Strathmore

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

"The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we'll continue those discussions," Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

"They're a top priority for us." 

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. 

Chestermere RCMP have found a missing man.

According to police, 35-year-old Kiefer Cote went missing on May 25, and his car was found four days later.

On Monday (June 2) officers announced that Cote had been found safe.

Chestermere RCMP thanked the public for their assistance.

O'Shea Red Crow, a former player with the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings, passed away on Sunday (June 1).

The 21-year-old passed away after Calgary Police received reports of a man who had fallen from a building on Third Street S.E. The man was confirmed to be Red Crow by his family.

Head coach Douglas Raycroft met with media at the Strathmore Family Centre to talk about the loss.

Chestermere RCMP and Calgary Police Service (CPS) arrested and charged two youths for multiple break and enters throughout the area.

Police began investigating the break-ins in May, with reports being made throughout Calgary, Chestermere, and Airdrie.

"The offenders broke into private residences through main floor windows and took items such as the victims’ wallets and car keys," wrote RCMP. "The keys were then used to steal a number of the victims’ vehicles."

Holy Cross Collegiate raised money for several charity organizations.

Students and staff from the school participated in various drives and initiatives, donating the money to local charities like the Wheatland County Food Bank, Strathmore Overnight Shelter, Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support, and Foothills Advocacy in Motion. Donations were also made to Chalice Canada and the Christmas Hamper Society.

The school raised exactly $7,787.67 throughout the school year.

Chestermere RCMP are looking for help locating 35-year-old Kiefer Cote.

Police say that Cote was last seen at his parents' home in Chestermere on May 25. The vehicle he was believed to be driving was found in Calgary on May 29.

Cote is described as:

• 6 feet tall
• Blue eyes and blonde hair
• Multiple tattoos and a nose ring

According to RCMP, Cote was last seen wearing beige pants, a white t-shirt, and white sneakers.

Anyone with information on Cote's whereabouts can contact Chestermere RCMP at 403-204-8777.

The federal government is investing $15 million into Protein Industries Canada; the funding is being used to strengthen Canada's agri-food sector.

The new funding will focus on genomics and AI programs by bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors, and food manufacturers.

The programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system. 

Alberta is working on strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson is in Southeast Asia to promote Alberta as a reliable supplier of agricultural products.

The overall goal is to strengthen relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines to increase trade and investment opportunities that 
will directly benefit producers and processors by opening new markets for Alberta agriculture and food products.

Farm Credit Canada is investing $2 billion to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. 

The money which will be invested by 2030 will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Stats show Canada’s agtech sector is lagging, putting Canada at a strategic disadvantage, while Japan  and the European Union have been increasing investments in ag tech.

Alberta's latest crop report shows 90 per cent of the provincial crop is now in; that's ahead of the 5-year average of 81 per cent. 

Roy Larsen, the director of Statistics and Data Development for Agriculture and Irrigation says seeding progress in the South is at 97 per cent complete, the North West at 93 per cent, the Central region is at 89 per cent, the North East at 86  per cent, and the Peace at 84 per cent.

Crop progress shows 99 per cent of the dry peas have been planted, while oats lag behind at 74 per cent.