Alberta
Two more historic churches in Canada set ablaze by arsonists
From LifeSiteNews
“These are absolutely despicable attacks on the Christian community”
Two historic Christian churches in Canada were intentionally set on fire late last week in what police said were suspected acts of arson.
The incident has Conservative political leaders calling for an end to “attacks” on Christianity after more than 100 churches having been targeted with arson or vandalism since 2021.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) say St. Aidan’s Church, known as Glenreagh Church, and Pioneer Church, a United Church, both located in Barrhead, a town 120 miles northwest of Alberta’s capital Edmonton, were destroyed by arson within only two hours of each other on the evening of December 7.
No one was reported to have been hurt in the fires, but both churches have been extensively damaged, likely beyond repair, despite the best efforts of the Barrhead Fire Services, which was onsite quickly.
Barrhead RCMP confirmed that an initial investigation has determined that both fires were intentionally set. However, an exact motive is not yet clear.
According to eyewitnesses on the ground, two older pickup trucks were seen fleeing the scene.
An initial investigation by fire examiners confirmed that both fires were deliberately set.
Local resident Edith Strawson, whose dad helped build St. Aidan’s Church over 100 years ago, and who got married in the church, as well as some of her kids, said, “We’re putting this back together.”
“We just can’t let that happen and just leave it,” she said as per a CTV report.
Attacks on Christianity ‘must’ stop say conservative leaders
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) Pierre Poilievre condemned the attacks.
“These are absolutely despicable attacks on the Christian community,” Poilievre wrote Friday on X (formerly Twitter).
“Police must find and arrest the criminals responsible for setting fire to these two churches.”
These are absolutely despicable attacks on the Christian community.
Police must find and arrest the criminals responsible for setting fire to these two churches. https://t.co/ZKUHpaLrzu pic.twitter.com/c7Xxn8qMjb
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) December 8, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the leader of the United Conservative Party, said church burnings have “no place in Alberta” and those who destroyed the churches by arson need to stand for their “crimes.”
She also confirmed that the RCMP is investigating the church fires “as suspected cases of arson.”
“Images like these have no place in Alberta,” Smith wrote Friday on X (formerly Twitter).
“To the parishioners of these churches and to the Christian community across our province, I stand in solidarity with you against all forms of hate.”
Images like these have no place in Alberta.
RCMP are investigating two churches which were destroyed by fires as suspected cases of arson.
To the parishioners of these churches and to the Christian community across our province, I stand in solidarity with you against all… pic.twitter.com/KmdQ3vc98S
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) December 8, 2023
Smith said that the church burnings “are condemned in the strongest possible terms and those perpetrating these crimes must be brought to justice.”
“I am closely monitoring this unfolding situation along with Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis,” she added.
Since the spring of 2021, well over 100 churches, most of them Catholic, but all Christian have either been burned or vandalized across Canada. The attacks on the churches came shortly after the unconfirmed discovery of “unmarked graves” at now-closed residential schools once run by the Church in parts of the country.
In 2021 and 2022, the mainstream media ran with inflammatory and dubious claims that hundreds of children were buried and disregarded by Catholic priests and nuns who ran some of the schools.
Despite the church burnings, the federal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has done nothing substantial to bring those responsible to justice, nor to stem the root cause of the burnings.
Instead, a little over a month ago, Liberal and NDP Members of Parliament (MPs) struck down a Conservative Party of Canada motion that would have condemned incidents of church burnings and acts of vandalism.
In August of 2022, LifeSiteNews reported about the destruction by fire of one of the oldest standing Catholic churches in Alberta. Police at the time said the fire was a “suspicious” incident.
Despite the massive number of church fires in Canada, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez in May made a brazen suggestion recently that the recent slew of anti-Christian church burnings in Canada could be remedied through further “online” internet regulation.
Those with any information on the church fires are asked to contact Barrhead RCMP at 403-780-674-4848.
