government

The Alberta Legislature from the front, a tree sits in the photo too. The Alberta flag waves on top of the building. Weather is partly cloudy.

Alberta tables Budget 2024, includes disaster recovery and community safety

March 1, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

The provincial government tabled Budget 2024 on Thursday as they prepare for the year ahead.

Some of the funding highlights include support for disaster recovery from floods and wildfires and community safety throughout Alberta.

$70 million was allocated for the next three years for new houseless shelter spaces in communities that need it, while also prioritizing police and mental health supports in Calgary and Edmonton, according to the government.

$151 million will be put towards the Wildfire Management Program over three years to enhance operations, while $55 million will be put towards new firefighting equipment and facilities. $251 million over the next three years will also be allocated towards flood and drought mitigation projects, says Finance Minister Nathan Horner.

In response to a potential major drought this summer, $418 million will be put towards supporting farmers, bettering water infrastructure projects, and initiate studies into water storage options on southern Alberta.

The Alberta Legislature from the front, a tree sits in the photo too, as well as a big pool in front of the building. The Alberta flag waves on top of the building. Weather is partly cloudy.

Former Chestermere city officials denied return to positions after court battle

February 13, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

In December 2023, the provincial government dismissed four city councilors, including then Mayor Jeff Colvin, and all city CAOs after alleged improper and irregular governance of the city dating back to 2022.

The city is currently run by official administrator Doug Lagore, who is representing the entire council until a byelection is held.

On Tuesday last week, the former city councilors, including Colvin, stood before a Court of King’s Bench justice with a lawyer and asked to reverse the decision made by Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver to relieve them of their duties, putting them back in their positions immediately.

On Friday, their case was denied.

Colvin made a statement after the ruling, saying that he’s “disappointed” with the decision, and that he plans on appealing it. Colvin also said that him and the other ousted councilors plan to run in the upcoming byelection and the 2025 municipal election.

Five people stand in a row showing cheque presentation. They hold a large white cheque.

Five Counties receives $396,000 in government funding, set to improve parking lot

December 19, 2023 by Jeff Gard

Five Counties Children’s Centre in Cobourg recently received $396,100 in new funding from the Ontario government and Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Of that amount, $255,100 is from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to revamp and expand the centre’s parking lot to accommodate more families accessing services for its location and neighbouring EarlyON site.

There is also a Trillium grant of $141,000 to support Five Counties’ Northumberland Backyard Project.

Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin spoke to Northumberland 89.7 about the Backyard Project and funding to support the organization, which provides speech, physio and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services for children and youth from birth to age 19, in Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton.

Alberta government dismisses Chestermere city officials

December 6, 2023 by Ryan Hunt

The Alberta government has fired Chestermere’s mayor, half of city council, and all city CAOs after alleged improper and irregular governance of the city dating back to 2022.

Former Mayor Jeff Colvin, Coun. Mel Foat, Coun. Blaine Funk, Coun. Stephen Hanley and the three CAOs were sent a notice of dismissal by Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver on Monday morning, saying their termination was effective immediately.

After concerns from residents about how city council was being managed, the Minister of Municipal Affairs ordered a municipal inspection in May 2022. After the independent investigation wrapped up in September 2022, the provincial government found that the City of Chestermere “was being managed in an irregular, improper and improvident manner.” An official administrator, Douglas Lagore, was appointed to supervise the municipality and its council. The official report can be read here.

On March 15, 2023, the minister issued 12 binding directives, requiring the City to take action to address key areas of concern. According to the provincial government, the City failed to do so, and an issue of concern was sent to all seven council members, as well as all three CAOs, on Oct. 18, 2023. After not seeing much change, according to Minister McIver, the notices of termination were sent on Dec. 4.

Douglas Lagore and an interim CAO are in place to oversee Chestermere’s governance and operations. An independent accounting firm will undertake a financial review of the City of Chestermere, and a byelection will be held in 2024 to fill the rest of city council. The remaining councilors, Coun. Shannon Dean, Coun. Sandy Johal-Watt, and Coun. Ritesh Narayan will hold their positions but will have no role in the governance of the city until the byelection is complete.

Alberta tables Budget 2024, includes disaster recovery and community safety

Former Chestermere city officials denied return to positions after court battle

Five Counties receives $396,000 in government funding, set to improve parking lot

Alberta government dismisses Chestermere city officials

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