April Fools' Day can sometimes be forgotten, and your leg can easily be pulled by tricksters, but not everyone was joking this year.
Here’s a rundown of who was playing tricks and the new changes from the Alberta government that took effect yesterday — changes that are no joke at all.
The Red Deer Vipers put out a post complete with images of a new jersey saying they were "Back to our roots” and would be rebranding to the Red Deer Cowboys which was the team's name used in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) back in 1986-1987. The team later posted that it was a joke and are proud to be the Vipers.
The Team Jigger Foundation, a Lacombe-based organization supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries or related disorders, even got in on the fun. Their post announced a voice-activated wheelchair that could be commanded to go into “Turbo Mode” or take you to bed by saying “Go Home.”
The Sylvan Lake Gulls posted that the first 100 fans through the gate on May 28 would receive a 3-foot-long hot dog and a beverage. The image they used was very convincing, but upon checking the team’s released schedule, it turns out they aren’t even playing that night. So, showing up to the field will get you nothing but a scenic drive to Sylvan Lake.
The Sylvan Lake Wranglers have fans wondering if they will see teal-colored ice in the rink for the next season, the post says it was decided on a bus ride home from Okotoks so who really knows?
However, this year, the Alberta government wasn’t joking and introduced several important changes for Albertans.
As of yesterday, the federal carbon tax was paused, and drivers have already seen some relief at the pumps. For more details, click here for the full story.
Changes to photo radar also took effect, prohibiting the use of automated traffic enforcement (ATE) cameras on numbered highways and connectors. These cameras will remain active only in areas like schools, playgrounds, and construction zones to promote safety. Click here for the full story.
Phase 1 of Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system began, changing the way the province handles recycling. More information can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website: https://www.alberta.ca/extended-producer-responsibility.
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