K.D. Lang one of eight Albertans to receive province’s highest honour

Eight Albertans to receive Alberta’s highest honour

October 17, 2018

Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell will invest the newest members of the Alberta Order of Excellence during a one-hour ceremony on Oct. 18.

The Alberta Order of Excellence is the highest honour the province offers its citizens. Since the Order was created in 1979, 165 Albertans have been invested, not including this year’s new members.

The Albertans being invested into the Order for 2018 are:

Reg Basken, Sherwood Park:

Reg Basken, Sherwood Park: Reg Basken is one of Canada’s most respected labour leaders. He is known for his collaborative negotiating style, particularly in the energy sector, and for championing medicare. He supports the community through United Way and Edmonton Community Foundation.

Rosella Bjornson, Sherwood Park

Rosella Bjornson, Sherwood Park: Capt. Rosella Bjornson is an icon in Canadian aviation. As the first female airline jet pilot, she paved the way for women in aviation and was pivotal in changing the regulations to allow pregnant pilots the right to fly.

Wayne Chiu, Calgary

Wayne Chiu, Calgary: Wayne Chiu is a successful businessman and philanthropist with a passion for social entrepreneurship. He is an advocate for affordable housing, and has supported many community organizations through the creation of the Trico Charitable Foundation.

k.d. lang, Calgary:

k.d. lang, Calgary: k.d. lang is one of Canada’s most versatile and gifted singer-songwriters, who has earned multiple Juno and Grammy awards. She is a strong advocate for many causes, including LGBTQ rights, music education and animal protection.

David Manz, Calgary: Dr. David Manz is a world-renowned expert and educator in the fields of irrigation engineering and climate change. He invented the Manz BioSand Water Filter, an affordable technology that provides safe water for millions of people around the world.

Solomon Rolingher, Edmonton

Solomon Rolingher, Edmonton: Sol Rolingher is a lawyer and community leader who is recognized for his work with the Phoenix Multi-Faith Society for Harmony and the River Valley Alliance. He has also made significant contributions to Alberta’s education and health-care sectors.

Allan Wachowich, Edmonton

Allan Wachowich, Edmonton: Allan Wachowich has made significant contributions as a lawyer, justice and active citizen. With his work in the legal profession, and the greater community, his focus has been fairness and providing equal opportunities for all members of society.

Ralph Young, Edmonton

Ralph Young, Edmonton: Ralph Young is a community builder who has a reputation for integrity, insight and inspiring others. He works tirelessly to support and enhance the community in which he lives, with a focus on education and the preservation of Canadian history.

Click here to see interviews and in-depth biographies of each inductee.

Related Topics:Alberta Order of Excellence feature Honourable Lois E. MItchell

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Former senior financial advisor charged with embezzling millions from Red Deer area residents

Published on April 26, 2024

Todayville

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

Published on April 25, 2024

Government of Alberta

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.”

Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs

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.