Airdrie

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie says his suspension from the United Conservative caucus is impeding his ability to speak freely on behalf of his constituents, and he joined Opposition calls Monday for a judicial public inquiry into Alberta Health Services procurement.

Canadians got a break on inflation in March as gas prices fell and a slowdown in travel to the United States helped cool airfare costs, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

The annual rate of inflation slowed to 2.3 per cent last month, down from 2.6 per cent in February. A poll provided by LSEG Data & Analytics ahead of Tuesday’s release had expected yearly inflation to hold steady month-to-month.

StatCan said gas prices fell 1.6 per cent year-over-year in March, coming off a hike of 5.1 per cent in February.

Natasha Bedingfield, TLC, and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello are among the artists set to perform at this year’s Big Four Roadhouse during the Calgary Stampede.

The full lineup, released Tuesday, also includes Lil Jon, De La Soul, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and Yung Gravy. More than 20 acts will perform on the Bud Light Stage from July 4 to 13.

Crews have begun installing rebar and pouring concrete into 35-foot-tall foundation wall forms at Scotia Place, marking the first phase of structural construction on Calgary's new downtown event centre.

The City of Calgary confirmed Monday that excavation is nearing completion, and foundation work is now underway. Rebar panels are being raised, and concrete is being poured into the site's first vertical elements, which are 35 feet below ground.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says hiring lawyers to funnel requests from the auditor general isn't meant to obstruct an investigation into multimillion-dollar health contracts -- it's about helping get to the truth.

The government has instructed public servants to contact a lawyer to co-ordinate if auditor general Doug Wylie requests an interview as part of his probe.

The Opposition NDP’s leader in the legislature, Christina Gray, said Monday the policy suggests a coverup is afoot, and challenged the premier to lift what the NDP calls a "gag order."

Over the weekend, the Airdrie Home and Lifestyle Show had plenty of visitors learn more about and purchase from local businesses.

Marilyne Aalhus, Executive Director of the Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce, explained the two-day event was well attended.

"It was a fantastic weekend. We couldn't have asked for a better crowd Saturday and Sunday."

She mentioned that Saturday may have been a record-setting day with how many people attended.

With spring weather finally arriving, road bans are now in place for Rocky View County.

The ban went into effect yesterday and will last until the first part of June.

RVC implements spring road restrictions for commercial and heavy-duty vehicles carrying large loads each year to prolong the lifespan of the County's roadways.

Roads get softer and more prone to damage during the spring thaw. In addition to saving money on repairs, road bans increase road longevity and improve safety for drivers on county roadways.

École Deer Meadow School’s (an elementary school in Olds) choir is excited to have been invited to the provincial music festival.

The group's first performance at the Olds Music Festival in March earned them an invitation to provincials.

“I am honoured that we were recommended to provincials,” says teacher Cali Wright, Deer Meadow teacher and choir director.

Wright says she has attended provincials previously with another group, and the caliber of the choirs there was astonishing.

Manitoba Pork celebrated its 60th anniversary during its annual meeting and industry banquet Thursday in Winnipeg. Producers, processors and various stakeholders gathered at the Fairmont for the day full of meetings which was capped by an evening gala. There are currently 188 registered producers in the province, representing 608 farms and 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs.