Okotoks

Canada's industry minister is looking to block what he calls "predatory investment behaviour" as a trade war with the United States continues.

François-Philippe Champagne warned Wednesday that Canadian businesses could be at risk due to the sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"As a result of the rapidly shifting trade environment, some Canadian businesses could see their valuations decline, making them susceptible to opportunistic or predatory investment behaviour by non-Canadians," he said in a statement posted to the social media platform X.

Canada's spy agency warns that colliding global developments make the Arctic an "attractive, strategic and vulnerable destination" for foreign adversaries seeking to establish a presence in Canada.

A newly released Canadian Security Intelligence Service assessment flags the environment, critical infrastructure, economic activity and geopolitics as converging factors making the region susceptible to threats from abroad. 

A day into Donald Trump's North American trade war, the U.S. president remained adamant that tariffs would benefit America even as a key member of his team has floated that a compromise could materialize Wednesday.

Trump addressed a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, for the first time since he returned to office in January, by making a case for his massive tariff agenda. 

"We have been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth and we will not let that happen any longer," Trump told lawmakers in Washington.

The Town of Okotoks is warning of a recent coyote sighting.

A protective coyote with pups was seen in Laudan Park on the west side of town.

Anyone in the area is advised to keep their pets close by, as coyotes have been known to attack them.

While all cougar and bear sightings should be reported, coyote sightings do not need to be unless it was a close or aggressive encounter.

Aggressive coyotes can be reported to the Report-A-Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.

The Highwood Distillery in High River recently won big at a whisky competition.

The distillery took home some impressive medals at the 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards held in Victoria, British Columbia, the third week in January.

President Michael Nychyk couldn't be happier that their 'Sweet Sippin' Cream' Canadian Maple Whisky took the gold medal.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the trade war he launched with Canada even further Tuesday, just hours after imposing his first round of punishing import taxes on all Canadian goods.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump's imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy and 25 per cent tariffs on all other Canadian goods "dumb" and said Canada is fighting back.

Premier Danielle Smith isn't happy about the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Premier Smith released a statement on Tuesday morning (March 4), expressing her dissatisfaction over the tariffs.

"The tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans," Premier Smith explained in the release. "They also represent a clear breach of the trade agreement signed by this same U.S. President during his first term."

In light of Tuesday's announcement of a U.S. 25% trade tariff, here's your chance to support local businesses and network.

A market with over 65 artisan women-led or women-founded vendors will fill the Highwood Centre in High River this Saturday.

A celebration on International Women's Day is the focus with family-friendly activities and live performances lined up.

Okotoks Market Square is hosting the all-day event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with admission set at $5 with kids 12 and under getting in free.

With longer days comes extra sunshine, warmth, and melting ice.

While the warmth makes it more enjoyable to be outdoors, Alberta Fish and Wildlife are encouraging everyone to be safe while around thin ice and open water.

Fish and Wildlife advise people to keep an eye out for signs of thin or weak ice on lakes, especially on lakes that had aeration projects to help minimize how many fish were being killed due to severe winter conditions.

Jill Verwey of Portage la Prairie has ascended to a prominent national role in Canadian agriculture, being named as the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) during its recent annual general meeting in Ottawa. Verwey, a seasoned farmer specializing in cash crops, beef, and dairy, also serves as the president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Manitoba's leading farm policy organization.