Strathmore

Federal party leaders spent their first full day on the election campaign trail talking about taxes, transfers, tariffs and the trades.

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.

After Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised on Sunday a one percentage point cut to the lowest income tax bracket, Poilievre said Monday he would drop the lowest income tax bracket by 2.25 percentage points.

The federal Liberals are pushing further ahead of the Conservatives in voter support, and almost one in two Canadians surveyed said they think the Liberals will win the election, a new poll suggests.

The survey, conducted by Leger for The Canadian Press, reports that 44 per cent of decided voters surveyed would vote Liberal in the upcoming election, ahead of the Conservatives at 38 per cent.

The poll surveyed 1,599 Canadians between March 21 and March 23, which includes the first day of the election, and the two days leading into it.

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.  

Model T racers will arrive in Drumheller for the 10th annual Blast from the Past event.

The show takes place at the Dinosaur Downs Speedway on May 24 and 25 and features stock cars, hot food, and more.

"The Model T's have four-cylinder motors in them and drive at around 50 miles per hour on our track," said Carol Douglas, social media manager with the speedway. "Model Ts were built from 1909 to 1927, and in World War II they would race them because they were the only cars available."

Rocky View County and the City of Calgary are continuing to make their vision of the Prairie Economic Gateway a reality.

"Following the approval of a historic agreement in February, the municipalities have initiated discussions with the provincial and federal governments, moved towards finalizing the terms of reference for the project’s Oversight Committee, and signed an early-stage memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to explore an investment partnership," said the county in a release.

It was a big weekend just outside of Strathmore at Tyrrell Riding Academy.

For their Finals Weekend event, the equestrian centre held a gymkhana competition on Saturday and a cowboy challenge on Sunday.

Owner Jessica Tyrrell said more than 100 riders attended the contest.

"It was really nice because we got to see how everybody had developed over the year and become stronger riders with better teamwork with their horses."

The winners of the event included:

Brooks RCMP has located a missing person who was last seen more than a month ago.

Last week police announced that 32-year-old Joshua Kinsella-Gow, also known as 'Astrid', had been missing since Feb. 11.

On Monday, Mar. 24, it was announced that Kinsella-Gow had been found safe. 

Police believed that Kinsella-Gow had traveled to the Calgary area before they were located.

For months United States President Donald Trump has been discussing tariffs for Canada.

As we approach the month of April, we could see retaliatory 25 per cent tariffs yet again, causing anxiety for some Canadians.

Trump has already imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule reassured residents to not be nervous and to focus on the local level.

Dog walkers at Steve King Memorial Dog Park in Chestermere will have to take their pets to another location.

Starting Wednesday, April 2 the park will be closed for approximately four weeks.

"The Parks Department will be conducting gopher control in Steve King Dog Park, and for the safety of your pets, there will be no entry allowed. We appreciate your cooperation during this closure," said the city in a release.

Wheatland County is joining the Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub to become a player in the low-carbon global economy.

“Wheatland County is helping chart a path of energy diversification by leveraging its strategic location and resources to support hydrogen technology innovations within Alberta," said Amber Link, reeve of Wheatland County.

According to the release, hydrogen is expected to be an important cog in the wheel of the future economy.