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Alberta

Wetaskiwin RCMP Investigate Armed Robbery – Arrest – Seek Information

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4 years ago

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Side of RCMP car

May 10, 2021

Wetaskiwin RCMP Investigate Armed Robbery – Arrest – Seek Information

Wetaskiwin Alta. – On Tuesday, May 4th, 2021, at 12:55 pm, Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to an armed robbery at the Rexall Drugs in Millet, AB.  Three young males entered the store, two of them had firearms. They stole prescription drugs valued at over $3,000. Fortunately, numerous witnesses informed police the licence plate of a brown vehicle that sped from the area. Police responded immediately to the scene and began patrols looking for suspects.  No one was hurt during the robbery.

Police believe the three males split up, and one male continued in a brown car back towards Millet, and the other two fled in an older blue SUV West towards QE II.

A short while later in Wetaskiwin County another witness noted a male in a brown car on the side of the road. Shortly after a fire started, growing to a small bush fire. Wetaskiwin Fire Services promptly attended and put out the blaze. While patrolling in the area of the fire police located the suspect vehicle, which fled from police. A pursuit was initiated. The suspect vehicle led police in a chase for over 30 km and the pursuit ended with the use of a Tire Deflation Device. Police Dog Services and the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Team as well as members from Leduc and Maskwacis detachments all assisted with the pursuit, resulting in the arrest of one male.

“This was a fantastic example of alert neighbours and community calling police when they see something suspicious” states Cst. Shaun Marchand of the Wetaskiwin RCMP.  “The success in locating and arresting the accused and providing critical information for this investigation has everything to do with members of the public recognizing something was out of places in three separate occasions.”

As a result of the investigation, the following charges have been laid against one male:

Beckham Terrence Rawcliffe (19) of Airdrie, AB:

  • Robbery with offensive weapon
  • Disguised with intent
  • Resist/Obstruct arrest (X2)
  • Mischief under $5000
  • Arson
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Pointing a firearm
  • Using firearm in commission of an offence
  • Flight from police
  • Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
  • Fail to comply with release order (X3)
  • Fail to comply with undertaking
  • Fail to Remain at scene after MVC (x2)
  • Learner drive motor vehicle without proper supervision

Two other suspects remain outstanding. They are described as:

  • Male
  • Caucasian
  • Short (5’3 – 5’6)
  • Young (18-25 in age)
  • Wore all black during the robbery
  • Drove an older blue SUV
  • Have in their possession a firearm

Police consider the two outstanding suspects to be armed and dangerous.

Rawcliffe was brought before a Justice of the Peace. Beckham Rawcliffe was remanded and is scheduled to appear in court in Wetaskiwin on May 13th, 2021.

If anyone has information regarding these suspects, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP Detachment at 780-312-7267 or their local police. 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.”

 

 

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Alberta

Alberta’s fiscal update projects budget surplus, but fiscal fortunes could quickly turn

Published on November 21, 2024

By

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:

Tegan Hill
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Alberta

Premier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms may still result in a publicly owned system

Published on November 21, 2024

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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.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“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.”

Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

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.”

Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities

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
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