Fort McMurray man arrested for firearms offences

News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

Various firearms and more than 1,200 rounds of ammunition have been seized by ALERT following a firearms investigation.

ALERT Fort McMurray’s organized crime team was made aware of a firearm registered to a Fort McMurray man allegedly used in a kidnapping that took place in British Columbia in April 2023.

ALERT began investigating Jesse Matieschyn, 39 years old, which led to a search warrant at his Eagle Ridge apartment. The following items were seized as part of the investigation:

Three handguns;
Bolt action rifle;
Semi-automatic rifle;
Shotgun; and
1,200 rounds of various ammunition.

“This appears to be the case of a firearm finding its way into the criminal market, and any firearms investigation needs to be looked at thoroughly. If we see that one firearm has made its way into the community, it begs the question of how many more, what other crimes could they be used in, and that is something we take very seriously,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Wait, ALERT Fort McMurray.

ALERT does not believe Matieschyn was directly involved in the kidnapping, but began investigating him for suspected firearms offences. Four firearms registered to Matieschyn remain unaccounted for.

Police also seized an expired Possession and Acquisition License (PAL), various gun cases and magazines.

Matieschyn is facing five counts of failing to report a lost or stolen restricted firearm. He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on October 11, 2023.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Todayville

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.

Follow Author

Canada’s COVID vaccine injury program has paid out just 6% of claims so far

Great Reset / 3 hours ago

Middle school girls who refused to compete against male banned from next track meet

Economy / 4 hours ago

Young Canadians are putting off having a family due to rising cost of living, survey finds

Alberta

Official statement from Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Brian Jean on the start-up of the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Published on May 1, 2024

Government of Alberta

Alberta is celebrating an important achievement for the energy industry – the start-up of the twinned Trans Mountain pipeline. It’s great news Albertans and Canadians as this will welcome a new era of prosperity and economic growth. The completion of TMX is monumental for Alberta, since this will significantly increase our province’s output. It will triple the capacity of the original pipeline to now carry 890,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Alberta’s oil sands to British Columbia’s Pacific Coast.

We are excited that Canada’s biggest and newest oil pipeline in more than a decade, can now bring oil from Edmonton to tide water in B.C. This will allow us to get our energy resources to Pacific markets, including Washington State and California, and Asian markets like Japan, South Korea, China, and India. Alberta now has new energy customers and tankers with Alberta oil will be unloading in China and India in the next few months.

For Alberta this is a game-changer, the world needs more reliably and sustainably sourced Alberta energy, not less. World demand for oil and gas resources will continue in the decades ahead and the new pipeline expansion will give us the opportunity to meet global energy demands and increase North American and global energy security and help remove the issues of energy poverty in other parts of the world.

Analysts are predicting the price differential on Canadian crude oil will narrow resulting in many millions of extra government revenues, which will help fund important programs like health, education, and social services – the things Albertans rely on. TMX will also result in billions of dollars of economic prosperity for Albertans, Indigenous communities and Canadians and create well-paying jobs throughout Canada.

Our province wants to congratulate the Trans Mountain Corporation for its tenacity to have completed this long awaited and much needed energy infrastructure, and to thank the more than 30,000 dedicated, skilled workers whose efforts made this extraordinary project a reality. The province also wants to thank the Federal Government for seeing this project through. This is a great example of an area where the provincial and federal government can cooperate and work together for the benefit of Albertans and all Canadians.

Alberta

Protecting the right to vote for Canadian citizens: Minister McIver

Published on May 1, 2024

Government of Alberta

Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver issued the following statement in response to Calgary City Council’s vote to extend the right to vote to permanent residents:

“Yesterday, Calgary city council passed a motion advocating for permanent residents to be extended the right to vote in civic elections. Alberta’s government has been clear since the beginning: only Canadian citizens are able to vote in civic elections. That will not be changing.

“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms affirms the right of every Canadian citizen to vote and to run as a candidate. This right extends to voters in municipal, provincial and federal elections.

“Protecting our democracy is of the utmost importance. Our provincial election legislation, like the Local Authorities Elections Act, has also been clear since its inception that voting is a right of Canadian citizens.

“Alberta’s government is also ensuring that voting is accessible for more Albertans. The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act proposes to enable special ballot access for any voter who requests it, without having to provide any specific reason such as physical disability, absence from the municipality or working for the municipal election. The ministries of Seniors, Community and Social Services and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction are also making it easier for individuals to obtain the identification Albertans need for a variety of services, including the ability to cast a ballot.

“Our government will continue to protect the integrity of our elections and make sure voting is accessible for all Albertans who are Canadian citizens.”