Strathmore

It looks like India is thinking about implementing an import duty on yellow peas. 

India Pulses and Grains Association is concerned that an increase in yellow pea production in Canada and Russia could result in more imports.

They say ongoing imports have brought down prices, which could discourage Indian farmers from expanding their own pulse production.

The IPGA says in order to raise the price of yellow peas in the domestic market, they are calling on the Indian government to impose a 30 to 40 per cent import duty.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the Liberals to scrap the temporary foreign worker program, arguing it has caused an employment crisis among young Canadians.

"The Liberals have to answer why is it that they're shutting our own youth out of jobs and replacing them with low-wage, temporary foreign workers from poor countries who are ultimately being exploited," Poilievre told a news conference Wednesday morning in Mississauga, Ont.

"We want Canadian workers to have Canadian jobs. We want to bring back high wages."

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet will meet behind closed doors for a second day in a row today, as the Liberal government prepares for Parliament's return in a little under two weeks.

Cabinet is discussing efforts to spur industrial investment, refocus Ottawa's spending priorities for the coming fall budget and counter U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

The federal government is expected in October to table Carney's first budget since taking office.

Strathmore residents are stepping into a smoky fall. Through the haze and the familiar smell of smoke, officials are urging the public to follow safety precautions. 

An air quality warning was issued Tuesday (Sept. 2) for Wheatland County and surrounding areas and remains in effect. 

The smoke first settled over Southern Alberta during the Labour Day long weekend. 

"We've seen quite a bit of smoke coming from fire both in the Northwest Territories and now from fires in B.C.," said Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment Canada. 

Strathmore Town Council are back from the summer.

After taking a break throughout August, council will resume with regular meetings, with their first meeting set for Wednesday (Sept. 3) at 6 p.m.

There are several items on the agenda, including a corporate quarterly report and several letters of correspondence.

These letters include a thanks from Sturgeon County, which had several Strathmore firefighters helping them battle the recent wildfires near Redwater.

Siksika Nation and the surrounding Wheatland County area are experiencing smoky haze, prompting health advisories.

Siksika Health Services issued an advisory on Tuesday (Sept. 2), recommending that Nation residents exercise caution while outdoors. 

As we approach fall, there becomes a higher risk of frost at night. Frost is one of the disruptions to normal plant growth that can cause a buildup of nitrates in forages and cause nitrate toxicity in livestock. Other disruptions that can cause nitrate buildup can include hail, spray drift, or drought.

A Strathmore field is turning yellow as the sunflowers come into full bloom.

The Western District Historical Society is inviting visitors to view the sunflower field at Legacy Farm on Wednesday (Sept 3) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own cameras for a personal photography session. Those who donate will be entered to win an original piece of photo art. 

The society also announced the return of the long-awaited Sunflower Harvest Night, with a specific date to be announced soon. 

The province’s Rat Control Program has helped make it one of the few rat-free zones in the world

Alberta is marking 75 years of rat-free status.

An aggressive control program had made it the largest inhabited area in the world that is free of true rats.

There is no resident population of rats, and the rodents are not allowed to establish themselves.

The Strathmore Spartans had a tight game against the Drumheller Titans over the weekend.

The game took place up north on Friday (Aug. 29), ending in a 35-34 victory for the Spartans.

According to head coach Danny Warrack, the game became more tense as it progressed.

"We were up 14 points and they cut the lead to eight. In the last minute and a half, we kicked a punt through the end zone, giving us an extra point," said Warrack. "Sure enough, they stormed down the field and scored again. They kicked off, but couldn't get it in the end zone."