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Alberta

Alberta Sports Hall of Famer Kreg Llewellyn passes away

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From a Facebook post by Jaret Llewellyn
Our family is here is Texas to say goodbye to my big brother. Kreg passed 4 days ago on July 7.
Although we may never find all the answers, we know Kreg sustained a head injury a couple months ago, which seemed to result in a change in his demeanor. Based both on the location and the severity of the injury, we believe Kreg lost his ability to effectively process certain aspects of life and cope with anxiety. Through his faith in Christ and his selfless personality, Kreg always wanted to help others and always took their pain upon his shoulders, which in his current state, magnified his struggles. Without a familiar coping mechanism, Kreg was caught in a mental haze. Even though Kreg was searching and fighting for answers, he always tried to protect his loved ones from having to share his burden. Kreg was the strongest person I have ever known and I will miss him every day.
Kreg was my hero and an inspiration to so many around the world. Anyone who had the privilege to know Kreg could see he had a huge heart, because he wore it on his sleeve. His faith in God has always been deep and in recent years he was sharing his faith to help others, who were looking for spiritual guidance.
Kreg will always be the most talented athlete I have ever seen, not only on the water, but in any sport you asked him to try. During the height of the professional tour Kreg was the most dominant male multi event skier. He could do anything he set his mind to, or should I say, any seemingly impossible thing Mike told him to try, and he always made the most difficult things look easy. Watching him inspired me to try my best every day, both on and off the water, to live up to the standard he set, even though things always seemed much harder than he made them look. But that was the most beautiful thing about Kreg, he not only set the standard for me, but he stopped along his own path to help others excel with him. Kreg made me the skier I wanted to be and helped me become the best man I could be.
Although our family is struggling through this difficult time, we truly appreciate the outpouring love and support we have received from every corner of the world. All of the stories and the uplifting moments others have shared about Kreg have been heartwarming to all of us. Kreg always wanted to help others and help the world come together, especially in these uncertain times. His life was all about bringing joy and harmony to others, which he showed through his grace in all aspects of his life. To us, one’s wealth is not about how much money you have, it’s how far your heart reaches in respect to others. In that sense, Kreg was the richest man I know and those around him learned to be the same by following his lead. Right now, I can’t image how we will continue without Kreg’s leadership, but I know he would want us to come together as a community and as a world. To use the lessons he taught us and to love one another with all of our hearts.
Please anyone, who has posted stories, or photos of Kreg earlier, if you could re-share them again here and add your favorites photos and stories! With all of our love, God Bless you!
We are planning a service on Saturday July 18, in San Marcos, Calvary Chapel of the Springs located at 310 W Hutchinson St., San Marcos, Texas.
We are working on streaming the service if you are unable to attend. When we have a link we will give an update on that.
Following the service there will be a gathering at San Marcos POA river park following the service to share stories, approximately at 7pm. 411-498 River Ranch Cir, Martindale, TX
For loved ones that cannot attend now we will be planning a celebration of Kreg’s life in Canada in the coming months once travel restrictions are lifted. We will be sharing stories about Kreg at his home training grounds at Dodd’s Lake in Innisfail, Canada.

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Alberta

CPP another example of Albertans’ outsized contribution to Canada

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From the Fraser Institute

By Tegan Hill

Amid the economic uncertainty fuelled by Trump’s trade war, its perhaps more important than ever to understand Alberta’s crucial role in the federation and its outsized contribution to programs such as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

From 1981 to 2022, Albertan’s net contribution to the CPP—meaning the amount Albertans paid into the program over and above what retirees in Alberta received in CPP payments—was $53.6 billion. In 2022 (the latest year of available data), Albertans’ net contribution to the CPP was $3.0 billion.

During that same period (1981 to 2022), British Columbia was the only other province where residents paid more into the CPP than retirees received in benefits—and Alberta’s contribution was six times greater than B.C.’s contribution. Put differently, residents in seven out of the nine provinces that participate in the CPP (Quebec has its own plan) receive more back in benefits than they contribute to the program.

Albertans pay an outsized contribution to federal and national programs, including the CPP because of the province’s relatively high rates of employment, higher average incomes and younger population (i.e. more workers pay into the CPP and less retirees take from it).

Put simply, Albertan workers have been helping fund the retirement of Canadians from coast to coast for decades, and without Alberta, the CPP would look much different.

How different?

If Alberta withdrew from the CPP and established its own standalone provincial pension plan, Alberta workers would receive the same retirement benefits but at a lower cost (i.e. lower CPP contribution rate deducted from our paycheques) than other Canadians, while the contribution rate—essentially the CPP tax rate—to fund the program would likely need to increase for the rest of the country to maintain the same benefits.

And given current demographic projections, immigration patterns and Alberta’s long history of leading the provinces in economic growth, Albertan workers will likely continue to pay more into the CPP than Albertan retirees get back from it.

Therefore, considering Alberta’s crucial role in national programs, the next federal government—whoever that may be—should undo and prevent policies that negatively impact the province and Albertans ability to contribute to Canada. Think of Bill C-69 (which imposes complex, uncertain and onerous review requirements on major energy projects), Bill C-48 (which bans large oil tankers off B.C.’s northern coast and limits access to Asian markets), an arbitrary cap on oil and gas emissions, numerous other “net-zero” targets, and so on.

Canada faces serious economic challenges, including a trade war with the United States. In times like this, it’s important to remember Alberta’s crucial role in the federation and the outsized contributions of Alberta workers to the wellbeing of Canadians across the country.

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Alberta

Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program

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Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.

Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.

The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

Quick facts

  • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
  • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
  • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
  • Made in Alberta product catalogue website

 

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