Lacombe

Air Canada flight attendants have massively rejected the employer's wage offer following a vote on a new contract that ended Saturday.

Flight attendants at Air Canada wrapped up voting at 3 p.m. ET  on the tentative new contract, with 99.1 per cent voting down the airline's wage offer. 

The airline says the wage portion will now be referred to mediation as previously agreed to by both sides.

Here are the Council highlights from the August 28, Lacombe County meeting.

Lacombe County Council Highlights

2024 Municipal Indicators
Lacombe County met or exceeded all but two indicators — Investment in Infrastructure and Infrastructure Age — in the 2024 Municipal Indicators report. Alberta Municipal Affairs deems the County “not at risk.”

Policy Updates

• Staff Retirement Policy (AD (14)) – Expanded eligibility and adjusted award amounts approved.

A newly recruited urologist is now providing enhanced urinary system care for residents of Red Deer and surrounding communities.

Dr. Uday Mann has joined Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and the Central Alberta Urology Clinic, offering comprehensive urologic care.

A urologist treats conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system using both medical and surgical approaches. Mann’s expertise includes kidney stones, enlarged prostates and laparoscopic surgery.

Ken Dryden, the Hall of Fame goaltender whose long resume in and out of hockey included six Stanley Cup victories and helping backstop Canada's generation-defining victory at the 1972 Summit Series, died Friday at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.

A key member of the Montreal Canadiens' 1970s dynasty, Dryden's career in the spotlight was only just getting started when he retired from the game — and while at the top of his own game — in his early 30s.

There will be a temporary road closure on 42 Avenue (between 43 Street and 45A Street) in Ponoka on Saturday, September 6 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Kinsmen Downhill Derby.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution in the area, observe road signs and watch for pedestrians.

The Kinsmen Downhill Derby is a fun family event where spectators can watch go-cart races down 42 Avenue in the Riverside neighbourhood of Ponoka from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, please visit the Kinsmen Club of Ponoka Downhill Derby Facebook page @PonokaDownhill.

A new report argues the rise of gig work, artificial intelligence and rapid population growth are souring job prospects for Canada's youngest workers.

The Desjardins Economics report, released Thursday, comes as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre cites decades-high youth unemployment levels to attack an immigration program for temporary foreign workers.

Statistics Canada's latest labour force survey shows the unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24 hit 14.6 per cent in July — a nearly 15-year high outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drought-stricken parts of Canada could be in for some underwhelming fall foliage if stressed trees lose out on the energy needed to generate some of the season's most brilliant colours, experts say. 

Biology professor Susan Dudley at McMaster University says trees in dried out parts of the country could see their leaves die off rather than turn red. 

"I can't look at it and make a prediction for a good fall foliage season at all," she said. 

A trade delegation for Asia is set to leave on Saturday (September 6).  

The focus of the trip is on relationship building and trade engagement with government officials and industry stakeholders in China, Japan and South Korea.  China imposed a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed last month on top of tariffs already in place for canola oil, meal, peas, pork and seafood. 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is leading the delegation that includes his Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding, and Prime Minister Carney's Parliamentary Secretary Kody Blois. 

Today, Red Deer City Council passed a resolution regarding Emergency Services.

Alongside this, City Manager Tara Lodewyk and Mayor Johnston have released a public letter, which is now posted to the City’s website.

Two men from Ponoka are facing charges after an armed robbery at the Royal Hotel earlier this year.

RCMP say a masked suspect entered the hotel bar with a firearm in the early morning of May 17 and stole a cash box. When two patrons chased the suspect outside, a second armed suspect allegedly threatened them.

Surveillance footage allowed investigators to identify the suspects, and arrest warrants were issued.

Garren Okeymow, 24, of Ponoka, is charged with:

• Robbery