Okotoks

It's a busy construction season in Okotoks, but a new tool is available to help locals keep track of ongoing projects.

The Town of Okotoks recently launched an interactive construction map.

The map displays when and where projects are currently underway, displaying partial and full road closures.

It also displays the start and end dates for each project.

Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has hired a new Executive Director.

Monday marked the first day on the job for Trevor Sears.

Sears has more than 30 years of leadership experience in Canada’s agriculture sector. 

He recently served as president and CEO of Canada Pork, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the global competitiveness of the Canadian pork industry. 

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday called on Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 postal workers to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides still far apart on key issues.

In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process.

Safeguards have been written into the government's border bill to ensure civil rights and due process are upheld in proposed immigration regulations, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Wednesday.

Critics and advocacy groups are calling the wide-ranging border security legislation a threat to civil liberties in the immigration and asylum system.

One proposed change in the legislation would prevent people from making asylum claims if they've been in Canada for more than a year.

The government's reply to the throne speech was adopted in the House of Commons Wednesday. 

It was adopted "on division," meaning no recorded vote was held. It does not need a vote in the Senate.

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steven MacKinnon said on social media that the adoption of the speech sets the stage for a "strong and focused agenda."

"We have a clear mandate to deliver on priorities for Canadians and build a strong Canada — and we're going to do just that," MacKinnon said. 

Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space who went on to become a high-profile federal politician, has died at 76 years old.

MPs rose for a moment of silence in the House of Commons tonight at the request of government whip Mark Gerretsen.

Garneau was a pioneer in Canada's space program.

He later entered politics, serving as a Liberal member of Parliament for a Montreal-area riding between 2008 and 2023. 

He held many cabinet positions in Justin Trudeau's government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Transport.

The Town of Okotoks recognized three local youth during the May 26 Regular Council Meeting.  

During the meeting, the youths received the “Awesome Kids” delegation.  

Lucie Killam was recognized for her involvement in school sports and productions, her volunteerism, academic excellence, contributing to a positive school spirit, and her unconditional kindness and inclusive spirit.   

There is a Homeschool Market underway at the Okotoks Lions Campground this afternoon.

According to the Organizer, Sarah Arsenault, this is put on by a homeschooling group called Wild and Free, which is not based on a curriculum or a specific type of schooling.

"We just had a handicraft market just to highlight some of the kids' talents and interests, and this is our fourth year doing it," Arsenault explained. "Every year it's grown, and this is just different homeschoolers from the Foothills area, pretty much."

This week's RCMP Wanted Wednesday campaign has two individuals with ties to Southern Alberta.

Cody Allen Lee Fehr is wanted for various crimes by the RCMP, and his known areas of activity include Taber, Coaldale, Lethbridge County, Lomond, Brooks, and Bow Island.