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Ottawa’s bail reform bill long overdue: MLA Hunter

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Trevor BuschTaber [email protected] enforcement agencies along with provincial governments have long sounded a warning about the critical need for bail reform in Canada.The federal government’s Bill C-48 is under consideration before Parliament, which among other reforms should make it more difficult for offenders to receive bail. Both provincial and territorial governments have pushed for the bill to be fast-tracked.Bill C-48 targets offenders with a violent criminal past, and was drafted after premiers and the federal Opposition pressured the Liberals for changes.Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter fully endorses the need for change and to do more to keep violent offenders off the streets.“Absolutely critical. I would say that bail reform is going to be helpful when we have criminals that are repeat offenders, they get a slap on the wrist, and get out without having any bail requirements or financial costs to set up any bail money. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it a...

High cost of CPP backed by numbers, argues reader

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Dear Editor,The article that I found on page 24 of the Calgary Sun in 2014 (“CPP hidden cost”, QMI Agency, Sept. 2014) describes the hidden costs of managing the CPP. In the article the Fraser Institute claimed that in seven years the cost of managing the fund jumped from $600 million to $2 billion, year’s from 2006-2013. The article claims that in 2012-13 that $490 million was spent on operation, $782 million on external management fees, $177 million on transaction fees, plus $586 million for federal government’s administrative costs to COLLECT contributions and PAY the benefits. Wouldn’t it be useful to know what the costs are today? Knowing the numbers and where the money is invested may shed a different light on how Albertans would make a more informed decision about an Alberta Pension Plan.As Mr. Sheen quotes an “esteemed and trusted fellow by the name of Mahmood Nanji at Western University, made the following statement “extracting Alberta from the CPP is complex, disruptive, t...

The courage of young women and men

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Dear Editor,On Remembrance Day, look at the old veterans gathered at your local cenotaph, standing proudly, or seated with a warm blanket on their lap. Try to imagine what they experienced many decades ago when they were young, and the world was at war.The great invasion to kick the Nazis out of France took place on June 6, 1944. The largest allied armada of war ships readied for the battle of Normandy. Those onboard would face an array of deadly obstacles; barbed wire, mines, and heavy concrete fortifications containing cannons and machine guns.This was the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany’s grip on Western Europe. Many years of preparation had taken place to get the allies ready for this day. Canada was already fighting in Italy, slowly pushing their way up the Italian boot. What had been called the soft underbelly of Europe was instead a meat grinder where battles like Ortona were hard won by the men of Vancouver’s famed Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Alberta’s Loyal Edmonto...

Re: Reliable and affordable electricity

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Dear Editor,In regards the November 7 Sunny South News letter from the Honourable Mr. Joseph Schow, MLA regarding reliable and affordable electricity, Alberta already has the highest electricity prices of all the provinces in Canada – only NU & NT are higher. Alberta’s 2023 average rate of 25.8 cents/kWh is more than three times PQ’s 7.8 cents/kWh average! (https://www.energyhub.org/electricity-prices/)Alberta’s high electricity costs can be attributed to deregulation and current higher prices for natural gas. Ontario is the only other province with some deregulation (about 10 per cent) with an average 2023 cost of 14.1 cents/kWh. Putting a pause on major renewable energy projects continues to ensure Albertan’s electricity is kept unaffordable. Though we in Coaldale experience few blackouts, many rural parts of Alberta have more and longer power outages to the point where people are buying generators and considering gas stoves for cooking.Alberta’s newspaper advertising ca...

Smith’s plans to disband AHS is engineering chaos

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

The recent news of the UCP’s plans to disband Alberta Health Services (AHS), effectively shattering the organization into four factions, has re-ignited the discourse surrounding Smith’s pro-privatization agenda for the healthcare system.Despite a well-documented history of Smith’s pro-privatization rhetoric, critics of Smith’s healthcare agenda have been dismissed and accused of “fear-mongering”; a term which Smith seems to broadly apply to people who simply observe her track record, analyze her own words, actions, and policies, and dare ask, “where might you be going with this?”The UCP’s latest announcement to completely restructure Alberta Health Services (AHS) in an effort to solve capacity issues within the health care system ignited debate surrounding how this decision will further destabilize the healthcare system, inviting more opportunities to implement privately delivered care.In a Nov. 8 press release, Smith said, “while all Albertans can and should be proud of our front-l...

