Bonnyville RCMP targeted by suspect driving a trackhoe – Update

From Bonnyville RCMP

On May 3, 2025, at approximately 6:55 p.m., a male suspect drove a stolen trackhoe into the parking lot of the Bonnyville RCMP detachment. Investigation has revealed that just prior to this occurring at the detachment, the suspect stole the trachoe from a local business. In the process of stealing the trackhoe, the suspect drove through a fence of the business, causing significant damage.

The suspect then headed to the detachment, picking up boulders along the way. He then dumped several boulders in front of the prisoner bay of the detachment, believed to be an attempt to delay officer’s ability to respond to calls. He then drove the trackhoe into 5 unoccupied parked police vehicles, making them inoperable. The suspect then fled from the detachment on foot.

Thanks to assistance from the RCMP RTOC (Real Time Operations Center), numerous resources were called in to assist, including St. Paul Police Dog Services (Chase), Cold Lake RPAS (drone), Eastern Alberta District General Investigation Section and Crime Reduction Unit and Elk Point Detachment. The real-time operations center is based out of K Division headquarters and is comprised of RCMP officers who are able to oversee and quarterback high risk incidents, such as this as they unfold. Their involvement in these types of incidents not only increase our chances of catching a fleeing suspect, but officer safety also increases. They are truly an invaluable resource.

Containment was set up and the search began for the suspect. A short time later, PDS Chase located the suspect hiding in a tree line just north west of the detachment. During his arrest, the suspect resisted and fought officers, and as a result, he was bitten by PDS Chase. Once in custody, he was taken to a local hospital to get treated for minor injuries and was released.

David Merko (62), a resident of Bonnyville, has been charged with 13 criminal code offences:

Dangerous driving
Mischief over $5000 (x6)
Break and enter
PSP over $5000
Theft over $5000
Obstruct/resist peace officer (x2)
Utter threats

The last charge of uttering threats was as a result of an April 17^th incident in which David Merko called OCC (dispatch) in Saskatchewan and uttered threats to kill RCMP officers.

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Merko was remanded into custody for Alberta Court of Justice in Bonnyville on May 6, 2025.

Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Sarah Parke states, “Incidents like this can be frightening for communities. In this instance, we believe there was no threat to the public and the RCMP was the target. Alberta RCMP officers from neighbouring detachments did not hesitate to assist to ensure the suspect was quickly taken into custody, as well as assisting with ensuring on-going police service in Bonnyville.

This incident has garnered a lot of attention on social media, and unfortunately, many of the comments are negative, some of which are threatening towards RCMP to the point of expressing disappointment that officers were not injured or killed during the incident. All RCMP officers come to work, day in and day out, to protect and serve their community. It is extremely disheartening to see these types of comments made.

Alberta RCMP have seen a steady increase in violence towards police in recent years. Most recent statistics indicate that on average, there are 2.3 incidents of violence occurring every day towards Alberta RCMP officers. In 2023, 70 Alberta officers were injured as a result of use of force incidents.

Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident.”

Related Topics:BonnyvilleRCMPTrackhoeAttack DavidMerko

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Alberta Emergency Alert test – Wednesday at 1:55 PM

Published on November 19, 2025

Government of Alberta

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis issued the following statement on the upcoming Alberta Emergency Alert test:

“On Nov. 19, 2025, Alberta will take part in a scheduled test of the National Public Alerting System. At 1:55 p.m., an Alberta Emergency Alert test will be issued across multiple channels including television, radio, wireless devices, websites, social media, the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app and directly to compatible cellphones across the province.

“While alert interruptions can be inconvenient, these tests are essential. They help us identify and resolve technical issues, ensuring the system functions properly when it matters most. Regular testing, typically held in May and November, is a key part of keeping Albertans informed during real emergencies such as tornadoes, wildfires, floods and Amber Alerts.

“To stay connected, I urge all Albertans to download the Alberta Emergency Alert app, which delivers critical warnings directly to your phone. To receive alerts, your mobile device must be compatible, connected to an LTE 4G network or higher, or connected to Wi-Fi with the app installed. If your phone is on silent, the alert will still appear but may not produce sound.

“This test is also a valuable opportunity to talk with your household, friends and coworkers about emergency preparedness. Questions to ask:

Do you have an emergency kit with enough supplies for at least 72 hours?
Have you included essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit?
Do you have copies of important documents and a list of emergency contacts?
Is your kit stored in an easy-to-access location and does everyone know where it is?

“Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple steps like having an emergency plan and essential supplies can make a big difference to protect yourself and your household.”

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Published on November 19, 2025

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From the Fraser Institute

By Kenneth P. Green

The Carney government, which on Monday survived a confidence vote in Parliament by the skin of its teeth, recently released a “second tranche of nation-building projects” blessed by the Major Projects Office. To have a chance to survive Canada’s otherwise oppressive regulatory gauntlet, projects must get on this Caesar-like-thumbs-up-thumbs-down list.

The first tranche of major projects released in September included no new oil pipelines but pertained largely to natural gas, nuclear power, mineral production, etc. The absence of proposed oil pipelines was not surprising, as Ottawa’s regulatory barricade on oil production means no sane private company would propose such a project. (The first tranche carries a price tag of $60 billion in government/private-sector spending.)

Now, the second tranche of projects also includes not a whiff of support for oil production, transport and export to non-U.S. markets. Again, not surprising as the prime minister has done nothing to lift the existing regulatory blockade on oil transport out of Alberta.

So, what’s on the latest list?

There’s a “conservation corridor” for British Columbia and Yukon; more LNG projects (both in B.C.); more mineral projects (nickel, graphite, tungsten—all electric vehicle battery constituents); and still more transmission for “clean energy”—again, mostly in B.C. And Nunavut comes out ahead with a new hydro project to power Iqaluit. (The second tranche carries a price tag of $58 billion in government/private-sector spending.)

No doubt many of these projects are worthy endeavours that shouldn’t require the imprimatur of the “Major Projects Office” to see the light of day, and merit development in the old-fashioned Canadian process where private-sector firms propose a project to Canada’s environmental regulators, get necessary and sufficient safety approval, and then build things.

However, new pipeline projects from Alberta would also easily stand on their own feet in that older regulatory regime based on necessary and sufficient safety approval, without the Carney government additionally deciding what is—or is not—important to the government, as opposed to the market, and without provincial governments and First Nations erecting endless barriers.

Regardless of how you value the various projects on the first two tranches, the second tranche makes it crystal clear (if it wasn’t already) that the Carney government will follow (or double down) on the Trudeau government’s plan to constrain oil production in Canada, particularly products derived from Alberta’s oilsands. There’s nary a mention that these products even exist in the government’s latest announcement, despite the fact that the oilsands are the world’s fourth-largest proven reserve of oil. This comes on the heels on the Carney government’s first proposed budget, which also reified the government’s fixation to extinguish greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, continue on the path to “net-zero 2050” and retain Canada’s all-EV new car future beginning in 2036.

It’s clear, at this point, that the Carney government is committed to the policies of the previous Liberal government, has little interest in harnessing the economic value of Canada’s oil holdings nor the potential global influence Canada might exert by exporting its oil products to Asia, Europe and other points abroad. This policy fixation will come at a significant cost to future generations of Canadians.