Airdrie

If you are travelling near Didsbury and Olds on June 5, be on the lookout for the Emergency Management Functional Exercise.

Shelley French, Head of Communications at Mountain View County, explained that there is a Mountain View Regional Emergency Management Agency that conducts these exercises every four years. 

The agency includes the Town of Olds, the Town of Didsbury, the Town of Carstairs, the Town of Sundre, the Village of Cremona, and Mountain View County.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is expected to introduce a bill today spelling out the federal government's next steps on border security.

The recent throne speech promised legislation to bolster security at Canada's borders and new tools for police and intelligence agencies to help them stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursors.

The government also said the Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export to prevent the movement of illegal and stolen products, including cars.

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

"The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we'll continue those discussions," Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

"They're a top priority for us." 

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. 

A 17-year-old from Airdrie is among two youths charged after a series of break-and-enters and vehicle thefts occurred across Calgary, Chestermere, and Airdrie in May, according to the RCMP.

Police allege the suspects entered homes through main floor windows and stole wallets and car keys, which were then used to steal vehicles from the properties.

On May 30, Calgary police requested assistance from Chestermere RCMP in locating one of the stolen vehicles.

The federal government is investing $15 million into Protein Industries Canada; the funding is being used to strengthen Canada's agri-food sector.

The new funding will focus on genomics and AI programs by bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors, and food manufacturers.

The programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system. 

Alberta is working on strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson is in Southeast Asia to promote Alberta as a reliable supplier of agricultural products.

The overall goal is to strengthen relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines to increase trade and investment opportunities that 
will directly benefit producers and processors by opening new markets for Alberta agriculture and food products.

Farm Credit Canada is investing $2 billion to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. 

The money which will be invested by 2030 will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Stats show Canada’s agtech sector is lagging, putting Canada at a strategic disadvantage, while Japan  and the European Union have been increasing investments in ag tech.

Alberta's latest crop report shows 90 per cent of the provincial crop is now in; that's ahead of the 5-year average of 81 per cent. 

Roy Larsen, the director of Statistics and Data Development for Agriculture and Irrigation says seeding progress in the South is at 97 per cent complete, the North West at 93 per cent, the Central region is at 89 per cent, the North East at 86  per cent, and the Peace at 84 per cent.

Crop progress shows 99 per cent of the dry peas have been planted, while oats lag behind at 74 per cent. 

When it comes to dreaming up the perfect getaway, few experiences rival the magic of a cruise. This June, Airdrie residents have a unique opportunity to explore those dreams up close at a special Princess Cruise event hosted by Expedia Cruises.

Calgary police say photo radar will be deployed in 17 neighbourhoods throughout June.

“For the month of June, photo radar will be focusing on the communities of Altadore, Auburn Bay, Cambrian Heights, Elboya, Evergreen, Glamorgan, Glenbrook, Kingsland, Marlborough, Marlborough Park, Patterson, Silver Springs, Strathcona, Varsity, Wildwood, and Woodbine,” the Calgary Police Service said in a June 1 statement.

“Photo radar will also be attending construction zones where workers are present.”