Food banks prepare for distribution of Holiday Hampers

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsIt’s been a tough few years, and local food banks have confirmed the continued rising cost of living has led to a growing number of people struggling with food insecurity, and are leaning on food banks for support.For many, the holidays symbolize a cherished time of rest and connection with family and friends, celebrations, gifts, and special meals, but for a growing number of Canadians, the holidays are a painful time, particularly for people struggling with food insecurity.Nancy Niebor, manager of the North County Interfaith Food Bank in Picture Butte said the number of people utilizing the food bank is growing: “we have absolutely seen an increase in people coming in to use the food bank.”According to Renee Bowden, a coordinator at the Coaldale Food Bank, the number of people accessing food at Coaldale Food Bank has also gone up significantly since 2020.Local food banks in the area are gearing up for their annual Christmas hampers to distribute to ...

Copperheads on seven-game winning streak as solid play continues

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Garrett SimmonsSunny South NewsThe Coaldale Copperheads are on a roll.Another 2-0 weekend has given the Copperheads a seven-game winning streak, as Coaldale defeated the Red Deer Vipers 4-2 on Saturday and then dominated the Three Hills Thrashers on Sunday to the tune of 7-2.Against Red Deer, the Copperheads fell behind 1-0 before Brandon Creighton tied it up late in the first, on a goal assisted by Griffin McCulloch and Brogan Booth.Coaldale scored twice in the second, as Adam Kennedy put his team up 2-1. Peyton Twigg and Nathan Verloop drew assists. Caden Heins made it 3-1 on a marker assisted by Kenney and Bill Houenagon.Nolan Price put the game out of reach with a third-period goal to make it 4-1, assisted by Booth and Creighton.Kaiden Fulton picked up the win between the pipes, as he only had to make 19 saves. Coaldale directed 31 shots on Red Deer’s net, as the Copperheads went 0-2 on the powerplay. Coaldale’s penalty kill was a perfect six for six.The team’s 7-2 win over T...

Coalhurst updates solar panel permitting

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsIncreased interest in renewables has led the Town of Coalhurst into updating their regulations around solar energy.A public hearing for Bylaw 445-23 was held during Coalhurst Town Council’s regular Nov. 7 meeting.Bylaw 445-23 would amend the Town’s Land Use Bylaw by updating the Town’s processes on the review and permitting of renewable energy systems. The amendment was prompted by the increased uptake in solar energy, specifically for roof or wall mounted arrays within the town.Solar arrays for individual households typically supplement the household’s on-site power use while allowing them to sell excess power into the power grid. The Town’s LUB, which was adopted in 2012, first introduced ‘Alternative energy, individual’ as a discretionary use, and requires notification to adjacent landowners with the Municipal Subdivision and Development Authority (MSDA) deciding on the applications. Recently, the majority of the applications have been for the ins...

Governor Hochul signs Clean Slate into Law

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---In Brooklyn, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Clean Slate, which will seal criminal records for those convicted of a misdemeanor or some felonies, years after they’ve served their sentence.For someone who committed a misdemeanor, their record won’t be sealed until three years after their conviction or release from jail. They must no longer be on probation or parole, and during that time, must have stayed out of legal trouble. For a person who commits a felony, same rules apply, however their waiting period is eight years after being released from prison."We’re not sealing records for sex crimes or most Class A felonies," explained Hochul. "Employers and the public have a right to know about the sex offenders and the worst violent criminals before they give them a job."Criminal records have prevented people from getting jobs and housing. Under the law, these records will be sealed from employers and landlords, but not for those who need to access them."Law enforce...

Hudson Police investigate alleged attempted kidnapping

Published Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Police are investigating an alleged attempted kidnapping that happened at around noon on Thursday. A white van reportedly approached a 10-year-old child on Harry Howard Avenue near the Crosswinds Apartments. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The driver is described to be in his 30s and speaks Spanish. Police say the van stopped near the child, and the driver told the 10-year-old to get in. The child ran to his 13-year-old sister, who was nearby. The sister told police she saw the van stop but could not hear what the driver said as she was too far away.Police obtained surveillance footage of the van. The child and family are safe.Surveillance capture of the suspected vehicle.This is an ongoing active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson Police Department at (518) 828-3388.