Alberta
Our sports history has value
Simple confirmation that the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame has been operating without its standard financial aid from the provincial government prompted some interesting response during the last few days.
In a casual conversation, executive director Tracey Kinsella mentioned last week that COVID-19 made it necessary to cancel at least two annual fund-raisers – the Hall of Fame induction ceremony and its annual invitational golf tournament in Red Deer – and she was concerned about meeting routine expenses.
Consistently, the government’s contribution of $302,000 a year has been in the hands of Hall of Fame officials before the middle of the year. She expressed only mild frustration,, understanding that the coronavirus pandemic and other major financial issues have created major problems far from the world of sports. She did state that government staff members, working below the level of elected or appointed officials, have told her of their efforts to have the money forwarded as quickly as possible.
Perhaps this delay must be seen as part of a long and ongoing drop in Alberta’s financial support to amateur sports at all levels. In the 10-year period ending in 2019, the reduction reached $5.1 million – an average of $500,000 per year. We should hope not.
Some comparative figures seem to be well worth serious study:
* The economic impact of the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer was $110 million; impact of the 2018 Alberta Winter Games was $3.4 million for the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo area and $5.6 million for this host province;
* In 2018-19, Alberta Sport Connection, a sport delivery system disbanded months ago by the UPC, provided $7.2 million to be shared among 80 provincial sport organizations that delivered programming to more than 788,000 Albertans;
* Leduc hosted the 2016 Alberta Summer Games with an economic impact of $3.6 million for the area and $4.9 million for the province.
Still, government aid has dropped. Some citizens suggest minor and amateur sports should not receive government support during troubled times. Today it might be wise to ask Fort McMurray if that community will value the 2022 Arctic Winter Games? The record shows that numerous small- and mid-sized business stepped up during the 2018 Games, a difficult time for fire victims and petroleum companies that have served as a backstop to countless community and area projects.
After the severe floods earlier this year, it’s safe to guess that any international program that will improve community morale while adding some vital dollars to the public purse will be welcome. Incidentally, they’re headed to Wood Buffalo because COVID-19 forced cancellation of the scheduled 2020 event in Whitehorse. Fortunately, some of the dollars set aside and unused in the Northwest Territories have already arrived in Fort McMurray.
These days, surrounded by a crippled economy, I wonder if Alberta now wishes the 2026 Commonwealth Games were headed for Edmonton and 2026 Winter Olympics were coming to Calgary. Both possibilities were seriously discussed before being nixed.
During my five-year term as chair of Alberta Sport Connection, the organization received steady criticism for finishing third of fourth – usually in the rear of Quebec and Ontario – in provincial medal counts. I tried regularly to help almost any government official to focus on the cost of doing business.
It made no impact to point out that Alberta’s per-capita investment in sport programs is (or was) the second-lowest in Canada. Sorry, I can’t remember which province spent less, but I am sure that Saskatchewan receives $24.39 per capita and Newfoundland gets $8.36 per capita.
Alberta receives $3.85 per capita although 82 per cent of Albertans say in polls that they believe sport contributes to quality of life. And those I have spoken to say clearly that the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame has value.
Alberta’s government is working with municipalities to tackle social disorder arising from the fentanyl crisis by aligning community peace officers with local police.
Enhancing law enforcement coordination between the province and municipalities is crucial to strengthening enforcement efforts in the ongoing fight against fentanyl and the illicit drug trade. A more unified response among law enforcement agencies is crucial to effectively and efficiently addressing the fentanyl crisis and its devastating effects on Albertans.
At the request of the provincial government, more than 800 community peace officers from 34 large- and mid-sized municipalities will immediately begin coordinating operations with local police to more effectively combat social disorder stemming from the use of illicit drugs, including deadly fentanyl.
“We know a law enforcement presence will make a difference. Fentanyl continues to endanger the lives of Albertans and is devastating to families and communities. Crisis demands immediate and unified action. By aligning the efforts of community peace officers and local police, we are ensuring a coordinated, team response to combat the illicit drug trade to improve public safety. When community peace officers and local police work together in integrated street patrols, we create a visible and unified front against crime.”
