FortSask

A former senior officer for the Ontario Provincial Police says the "Freedom Convoy" protests in Ottawa could have been ended without the federal Emergencies Act.

Former Chief Supt. Carson Pardy told the public inquiry examining the invocation of the act Friday that plans to clear the demonstrations were consistently delayed because of confusion and disorganization within the ranks of Ottawa police, and that the chief of police didn't trust his OPP team.

Pardy said emergency powers proved "critical," giving police power to tow and hold vehicles without laying charges. 

Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont Regional Chamber of Commerce held their 38th annual Business Awards Friday (Oct. 21) evening.

This is their first in-person awards ceremony in three years -- the last two awards were presented in a video format. 

The awards recognize the achievements of organizations and individuals who make incredible contributions in Fort Saskatchewan.

The finalist and winners (in bold) are...

Terry Douglas Award of Excellence:

A Sherwood Park teenager is facing multiple gun charges. 

Strathcona County RCMP was called to the intersection of Mainstreet and Sherwood Drive in Sherwood Park on Thursday afternoon after reports of a man pointing a gun at drivers. 

Upon arriving, police identified the teen and arrested him without any incident. The alleged gun was located by Mounties, but it was revealed to be a fake. 

Despite this, a 15-year-old teenage boy was arrested and is facing the following charges: 

After a record-breaking summer, meteorologists are expecting the region to experience more consistent negative temperatures starting this weekend. 

Environment Canada says that Friday (Oct. 21) will be the first night that will see temperatures drop below freezing. 

This ends a trend of unusually warm weather in the region as we enter the middle of Fall. 

Danielle Desjardins, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says this October has proven to be much warmer than years past. 

Premier Danielle Smith has announced her new cabinet. 

Smith was sworn in as Alberta's 19th Premier on October 11, 2022.

Smith has named Nate Horner as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Prior to his election in the Drumheller-Stettler riding in 2019,
Horner was a rancher with a cow-calf mixed faming operation.

Horner has served as Alberta's Agriculture Minister since November 5, 2021.

Assisting Horner on the Ag file will be Glenn Van Dijken who will serve as the Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development.

The Grain Growers of Canada are partnering with Corteva Agriscience as they focus on the 'Road to 2050' climate initiative.

The 'Road to 2050' will propose a path forward that identifies opportunities for the sector to continue reducing its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions.
  
Bryce Eger, President of Corteva Agriscience Canada says they believe climate positive agriculture is the way forward, where collective actions and commitments create a stronger and more productive food system.

Another class has raked in quite a haul of prizes in the MIX 107 Classroom of the Month contest!

Congrats to Mrs. Ekdahl's kindergarten class at St. John XXIII School in Fort Saskatchewan! 

Dreamcatchers Gift & Art Gallery is looking for help to complete a work of art they call their 'masterpiece'.

Their art piece, which displays an Indigenous headdress made from real feathers, was originally made for Indigenous Day at Legacy Park as a quick activity for the kids.

"We were invited maybe two weeks before the event. They said 'You'll have about three hundred students come through. You'll have groups of 30 for about three minutes. What can you do with them in that time?'" said Ellie Lagrandeur, owner of Dreamcatchers Gift & Art Gallery.

Mounties have arrested a man after a six-hour standoff on Wednesday (Oct. 19) afternoon. 

Police say they were initially called to Kingsway Estates in Beaver County just before noon after receiving reports of a man shooting a gun.

Strathcona County RCMP arrived to assist; a shelter in place order was placed, and nearby homes were evacuated to contain the area. 

The Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Service, and Edmonton Police Service Air One were also on the scene. 

Delegates from Canada and the U-S, gathered in Mexico this week for the 31st Annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

Among the representatives from Canada, Manitoba's Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit and Senior Officials from Alberta's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.

Johnson says the meetings marked an opportunity for senior state and provincial officials to work collaboratively on agriculture and trade issues.