Alberta
Heavy RCMP presence in hamlet of Fort Assiniboine – Update #2
Dec. 17, 2021
Heavy RCMP presence in hamlet of Fort Assiniboine – Update #2
Fort Assiniboine, Alta.- On Dec. 12, 2021 at about 9:15 p.m., Barrhead RCMP were dispatched to a property on Township Road 632 in the area north of Fort Assiniboine in Woodland County, Alta. for a report of an incident where a suspect rammed through the locked gate at a rural residence and a firearm was discharged by the property owner. The suspect, who was known to the property owner, then fled the scene after the firearm was discharged.
Barrhead RCMP then received two additional calls reporting the suspect was at his residence Fort Assiniboine. Barrhead RCMP attended the residence. When officers went to the door of the residence they were challenged by the suspect who was inside the home. Officers were attempting to reposition and the suspect opened the door and an interaction occurred where two shots were fired at police vehicles by the suspect. Officers did not return fire.
Barrhead RCMP, with the assistance Westlock, Mayerthorpe, Swan Hills and Whitecourt RCMP Detachments, as well as RCMP Police Dog Service, contained the residence. To ensure their safety, the residents in the community were evacuated to the Fort Assiniboine Fire Hall, which is located away from the suspect’s residence.
On Dec. 13, 2021, shortly before 1 a.m., the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) attended and took control of the scene. ERT arrested the suspect shortly before 4 a.m.
The suspect was examined by Emergency Medical Services on scene for minor injuries and then turned over to police.
No RCMP officers were injured during this incident.
Police remained on the scene and conducted a search of the residence pursuant to a search warrant. Police completed the scene examination at approximately 5 p.m.
Vernie Travis Huff (41) of Fort Assiniboine has been charged with:
- Uttering threats (x2)
- Pointing a firearm (x2)
- Careless use of a firearm
- Discharge firearm with intent
- Assault on a Police Officer
Huff is also facing three additional weapons and property related charges.
Following a judicial hearing, Huff was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear on Dec. 20, 2021, at Barrhead Provincial Court.
No further charges are being laid in this matter.
The investigation has not located any damage to property caused as a result of the discharge of the suspect’s firearm; however residents are advised to report any potential damage to Barrhead RCMP.
Barrhead RCMP would like to thank the community of Fort Assiniboine for their co-operation and patience, as well as the media for their assistance, during this incident.
As this matter is now before the courts, no further information can be provided.
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:
“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.
“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.
“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.
“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.
“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.
“As it appears the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us (though there is still work to be done), it is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower.”
From the Fraser Institute
By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.
Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.
In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.
Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.
The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.
Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.
Jock Finlayson
Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
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