Alberta
141 charges laid as Red Deer and Edmonton Police seize guns, stolen ID and police equipment, license plates, drugs
From Red Deer RCMP
Red Deer RCMP seize weapons and stolen property during multi-agency bust
Red Deer RCMP conducted a joint investigation with Edmonton Police Service and K Division Emergency Response Team resulting in 141 charges and two arrests.
Following reports of a stolen wallet in Red Deer and a related fraudulent vehicle purchase in Edmonton, Red Deer RCMP and EPS conducted a joint investigation. The female suspect was found to be living in Red Deer and on Nov. 13, 2019, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Inglewood.
While executing the warrant, the suspect was involved in a nearby collision with a stolen vehicle. In the vehicle the following items were seized:
- Two rifles
- Stolen police equipment
- Two-way radios
- Stolen Alberta license plates
During the warrant execution, a male was found hiding in the Inglewood residence and RCMP K Division Emergency Response Team assisted in his arrest. The following items were seized during the search of the residence:
- 11 firearms
- Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
- Drugs and paraphernalia
- Stolen laptop
- Vehicle that was fraudulently purchased
- Stolen identification
Savannah Korth, 23, and Connor Mueller, 26, both from Red Deer face a total of 141 Criminal Code, drug and traffic related charges, with 59 of the charges shared. Korth and Mueller each face 47 firearms related charges, six counts of possession of stolen property under $5000, two counts of firearm in a motor vehicle, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Savannah Korth faces additional Criminal Code and Traffic Safety Act charges including failure to remain at scene of an accident, operating a conveyance while prohibited, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and registration, and failure to comply with probation order.
Connor Mueller faces additional Criminal Code charges including two counts of unlawfully resisting a peace/police officer, eight additional firearm related charges, unlawful possession of body armor, and unlawful operation of a motor vehicle.
Both Mueller and Korth are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 6, 2020 in Red Deer.
Grande Prairie. Getty Images photo
From the Canadian Energy Centre
Federal cash grab driving costs for local governments, driving up property taxes
New data shows the painful economic impact of the federal carbon tax on municipalities.
Municipalities in Alberta paid out more than $37 million in federal carbon taxes in 2023, based on a recent survey commissioned by Alberta Municipal Affairs, with data provided to the Canadian Energy Centre.
About $760,000 of that came from the City of Grande Prairie. In a statement, Mayor Jackie Clayton said “if the carbon tax were removed, City property taxes could be reduced by 0.6 per cent, providing direct financial relief to residents and businesses in Grande Prairie.”
Conducted in October, the survey asked municipal districts, towns and cities in Alberta to disclose the amount of carbon tax paid out for the heating and electrifying of municipal assets and fuel for fleet vehicles.
With these funds, Alberta municipalities could have hired 7,789 high school students at $15 per hour last year with the amount paid to Ottawa.
The cost on municipalities includes:
Lloydminster: $422,248
Calgary: $1,230,300 (estimate)
Medicine Hat: $876,237
Lethbridge: $1,398,000 (estimate)
Grande Prairie: $757,562
Crowsnest Pass: $71,100
Red Deer: $1,495,945
Bonnyville: $19,484
Hinton: $66,829
Several municipalities also noted substantial indirect costs from the carbon tax, including higher rates from vendors that serve the municipality – like gravel truck drivers and road repair providers – passing increased fuel prices onto local governments.
The rising price for materials and goods like traffic lights, steel, lumber and cement, due to higher transportation costs are also hitting the bottom line for local governments.
The City of Grande Prairie paid out $89 million in goods and services in 2023, and the indirect costs of the carbon tax “have had an inflationary impact on those expenses” in addition to the direct costs of the tax.
In her press conference announcing Alberta’s challenge to the federal carbon tax on Oct. 29, 2024, Premier Danielle Smith addressed the pressures the carbon tax places on municipal bottom lines.
