News
Around Red Deer March 21st……
2:30 pm – Yesterday, RCMP issued a media release in which three accused’s were identified as being charged with 88 offences. Since that release, Ponoka RCMP have learned that Miles Appenrodt was not involved in the offences whatsoever and is in fact, a victim of identity theft. When arrested, the male – whose name cannot yet be released – produced an Alberta drivers license to police in the name of Miles Appenrodt and held himself out to be that person for the duration of his time in custody. The RCMP deeply regrets this error and apologizes to Mr. Appenrodt for the difficulties this has caused. We are doing all we can to remove any re-posts of the original publication from social media and we are issuing this media release to ensure that its message gets to all forms of media that posted our original statement. The RCMP has now correctly identified the male responsible and a warrant is being sought. The charges will now include personation and possession of identity document, in addition to the original offences.
12:20 pm – After Alberta’s Education school projects announcement this morning, St. Patrick’s Community School is one of seven schools on the list to undergo a modernization. “We are truly grateful for the tireless lobbying from our Senior Administrators and Board Members to the government over the past five years. The announcement of this modernization is wonderful news for all of our students, families and staff. We are excited about the collaborative spaces this will provide our students and teachers, which will enhance their learning environments. We feel very blessed to have been chosen as one of the seven schools in the province to receive this news,” said Principal, Terri Lynn Mundorf at St. Patrick’s Community School. “We are very excited about this announcement. St. Patrick’s Community School has been our number one capital priority for many years as it’s currently at 730 students or 130% capacity. It needs more effective learning spaces for students,” said Board Chair Guy Pelletier at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. A specific dollar amount for the modernization is not yet known but Pelletier estimates it could be in the $8-10 million range. He hopes to see the modernization complete within two years.
11:45 am – A retirement has lead to the naming of a new Associate Superintendent for the Red Deer Public School District. Read More.
10:18 am – More Red Deerians can now keep chickens in their yard. Read More.
For more local news, click here!
8:56 am – St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School will host an Exhibition of Learning for parents and the community on March 21 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Red Deer College Library. Grade 9 students at St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School have teamed up with the Biology Department and Library at Red Deer College for a Biology/Biodiversity project-based learning experience. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of biological interactions by presenting posters and showcasing puzzle pieces created through project-based-learning. People will have an opportunity to ask students about their projects, their learning experience, and project-based learning in general. Research shows that students feel a greater sense of ownership of their work when they know it will have an audience beyond their teachers.
8:50 am – What do a non-profit greenhouse in Manitoba, a community fruit orchard in Saskatchewan, a farmer’s potluck mixer in Alberta, and an historical farming exhibit in British Columbia have in common? They are examples of community projects funded by the Peavey Mart Community Agricultural Grant. Since 2013, non-profit groups have received more than $180,000 from the grant, which funds ideas that promise to strengthen towns or cities through community agriculture. This year, a $50,000 grant is up for grabs. “We want people to build on their great ideas by getting community support and feedback, and putting those ideas into plans,” say Jest Sidloski, director of customer experience for Peavey Industries. “A good idea for a community initiative won’t succeed unless it has a good plan.” Sidloski says the grant typically does not fund buildings or renovations. “The focus is on operating community agriculture.” The application form is available on the Peavey Mart website, and applications are accepted until May 31.
8:25 am – Father Henri Voisin School will host an Exhibition of Learning for parents and the community on March 22 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The Exhibition of Learning will showcase students’ project-based learning and hard work over the past year. Grade 1-5 students will share their new discoveries through cross-curricular projects by demonstrating their authentic learning experiences at this event based on curriculum and 21st Century competencies. “This event is a testimonial to the authentic and engaging learning experiences that our students experience through Catholic education,” says Rob Coumont, Assistant Principal. “During this evening, students have the opportunity to share with guests the process and journey of their learning through the different projects they created.” All are invited to walk around and engage students in conversation about their innovative projects.
From the Fraser Institute
By Alex Whalen and Tegan Hill
Back in the summer at a meeting in Halifax, several provincial premiers discussed a lawsuit meant to force the federal government to make changes to Canada’s equalization program. The suit—filed by Newfoundland and Labrador and backed by British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta—effectively argues that the current formula isn’t fair. But while the question of “fairness” can be subjective, its clear the equalization program is broken.
In theory, the program equalizes the ability of provinces to deliver reasonably comparable services at a reasonably comparable level of taxation. Any province’s ability to pay is based on its “fiscal capacity”—that is, its ability to raise revenue.
This year, equalization payments will total a projected $25.3 billion with all provinces except B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan to receive some money. Whether due to higher incomes, higher employment or other factors, these three provinces have a greater ability to collect government revenue so they will not receive equalization.
However, contrary to the intent of the program, as recently as 2021, equalization program costs increased despite a decline in the fiscal capacity of oil-producing provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In other words, the fiscal capacity gap among provinces was shrinking, yet recipient provinces still received a larger equalization payment.
Why? Because a “fixed-growth rule,” introduced by the Harper government in 2009, ensures that payments grow roughly in line with the economy—even if the gap between richer and poorer provinces shrinks. The result? Total equalization payments (before adjusting for inflation) increased by 19 per cent between 2015/16 and 2020/21 despite the gap in fiscal capacities between provinces shrinking during this time.
