Alberta
Red Deer City Council needs these three things in next week’s provincial budget
From The City of Red Deer
Justice, health and social infrastructure are priorities for Red Deer in the 2020 Provincial Budget
The City of Red Deer is specifically looking for commitment and investment in crown prosecutors for Red Deer, a 24/7 permanent shelter and hospital expansion, as well as a commitment to maintain Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding, which was reduced in 2019 impacting The City’s overall capital plan going forward.
“This provincial budget is unlike any other as we continue working to respond to critical social and economic challenges that we hope will be provincially prioritized,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Investment in a 24/7 permanent shelter and funding for Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion are critical needs that must be addressed for the health and wellbeing of our city as a whole. An investment in justice, especially additional crown prosecutors for Red Deer, is also a top priority to strengthen the court’s ability to uphold charges and obtain justice for victims of crime.”
In addition, The City of Red Deer continues to be concerned about potential downloading of provincial responsibilities to municipalities resulting in potential local tax impacts.
“The impacts of provincial downloading can be significant, especially at a time when many citizens are already feeling the pressures of difficult economic times. While we support the provincial government’s efforts in furthering financial sustainability and efficiency, we are working locally to maintain service and program delivery that responds to the economic and social challenges we face today as a city, and as a province,” said Veer.
As part of the priorities highlighted at the City Council meeting today, The City of Red Deer noted its commitment to community safety and crime reduction with continued focused on advocacy for additional crown prosecutors, as well as a need for a province-wide needle distribution protocol and debris strategy, residential treatment and increased affordable housing in Red Deer.
“It is our responsibility, as local government, to build a safe community while providing stability to businesses and residents in our city, especially in times of economic volatility,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Earlier this year, Red Deer City Council approved the 2020 budget based on the best information we have right now, and it is our hope that this provincial budget reflects and acknowledges the needs of our citizens and our community at a time when we are working to maintain services and infrastructure for 2020 and beyond.”
The speech from the throne will take place on Tuesday, February 25 with the provincial budget on Thursday, February 27. Upon release of the 2020 provincial budget, administration will conduct an in-depth review to fully understand its impact on Red Deer and its citizens.
An Edmonton Police Service logo is shown at a press conference in Edmonton, Oct. 2, 2017. Police in Edmonton have charged two more people following the killing of an eight-year-old girl whose remains were found on a First Nation south of the provincial capital in April. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Edmonton
Police in Edmonton have charged two more people following the killing of an eight-year-old girl whose remains were found on a First Nation south of the provincial capital.
Officers responded on April 24 to a welfare call about the girl at an Edmonton home but were unable to locate her.
Her remains were discovered five days later on the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis.
Shayden Lightning, who is 21, and Raighne Stoney, who is 36, have been charged with being an accessory to murder and causing an indignity to a body.
Three others were initially charged in the case.
Police are not releasing the names of two of the accused in order to protect the identities of other children related to the victim, whose identity is under a publication ban.
A 27-year-old woman faces a charge of first-degree murder and a 25-year-old man faces charges of being an accessory to murder and causing an indignity to a body.
Edward Nievera, 67, was charged with being an accessory to murder and causing an indignity to a body.
Edmonton police Staff Sgt. Colin Leathem said in a release Friday that the recent arrests will be the last in the case and that the investigation has concluded.
“We want to thank the RCMP in Maskwacis and Wetaskiwin for their assistance with this investigation,” he said. “Needless to say, this was an exceptionally distressing investigation to work on, and they went above and beyond in helping to facilitate these final arrests and bring this file to conclusion.
“While nothing can change the horror of what occurred, we hope (the arrests) can provide some measure of justice to those who knew and loved this little girl.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2023.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks to business leaders at the Global Business Forum in Banff, Alta., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Smith told the conference that despite her concerns with the federal Liberal government there was some cabinet ministers she can work with. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
By Bill Graveland in Banff
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told a business conference on Friday that despite her concerns with the federal Liberal government, there are some cabinet ministers she can work with.
Smith has been at odds with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson amid concerns over Ottawa’s climate-change policies and transition plan for a net-zero emissions economy.
Guilbeault intends to publish draft regulations this fall to cap emissions from oil and gas, then force them downward overtime. Ottawa has also set a target to have the electricity grid be net-zero by 2035, but Alberta says it’s unrealistic.
Smith says Alberta won’t implement the emissions cap, nor will it follow the 2035 target.
The premier told delegates at the Global Business Forum in Banff, Alta., that Wilkinson needs to answer for comments he made earlier this week at the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary.
Wilkinson’s call for the industry to work aggressively to get to net-zero was basically telling them to “pack it up, because the oil and gas industry is winding down,” said Smith.
“You could just feel the energy leave the room and you could just feel the investment dollars leave the room.”
Smith said energy producing provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador, can’t trust the Trudeau government to look out for their interests at international conferences.
“After hearing how the natural resources minister talks about our industry, after hearing how the federal environment minister talks about our industry, we can’t afford to let them carry our message,” Smith said.
“We can’t afford not to be there.”
Smith said she has been in discussions with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and intends to talk to Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey about joint presentations at conferences in the future.
Despite her disappointment with Wilkinson and Guilbeault, Smith said it’s not all bad.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland among the top allies, she said.
“Let’s give her credit for shepherding through all of the constant need to give more debt financing to Trans Mountain pipeline to get that to the finish line. That has not been easy,” Smith said.
She also praised Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault.
“I would say it’s not uniformly negative in the Liberal caucus. But for some reason they’re allowing Stephen Guilbeault to be a maverick and a renegade and quite offensive to those of who are trying to be reasonable and adult about this,” Smith said.
Smith said it’s time for the federal government to back away from setting “aggressive targets” in dealing with the provinces.
“Aggressive targets are not helpful. They’re not helpful to us. They’re not helpful to investors.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2023.
Trajectory for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers’ trial uncertain as third week begins
Hunter Biden sues the IRS over tax disclosures after agent testimony
As leaders convene, the UN pushes toward its crucial global goals. But progress is lagging
How Online Casinos Outsmart Their Competitors
-
Bruce Dowbiggin2 days agoCelebrity Owners– Fun, Yes, But The Equity Is Even Better
-
Energy2 days agoGrowing number of forecasts predict oil will reach US$100 this fall
-
COVID-191 day agoEmergency manager to take the stand for third day at ‘Freedom Convoy’ trial
-
Business1 day ago
Alberta deserves more than half CPP assets if it exits program: report
-
International2 days agoIndia suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
-
Bruce Dowbiggin1 day agoIf You Don’t Hear From Me, It’s Because I Don’t Hear From You.
-
Alberta1 day agoAlberta to debate Canada Pension Plan, says it deserves half of fund if it leaves
-
Alberta2 days agoAlberta set to release report on whether to ditch CPP for provincial pension plan