Connect with us

Alberta

Rocky View County murder. RCMP charge one with first degree murder; searching for second suspect

Published

7 minute read

 News release from Strathmore RCMP

The Alberta RCMP have now laid charges in connection with the tragic shooting which occurred in Rocky View County on Aug. 6, 2024. RCMP have charged Edmonton resident 35-year-old Arthur Wayne Penner with the first-degree-murder of Airdrie resident Colin John Hough as well as attempted murder of another individual. Penner has been arrested and taken before a justice of the peace. He has been remanded into custody with his next court date set for Aug. 15, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie.

Additionally, RCMP continue to search for the second suspect in the shooting. Elijah Blake Strawberry, 28-years-old, now has a warrant for his arrest for the second-degree-murder of Colin Hough. RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Strawberry.

Elijah Strawberry is described as:

  • Light complexion
  • 6 feet 1 inch tall
  • 169 pounds
  • Several arm and face tattoos.
  • Brown Hair

Elijah Strawberry is considered armed and dangerous. If seen do not approach dial 911 immediately.

The Alberta RCMP wish to offer a timeline into the investigation that led to both an arrest and a warrant for arrest.

On Aug. 6, 2024, around noon hour, officers from the Strathmore RCMP received a report of two men who had been shot while doing work along a roadway on Township Road 250 and Range Road 281 in Rocky View County. Upon arriving on scene, emergency crews discovered that Colin Hough and a 39-year-old victim had both been shot during an attempted robbery by two, then unknown, individuals. The suspects burnt the stolen vehicle they arrived to the scene in, and stole one of the victim’s Rocky View County pick-up trucks.

Responding officers were able locate the suspects in the Rocky View County pick up truck and engaged in a pursuit, however the suspects were successful in evading police.

Soon after, using the Rocky View County pick-up truck on-board GPS, police were able to locate the truck abandoned in a field in the area of Range Road 252 and Township Road 260. Faced with the potential of armed suspects in area, RCMP issued a Police-Initiated Public Alert advising residents in the area to shelter in place. Strathmore RCMP, with assistance of our Emergency Response Team, Calgary Police TAC, Calgary Police Dog Service, the Alberta RCMP helicopter, Calgary HAWCS, drones, and neighbouring detachments, conducted a thorough search of the area. At this point in time police had limited and vague descriptions of the suspects involved in the incident. Providing vague or potentially inaccurate information to the public about the suspects at this crucial time could have been misleading and potentially dangerous.

After conducting a thorough search, RCMP were satisfied that the suspects could no longer be in the area and the immediate risk to residents had subsided. Police at this time lifted the shelter in place and continued to investigate.

After continued investigation, police learned that the suspects, during an unrelated incident, were involved in a minor collision in Calgary in which the stolen vehicle they were driving was partially disabled. They then drove to where the shooting victims were working and attempted to steal a new vehicle. It was at this time both victims were shot.

On Aug. 8, 2024, RCMP determined that Arthur Wayne Penner was one of the suspects. Immediate actions were taken to set up surveillance on Penner and liaise with Alberta Crown Prosecutors to obtained charge approvals.  Once the approval was received, RCMP with assistance from Edmonton Police Service, safety arrested Penner in Edmonton.

On Aug. 11, 2024, police identified Elijah Strawberry as the second suspect in this incident. Today, after receiving crown approval, RCMP have obtained a warrant for his arrest. We ask that anyone who sees him or as information about his whereabouts call 911.

“I want to assure everyone that the RCMP has done, and continue to do, everything in our power to swiftly investigate and arrest these dangerous suspects. I give my most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Colin Hough who was out working and making a living when these individuals took his life,” says Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz, “I also want the other victim in this tragedy to know that our thoughts are with him as well.”

Despite these charges, the RCMP’s investigation continues:

  • We continue to work at identifying the occupants of Black Volkswagen Jetta as they may have witnessed this incident. We ask for these individuals to come forward.
  • We believe that a quad stolen on Aug. 7, 2024, a 1:34 p.m. in Wheatland County maybe be connected to our investigation. We ask that members of public check their dash cam footage and surveillance cameras if they have seen the quad or its occupants.

Elijah Strawberry is considered armed and dangerous. If seen do no approach – dial 911 immediately. Alberta RCMP are still seeking public’s help with video footage and information surrounding this incident. If you have information about this incident or those responsible, please call the Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3535. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

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

Alberta

Median workers in Alberta could receive 72% more under Alberta Pension Plan compared to Canada Pension Plan

Published on

From the Fraser Institute

By Tegan Hill and Joel Emes

Moving from the CPP to a provincial pension plan would generate savings for Albertans in the form of lower contribution rates (which could be used to increase private retirement savings while receiving the same pension benefits as the CPP under the new provincial pension), finds a new study published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

“Due to Alberta’s comparatively high rates of employment, higher average incomes, and younger population, Albertans would pay a lower contribution rate through a separate provincial pension plan while receiving the same benefits as under the CPP,” said Tegan Hill, director of Alberta policy at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Illustrating the Potential of an Alberta Pension Plan.

