Alberta
WATCH: Alberta remains fertile ground for country music
The west has been a hotbed for country music for a very long time and so it continues. Exciting this morning to receive the list of nominees for the 2019 Alberta Country Music Association Award Nominees and see my friend Ryan Langlois on the list for Male Artist of the Year. So many terrific musicians, writers, performers on this list.
Male Artist of the Year
Ben Chase
Dan Davidson
Drew Gregory
Sean Gristwood
Ryan Langlois
Female Artist of the Year
Hailey Benedict
Krissy Feniak
Lauren Mayell
Andrea Nixon
Mariya Stokes
Group/Duo of the Year
The Dungarees
Ghost Boy
Nice Horse
The Prairie States
Renegade Station
Fans Choice
Ben Chase
The Dungarees
Drew Gregory
Nice Horse
The Prairie States
Renegade Station
Industry Person of the Year
Johnny Gasparic / MCC Recording
Carla Hackman / Sakamoto Agency
Larry Mayell / LJVM Projects
Chard Morrison / Shattered Glass
Sarah Scott / Sun Country 99.7
Musician of the Year
Lisa Dodd (Bass)
Johnny Gasparic (Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Dobro, Mandolin)
Cody Mack (Drums, Bass)
Josh Ruzycki (Guitar)
Brandi Sidoryk (Bass)
Album of the Year
“Juliet” / Dan Davidson
“Twenty Something” / The Dungarees
“Running on the Edge” / Tim Isberg
“It Was A Song” / Ryan Langlois
“Wild” / Ryan Lindsay
Song of the Year
“All Over It” / Written by: Ben Chase, Matty McKay, Aaron Pollock, Adam Dowling
(Performed by: Ben Chase)
“Better in a Bar” / Written by: Drew Gregory, Aaron Goodvin
(Performed by: Drew Gregory)
“Hands on My Body” / Written by: Mariya Stokes, Aaron Pollock, Michael Braun (Performed by: Mariya Stokes)
“It Was A Song” / Written by: Ryan Langlois
(Performed by: Ryan Langlois)
“Just Drive” / Written by: Justin Hogg, James Murdoch
(Performed by: Justin Hogg)
Single of the Year
“All Over It” / Ben Chase
“Twenty Something” / The Dungarees
“Better In a Bar” / Drew Gregory
“Just Maybe” / The Prairie States
“Along for the Ride” / Renegade Station
Horizon Youth
Hailey Benedict
Martina Dawn
Hannah Gazso
Anna Johnson
Jordan Leaf
Entertainer of the Year
Gord Bamford
Paul Brandt
Aaron Goodvin
High Valley
Brett Kissel
Tenille Townes
Video of the Year
“Twenty Something” / The Dungarees
“Suntans & Beer Cans” / Justin Hogg
“Lightbulb” / Troy Kokol
“Just Maybe” / Prairie States
“Along for the Ride” / Renegade Station
“Hands on My Body” / Mariya Stokes
Community Spirit Award
Hailey Benedict
Bob Donaldson
The Dungarees
Donny Lee
Kym Simon
The Prairie States
Renegade Station
Country Venue of the Year
Boot Scootin Boogie – Edmonton
Cook County Saloon – Edmonton
Ranchmans Cookhouse and Dancehall – Calgary
Talent Buyer of the Year
Carla Hackman / Sakamoto Agency
Natasha Mandrusiak – Calgary Stampede
Pat McGannon / PM Gigs
Chris Melnychuk – Trixstar
Angie Morris – Sirroma Entertainment
Adam Oppenheim / Stampede Entertainment
Rising Star
Ben Chase
Karac Hendriks
Ryan Lindsay
Trevor Panczak
Brad Saunders
Radio Station of the Year
840 CFCW – Edmonton
REAL COUNTRY 95.5 – Red Deer
SUN COUNTRY 99.7 – High River
THE ONE 88.1 – Parkland
WILD 95.3 – Calgary
Ticket link, hotel info, and further information about the ACMA™ Awards Weekend will be announced soon. Information on ACMA available at www.acmamusic.com.
ACMA Awards weekend will be held January 25-26, 2020 at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre in Red Deer.
2019 ACMA Award Nominees!
November 19th, 2019 (Edmonton, AB) – The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA)™ is pleased to present our Nominees for the upcoming 2019 Alberta Country Music Awards™.
Winners will be announced during the ACMA Awards weekend on
January 25 & 26, 2020.
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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