Alberta
Canadian Finals Rodeo 49 Wraps Up with Record-Breaking Success
As we bid adieu to the exhilarating 49th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) powered by ATB, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community of Central Alberta and rodeo enthusiasts for their unwavering support throughout this incredible event. This year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in Red Deer shattered all previous records with an astounding 37,000 tickets sold. The highly anticipated Cabaret, featuring a post-rodeo party showcasing the CFR All Star Band of incredibly talented musicians, was a resounding success, drawing in an impressive crowd of 13,000 attendees.
The Ropin’ into the Holiday Market, featuring 99 trade show vendors, added an extra layer of excitement and variety to the CFR experience. Attendees were treated to a diverse array of offerings, from western apparel to equine, making for a memorable shopping experience. This bustling market also drew in community members who may not have been initially there for the rodeo, further enhancing the sense of community engagement and enjoyment.
Apart from the thrilling rodeo action, attendees were also treated to exciting activities free of charge in the CFR Experience Arena throughout all five days of CFR. This included Ultimate Bullfighting and Equine Equus
Experiences, the Miss Rodeo Canada Horsemanship competition, Canadian Championship Dummy Roping, the Futurity Canadian Made Bucking Horse Sale, the H Bar Auctions Horsemanship Show and Sale, and to cap it all off, the Mini Chuckwagons entertained with a morning of races!
In addition to these remarkable achievements, the Rotary Club of Red Deer hosted an electrifying 50/50 event, where one lucky winner walked away with an astonishing $99,537.50 in prize money. These outstanding achievements have solidified this year’s CFR as the event with the highest attendance ever recorded in Red Deer’s CFR history.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their invaluable contributions played a pivotal role in making this year’s CFR an unforgettable experience for all involved. A special thank you is owed to the dedicated staff and volunteers who poured their hearts and souls into crafting an exceptional guest experience. Over 3,000 volunteer hours were logged, with the tireless efforts of 400 volunteers ensuring that every aspect of the event ran seamlessly.
In the spirit of giving back, the Westerner Park team was proud to present a donation of $6,615.00 to the Benevolent Rodeo Fund. This contribution exemplifies our commitment to supporting the rodeo community and its
members in times of need.
For a comprehensive overview of the rodeo results, we invite enthusiasts to visit crfreddeer.com. Here, you can find detailed information on the incredible performances and accomplishments of our talented rodeo
competitors.
Once again, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a part in making CFR 49 a resounding success. The combined efforts of the community, sponsors, staff, volunteers, vendors, and attendees have left an indelible mark, and we look forward to building upon this support for future events at Westerner Park.
About Westerner Park
Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,500 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.
Alberta
Former senior financial advisor charged with embezzling millions from Red Deer area residents
News release from Alberta RCMP
Former senior financial advisor charged for misappropriating nearly $5 million from clients
On April 4, 2024, the RCMP’s Provincial Financial Crime Team charged a Calgary resident for fraud-related offences after embezzling millions of dollars from his clients while serving as a senior financial advisor.
Following a thorough investigation, the accused is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn funds from client accounts and deposited them into bank accounts he personally controlled. A total of sixteen victims were identified in the Red Deer area and suffered a combined loss of nearly $5 million.
Marc St. Pierre, 52, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Theft over $5,000 contrary to section 344(a) of the Criminal Code.
St. Pierre is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 14, 2024.
“The ability for financial advisors to leverage their position to conduct frauds and investment scams represents a significant risk to the integrity of Alberta’s financial institutions. The investigation serves as an important reminder for all banking clients to regularly check their accounts for any suspicious activity and to report it to their bank’s fraud prevention team.”
- Sgt. John Lamming, Provincial Financial Crime Team
The Provincial Financial Crime Team is a specialized unit that conducts investigations relating to multi-jurisdictional serious fraud, investments scams and corruption.
Alberta
Political parties will be part of municipal elections in Edmonton and Calgary pilot projects
Strengthening Alberta’s local elections
Alberta’s government is introducing legislation to ensure Albertans can rely on transparent, free and fair elections, and municipally-elected officials have clearer accountability measures.
In a democratic society, Albertans expect their local elections to be free and fair, and their elected officials to be held to account by clear rules that govern their local councils. The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act proposes amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to add greater transparency to local election processes and ensure local councils and elected officials continue to remain accountable to the citizens who elected them.
“Our government is committed to strengthening Albertans’ trust in their local governments and the democratic process that elects local leaders. The changes we are making increase transparency for Alberta voters and provide surety their votes will be counted accurately. We know how important local democracy is to Albertans, and we will work with local authorities to protect and enhance the integrity of local elections.”
Local Authorities Election Act
Albertans expect free and fair elections and that’s why it’s important we strengthen the rules that govern local elections. To strengthen public trust in local elections, Alberta’s government will eliminate the use of electronic tabulators and other automated voting machines. All Albertans should be able to trust the methods and results of local elections; requiring all ballots to be counted by hand, clarifying rules and streamlining processes for scrutineers will provide voters greater assurance in the integrity of the results.
All eligible Albertans should be able to vote in local elections without impediment. Alberta’s government will limit the barriers for eligible voters to cast a ballot by expanding the use of special ballots. Currently, special ballots can only be requested for very specific reasons, including physical disability, absence from the municipality, or for municipal election workers. By expanding the use of special ballots, the government is encouraging more voter participation.
Amendments in the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act would increase transparency in local elections by enabling political parties at the local level. Political parties would be enabled in a pilot project for Edmonton and Calgary. The act will not require candidates to join a political party in order to run for a local or municipal office, but will create the opportunity to do so.
In addition, proposed changes to the Local Authorities Election Act would allow municipalities the option to require criminal record checks for local candidates, thus increasing transparency and trust in candidates who may go on to become elected officials.
Municipal Government Act
The role of an elected official is one with tremendous responsibility and expectations. Changes proposed to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) will strengthen the accountability of locally elected officials and councils. These include requiring mandatory orientation training for councillors, allowing elected officials to recuse themselves for real or perceived conflicts of interest without third-party review and requiring a councillor’s seat to become vacant upon disqualification.
If passed, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act will also unlock new tools to build affordable and attainable housing across Alberta. Proposed amendments under the MGA would also create more options for municipalities to accelerate housing developments in their communities. Options include:
- Exempting non-profit, subsidized affordable housing from both municipal and education property taxes;
- Requiring municipalities to offer digital participation for public hearings about planning and development, and restricting municipalities from holding extra public hearings that are not already required by legislation; and
- Enabling municipalities to offer multi-year residential property tax exemptions.
Municipal Affairs will engage municipalities and other partners over the coming months to hear perspectives and gather feedback to help develop regulations.
Quick facts
- The LAEA establishes the framework for the conduct of elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts and Metis Settlements.
- The MGA establishes the rules governing the conduct of local elected officials once on council, as well as the overall administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta, including any policy those authorities may wish to implement.
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