“It takes a team effort to tackle the fentanyl crisis. Every level of government has a role to play. Working together with our municipal partners will ensure we can address this crisis, improve public safety for Albertans and combat fentanyl, which has destroyed families and livelihoods.”
Unifying the operational command of community peace officers under the leadership of municipal police services and the RCMP in the fight against fentanyl will make strides towards safer Alberta communities. Additionally, an increase in law enforcement boots on the ground on Alberta streets will create the operational consistency needed to more effectively combat illicit drugs, crime and social disorder. Closer operational alignment between police and community peace officers is a key part of the Alberta government’s approach to confronting urgent public safety issues with strong, cohesive law enforcement across all Alberta municipalities.
This measure is in response to the province stepping up to work collaboratively across all levels of government to address concerns around fentanyl trafficking and border security. Given the complexity and severity of these issues, municipalities have been asked to implement operational alignment to their community peace officer programs immediately. Alberta’s government appreciates the support of municipalities to tackle these growing concerns together through swift and collaborative action.
“Tackling the fentanyl crisis is critical for supporting healthy communities, and for defending Canada’s economic interests during tariff negotiations. Edmonton has been building a collaborative public safety environment for a long time, and we will continue to look for opportunities to collaborate to keep our city safe.”
“Calgary is fully aligned with the province in tackling the complex and devastating drug crisis, and we have led the way with a strong, unified response for the last several years. We recognize the severity of this issue and the critical need for continued collaboration and coordination between Calgary Police Service and our Community Peace Officers. Our integrated approach has amplified our collective impact on public safety.”
Visible officer presence matters and by having community peace officers and municipal police work together in integrated operations, Alberta’s government is bolstering the law enforcement presence that effectively deters criminals and illegal activity. When community peace officers and municipal police work together in integrated street patrols, it will create a visible and unified front against crime.
“The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Province of Alberta to aggressively address the urgent challenges related to fentanyl use/trafficking, including the increased crime and disorder associated with it. The AACP supports strong collaboration and cooperation between the police of jurisdiction and municipal peace officers in an integrated response to public safety concerns. The AACP remains steadfast in its commitment to working together on pressing public safety issues.”
“Alberta Municipalities is pleased to work with the provincial government on this important initiative. Our member communities welcome the opportunity to contribute to a unified approach to tackling drug trafficking and drug use.”
“Alberta’s mid-sized cities are proud to participate in this joint effort. By enhancing law enforcement coordination, we are confident we will create a more effective system that keeps our communities and citizens safe while making real progress on reducing crime and social disorder. We thank the Government of Alberta for working side-by-side with municipalities and ensuring close collaboration on the issues that matter most to our residents.”
The province will monitor the effectiveness of these changes in improving public safety to ensure the best path forward.
Quick facts:
- In mid-February, the minister of public safety and emergency services sent formal letters to 34 municipalities requesting that they immediately begin working with police leadership to align or unify the operational command of their community peace officer programs under the leadership of their police of jurisdiction.
- Municipalities were requested to implement these changes by Feb. 24, 2025.
- There are currently 806 peace officers employed in large and mid-sized municipalities across Alberta.
News release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
Pope Francis has appointed Most Reverend Richard W. Smith as the next Archbishop of Vancouver. The Vatican made the announcement earlier today.
“I am grateful to His Holiness for the confidence placed in me to assume this new mission, and ask for the assistance of your prayers,” Archbishop Smith said in a letter to the clergy and the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
“By God’s grace, I have had the extraordinary privilege to serve as your Bishop for nearly eighteen years. I am thankful beyond words for the many occasions we have had to work together in our portion of the Lord’s vineyard. Within my heart I hold a particular appreciation for the priests, deacons, and consecrated women and men with whom I have enjoyed a close collaboration.”
Archbishop Smith will remain in office until his formal installation, which will likely take place in the latter part of May. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
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