforcement of public health restrictions, including the issuance of a new guideline from the Solicitor General to police services to consistently and vigorously enforce the terms of the Public Health Act.

In addition, the NDP called for the following measures:

  • Triple the current fines for individuals to $3,600 per offence.
  • Create a specific fine for any individual that obstructs the enforcement of public health orders. This fine will also specifically include harassment of frontline workers when they are enforcing mask mandates, physical distancing requirements and household rules for patio dining.
  • Transition all fines issued under the Public Health Act during the pandemic to the new administrative penalty process introduced through Bill 21 The Administrative Penalties Act 2020.

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Alberta

‘All about the campfire’: Campers adjust their plans with fire bans in place

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RCMP chopper pilot pulls off amazing helicopter rescue of missing woman west of Innisfail

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News release from Innisfail RCMP

Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female – Update #3

Innisfail, Alta. – RCMP would like to provide additional details and clarify some information with regards the search efforts and the ultimate rescue of Lorraine Vandenbosch who went missing from Dickson Point Campground on May 29, 2023.

Upon locating Lorraine as she emerged from a heavily wooded area, rescue teams had difficulties transporting her due to a steep embankment. Alberta RCMP Air Services were again up to the task in supporting rescue efforts by landing in the difficult location and transporting Lorraine . She was taken for medical assessment and ultimately transported by STARS to hospital.  Lorraine remains confused about her ordeal and RCMP have few details at this time.

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June 1, 2023

Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female – Update #2

Innisfail, Alta. – RCMP are please to report that after 4 days of searching, Lorraine Vandenbosch has been located by rescue teams alive and in good spirits.

The RCMP helicopter located Lorainne this morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. walking out of a heavily wood area near the Dickson Trout Pond.

Lorainne is receiving precautionary medical attention and is with her family.

RCMP would like to thank the tireless effort of all involved in this search: Red Deer County SAR, Rocky Mountain House SAR, Sundre SAR, Wetaskiwin SAR, Red Deer County Patrol, Innisfail Fire Dept, Red Deer County Fire Dept, Spruceview Fire Dept, Alberta Conservation Officers, Raven Crime Watch and Mounted Horse volunteers.

RCMP would also like to thank the organizations that provided food to the teams, Spruceview Bakery and Red Deer Costco. This support allowed the rescue teams to continue working long hours.

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Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female – Update

Innisfail, Alta. –  Innisfail RCMP continue to search for Lorraine Vadenbosch who went missing from the Dickson Point Campground at Glennifer Lake yesterday. RCMP with assistance from Red Deer County, Sundre, and Rocky Mountain House Search and Rescue teams are actively searching the area.

While search teams continue to search, we are asking residents in the Glennifer Lake, Dickson, Spruce View, and nearby areas, to check your properties including treed outcroppings and outbuildings for Lorraine.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Lorraine, please contact the Innisfail RCMP Detachment at 403-227-3342.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

May 29, 2023

Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female

Innisfail. Alta. – Innisfail RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating a missing elderly female. Lorraine Vandenbosch (78), a resident of Didsbury, was last seen on May 29, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at the Dickson Point Campground at Gleniffer Lake. Lorraine may be confused and there is great concern for her safety.

Lorraine is described as:

  • 5 feet tall
  • Red hair
  • Light complexion
  • Last seen wearing white pants, white and black shirt, black runners and a cream colored hat

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Lorraine, please contact the Innisfail RCMP Detachment at 403-227-3342.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

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