Alberta
Come meet Canadian Olympic Heroes at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
Celebrate with Marco Arop, Nicholas Bennett, Diane Jones Konihowski, Lyndon Rush, Rebecca Smith, Reid Maxwell, and Molly Simpson
September 30, 2024 | Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Red Deer, AB
The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is excited to announce an exclusive Olympian Meet & Greet event on September 30, 2024, featuring a lineup of seven of Canada’s most celebrated athletes: Marco Arop, Nicholas Bennett, Diane Jones Konihowski, Lyndon Rush, Rebecca Smith, Reid Maxwell, and Molly Simpson. This unique event will give fans an extraordinary opportunity to meet these Canadian Olympians, learn about their journeys, and get inspired by their remarkable stories.
Each of these athletes has made significant contributions to their respective sports, representing Canada on the global stage with distinction:
- Marco Arop – A middle-distance running powerhouse, Marco Arop is a decorated 800m runner and World Championship medalist. His resilience, speed, and passion have inspired a new generation of track athletes.
- Nicholas Bennett – A Paralympic swimming sensation, Nicholas Bennett has set records in the pool and inspired countless fans with his dedication, determination, and stellar achievements on the international stage.
- Diane Jones Konihowski – An icon in Canadian athletics, Diane Jones Konihowski is a former Olympic heptathlete and gold medalist at both the Pan American and Commonwealth Games. Her storied career has earned her a lasting legacy in the world of sports.
- Lyndon Rush – An Olympic medalist in bobsleigh, Lyndon Rush is known for his skill and leadership on the ice track. His achievements in the sport have solidified him as one of Canada’s most notable bobsleigh athletes.
- Rebecca Smith – A talented swimmer who represented Canada at the Olympic Games, Rebecca Smith has earned accolades in international competitions, showcasing her strength and perseverance in the pool.
- Reid Maxwell – An accomplished swimmer, Reid Maxwell proudly wore the Canadian colours this year at hist first Paralympic Games in Paris.
- Molly Simpson – A rising star in BMX racing, Molly Simpson has demonstrated her skill and fearlessness on the international circuit. She continues to break barriers in the sport and inspire young athletes across the nation.
Event Highlights: Fans will have the chance to interact with these incredible athletes through autographs, photos, and personal conversations. Attendees will also hear firsthand accounts of their experiences at the highest levels of competition, from the challenges they faced to the triumphs that defined their careers. This event is a rare opportunity to connect with athletes from a wide range of sports, all of whom have represented Canada on the world stage.
Event Details:
Date: September 30, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
4200 Queen Elizabeth II Highway, Red Deer, AB
Tickets: There is no charge for the Meet & Greet and entry to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is included. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the museum’s engaging exhibits, which showcase the incredible history of sports in Alberta and the achievements of its most prominent athletes.
About the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame:
The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to preserving Alberta’s rich sporting history. With interactive exhibits and a wide collection of artifacts, the Hall of Fame honors the athletes, coaches, and teams that have contributed to the province’s vibrant sports culture. Through events like the Olympian Meet & Greet, the Hall of Fame continues to engage the public and celebrate the athletes who have brought pride to Alberta and Canada.
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.
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.”
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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