HighRiver

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's chief of staff is sounding the alarm over Prime Minister Mark Carney's pick to head up the government's environment portfolio.

Rob Anderson took to social media Tuesday to air his misgivings about new Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin.

"Sit down for this one Alberta...Meet Canada's new Environment Minister," he writes.

Calgary legislature member Ric McIver is the new Speaker of the Alberta legislature.

McIver resigned as municipal affairs minister early Tuesday and soon after was voted into the Speaker's job by his peers, defeating Opposition NDP candidate Heather Sweet.

After the vote result was announced, McIver was ceremoniously dragged to the Speaker's chair by Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition NDP house leader Christina Gray.

Some jovial heel dragging on McIver's part meant Gray dropped his elbow and started pushing him from behind while Smith led the way.

The Town of Nanton’s property taxes are increasing by 5.6. per cent this year.  

As property tax bills will soon be mailed to residents, Nanton’s Town Council released a letter on social media breaking down how the additional revenue will be used.  

A section of North Railway Street in Okotoks will be detoured for several months due to construction.

Traffic will be rerouted beginning May 20 and is expected to remain detoured until October.

The work is part of the town’s downtown improvement project. It includes the installation of a roundabout at Lineham Avenue, upgrades to underground water and sewage infrastructure, and the widening of sidewalks and boulevards.

Enhancements will also be made to the nearby Triangle Park.

The 2025 Okotoks Parade will follow a different route this year.

The town has mapped out a new path to accommodate ongoing construction projects in Okotoks' downtown core.

North Railway Street is typically used as the staging area, but this year, Daggett Street and Riverside Drive will serve that purpose.

The parade will travel east down Riverside Drive and onto Daggett Street, then loop onto North Railway and head west to McRae and Elizabeth Street.

Streets along the parade route will be closed during the event.

A distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba will be invested into the Order of Manitoba this summer.

Dr. Digvir S. Jayas, an engineer and agrologist, has received multiple awards for his 30-year research and teaching career. He conducts research related to drying, handling and storing of grains and oilseeds and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in the Agri-Food industry.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his new cabinet today.

One of the new faces at the cabinet table will be 59 year old Heath MacDonald an MP from Prince Edward Island, as he takes on the role of Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister.

MacDonald was first elected as an MP in 2021 after previously serving in the Provincial Legislature

Kody Blois, who was appointed ag minister in early March following Carney's leadership win i
 was left out of cabinet.

Other key ministers of note relating to the ag industry :

Legendary horse wrangler for the stars and stunt coordinator on countless movies since the 70s, John Scott, is hopping off his horse and picking up a microphone.

This Friday, May 16, he will be the featured speaker at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum down in Amarillo, Texas.

Canadian flags can be seen all over High River, planted on people's front lawns.

In fact, one in seven homes in High River this year will fly the Canadian flag.

It's all part of the High River Rotary Club's fundraising campaign, which raises money for local charities.

It's now in its seventh year, having raised almost $116,000 to date.

The fundraising campaign involves ordering a Canadian flag for $50 for the three long weekends over the summer.

Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has resigned from cabinet amid speculation he will run for the vacant position of Speaker of the house.

Premier Danielle Smith, in announcing his resignation, said in a statement Tuesday that she's grateful for McIver's commitment and hard work in serving Albertans.

Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver's portfolio on an interim basis, Smith said.

"Minister Schow will be available to municipalities around the province as they continue to navigate the uncertainty of the wildfire season," she said.