Alberta
1 Police Force. 6 Stories of Heroism. 17 Awards for Bravery
From RCMP “K” Division
RCMP Commissioner presents 17 Bravery Awards in Edmonton
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki joined Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP, in the presentation of Commendations for Bravery to 17 recipients in private ceremony at “K” Division Headquarters.
“Everyone being honoured here today has placed the safety of others above their own,” said Commissioner Brenda Lucki. “I hope everyone leaves this ceremony knowing that they have made a difference in the RCMP, in their communities, and in the country.”
The award recognizes Regular Members and civilians who have demonstrated outstanding courage in the face of dangerous circumstances beyond those commonly encountered in routine police work and which pose an imminent threat of personal injury or death.
“This ceremony gives us the privilege to bring these amazing stories of bravery, resilience and courage out of the shadows,” said Deputy Commissioner Zablocki, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP. “These are the stories that need to be heard so that we can express our gratitude and give our heroes the recognition they deserve.”
The names of the recipients and the circumstances that resulted in their awards are provided below.
Auxiliary Constable Rtd. Derek Bond and Constable Rtd. David Wynn (posthumous)
On Jan. 17, 2015, Constable David Wynn and Auxiliary Constable Derek Bond were involved in a confrontation with an armed suspect in St. Albert, Alta. During the encounter, the suspect fired upon and struck Auxiliary Constable Bond in the arm and torso. Constable Wynn, aware of the danger, continued to advance and engaged with the suspect. The suspect was able to fire his weapon again, striking Constable Wynn, who subsequently passed away due to his injuries.
Corporal Rtd. Pascal Richard, Mr. Fragoso (posthumous), Mr. Sabbah and Mr. Lines
On June 30, 2014, a drunk driver crossed into oncoming traffic near Mallaig, Alta., striking a travel trailer before hitting a vehicle driven by Mr. Fragoso. The vehicle was forced into the ditch where it caught fire. Off-duty Corporal Richard, with the assistance of Mr. Sabbah and Mr. Lines, braved the fire engulfed-vehicle and made continuous attempts to rescue the two adults trapped in the front seat. Mr. Fragoso assisted the rescuers by using the fire extinguisher provided to him and attempted to clear the flames on his partner, and his daughter, first. As a result of Mr. Fragoso’s selfless actions, the rescuers were able to extricate his daughter from the back seat. Sadly, Mr. Fragoso and his partner, Ms. Patterson, passed away.
Constable Brandon Goudey and Constable Timothy Stevens
On Oct. 1, 2016, Constables Goudey and Stevens rescued a distressed man who was in danger of drowning in the Peace River, in Peace River, Alta. The members, along with several colleagues, responded to a request for assistance from the Peace River paramedics and fire department of an adult male who had fallen into the swift-moving current at an unknown point. The two members entered the freezing water, but were deterred by the current. A second attempt was made by the members, swimming 30 feet out and successfully brought the man back to shore.
Constable Kyle Aucoin and Constable Jeffery Czarnecki
On June 16, 2016, Constables Aucoin and Czarnecki responded to a domestic dispute in Spruce Grove, Alta. While interviewing the victim outside the trailer home, the constables saw thick, black smoke coming out of the residence’s front windows. Knowing the suspect was still inside, the members raced to the front door and attempted to kick it down. After finally gaining entrance, Constables Aucoin and Czarnecki crawled on their hands and knees through the dense smoke until they located the unconscious suspect. They were able to drag the man outside where he was revived.
Constable Dan Wakelin
Between May 14 and 15, 2011, the town of Slave Lake was subject to wildfires which caused catastrophic losses and forced the complete evacuation of nearly 7,000 residents. Constable Wakelin arrived with the first response team and maintained his post at the checkpoint through the fire, despite not having protective equipment.
Corporal David Brosinsky, Constable Nicholas Crowther, Inspector Jeremie Landry, Corporal Travis Ogilvie and Constable Adam Rayner
On Jan. 6, 2014, members from Vegreville, Tofield and Two Hills Detachments received information of a man who was wanted on several warrants, was in possession of a handgun and had threatened to kill an individual. Corporal Ogilvie placed himself in danger to assist with the arrest and was subsequently ejected and run over by the truck driven by the male suspect. Inspector Landry, Corporal Brosinsky, Constable Crowther and Constable Rayner all braved multiple rounds of exchange of gunfire with the suspect in an attempt to make the arrest and remove Corporal Ogilive from the scene to safety. The male suspect was contained in his vehicle until the Emergency Response Team arrived and made the arrest.
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:
“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.
“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.
“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.
“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.
“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.
“As it appears the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us (though there is still work to be done), it is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower.”
From the Fraser Institute
By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.
Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.
In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.
Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.
The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.
Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.
Jock Finlayson
Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
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