Strathmore

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.

For the first time, RCW will be bringing a cage match to Strathmore on May 23 at the Strathmore Ag Grounds Pavilion.

Steve Wilde is a wrestler with RCW and explained that the cage match is the real deal.

"You have to understand there's only one door. One way in, one way out. Unless you're climbing the cage and dropping 10 feet to the floor. So, it's do what you got to do, and yeah, you're in a cage."

RCW has been to Strathmore multiple times this year, and according to Wilde, Strathmore is the best place he has been so far.

Tom Jukes, the fire service advisor for Wheatland County, has given an update on the fire near Range Road 255.

The blaze was on Sunday evening at a home near the intersection of Township Road 244. According to Jukes, they were supported by firefighters from Strathmore and Rockyford.

"They arrived on scene to find a garage structure fully ingulfed in fire. Fire crews immediately took to defensive operations and were able to set up a water shuttle."

Jukes added that the firefighters got rid of the blaze in "a relatively short timeframe". 

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 :

The Tim Horton's Smile Cookie campaign wrapped up two weeks ago.

All three locations in town were raising funds for the Strathmore Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

Over $27,000 was raised for FCSS in town, beating last year's goal.

In 2024, they raised $20,000 for the FCSS.

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.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is giving his cabinet a major shakeup, moving several key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces to the front bench.

Carney's cabinet — 28 full ministers and 10 secretaries of state — retains prominent figures from former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government, including Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne.

Strathmore Fire Chief Dave Sturgeon has given an update on the property fire off George Freeman Trail on Friday, May 9.

"The call came in just after 3 p.m.," said Sturgeon. "There was nobody home at the time, but they did show up shortly after, so we were able to talk to them."

Strathmore crews were assisted by Wheatland County firefighters to battle the blaze. According to Sturgeon, a shop was burned down in the fire, but the house and other surrounding buildings were not damaged.