Okotoks

A former Alberta premier has a new job in the provincial courts.

The provincial government says David Hancock has been named assistant chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice in the Edmonton Family and Youth Division.

Hancock, a long-time legislature member, served as interim premier and Progressive Conservative Party leader after the 2014 resignation of Alison Redford, later calling it the "best summer job that I've ever had."

Hancock retired from politics after Jim Prentice was named as leader and was appointed in 2017 as a provincial court judge.

The Speaker of the Alberta legislature is resigning his seat in the assembly to become the province's representative to the United States.

"Serving this assembly has been one of the greatest honours of my lifetime," Nathan Cooper said Wednesday in a speech to the house announcing his resignation.

"Working as the assembly's chief diplomat has equipped me in, and to be ready for, my next role serving Albertans in a new and meaningful way."

As separatist discontent bubbles up anew in Alberta, experts say a vote to sever ties with Canada would pitch the country into unexplored territory on everything from money to First Nations and national parks.

“You’re in terra incognita. You’re off the map when we get to that stage of the proceedings,” said law professor Eric Adams.

“A lot of things are going to be broken on the way out the door.”

After the Second World War came to a close, Canada pulled itself away from Great Britain and planted itself firmly within a North American political and economic compact that generated prosperity for much of the western world for decades.

But as the world marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe, an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate — and an administration in Washington bent on fighting a trade war with much of the world — has Canada looking back to the continent as a way to preserve peace and prosperity.

Observers say the American government’s move toward deregulation could have sweeping consequences for Canadians.

A new policy paper warns Canadian agriculture to prepare for changing U.S. domestic policies that seek efficiencies through deregulation.

The paper from Agri-Food Economic Systems said this could include food inspection.

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Strong nitrogen fertilizer demand is butting up against tight supplies in some regions of the world, says an analyst.

India is the world’s top importer of the product.

Indian urea demand surged to 38.8 million tonnes in 2024-25, an eight per cent increase over the previous year, according to Argus Media.

That was due in part to tight supplies of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer during the winter (rabi) crop season.

Vulcan County has issued a Fire Ban as a result of hot, dry conditions.   

Under the ban, burning of any kind is prohibited, including campfires, backyard fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces.  

In addition, burning in a burn barrel or incinerator, charcoal briquette BBQs, yard debris, and fireworks is not permitted.   

The Okotoks Oilers recently announced that two players are committed to post-secondary schools.

Team Captain Jackson Rowland, who played his entire Junior A career with the team, is heading to Western University in London, Ontario.

He'll join a familiar face, former Oiler Owen MacNeil, who joined them the previous season.

Due to the dry conditions, a Fire Restriction is now in effect for Foothills County.  

With high temperatures and wind speeds, the risk of fire increases in areas where dry vegetation is exposed.  

Under the restriction, residential fire pits and safe campfires in campgrounds, gas or propane stoves, and wood pellet smokers are still permitted.  

The Alert Ready Emergency Alert System test that was scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, has been cancelled in Alberta.

Canada's emergency alert system is being tested in every province except Quebec, but Alert Ready announced the Alberta cancellation early on Wednesday morning.

Please be advised that due to ongoing wildfires in some parts of the province, Alberta has canceled its test scheduled for today, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 1:55 PM MDT.