Alberta
Fortis et Liber: Alberta’s Future in the Canadian Federation
From the C2C Journal
By Barry Cooper, professor of political science, University of Calgary
Canada’s western lands, wrote one prominent academic, became provinces “in the Roman sense” – acquired possessions that, once vanquished, were there to be exploited. Laurentian Canada regarded the hinterlands as existing primarily to serve the interests of the heartland. And the current holders of office in Ottawa often behave as if the Constitution’s federal-provincial distribution of powers is at best advisory, if it needs to be acknowledged at all. Reviewing this history, Barry Cooper places Alberta’s widely criticized Sovereignty Act in the context of the Prairie provinces’ long struggle for due constitutional recognition and the political equality of their citizens. Canada is a federation, notes Cooper. Provinces do have rights. Constitutions do mean something. And when they are no longer working, they can be changed.
Alberta
30 million contraband cigarettes valued at $25 million dollars seized in Alberta
New release from Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)
Record setting contraband tobacco seizures result from AGLC investigations
Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently concluded several investigations which netted two of the largest contraband tobacco seizures in Alberta history. The combined total of the contraband tobacco seized was 154,800 cartons of contraband cigarettes (30.7 million individual cigarettes). These seizures are a result of the work conducted by AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit with the assistance of provincial law enforcement agencies.
- In a January 2024 investigation, approximately 43,500 cartons (8.7 million individual cigarettes) were seized. This equates to $7 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $2.4 million. This included the seizure of 15,000 grams of contraband shisha.
- In April of 2024, 60 wrapped pallets were seized from a warehouse setting netting a total of 111,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes (22 million individual cigarettes) which equates to over $18 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $6.6 million.
- Criminal Charges are pending in both cases.
“These are significant contraband tobacco investigations involving individuals that are part of organized networks whose proceeds defraud Albertans millions of dollars in tax revenue. AGLC will continue to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt the individuals and organizations involved in these illegal activities as part our commitment to a strong contraband tobacco enforcement program in Alberta.”
- Gary Peck, Vice President, Regulatory Services, AGLC
“Contraband tobacco hurts law abiding businesses that follow the rules, and it costs Albertans millions each year from lost tax revenue. Our government is committed to keeping illegal tobacco off the streets and ensuring that the sale of tobacco products comply with the law.”
- Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Over the last nine months, AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement unit has seized an estimated 35 million contraband cigarettes and 115,000 grams of contraband shisha from across the province. The total potential lost tax revenue is estimated to be more than $10.1 million.
Contraband tobacco:
- is any tobacco product that does not comply with federal and provincial laws related to importation, marking, manufacturing, stamping and payment of duties and taxes;
- comes from four main sources: illegal manufacturers, counterfeits, tax-exempt diversions and resale of stolen legal tobacco; and
- can be recognized by the absence of a red (Alberta) or peach/light tan (Canada) stamp bearing the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” on packages of cigarettes and cigars or pouches of tobacco.
In addition to lost revenues that may otherwise benefit Albertans, illegally manufactured products also pose public health and safety risks as they lack regulatory controls and inspections oversight.
Albertans who suspect illegal tobacco production, packaging and/or trafficking are encouraged to contact AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at 1-800-577-2522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, AGLC enforces the Tobacco Tax Act and conducts criminal investigations related to the possession, distribution and trafficking of contraband tobacco products. In 2022-23, provincial revenue from tobacco taxes was approximately $522 million.
-
Economy2 days ago
Feds spend $3 million to fly 182 politicians and bureaucrats to climate conference
-
Addictions23 hours ago
Liberals shut down motion to disclose pharma payments for Trudeau’s ‘safe supply’ drug program
-
espionage18 hours ago
The Scientists Who Came in From the Cold: Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory Scandal, Part I
-
Energy15 hours ago
Tech giants’ self-made AI energy crisis
-
Energy2 days ago
New Report Reveals Just How Energy Rich America Really Is
-
Automotive2 days ago
Biden’s Climate Agenda Is Running Headfirst Into A Wall Of His Own Making
-
Economy2 days ago
Canadians experiencing second-longest and third steepest decline in living standards in last 40 years
-
National16 hours ago
Trudeau’s internet censorship Bill C-11 will not be implemented until late 2025