Assuming Albertans invested the savings from moving to a provincial pension plan into a private retirement account, and assuming a contribution rate of 5.85 per cent, workers earning the median income in Alberta ($53,061 in 2025) could accrue a stream of retirement payments totalling $454,741 (pre-tax)—a 71.6 per cent increase from their stream of CPP payments ($264,968).

Put differently, under the CPP, a median worker receives a total of $264,968 in retirement income over their life. If an Alberta worker saved the difference between what they pay now into the CPP and what they would pay into a new provincial plan, the income they would receive in retirement increases. If the contribution rate for the new provincial plan was 5.85 per cent—the lower of the available estimates—the increase in retirement income would total $189,773 (or an increase of 71.6 per cent).

If the contribution rate for a new Alberta pension plan was 8.21 per cent—the higher of the available estimates—a median Alberta worker would still receive an additional $64,672 in retirement income over their life, a marked increase of 24.4 per cent compared to the CPP alone.

Put differently, assuming a contribution rate of 8.21 per cent, Albertan workers earning the median income could accrue a stream of retirement payments totaling $329,640 (pre-tax) under a provincial pension plan—a 24.4 per cent increase from their stream of CPP payments.

“While the full costs and benefits of a provincial pension plan must be considered, its clear that Albertans could benefit from higher retirement payments under a provincial pension plan, compared to the CPP,” Hill said.

Illustrating the Potential of an Alberta Pension Plan

  • Due to Alberta’s comparatively high rates of employment, higher average incomes, and younger population, Albertans would pay a lower contribution rate with a separate provincial pension plan, compared with the CPP, while receiving the same benefits as under the CPP.
  • Put differently, moving from the CPP to a provincial pension plan would generate savings for Albertans, which could be used to increase private retirement income. This essay assesses the potential savings for Albertans of moving to a provincial pension plan. It also estimates an Albertan’s potential increase in total retirement income, if those savings were invested in a private account.
  • Depending on the contribution rate used for an Alberta pension plan (APP), ranging from 5.85 to 8.2 percent, an individual earning the CPP’s yearly maximum pensionable earnings ($71,300 in 2025), would accrue a stream of retirement payments under the total APP (APP plus private retirement savings), yielding a total retirement income of between $429,524 and $584,235. This would be 22.9 to 67.1 percent higher, respectively, than their stream of CPP payments ($349,545).
  • An individual earning the median income in Alberta ($53,061 in 2025), would accrue a stream of retirement payments under the total APP (APP plus private retirement savings), yielding a total retirement income of between $329,640 and $454,741, which is between 24.4 percent to 71.6 percent higher, respectively, than their stream of CPP payments ($264,968).

 

Tegan Hill

Director, Alberta Policy, Fraser Institute

Joel Emes

Joel Emes

Senior Economist, Fraser Institute
Continue Reading

Alberta

Alberta ban on men in women’s sports doesn’t apply to athletes from other provinces

Published on

From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act bans transgender males from women’s sports within the province but cannot regulate out-of-province transgender athletes.

Alberta’s ban on gender-confused males competing in women’s sports will not apply to out-of-province athletes.

In an interview posted July 12 by the Canadian Press, Alberta Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko revealed that Alberta does not have the jurisdiction to regulate out-of-province, gender-confused males from competing against female athletes.

“We don’t have authority to regulate athletes from different jurisdictions,” he said in an interview.

Ministry spokeswoman Vanessa Gomez further explained that while Alberta passed legislation to protect women within their province, outside sporting organizations are bound by federal or international guidelines.

As a result, Albertan female athletes will be spared from competing against men during provincial competition but must face male competitors during inter-provincial events.

In December, Alberta passed the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act to prevent biological men who claim to be women from competing in women’s sports. The legislation will take effect on September 1 and will apply to all school boards, universities, as well as provincial sports organizations.

The move comes after studies have repeatedly revealed what almost everyone already knew was true, namely, that males have a considerable advantage over women in athletics.

Indeed, a recent study published in Sports Medicine found that a year of “transgender” hormone drugs results in “very modest changes” in the inherent strength advantages of men.

Additionally, male athletes competing in women’s sports are known to be violent, especially toward female athletes who oppose their dominance in women’s sports.

In February, Andres ranted about why men should be able to compete in women’s competitions, calling for “the Ontario lifter” who opposes this, apparently referring to powerlifter April Hutchinson, to “die painfully.”

Interestingly, while Andres was suspended for six months for issuing death threats, Hutchinson was suspended for two years after publicly condemning him for stealing victories from women and then mocking his female competitors on social media. Her suspension was later reduced to a year.

Continue Reading

Trending

X