Alberta
Local golfers head to national championship
Grant Lee, Ken Griffith, Peter Innes (Club President and Senior Championship competitor)
News release from the Red Deer Golf & Country Club
The 2022 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship hosted by Red Deer Golf & Country Club
Five members of the Red Deer Golf & Country Club have qualified to play in the 2022 Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, September 5-9, 2022, at the Red Deer Golf & Country Club. These players will be among the one hundred fifty-six male amateur golfers aged 55 and over who qualified for this national championship. The field will include the finest Canadian Senior Golfers from across the country and international players from the United States. The champion will earn a coveted exemption into the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.
Ken Griffith, Grant Lee and Peter Innes competed and qualified for the championship at the Alberta Golf Provincial qualifier in Medicine Hat and Tom Skinner and Joe Gascon earned their way by qualifying through an exemption competition at the RDGCC Club Championship in August. “This is a
major accomplishment for our Club,” says Head Professional, Dean Manz. “To have five players from our Club participate in this national championship is recording setting for our Club (for us), and it speaks to the high caliber of golf played at our Club.”
Joe Gascon, Tom Skinner
Other notable central Alberta golfers who qualified for this championship include, Frank Van Dornick, Camrose Golf Club, Keith Newton, Olds Golf Club.
The attached Backgrounder provides a summary of the accomplishments for RDGCC golfers.
A complete list of all Player’s competing can be viewed:
https://gc-2022canadianmensseniorchampionshippre.golfgenius.com/pages/8185216125898901540
The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship has been held since 1962 and has become one of Canada’s most popular amateur golf events. The Senior Championship is played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes. The Super Senior Championship is contested concurrently during the championship. The Senior Inter-Provincial Team Championship, established in 1977, runs concurrently with the first 36 holes of the tournament.
Over 100 volunteers from both the Red Deer Golf & Country Club and the community will be on hand to host the National and International competitors and their families.
We thank our local sponsors, the City of Red Deer, ATB, Kipp Scott, Red Deer Golf & Country Club, NOVA Chemicals, Apex Oilfield Services, Roll’n Oilfield Services, Copies Now, Heck Petroleum, IFR Workwear, Phone Experts, Reid & Wright Advertising, Red Deer Bottling for support of this national
championship.
Ken Griffith
2022 Red Deer Golf and Country Club Men’s Championship – (Champion)
2022 Red Deer Golf and Country Club Senior Club Championship – (Champion)
2022 Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (3rd place, Interprovincial Team Member)
2022 Alberta Mid Master Championship – (5th place)
2022 Alberta Mid Amateur Championship – (18 place)
2021 Central Alberta Senior Open Championship – (Champion)
2021 Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (2nd place, Interprovincial Team Member)
2021 Alberta Mid Amateur Championship – (18 place)
2021 Red Deer Golf and Country Club Senior Club Championship – (Champion)
2021 Olds Senior Amateur Open Championship – (Champion)
2020 Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (T 4th place)
2020 Central Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (3rd place)
2020 Alberta Mid Amateur Championship – (18th place)
2020 Alberta Mid Master Amateur Championship – (3rd place)
2020 Red Deer Golf and Country Club Senior Club Championship – (Champion)
2019 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship – (9th place)
2019 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship – Interprovincial Team Championship – (Champion)
2019 Alberta Senior Amateur Provincial Championship – (Champion)
2019 Central Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (Champion, Interprovincial Team Member)
2019 Alberta Mid Amateur Championship – (17 place)
2019 Alberta Mid Master Amateur Championship – (3rd place)
2019 Red Deer Golf and Country Club Senior Club Championship – (Champion)
2018 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship – (5th place)
2018 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship – Interprovincial Team Championship – (2nd place)
2018 Canadian Mid Amateur Championship – (28th place)
2018 Alberta Senior Amateur Provincial Championship – (3rd place, Interprovincial Team Member)
2018 Central Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (Champion)
2018 Alberta Mid Amateur Championship – (8th place)
2018 Alberta Mid Master Championship – (2nd place)
2018 New Zealand Senior Amateur Championship – (5th place)
2017 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship – (15th place)
2017 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship – Interprovincial Team Championship – (Champion)
2017 Alberta Senior Amateur Provincial Championship (3rd place, Interprovincial Team Member)
2017 Central Alberta Senior Amateur Championship – (Champion)
2017 Alberta Springs Golf Course Club Championship – (Champion)
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
COP 29 leaders demand over a $1 trillion a year in climate reparations from ‘wealthy’ nations. They don’t deserve a nickel.
Five Government Programs That Musk’s Government Efficiency Agency Could Put On The Chopping Block
Ottawa’s avalanche of spending hasn’t helped First Nations
It’s time to supersize charitable tax credits, not political ones
Trudeau government to roll out another digital border crossing app by 2026
The Revolution of 2024: A Rare Victory for Anti-Establishment Fury
MAiD In Alberta: Province surveying Albertans about assisted suicide policies
-
conflict1 day agoUS and UK authorize missile strikes into Russia, but are we really in danger of World War III?
-
Alberta2 days agoProvince considering new Red Deer River reservoir east of Red Deer
-
John Stossel2 days agoGreen Energy Needs Minerals, Yet America Blocks New Mines
-
Alberta1 day agoEarly Success: 33 Nurse Practitioners already working independently across Alberta
-
ESG2 days agoCan’t afford Rent? Groceries for your kids? Trudeau says suck it up and pay the tax!
-
International23 hours agoElon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Outline Sweeping Plan to Cut Federal Regulations And Staffing
-
Business16 hours agoCBC’s business model is trapped in a very dark place
-
Addictions2 days agoBC Addictions Expert Questions Ties Between Safer Supply Advocates and For-Profit Companies