Moreover, the structure of the equalization program is also causing problems, even for recipient provinces, because it generates strong disincentives to natural resource development and the resulting economic growth because the program “claws back” equalization dollars when provinces raise revenue from natural resource development. Despite some changes to reduce this problem, one study estimated that a recipient province wishing to increase its natural resource revenues by a modest 10 per cent could face up to a 97 per cent claw back in equalization payments.
Put simply, provinces that generally do not receive equalization such as Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan have been punished for developing their resources, whereas recipient provinces such as Quebec and in the Maritimes have been rewarded for not developing theirs.
Finally, the current program design also encourages recipient provinces to maintain high personal and business income tax rates. While higher tax rates can reduce the incentive to work, invest and be productive, they also raise the national standard average tax rate, which is used in the equalization allocation formula. Therefore, provinces are incentivized to maintain high and economically damaging tax rates to maximize equalization payments.
Unless premiers push for reforms that will improve economic incentives and contain program costs, all provinces—recipient and non-recipient—will suffer the consequences.
Authors:
National
Liberals, NDP admit closed-door meetings took place in attempt to delay Canada’s next election
From LifeSiteNews
Pushing back the date would preserve the pensions of some of the MPs who could be voted out of office in October 2025.
Aides to the cabinet of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that MPs from the Liberal and New Democratic Party (NDP) did indeed hold closed-door “briefings” to rewrite Canada’s elections laws so that they could push back the date of the next election.
The closed-door talks between the NDP and Liberals confirmed the aides included a revision that would guarantee some of its 28 MPs, including three of Trudeau’s cabinet members, would get a pension.
Allen Sutherland, who serves as the assistant cabinet secretary, testified before the House of Commons affairs committee that the changes to the Elections Act were discussed in the meetings.
“We attended a meeting where the substance of that proposal was discussed,” he said, adding that his “understanding is the briefing was primarily oral.”
According to Sutherland, as reported by Blacklock’s Reporter, it was only NDP and Liberal MPs who attended the secret meetings regarding changes to Canada’s Elections Act via Bill C-65, An Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act before the bill was introduced in March.
As reported by LifeSiteNews before, the Liberals were hoping to delay the 2025 federal election by a few days in what many see as a stunt to secure pensions for MPs who are projected to lose their seats. Approximately 80 MPs would qualify for pensions should they sit as MPs until at least October 27, 2025, which is the newly proposed election date. The election date is currently set for October 20, 2025.
Sutherland noted when asked by Conservative MP Luc Berthold that he recalled little from the meetings, but he did confirm he attended “two meetings of that kind.”
“Didn’t you find it unusual that a discussion about amending the Elections Act included only two political parties and excluded the others?” Berthold asked.
Sutherland responded, “It’s important to understand what my role was in those meetings which was simply to provide background information.”
Berthold then asked, “You nevertheless suggested amendments to the legislation including a change of dates?”
“My role was to provide information,” replied Sutherland, who added he could not provide the exact dates of the meetings.
MPs must serve at least six years to qualify for a pension that pays $77,900 a year. Should an election be called today, many MPs would fall short of reaching the six years, hence Bill C-65 was introduced by the Liberals and NDP.
The Liberals have claimed that pushing back the next election date is not over pensions but due to “trying to observe religious holidays,” as noted by Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen.
“Conservatives voted against this bill,” Berthold said, as they are “confident of winning re-election. We don’t need this change.”
Trudeau’s popularity is at a all-time low, but he has refused to step down as PM, call an early election, or even step aside as Liberal Party leader.
As for the amendments to elections laws, they come after months of polling in favour of the Conservative Party under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre.
A recent poll found that 70 percent of Canadians believe the country is “broken” as Trudeau focuses on less critical issues. Similarly, in January, most Canadians reported that they are worse off financially since Trudeau took office.
Additionally, a January poll showed that 46 percent of Canadians expressed a desire for the federal election to take place sooner rather than the latest mandated date in the fall of 2025.
Health Care Update: Province will deliver health services regionally in seven “health corridors”
What Will Be the Future of the Keystone XL Pipeline Under President Trump?
Another Mass Grave?
Trump Energy Policies will be executed by New York Rep. Lee Zeldin and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
-
ESG2 days agoCan’t afford Rent? Groceries for your kids? Trudeau says suck it up and pay the tax!
-
John Stossel2 days agoGreen Energy Needs Minerals, Yet America Blocks New Mines
-
Alberta2 days agoProvince considering new Red Deer River reservoir east of Red Deer
-
Daily Caller2 days agoLos Angeles Passes ‘Sanctuary City’ Ordinance In Wake Of Trump’s Deportation Plan
-
Addictions2 days agoBC Addictions Expert Questions Ties Between Safer Supply Advocates and For-Profit Companies
-
Aristotle Foundation1 day agoToronto cancels history, again: The irony and injustice of renaming Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square
-
conflict1 day agoUS and UK authorize missile strikes into Russia, but are we really in danger of World War III?
-
armed forces1 day agoJudge dismisses Canadian military personnel’s lawsuit against COVID shot mandate