Alberta
Police take half million dollars worth of meth, cocaine, cannabis, fentanyl off the street in multiple-community bust


News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)
ALERT drug bust spanned multiple communities
Half a million dollars’ worth of drugs was seized after ALERT searched multiple homes in Edmonton and Wainright, Atla. Three vehicles and more than $50,000 cash were also seized as offence related property.
ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime team charged two suspects on June 6, 2022, and earlier this year had executed search warrants at two homes in Edmonton, and one in Wainright, Alta.
The investigation began in November 2021 and came in relation to Grande Prairie-based drug trafficking network from a previous RCMP investigation.
“ALERT is always looking to expand the scope of investigations and move up the food chain. We rely on criminal intelligence from our partner agencies to collaboratively dismantle these types of multi-jurisdictional drug networks,” said Acting Inspector Blayne Eliuk, ALERT Edmonton.
The drugs seized have an estimated street value in excess of $500,000 and includes:
- One shotgun;
- 10 handgun converter switches;
- 1,011 grams of methamphetamine;
- 3,882 grams of cocaine;
- 14,730 grams of a cocaine buffing agent;
- 2,022 grams of cannabis;
- 51 grams of fentanyl;
- 28 cases of contraband tobacco products;
- Thee vehicles;
- $55,032 cash.
The converter switches are a prohibited device used to transform Glock handguns into a prohibited firearm.
The vehicles and cash were seized as offence related property and will be considered for civil forfeiture. One of the vehicles was a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, worth an estimated $130,000.
John McKee, a 39-year-old man from Edmonton, is charged with drug trafficking, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of a prohibited device.
Nathan Newman, a 28-year-old man from Wainright, is charged with drug trafficking, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a prohibited device, careless use of a firearm, and tobacco distribution.
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.
Alberta
Alberta extends electricity rebate program until December at a cost of about $600M


Edmonton – The Alberta government says it will extend its electricity rebates until the end of the year as the cost of living continues to rise.
Dale Nally, who’s the associate minister of natural gas and electricity, says the United Conservative government is doubling the rebate to help reduce the financial burden on Albertans.
The government says the electricity rebate program will now offer about $600 million in relief through 2022.
It says the program will provide nearly two million homes, farms and small businesses with a monthly $50 bill credit each month from July until December.
The government says it will also provide a natural gas rebate to millions of Albertans starting in October, which will continue until March 2023 if prices remain high.
Last week, Finance Minister Jason Nixon announced a $3.9-billion surplus for the 2021-22 fiscal year ending March 31.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2022.
Alberta
Telus Corp. marks opening of Telus Sky in downtown Calgary


CALGARY — Telus Corp. marked the opening of its new 60-storey Calgary headquarters on Wednesday.
The new $400-million skyscraper, Telus Sky, has been in development for nine years and is now the third-tallest building in downtown Calgary. It features 750,000 square feet of office and retail space as well as 326 rental homes.
The building’s eye-catching design, by architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Dialog, along with developer partner Westbank and Allied, starts with a rectangular floorplate and then gradually twists as it rises.
Integrated into the facade of Telus Sky is Canada’s largest public art display. “Northern Lights” by Canadian author and artist, Douglas Coupland, creates a light show across the building’s exterior.
Telus Sky will be home to more than 1,600 Telus employees. It joins TELUS Garden in Vancouver, TELUS Harbour Toronto, TELUS House Ottawa, and Place TELUS Québec as one of the company’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum-certified buildings.
Among the building’s environmental features is a storm water management system that recycles rainwater for use in washroom toilets, reducing the building’s municipal water demand by 70 per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2022.
Companies in this story: (TSX:T)
Amanda Stephenson, The Canadian Press
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