Strathmore

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is headed off to Japan and Malaysia as the Carney government shapes its diplomatic and trade approach to the Indo-Pacific region.

Anand will meet with her Japanese counterpart in Tokyo this week as the two finalize an agreement on sharing defence information and boosting trade.

On Thursday and Friday, Anand will take part in a meeting with the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in Malaysia.

The head of emergency medicine for Alberta's doctors association is challenging Premier Danielle Smith to join him on shift to see the frustration of patients jammed for hours in hallways and the moral injury of doctors looking into the eyes of the those who wait.

“It's this kind of vicarious trauma, this inability to help when we're helpers, that is causing us to leave,” Dr. Warren Thirsk said in an interview.

“Unless you experience it, you don't really get it.

Ryan Ness of the Canadian Climate Institute says he's been following the "terrible tragedy" of deadly flash flooding unfolding in Texas, where more than 100 people have died.

But he's also worried Canada isn't doing enough to prevent such disasters here, saying the country needs to invest in flood mapping, infrastructure and early warning systems.

"Luckily, there are many ways that we can protect ourselves, but we have to make the effort," said Ness, who is the research director for adaptation at the policy research organization.

The 2026 Census of Agriculture questionnaire has now been published on the Statistics Canada website.

The census is conducted every five years with the last Agriculture Census being done in 2021.

For the 2026 Census of Agriculture, new categories have been added under the commodity questions to identify emerging agricultural products. 

Questions on agricultural practices have been expanded to include environmental practices and environmental sustainability.

The Calgary Stampede is officially underway, along with the rodeo, midway and live entertainment... the event also showcases agriculture and Alberta's ranching history

It's a chance to step back in time and experience life on the farm and ranch, with the Vintage Tractor Pull and Blacksmith showcase;  to the Heavy Horse, Cutting Horse, and Team Cattle Penning competitions; Chuckwagon races, to the Junior Steer Classic, the International Youth Livestock Supreme Championship and Scholarships, the World Stock Dog Championships, and International Livestock Auctioneer Championships.

Industry is applauding the federal government’s progress toward a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank after it awarded supply contracts to two companies.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogenesis Bago SA will supply vaccine products and develop the vaccine bank.

Canadian Cattle Association Saskatchewan director and former Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association president Garner Deobald, who formerly worked for Boehringer, said both companies are well respected and were good choices.

“I think it is important, for sure, to be ready,” he said.

Environment Canada (EC) has issued a Heat Warning for Wheatland County, including near Strathmore, Lyalta, and Carseland.

The warning was issued as high temperatures in the 30s with overnight lows near 20°C are expected starting on Tuesday (July 8).

"Cooler temperatures are forecast on Thursday," wrote EC.

Residents are asked to take precautions to protect themselves, including:

A Strathmore resident will represent Canada at the 2025 World Ringette Championship. 

After previously playing for the Under-18 Western Canada Team in 2023, Tessa Galandy has been chosen for the Junior National Ringette Team. She will compete for Canada at the 2025 championships at the Isku Arena in Lahti, Finland, from Nov. 3 to 9.

Daytime temperatures will fluctuate heavily throughout the week.

The week began with a high of 27C on Monday (July 7), slowly warming up to a high of 32C on Tuesday and a high of 33C on Wednesday.

However, temperatures will be dropping suddenly overnight, leading to a daytime high of 16C on Thursday alongside periods of rain.

The week will end with a high of 25C on Friday before returning to around 30C for the weekend.

You can keep updated on local weather conditions by reading our forecast page.

When it comes to celebrating Canada Day, which part is your favourite?

We asked readers what their favourite part of Canada Day in Strathmore was through a poll on our website.

A total of 57 votes were made, with 22 votes going towards spending time with friends and family (38.6 per cent).

In second place was the famous fireworks at Kinsmen Lake, which received 16 votes (28.07 per cent), followed behind with the pancake breakfast at 11 votes (19.3 per cent).