Alberta builds groundwork for optional provincial police agency for municipalities

Alberta’s government is taking another step toward giving municipalities the option of ditching the RCMP in favour of a new provincial police service.

Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis says an independent Alberta service could step in to help address concerns he's heard about the Mounties' staffing shortages and rising costs.

If passed, a proposed bill would mean a new agency must operate under a Crown corporation that would be at arm's length from the government.

APAS launches 'Unleashing Agriculture' agenda ahead of federal election

With only three weeks away to the Canadian federal election, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) are ensuring that agriculture is top of mind for campaigning parties by announcing a new strategic agenda called Unleashing Agriculture for Canada's Growth. Jeremy Welter, vice-president with APAS, talks about the need to improve Canadian agriculture and make it a point of focus for the federal government. 

Ottawa police name suspect in Parliament Hill lockdown incident

Ottawa police have released the name of the person they say was behind a massive security incident on Parliament Hill over the weekend.

Police say Tyler Hall-Worthington, a 31-year-old Ottawa man, has been charged in connection with the lockdown Saturday afternoon at East Block, a building in the parliamentary precinct that mainly houses offices for senators and their staff.

An Ottawa police spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the suspect was still in custody as of Monday morning.

Carney, Poilievre talk seniors, national parks, resource project approvals in B.C.

The Liberal and Conservative leaders both started the third week of the federal election campaign in British Columbia — a battleground province with 43 seats up for grabs when Canadians go to the polls.

The Liberals pledged environmental conservation measures and support for seniors, while the Tories offered more efficient approvals for resource projects.

Bentley Arena improvement project underway

Construction staging to replace the arena slab and boards at the Bentley Arena began today (April 7).  

The upgrades to the facility include replacing the existing underfloor heating and cooling system, and potential drainage improvements.  

While work continues, access to the Blindman Valley Agricultural Society, and the Curling rink and parking lot will be maintained off 50th Street, but there will be no access behind the arena.  

Nordegg area breaks 95-year-old temperature record Sunday

The Nordegg and Sundre areas broke high-temperature records on Sunday (April 6), according to a preliminary weather summary issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada.   

Nordegg saw a high of 19 C, breaking the 18.3 C record set nearly a century ago, in 1930.  

Records for the Nordegg area have been kept since 1915.  

Two Central Albertans charged with drug offences following traffic stop

On March 27, the Olds Crime Reduction Unit observed drug trafficking activity in the Town of Olds.   

With the assistance of Olds RCMP, a traffic stop was conducted, and 238 grams of suspected methamphetamine was located.  

Shaylene McCauley, a 26-year-old resident of Innisfail, was charged with the following: