Okotoks

As tensions rise in ongoing trade disputes, China's latest move is adding to concerns for Canadian producers. The country recently announced a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal exported from Canada, compounding the uncertainty already present due to U.S. tariffs.  

Farmers caught in the middle  

The new tariff has many farmers wondering how to best proceed and that includes Curtis Sims, owner of Emeline Farms near MacGregor, Manitoba. Sims grows canola and is worried about the impact of these trade measures.  

Canada is now in the midst of a snap federal election, as called by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday, March 23.

Parties have been slowly announcing candidates for most of 2025, including in the Foothills riding, which saw three new names put forward, bringing the total to five.

Changes are coming to downtown Okotoks, and residents have a say.

The Town of Okotoks wants to upgrade its downtown core and has been asking for input from residents on how they wish to see downtown transform.

Now, they have created a proposed plan for how they will change downtown Okotoks.

The Town's proposed Our Plan for Downtown is complete, and now they are asking residents to review the plan and provide any feedback they have about the plan.

The Town of Diamond Valley is making changes to their garbage collection.

The Town is moving to a bi-weekly garbage collection on May 1, with the hopes of changing the community culture around waste.

Initially, the Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley had wanted to move to a bi-weekly garbage collection back in 2019, but other priorities got in the way.

"In 2020, it was supposed to go bi-weekly," explained the Diamond Valley Manager of Civic Operations, Craig Beaton.

A missing person from Brooks has been located safe.

Last week, the Brooks RCMP had asked for assistance locating a missing 32-year Brooks resident who was last seen in Okotoks.

They had last been seen at the 7/11 near the Denny's in Okotoks on February 19, and it was believed they were travelling to the Calgary area, and the RCMO was concerned for their well-being.

Today (March 24), the Brooks RCMP has stated that the missing person has been located safe.

Federal party leaders are spending their first full day on the campaign trail talking about taxes, transfers and the trades.

Poilievre talks tax cuts

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising a middle-class tax cut, following a Liberal pledge that involves a smaller reduction to the same tax rate.

Tariffs are beginning to add up in Canada, and Alberta is no exception.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, R.J. Sigurdson, says the threat of these tariffs has caused the agriculture industry to be tossed many challenges.

The federal government has already responded to the tariffs placed on Canada by the United States with an immediate 25 per cent tariff on $30 billion worth of American imports, and they will be implementing an additional $125 billion on April 2.

The High River Community Cancer Center has teamed up with Wellspring Alberta again on their wellness speaker series.

The series covers many aspects of dealing with cancer and often features cancer survivors giving talks.

Carissa Boleziuk, an RN and High River Patient Navigator at the centre is excited for the return of the Healing Journey series.

Boleziuk said the initial diagnosis can be very difficult for some patients so, is grateful this program tackles that.

In the news this weekend I saw a crazy picture of the side of a diesel tanker ripped open spilling fuel on the road and this happened because the driver of the tanker decided to ignore the pilot vehicle. Thankfully no one was injured but it got me thinking...

What is something you have seen someone do while driving that made you stop and wonder, "What in the world were they thinking?"

Send your responses to (403) 938-0652 or joelle.reimer@goldenwest.ca

The current MP for the Foothills riding, Conservative incumbent John Barlow, is once again looking to secure the Foothills riding seat in parliament.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a date for the spring election of Monday, April 28.

Barlow's team was well-prepared with lawn signs and whatnot, ready to go and were already handing them out.

Barlow represents the CPC, the Conservative Party of Canada, and has been an MP since a by-election in 2014.

He's also the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Food Security.