Alberta
Morinville RCMP investigating multi vehicle thefts – Update #2
July 1, 2020
Morinville RCMP investigating multi vehicle thefts – Update #2
Villeneuve, Alta – An armed robbery reported on June 29 was determined to be an extension of incidents that started in the early morning hours of June 29, 2020.
At 2:36 a.m., a break and enter was reported at a commercial business in Morinville, Alta. A vehicle was stolen from the business, and suspects abandoned a vehicle at the location.
At 4:34 a.m., the stolen vehicle was reported abandoned in a rural area in Morinville.
Sometime later a Cadillac Escalade was stolen from Bon Accord.
At 5:42 a.m., an attempted vehicle theft was reported. The victim of the attempted theft followed the suspects who were driving the previously stolen Cadillac Escalade. The victim called 911, but continued to follow the suspects. The suspects are alleged to have fired a shotgun at the pursuing victim of the carjacking. He was not injured.
Morinville RCMP members located the stolen Escalade and a pursuit ensued. A tire deflation device was unsuccessfully deployed. The RCMP member observed a firearm in the possession of an occupant and discharged his firearm toward the Escalade. The occupants in the Escalade managed to flee the RCMP.
Following this exchange, the Escalade was involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle on Highway 37 and Highway 44.
After the collision, the Escalade went off-road, was abandoned, and the suspects fled on foot. They made an unsuccessful effort to steal another vehicle before two suspects were apprehended by the RCMP with the assistance of Police Dog Services. By 8:30 a.m., two suspects were in custody.
There is no indication that the suspects were injured by the prior gunfire. One of the males was injured as a result of a dog bite and treated for minor injuries before being lodged in police cells.
Andrew Elliott Heigh (28) and Aries Allan Briere (19) are both facing charges of possession of weapon when prohibited, possession of stolen property and attempted theft of motor vehicle (x2).
They remain in custody and are scheduled to attend court tomorrow in Morinville.
The affected public in the area are thanked for their patience while RCMP conducted their investigation. Several Units were involved including the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, and the Forensic Identification Section. The investigation into these incidents remains ongoing while the RCMP continue to gather evidence.
Information obtained indicates that there remains a third suspect who has not been identified or located. There is no description available of the third male. Indications are that he has left the Morinville area.
If you have any information about this incident or the third male involved, please contact the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4550. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
BACKGROUND:
June 29, 2020
Morinville RCMP investigating car jacking – Update
Villeneuve, Alta. – The RCMP have allowed travel again on area highways, and the public’s movements are no longer being asked to be restricted.
Morinville RCMP members remain in the area while the investigation into this early morning incident continues.
A media update outlining the events surrounding this incident will be made available once further information is gathered and verified.
June 29, 2020
Morinville RCMP investigating car jacking
Villeneuve, Alta. – The RCMP have two males in custody and have an active investigation following an early morning car jacking near Highway 44 and Township Road 544.
At 5:42 a.m. today, Morinville RCMP were alerted to an armed robbery with shots allegedly fired by the culprits. Male suspects stole a vehicle and drove away. The driver of the stolen vehicle was not injured.
The stolen vehicle became disabled, and the males fled on foot. One was arrested near the abandoned vehicle and one was arrested following a track by Police Dog Services.
The area has been contained. There is a large RCMP presence, including Police Dog Services, the RCMP helicopter and supporting detachment members. The public is asked to remain in their residences while police continue to investigate, and to report any suspicious activity.
If you see any suspicious activity call 911.
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
Betting Site CEO Slams FBI Raid and Device Seizures As Politically Driven After Site Correctly Calls Trump’s Election Win
The Revolution of 2024: A Rare Victory for Anti-Establishment Fury
-
conflict1 day agoUS and UK authorize missile strikes into Russia, but are we really in danger of World War III?
-
Business2 days agoCarbon tax bureaucracy costs taxpayers $800 million
-
Alberta1 day agoEarly Success: 33 Nurse Practitioners already working independently across Alberta
-
Brownstone Institute2 days agoThe Most Devastating Report So Far
-
armed forces19 hours agoJudge dismisses Canadian military personnel’s lawsuit against COVID shot mandate
-
International19 hours agoElon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Outline Sweeping Plan to Cut Federal Regulations And Staffing
-
Alberta1 day agoProvince considering new Red Deer River reservoir east of Red Deer
-
John Stossel1 day agoGreen Energy Needs Minerals, Yet America Blocks New Mines