By Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Jasper SkyTram began its 2025 season Friday (March 21) after closing early last summer due to wildfire. While the Jasper wildfire burned much of the Whistlers mountainside, the aerial tramway was largely unharmed, with only its cables and the stations’ coolers full of spoiled food having to be replaced. “The fire came up … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A Canada united by economic corridors operating coast-to-coast-to-coast would pay dividends to rural and remote Alberta, a UCP cabinet minister said Friday from Quebec City. But Devin Dreeshen added that his vision needs action from the federal government to foster cross-country cooperation and correct past and ongoing wrongs. Attending a conference of provincial and … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Capital projects – the stuff you can see, touch, use repeatedly, walk through or even drive upon — will account for $26.1 billion in provincial spending over the next three years, the Alberta government estimates in a deficit budget released last Thursday. For regions beyond the two major cities, the question is, How many … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The government is throwing fuel on the firefighting in Alberta communities this year to bolster public safety. More support for training and response is being combined with enhanced collaboration to “help keep Albertans and their communities safe,” said Tany Yao, the UCP member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. The government is providing $585,000 to support … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta is financially sound enough to fully restore municipal grants based on the value of local taxation on eligible provincial properties, the government said today. The budget tabled last month paves the way for putting $17 million more into the hands of municipalities in 2025 through the grants-in-place-of-taxes system. Another $20 million is projected … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Paving the only access route to a trio of remote Alberta Indigenous communities found a home in the province’s first deficit budget since 2021. Capital spending in the budget tabled Thursday includes work on Highway 58, serving John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River. “The paved highway will improve mobility for more than … Read more…
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s 2025 Budget is planning for the impacts of U.S. tariffs to be far-reaching and to slow overall economic growth. But the economic outlook incorporated in the budget assumes tariffs on goods will be 15 per cent in the year ahead rather than the 25 per cent tariff threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. … Read more…