Lacombe

Rescuers parachuted into the scene of a deadly plane crash near a remote community in Canada's North on Tuesday.

The Transportation Safety Board said the British Aerospace Jetstream passenger plane went down near Fort Smith, N.W.T., which is by the Alberta boundary.

The plane had taken off from the community's airport when it lost contact and crashed near the banks of the frigid Slave River.

It was registered to Northwestern Air Lease, and the company said the aircraft had been chartered.

Update:

The closed road has now been reopened. A further update is expected when more information is available. 

Original Post: 

Blackfalds RCMP Advise that they are currently on scene at a serious motor vehicle collision on Highway 2A, at Township Road 392. The collision occurred at the railway tracks.

Unofficial reports are saying that a pick-up truck hit a small vehicle. 

At this time Highway 2A is closed in both directions. Drivers must use an alternate route.

The Red Deer Food Bank experienced a surge of food hamper distributions in 2023. 

Last year, the food bank provided on average 941 food hampers each month, a nearly 85 per cent increase since 2021. 

Executive Director, Mitch Thompson explained the growth in demand is the result of inflation and the rising cost of living. 

HJ Cody High School teacher, Melissa McQueen has co-authored a book titled ‘Teaching Villainification in Social Studies”. She penned a chapter called ‘Wanda the Villain?: How WandaVision Can Aid Discussions About Enslavement and Anti Black Racism.’  

A lot is happening globally that has a direct impact on our agriculture markets from the Russia-Ukraine war to the war in the Middle East.

Brad Magnusson with Magnusson Consulting Group was one of the keynote speakers for this week's Ag Outlook 2024 event.

In giving the global economic outlook, he noted that the United States has a more service-based economy and has done better than Canada.

"It's stronger in GDP growth and employment, while we are heavily based in commodities meaning we'll struggle more."

A judge has ruled it was unreasonable for the Liberal government to use the Emergencies Act to quell "Freedom Convoy" protests in the national capital and at key border points two years ago.

In a decision released Tuesday, Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley said invocation of the act led to the infringement of constitutional rights. 

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and several other groups and individuals had argued in court that Ottawa ushered in the emergency measures without sound statutory grounds.

The Mustard Seed will once again be participating in this year’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) after stepping away from the event in 2023. This year, will be co-hosting the event along with the Red Deer Food Bank.  

On Jan. 20, 2024, at 5:27 a.m., Red Deer RCMP received a report of a dispute involving a firearm on Parke Avenue, near Phelan Crescent. Upon arrival, officers attempted make contact with occupants of the apartment without success. Officers contained the area and deployed the Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team. Eventually four individuals exited the apartment and were taken into custody while RCMP conducted an investigation.

RCMP were able to confirm that a dispute did occur however firearms were not located. All individuals have been released without charges.

The past President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has been appointed to the Senate.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing Monday that Mary Robinson has been appointed as an independent senator for Prince Edward Island. 

"Ms. Robinson’s experience in agriculture and business will bring an important perspective to the Senate, where she will be a strong voice for Atlantic Canada. I look forward to working with her to make life better for Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay had a productive trip to Washington last week. 

During his visit, he met with his American counterpart Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The pair discussed a number of key issues from Canada U.S. food supply chains, to food security, environmental sustainability and rules-based international trade.

Government stats show that in 2022 Canada-U.S. trade in agriculture and food rose by 14 percent to over USD $70 billion – nearly USD $200 million a day.