“In 2023 alone, the City of Calgary could have hired an additional 112 police officers or firefighters for the amount they sent to Ottawa for the carbon tax,” she said.
In a statement issued on Oct. 7, 2024, Ontario Conservative MP Ryan Williams, shadow minister for international trade, said this issue is nationwide.
“In Belleville, Ontario, the impact of the carbon tax is particularly notable. The city faces an extra $410,000 annually in costs – a burden that directly translates to an increase of 0.37 per cent on residents’ property tax bills.”
There is no rebate yet provided on retail carbon pricing for towns, cities and counties.
In October, the council in Belleville passed a motion asking the federal government to return in full all carbon taxes paid by municipalities in Canada.
The unaltered reproduction of this content is free of charge with attribution to the Canadian Energy Centre.
Alberta’s government is launching a public engagement to gather input about legislation and policies around assisted suicide, also referred to as medical assistance in dying (MAID).
Medical assistance in dying is a process that allows an eligible person to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life. To be found eligible, a person must be suffering from a serious and permanent medical condition.
Alberta’s government is reviewing how MAID is regulated to ensure there is a consistent process as well as oversight that protects vulnerable Albertans, specifically those living with disabilities or suffering from mental health challenges. An online survey is now open for Albertans to share their views and experiences with MAID until Dec. 20.
“We recognize that medical assistance in dying is a very complex and often personal issue and is an important, sensitive and emotional matter for patients and their families. It is important to ensure this process has the necessary supports to protect the most vulnerable. I encourage Albertans who have experience with and opinions on MAID to take this survey.”
In addition to the online survey, Alberta’s government will also be engaging directly with academics, medical associations, public bodies, religious organizations, regulatory bodies, advocacy groups and others that have an interest in and/or working relationship to the MAID process, health care, disabilities and mental health care.
Feedback gathered through this process will help inform the Alberta government’s planning and policy decision making, including potential legislative changes regarding MAID in Alberta.
“Our government has been clear that we do not support the provision of medically assisted suicide for vulnerable Albertans facing mental illness as their primary purpose for seeking their own death. Instead, our goal is to build a continuum of care where vulnerable Albertans can live in long-term health and fulfilment. We look forward to the feedback of Albertans as we proceed with this important issue.”
“As MAID is a federally legislated and regulated program that touches the lives of many Albertans, our priority is to ensure we have robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. Albertans’ insights will be essential in developing thoughtful policies on this complex issue.”
The federal Criminal Code sets out the MAID eligibility criteria, procedural safeguards and reporting obligations. The federal government has paused MAID eligibility for individuals with a mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition until March 2027 to ensure the provincial health care systems have processes and supports in place. Alberta’s government does not support expanding MAID eligibility to include those facing depression or mental illness and continues to call on the federal government to end this policy altogether.
Related information
The Most Devastating Report So Far
COP 29 leaders demand over a $1 trillion a year in climate reparations from ‘wealthy’ nations. They don’t deserve a nickel.
Another Mass Grave?
Can’t afford Rent? Groceries for your kids? Trudeau says suck it up and pay the tax!
-
Brownstone Institute19 hours ago
The Most Devastating Report So Far
-
Economy1 day ago
COP 29 leaders demand over a $1 trillion a year in climate reparations from ‘wealthy’ nations. They don’t deserve a nickel.
-
Censorship Industrial Complex23 hours ago
Another Mass Grave?
-
ESG6 hours ago
Can’t afford Rent? Groceries for your kids? Trudeau says suck it up and pay the tax!
-
Alberta22 hours ago
MAiD In Alberta: Province surveying Albertans about assisted suicide policies
-
Energy1 day agoOttawa’s proposed emission cap lacks any solid scientific or economic rationale
-
Alberta1 day agoOn gender, Alberta is following the science
-
International7 hours agoElon Musk praises families on X: ‘We should teach fear of childlessness,’ not pregnancy