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Alberta

The UnDad turns family life into art

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4 minute read

Trent Wilkie has been an actor, a writer, a producer, a journalist and a wilderness guide. But the hardest job he’s ever had is being a parent.

The UnDad Podcast gives the father of two a chance to explore the highs and lows of raising tiny humans, and the bigger topic of family and how it forms us.

Sometimes he interviews someone about being a parent or what it was like to be a kid; sometimes we get a piece of his endlessly creative mind with original stories and soundscapes; and sometimes we get a window into his home life through cameos by his wife Elizabeth and his children, ages two and four.

“My biggest influence is my wife,” he says. “She sets me straight and keeps me focused.”

The UnDad was named best podcast and best family blog in last year’s Best of Edmonton survey. Here’s a bit more about the father of the show:

Q. What will people get out of listening to your podcast?

A. It is not only a parenting podcast, it is an art piece. It is more about existing than selling a product. I create, and this is one of my favourite mediums.

Q. What podcasts do you listen to and why?

A. I listen to Revisionist History, Reply All, and The Last Podcast On The Left. They are entertaining. It isn’t so much the content, but the way it is served. That is the magic spot.

Q. What is the most interesting comment you’ve received from a listener?

A. “My husband was worried about being on your podcast, but I’d like to say thank you. He answered questions that were meaningful, that respected his position in life. You offered him an outlet, that is awesome.”

Q. Do you have any unusual hobbies or talents that would surprise your listeners?

A. I have been a canoe guide for 10 years. I’ve written for the CBC, Fangoria, and countless other high-profile publications. I’ve done a lot. It has made me who I am.

Q. If you could have any guest on your podcast, who would you choose?

A. I’d like to have Stephen King or Cormac McCarthy.

Q. Write your own epitaph — what would it say?

A. ‘Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch.

Q. What has been your favourite episode so far?

A. I like two: the interview with Gaia Willis and one titled I Love The Rain. The interview with Gaia is my bread and butter. Pure journalistic anthropology. The other is an artistic soundscape that I conceptualized on my own and brought to life.

Be sure to connect with The UnDad on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Each week Todayville will introduce you to members of the Alberta Podcast Network so you can learn more about the many podcasters in Alberta. You can find The UnDad and dozens of other shows at albertapodcastnetwork.com.

About Alberta Podcast Network

The Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB, is on a mission to:

Help Alberta-based podcasters create podcasts of high quality and reach larger audiences;
Foster connections among Alberta-based podcasters;
Provide a powerful marketing opportunity for local businesses and organizations.

Alberta Podcast Network Ltd. is pursuing this mission with funding from ATB Financial and support from other sponsors.

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

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Alberta

Red Deer Hospital preliminary designs unveiled

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Alberta’s government shared preliminary designs of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment with residents from central Alberta.

On March 14, Alberta’s government held its first public information session since January 2023 with Albertans in Red Deer and area about the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment. Albertans have long waited for the redevelopment and Alberta’s government made the first significant commitment and progress on the hospital by allocating $100 million in Budget 2020, followed by another $1.8-billion commitment in Budget 2022.

In addition to preliminary design drawings, residents were able to view a video simulating a flyover of the new patient tower and power plant. Project representatives were also on hand to speak about the project. The session was attended by about 150 residents, media and officials including Ken Johnston, mayor of Red Deer.

“We were excited to share preliminary designs for the Red Deer Hospital redevelopment yesterday. The number of people who attended the session validates the importance of this project to the central region. We are proud of the role Infrastructure is playing in delivering one of the most ambitious hospital redevelopment projects in Alberta’s history.”

Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure

“As the MLA for Red Deer-North and the Health Minister, I’m very proud of the progress we’ve achieved, and I remain dedicated to advocating for this project. Albertans should be able to access health care when and where they need it. This project will improve health outcomes for Albertans living in Red Deer and across central Alberta by increasing the facility’s capacity and providing much-needed services and resources, including new cardiac catheterization labs, close to home.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

Design work began in June 2023. With schematic design now complete, the hospital redevelopment is on schedule and on budget. The next stage of the project, design development, is now underway. Once complete, the new expansion will add up to 200 beds to the existing facility, bringing the total number of beds to up to 570.

With an investment of $810 million over three years in the Budget 2024 Capital Plan, the expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital is Alberta’s biggest infrastructure project. Last night’s information session keeps Central Albertans informed about this exciting, transformative investment in our hospital, supporting principles of transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars.”

Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South

Quick facts

  • There are two major components of this redevelopment:  
  • Project 1: construction of a new patient tower and expansion and renovation of the existing hospital’s main building
  • Project 2: construction of an ambulatory building
  • The project will upgrade several services throughout the hospital site including:
  • an additional patient tower
  • six new operating rooms
  • new Medical Device Reprocessing department
  • new cardiac catheterization labs
  • renovations to various areas within the main building
  • newly renovated and expanded emergency department, and
  • a new ambulatory clinic building to be located adjacent to the surface parkade

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Alberta

Premier Smith urges PM Trudeau not to raise carbon tax on April 1

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Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Calgary to discuss areas of priority for the province.

The meeting was constructive, but there are still several issues on which there is some distance between both the federal and provincial governments. These include the impact of the federal carbon tax, and its cascading effects on inflation, affordability and sustained higher interest rates, as well as the timeline to reach carbon neutrality.

Premier Smith reiterated the growing opposition to the federal carbon tax, which includes seven Premiers, federal members of Parliament, and everyday Albertans and Canadians. The Premier suggested that the Prime Minister could achieve a win if he listened to the many voices raised against the carbon tax and reversed his decision to increase the tax by 23 per cent on April 1.

Alberta remains focused on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and is a willing partner in responsible, manageable efforts to see that goal through. The province and the federal government have worked together to see several projects start and progress from companies including Air Products, Dow Chemical and Heidelberg. The Premier highlighted the importance of projects that will move the province and country forward on carbon neutrality, including the Pathways Alliance project. Premier Smith is awaiting the federal budget to see if Ottawa will give more clarity to support it.

Premier Smith also relayed to the Prime Minister the massive opportunity Alberta has to export ammonia to South Korea and Japan, in co-operation with British Columbia, and expressed hope that the federal government would be a partner in this work.

Premier Smith expressed gratitude for the progress on the TransMountain pipeline and was encouraged by federal conversations aimed at replicating the highly successful Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC). Indigenous leaders across the country have praised Alberta for leading the way on economic reconciliation and being an example that should be followed. There are opportunities for greater Indigenous partnership in energy projects, including the TransMountain pipeline, and in other industries. Premier Smith also highlighted Alberta’s plans to collaborate with First Nations on issues such as mental health and addiction, infrastructure and housing.

Alberta will remain a willing partner when given the opportunity to do so. There are many ways that the province can co-operate with Ottawa that do not involve the federal government overstepping its constitutional authority, and Alberta will continue to advocate for solutions that will benefit Albertans and all Canadians.

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