Province freezes property taxes on new oil and gas wells and pipelines for three years, saying it will kickstart investment
After hitting the pause button on plans to help Alberta’s oil and gas companies by reducing taxes levied by rural municipalities, the provincial government said it has come up with a solution that will help both sides. “I feel with our decision today, we have balanced the needs of both municipalities and the oil and […] Read more
Doug Ferguson
Stories by Doug Ferguson
Energy industry-climate change called balancing act
Alberta premier recognizes that the energy sector must focus on the environment, but he says oil and gas companies already do a good job
Alberta must be able to “walk and chew gum at the same time” when it comes to promoting projects such as oil and gas pipelines, said premier Jason Kenney. Access to capital for the energy sector increasingly “requires a demonstration that companies and governments are serious about improving their environmental performance — reducing their CO2 […] Read more
Alaska-Alberta railway explored
Alberta is exploring new ways to get its products to the world, including a proposed railway to Alaska, said premier Jason Kenney. His government “will support and facilitate in a politically, legally and in a regulatory way any increased access to global markets, not only for our energy products, but for products generally,” he told […] Read more
Cattle shootings stun Alberta ranch family
A heifer and bull were killed in separate incidents near Onoway, while a pregnant cow was also shot but survived
An Alberta ranching family is offering a $5,000 reward to find out who shot three of their cattle in three separate incidents, damaging their livelihood and raising fears for their personal safety. “I feel like I’ve gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson and he’s ripped off both my ears,” says Sherry Thoveson as she and […] Read more
New vet lab can also protect human health
The University of Calgary’s Diagnostic Services Unit has the capability to monitor diseases that could spread to humans
A decades-long gap in Alberta’s ability to test livestock for diseases is beginning to be bridged due to a new laboratory being launched at the University of Calgary. The project will help ease costs and deliver quicker results, and the lab will keep an eye on diseases that could potentially spread to humans, said Jennifer […] Read more
Alberta temporarily freezes municipal taxes on energy sector
After hitting the pause button on plans to help Alberta’s oil and gas companies by reducing taxes levied by rural municipalities, the provincial government said it has come up with a solution that will help both sides. “I feel with our decision today, we have balanced the needs of both municipalities and the oil and […] