Lacombe

The Bank of Canada lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday as the tariff battle with the United States starts to weigh on the Canadian economy.

The policy rate stands at 2.75 per cent after the central bank’s seventh consecutive rate cut.

The move was widely expected by economists.

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said in prepared remarks Wednesday that signs of stability in inflation and momentum in the Canadian economy driven by previous rate cuts are at risk amid the trade war with the U.S.

Topics of the Chinook’s Edge March 11 school board meeting included the three-year capital plan, transportation costs, and opportunities to partner with Red Deer County Council. 

Here are the highlights from the meeting: 

Chinook’s Edge Board approves 2026-2029 Capital Plan 

Professional basketball is coming to Red Deer.

The Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stingers will be the first teams in Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) history to play a regular season game outside of their home markets.

The Surge announced Wednesday that the club will be hosting a marquee game at Westerner Park Centrium against the Stingers on June 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Organizers promise that “SURGE 2 RED DEER” will be a celebration of basketball, premier entertainment, and community for families and organizations across Red Deer and Red Deer County.

Lacombe City Council has approved street improvements on 49B Avenue, to enhance accessibility, looks, and safety.  

The improvements are included in the City of Lacombe’s Bi-Annual Sidewalk Improvement Program and will include benches, garbage cans, and green space.  

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), Canadian Sport Institute Calgary (CSIC), and Bowhead Corp. are collaborating to revolutionize parasport equipment used by para-athletes across the country in training and competition.  

The project, Increasing Accessibility to Specialized Parasport Equipment Across Canada Through Advanced Design and Manufacturing, is worth $860,000.  

Topics during the March 10 regular meeting of Red Deer City Council included the community policing report, the future of electric utility, and emergency services leadership.  

Here are the meeting highlights:  

Consent:

Quarterly Community Policing Report    

Central Alberta consumers may see higher prices on some U.S. imports, but Loblaw says alternatives are available.

Loblaw operates several grocery and retail chains across Canada, including Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Your Independent Grocer. Other Loblaw-owned stores include Loblaws, Fortinos, Zehrs, Maxi, Provigo, and T&T Supermarket.

Shoppers will soon see a new "T" symbol on price tags at Loblaw-owned grocery stores, marking products affected by Canada’s counter-tariffs on U.S. goods.

The Alberta government has introduced legislation to create a new eight per cent personal income tax bracket on earnings up to $60,000, fulfilling a key promise from Budget 2025. The move is expected to save individual taxpayers up to $750 annually, while two-income families could see savings of up to $1,500.

Ottawa and Alberta have reached a new joint $70-million funding agreement to aid the province's response to homelessness.

Social Services Minister Jason Nixon says the funding is expected to boost shelter capacity, build transitional housing, and support the government's navigation centres in Edmonton and Calgary.

Those navigation centres serve as a hub where those experiencing homelessness can go to be referred to available supports and services.

Nixon says the funding will be split between Alberta's two major cities as well as Red Deer and Lethbridge.

Five-point nights from Ollie Josephson and Kalan Lind led the Red Deer Rebels to a comeback victory Tuesday night in Moose Jaw to complete the season sweep of the Warriors.

Josephson netted his first career hat trick as the Rebels fought back from a 4-1 first period deficit.

Riley Thorpe opened the scoring for Moose Jaw at 5:11 of the first, before Keaton Dowhaniuk responded for Red Deer just over a minute later.

The Warriors would go on to score three straight with goals by Ethan Hughes, Thorpe, and Krzysztof Macias.