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The high cost of Ottawa’s proposed electricity regulations

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

Neighbours and friends, Canada stands at a crossroads. The federal government’s proposed electricity regulations, if left unchanged, will profoundly impact families and businesses across the nation. As a province that has always been at the forefront of energy innovation and responsible development, Alberta’s government is deeply concerned about the direction Ottawa is taking.The evidence is clear: Ottawa’s proposed regulations will make electricity more unreliable and unaffordable in our province. But this isn’t just an Alberta issue; it’s a Canadian one. From our province to Atlantic Canada, the repercussions will be negatively felt by every citizen.In Alberta and in Cardston-Siksika, citizens will face increased power bills, a potential exodus of investment from our province, and a jeopardized electrical grid. The threat of blackouts and brownouts during the harshest moments of winter is very real.I find it alarming that while we are in the middle of a public consultation period,...

Trudeau blinks, suspends carbon tax on home heating in Atlantic Canada

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just gave Western Canada another punch in the face.The good news is that Trudeau is suspending his carbon tax on home heating fuel.The bad news is the exemption is for just one kind of home heating fuel.Guess which kind?Furnace oil, the kind of heating fuel found almost exclusively in the homes of Atlantic Canada, where Trudeau’s Liberal government holds a lot of seats.Trudeau is suspending his federal carbon tax on furnace oil until just after the next election, expected in two years.The federal carbon tax currently costs 12 cents extra per cubic metre of natural gas, 10 cents extra per litre of propane and 17 cents extra per litre of furnace oil.The average household in Atlantic Canada uses about 1,600 litres of furnace oil per year. That means the carbon tax would cost about $272 extra for winter heat.That winter warmth will now get a reprieve from Trudeau’s carbon tax. However, the tax will still apply to propane and natural gas that many families i...

Water and wastewater needs to be studied for Highway 3 agri-food corridor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

By Trevor BuschTaber [email protected] east of Lethbridge along the Highway 3 agri-food processing corridor in southern Alberta will be studying future water and wastewater needs as processors eye the region for development on the heels of an irrigation expansion announcement for Chin Reservoir.Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter says Coaldale has applied to quarterback a regional potable water study.“Coaldale was willing to apply for an ACP grant (Alberta Community Partnership). And it’s up to $200,000, to get to study the water needs of this area. So I appreciate them doing that. You can only apply once per year. And so they were willing to give up their slot to be able to get that done.”The application has received a letter of support from Premier Danielle Smith, that was signed by four other MLAs, including Hunter, Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf, Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright. No matching contributions are requi...

Proposed provincial tax legislation changes include amendments to Tourism Levy

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Province has announced proposed changes to Alberta’s tax laws.The Tax Statutes Amendment Act, also known as Bill 4, proposes changes which would “help formalize a key part of Alberta’s commitment to affordability, provide clarity around the collection and remittance of Alberta’s tourism levy, and update several technical and administrative aspects of Alberta’s tax system,” according to a recent Province-issued media bulletin.If passed Bill 4, the Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2023, will update the Fuel Tax Act, Tourism Levy Act, Alberta Corporate Tax Act, and the Alberta Personal income Tax Act.Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance said the amendments are required at this stage to keep the Alberta’s tax legislation current, and are, “essential to maintaining Alberta’s low-tax environment and minimizing red tape. The proposed amendments would help to create further consistency and clarity in Alberta’s tax system, which cont...

Lethbridge County farm family honoured by Dhillon School of Business

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe University of Lethbridge’s (ULeth) Dhillon School of Business recently honoured the Perry family and the Perry Family Farm at the business school’s annual Business Scholarship Dinner.The dinner recognizes members of the southern Alberta community for their exceptional achievements, and honours members who have shown strong leadership and commitment to their communities.This year, the event honoured Gerry and Birthe Perry and their children Harold, Chris, and Karen, and their families.In addition to recognizing the Perry family and the Perry Family farm for their continued contributions to agriculture, the event also established a scholarship for business students in the recipient’s honour.With nearly 115 years of farming under their belts, the Perry family’s fourth-generation farming operation in Chin supplies potatoes to some of Canada’s most recognizable consumer brands including McCain Foods, Frito-Lay, and Bonduelle.The oft-cliche phrase, of h...

