Lacombe

With the recent election victory of Mark Carney and his Liberal team, the Grain Growers of Canada have emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing tariff situation with the U.S. and China. Executive Director Kyle Larkin highlighted the severe impact these tariffs are having on Canadian farmers and the broader economy.

Tariff Challenges:

The Liberals rose from the ashes under Prime Minister Mark Carney in a stunning reversal of fortunes this year, but the party's failure to sweep many of the ridings it sought Monday night denied it a resounding majority mandate.

A big part of that failure happened in Ontario, where the party lost many incumbents — even as Carney called for a strong mandate to deal with the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Elections Canada says more than 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the federal election — more than 19.5 million people.

While this election was widely expected to see increased turnout, it did not surpass the record set in March 1958, when 79.4 per cent of eligible Canadians voted.

But the nearly 68.7 per cent turnout was the best since the 1993 federal election, which saw 69.6 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.

City Council approved a Development Permit for the continued operation of an Emergency Shelter at 4-5239 53 Avenue, commonly known as Cannery Row. The approval allows Safe Harbour Society to operate the shelter at this location until May 1, 2026, ensuring ongoing support for Red Deer’s most vulnerable residents.

A fire ban is now in effect for the remainder of April, all of May, and all of June for the Samson Cree Nation.

A post on Instagram on Monday (April 28) from Samson Cree Nation, asks residents to help keep the community safe by adhering to the ban and preventing any potential fire hazards.

This ban comes after the large grass fire Friday (April 25) which led to the Maskwacis Fire Department calling a state of emergency,

Three homes were destroyed from the fire.

Two homes were lost in Ermineskin and one in Samson.

The Red Deer RCMP Traffic Services has released that the City of Red Deer’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Program which includes both photo laser and red-light cameras, will be set up at various locations around the city for the month of May.

Automated Traffic Enforcement will be operating in areas where there has been an identifiable, documented history of collisions, property damage, injuries, fatalities, a high volume of pedestrians, and/or speeding. 

ENFORCEMENT PERIOD: May 1 – May 31

Red Deer County has announced that day use sites are now open for the season.

A sure sign that winter is over the sites are open and available for visitors to explore and enjoy.

Although posted signage may say the areas are not open until May 15, if the gate is open,

the day use area is open.

For a full listing of day use areas in the county click here.

Last night, Sylvan Lake Council approved the 2025 Budget and property tax bylaw. This budget accounted for the 8.5% increase in assessed values.

In the draft budget approved in December, we estimated an assessment increase of 3.0%, and a 3.38% residential and commercial tax increase. In March, the Town received assessment values greater than the estimate.

Assessment Values

The Red Deer District Chamber has released a public statement on the 2025 Federal Election results. In the statement from CEO Scott Robinson, he welcomes new Prime Minister Mark Carney and welcomes new MP Burton Bailey.

Here is the statement from the Red Deer Chamber:

On April 28, 2025, at 2:13 p.m. Sylvan Lake RCMP responded to a multi vehicle collision on Highway 11 at Range Road 35 West of Sylvan Lake. 

Upon arrival, emergency responders located two deceased people in one vehicle, a 29-year-old and a 58-year-old, both female residents of Rocky Mountain House. Two other individuals from a pick up were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

RCMP remained on scene for several hours conducting an investigation.

The investigation continues.