Airdrie

The Alberta government says the notwithstanding clause is an essential part of the Canadian constitution and the country's top court should not undermine it.

The province’s attorney general filed its arguments this morning in a landmark Supreme Court of Canada case over Quebec’s secularism law, known as Bill 21. 

Alberta says the notwithstanding clause was a "hard-fought and hard-won compromise" during constitutional negotiations, and preserves the provinces' parliamentary sovereignty. 

Warehouse, distribution and transportation workers at Sobeys Rocky View Distribution Centre near Balzac may strike as of 3:01 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, Teamsters Local Union 987 said Wednesday.

The union, which represents some 251 individuals employed at the facility, said it issued a 72-hour strike notice on Monday after the employer issued a lockout notice. The distribution hub is formally known as Sobeys Capital Inc. Rocky View Retail Support Centre.

Rocky View County (RVC) Council has approved a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP). The plan will guide how the County grows and develops over the next 20 years. 

According to RVC, the newly approved MDP replaces the previous plan, referred to as the ‘County Plan,’ and introduces a forward-looking, community-specific approach to development. The plan sets out clear objectives and policies governing land use, infrastructure, services, and environmental stewardship, all grounded in public feedback and best planning practices.

The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday as the central bank worries less about inflation risks and more about a slowing economy.

The Bank of Canada’s policy rate now stands at 2.5 per cent, breaking a streak of three consecutive holds since March.

Governor Tiff Macklem said the risks have shifted since the Bank of Canada’s last interest rate decision in July.

Cracks in the labour market and a sharp drop in exports are threatening growth, he said, while earlier signs of underlying inflation pressure are fading.

New yellow hatched road markings have been installed at two Airdrie school crosswalks, the City said in a social media post Tuesday, turning a Grade 6 student’s Mayor for a Day idea into reality.

The markings are intended to make the required five-metre clearance under the Traffic Safety Act more visible to drivers and improve safety as the new school year begins.

Westbrook School has officially opened a new playground, with Rocky View County covering about 40 per cent of the project’s cost through a contribution to Rocky View Schools on behalf of the Friends of Westbrook School Society.

The Friends of Westbrook School Society, a parent-run volunteer group, raised funds alongside Rocky View Schools, residents and community partners to redevelop the site.

Reeve Crystal Kissel and Deputy Reeve Don Kochan attended the grand opening Sept. 16.

Michelle Bates, vice-chair and acting executive director of the Airdrie Health Foundation, says recent upgrades at the Airdrie Community Health Centre mark progress, but do not solve the city’s long-term health care needs.

In a Sept. 16 interview, Bates said she toured the newly renovated urgent care area, which opened to patients on Sept. 9 after an $8.4-million renovation.

As the clock ticks toward a potential provincewide strike by Alberta’s teachers, parents say classroom overcrowding is having a disastrous domino effect on learning with tutors being hired to fill in the gaps.

Kira Schulz says she hired a tutor for her 10-year-old daughter, Skyelar Schmidt, to prevent her from falling behind while trying to tune into teachers over the din of her peers jammed in classrooms.

"It's really tough to see," Schulz said from her home in Airdrie, a bedroom community of Calgary.

Airdrie residents experienced a power outage early Wednesday morning. Fortis Alberta said the outage began at 5:40 a.m. and affected about 20 customers.

Some streetlights were out near the construction on Main Street, causing challenges for commuters navigating in the dark.

Crews carried out emergency repairs on-site, and power was restored before 7:30 a.m. 

Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

The Airdrie Public Library (APL) is currently holding a garage sale to sell items in the old library that won't be making the move to the new one.

The garage sale started yesterday and runs until the end of the day Friday. Those interested can visit the library from 3- 6 p.m.

Jamie Moorhouse, the donor engagement champion for the APL, explained that this is a great opportunity for anybody who wants a piece of the old library.