Three subdivisions approved by County

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsNewly approved Lethbridge County subdivisions include two located in Monarch.During their regular Nov. 2 meeting, Lethbridge County council reviewed three subdivision applications.The first one, Subdivision Application #2023-0-117 – Penner/Groeneweg – Lots 4-13, Block 6, Plan 138A within SW1/4 7-10-23-W4M, concerned lands in the Hamlet of Monarch on the undeveloped E. Plaza Street between Empress Ave and Victoria Ave.“This is a lot realignment application,” said Hilary Janzen, supervisor of planning and development for the county. “They are looking to readjust the property line so it suits how the properties are currently being utilized.”The properties are owned within the same family, and they wish to have the boundary between the properties realigned and relocated 25 feet to the north along the solid wood fence. Municipal servicing and access to the properties will not be affected by the realignment.The second application, Subdivision Applica...

Southern Alberta Bikers present cheques to local charities

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThis past weekend the Southern Alberta Bikers presented various local charities with over $10,000 in cash and toys.The donations were collected over the past year at the Motorcycle Awareness Ride, various Santa Claus toy runs, and donations made during the 2023 Lethbridge International Airshow.A press release issued by Southern Alberta Bikers expressed the organization was proud to present donations to selected charities on Saturday, Nov. 4.Recipients included Streets Alive, the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, the Lethbridge and District Humane Society, the Good Samaritan Society, the Coalhurst Legion, the Lethbridge Pregnancy Care Centre, the Green and Yellow Group, Chinook Regional Hospital, Lethbridge Family Services,  the Lethbridge YWCA, and Lakeview School.Dallas Harty, President of the Southern Alberta Bikers, expressed that he believes that there is a Santa Claus in each of us. He expressed in last week’s media release, “nothing feels...

Thwart-off Cyber Crime this Holiday Season

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

RCMPThe holiday season is just around the corner, which means more and more people will be shopping for presents. Online shopping has become an increasingly popular and convenient way to find deals and cross things off our lists. With both Black Friday and Cyber Monday taking place this month, many Albertans will be handing out their credit card details in exchange for deals this month.In the Alberta RCMP’s jurisdiction in 2022 there were a total of:• 34 reports of unauthorized use of credit card data (4 in November and 2 in December);• 726 reports of Theft, Forgery, Misuse of Credit Card (53 in November and 47 in December);• 1,796 reports of Fraud (money/property/security) greater than $5,000 (183 in November and 150 in December); and• 5,653 reports of Fraud (money/property/security) less than or equal to $5,000 (445 in November and 401 in December).• Coaldale-Picture Butte Detachment advised that: “Cybercriminals are always looking for opportunities to exploit the holiday rush in ...

County Reeve launches food bank fundraiser with chance to “dunk the Reeve”

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County Council is calling on the community to help stock the shelves at local food banks this holiday season, and offering a unique opportunity to donors.Last week, Reeve of Lethbridge County, Tory Campbell launched the Frozen Food Bank Fundraiser. The initiative will support of the Coaldale Food Bank and North County Interfaith Outreach Society in Picture Butte. The public is asked to consider donating funds or non-perishable food items, with the chance to win an opportunity to Dunk Reeve Campbell into a freezing tank of water. For each monetary donation, or item of food given, donors can enter a draw to dunk the Reeve in a dunk tank this winter.“There’s a lot of different opportunities to do good things throughout the year and I think that is especially highlighted during the holiday season, and this was just something a little bit unique, where we could take something that’s obviously quite serious and maybe add a little bit of a fun twi...

Albany leaders call for Gov. Hochul to sign Retail Crime Task Force bill

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:12:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With the busiest shopping day of the year just a few weeks away, Albany leaders are pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a new bill that would create an organized retail crime task force. The bill was passed as the state sees a drastic increase in organized retail crime. The task force would provide more information on retail crime and measures to counter losses across the state with members appointed by Governor Hochul, the state legislature and Attorney General. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “These individuals are bold, they’re brazen, and yes it’s criminal," Assemblyman John McDonald said. "This is why establishing a task force, it’s intention, is to make sure all of the stakeholders the owners, law enforcement, employees, members of the community are at the table talking to each other.”The City of Albany is seeing an increase in retail crime. Eric Hawkins, Albany Police Chief, said its having a ...