HighRiver

A new law meant to protect supply management might not be enough to shield the system in trade talks with a Trump administration bent on eliminating it, trade experts say.

"It's certainly more difficult to strike a deal with the United States now with the passage of this bill that basically forces Canada to negotiate with one hand tied behind its back," said William Pellerin, a trade lawyer and partner at the firm McMillan LLP.

Confidence federal public servants have in their senior managers has fallen in recent years, a new survey suggests.

The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey said 55 per cent of public servants have confidence in senior management at their department or agency, down from 64 per cent in 2022 and 68 per cent in 2020.

Almost two-thirds of respondents in the new survey said senior managers in their department or agency model ethical behaviour.

Canada Day drew thousands to Wiley Athletic Park and Seaman Stadium on Tuesday (July 1) for a full slate of festivities.

Those included face painting, stage performers, and a big win for the Okotoks Dawgs.

As always, a fireworks show lit up the sky to cap off the night.

Related: Canada Day celebrations saw crowds, dogs, and sunshine

The Find Waldo in Okotoks challenge has returned for another summer of local fun.

Launched in 2012 by Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association, Find Waldo Local invites bookstores and local businesses to hide small cutouts of the iconic children's book character for people to find.

In Okotoks, the event is organized by Yooneek Books, which first hosted the July-long scavenger hunt in 2023. It quickly became a hit and returned last year.

Alberta's government has named its own provincial police force and announced its first chief.

Premier Danielle Smith says former deputy Calgary police chief Sat Parhar has been tapped to lead the new force, which the province will call the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service. 

Parhar retired in 2019 after more than two decades with the Calgary Police Service in a variety of roles. 

Farm Credit Canada's Transition Loan program has been enhanced.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says transferring the family farm or business can be stressful; the new changes will help address the financial barriers many people face.

The loan's new terms are designed to make it easier for both buyers and sellers by allowing disbursements to the seller over a 10 year period.

The loan is available for farms, agribusinesses, or food businesses going through changes in ownership, be it within or outside the family.

A human trafficking investigation between Tsuut’ina Nation Police Services and Calgary Police Services has resulted in the arrests of multiple individuals targeting underage Indigenous girls.  

The initiative, Project Buffalo, was aimed at combating the exploitation of minors.

During the investigation, which began in May, there were multiple times where individuals arranged meetings with minors.

A town hall event featuring Premier Danielle Smith is being held in Okotoks today (July 2).

The event will also feature Highwood MLA and Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson.

Described as a "community engagement" town hall, the event does not require attendees to sign up ahead of time.

It's being held at the Viking Rentals Centre (204 Community Way) from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party.

Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against the Premier Danielle Smith's government and now sit as Independents.

Sinclair says the province's two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don't have a political home.

A heat warning has been issued for Vulcan County and parts of Foothills County today.

The heat warning is for all of Vulcan County, and Foothills County near Blackie.

Environment Canada had issued the heat warning, because daytime high temperatures are expected to be between 29 and 35 degrees Celsius, combined with overnight lows near 14 degrees.

Those who live where there is the heat warning are advised to take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and neighbours from the heat.