Lacombe

Albertans saw Canada's annual inflation rate move in the wrong direction in January to 1.9 per cent.

According to Statistics Canada, increased energy prices, notably for gasoline and natural gas, contributed the most to the acceleration.

"These price increases were partly offset by continued downward pressure on prices for products affected by the goods and services tax (GST)/harmonized sales tax (HST) break introduced in December."

The following agenda relates to the regular meeting of Red Deer City Council to be held Monday, Feb. 24 at City Hall.

2025 Tax Sale Reserve Bids

• Council is asked to pass a resolution approving the reserve bids for properties on the 2025 tax sale list. This approval process is an annual requirement of all Alberta municipalities as per the Municipal Government Act (MGA).

2025 Adopted Operating Budget and 3-Year Operating Plan

The candidates in the race to be the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada will square off tonight in the first of two live debates.

With just two weeks left until the winner is announced and two days until voting begins, the two events are the only chance Liberal supporters will have to see the candidates together.

Former central banker Mark Carney, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former House leader Karina Gould and former MP Frank Baylis are the only candidates still in the contest. 

People gathered in cities across Canada on Sunday on the eve of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid fears of a withdrawal of U.S. support. 

Rallies were held at city halls, museums and community centres across the country to mark a global day of action as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to be in Kyiv on Monday, one of 13 foreign leaders attending a summit on peace and security for Ukraine.

On Jan. 29, the 41st induction ceremony for the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame took place at the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin.

In addition to the induction, a permanent exhibit at the museum was opened, which will showcase both new and former inductees, as well as the rich history of agriculture in Alberta.

The Town of Rocky Mountain House will be inspecting trees on both public and private lots.  Using Bylaw 2012/04V, their goal is to protect and maintain public trees and outline property-owner responsibilities for private trees and shrubbery.

Parks crews will be addressing trees on public property in the coming weeks, focusing on overhanging branches, sightlines and signs of Black Knot disease.

The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine on Saturday ahead of a virtual G7 meeting slated for Monday.

Earlier this week, Trudeau told reporters that Ukraine must have a seat at the table in any talks on ending hostilities ignited by Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.

Russian and U.S. representatives met in Saudi Arabia this week, without Kyiv's participation, and agreed to work toward a resolution of the war.

Once again, non-profit groups are invited to apply for funding through The City of Red Deer’s Community Recreation Enhancement Grant. The program provides funding to enhance the delivery of community recreation programs, services and events in Red Deer.

Submissions are received exclusively online. The submission system is quick to set up and easy to use. All applications must be submitted via online portal available at www.reddeer.ca/RecreationGrants.

A private surgical company at the heart of allegations the Alberta government interfered to secure overpriced medical contracts was billing taxpayers more than twice as much per procedure than it would cost in a public hospital, according to Alberta Health Services documents.

An internal chart included in an email sent by the former head of Alberta Health Services to a Health Ministry bureaucrat, obtained by The Canadian Press, indicates estimates for hip replacements in Edmonton at the public health agency's hospitals was just over $4,000 as of last fall.

The Red Deer Rebels' late comeback against Saskatoon fell short Friday night, as the club lost 3-2 in overtime.

The Rebels scored a pair of late goals to send the game into the extra frame and earn a single point.

The Blades opened the scoring 4:22 into the first when Tanner Scott found the back of the net.

There was no scoring in the second.

Saskatoon would take a 2-0 lead with 7:17 left in the third period.

With Chase Wutzke on the bench, the Rebels were able to get on the board when Ollie Josephson netted his 10th goal of the year.