By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Premier’s Coal Town Hall event held on Wednesday evening at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall was described as “a gong show” by many in attendance, with several being left outside, including the media. Hundreds of people lined up down the street hours before the doors opened, many of them protesting the … Read more…
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “You took us down!” “What about the back room deal?” Voices shouted in protest, fists pounded on chairs and anti-mining placards waved in the air at the Fort Macleod community hall as Premier Danielle Smith stepped to the podium June 11 to face sharp scrutiny over Alberta’s coal future. Dozens stood along the walls, … Read more…
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Reactions to last week’s coal town hall revealed the sharp divide that remains over coal development in southern Alberta. Dean Ward, a Municipality of Crowsnest Pass councillor who attended the meeting, said he was disappointed by what he described as a lack of respectful dialogue. “I went to the coal meeting in Fort Macleod … Read more…
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government has quietly transferred responsibility for its communications wing to the premier’s office, greatly expanding the size and budget of the province’s executive council. An April 29 Order in Council shifted responsibility for the province’s Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) department from Treasury Board and Finance to Executive Council, meaning Premier Danielle Smith is now … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Groups helping Albertans in rural and remote areas deal with family violence have until June 24 to seek a share of $6 million in project funding. Designed to address family violence through projects informed by evidence and trauma, the grant program targets prevention, the rebuilding of lives, and early and crisis intervention. Along with … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter When it comes to Alberta’s most innovative public infrastructure, the good stuff always gets built in the province’s two major cities. True or false? True, one extremely limited sample suggests. Afterall, last year’s four winners of the inaugural Minister’s Infrastructure Awards were evenly divided between Edmonton and Calgary. False, says Martin Long, Alberta’s minister … Read more…
By Rob Vogt Tax notices went out in the mail last week after Claresholm town council approved its 2025 tax rates with a 6.17 percent overall increase.At its May 12 meeting, council passed the final two readings of the town’s property tax rate bylaw.Although council actually reduced the tax rate, there was a dramatic increase in property assessment meaning actual … Read more…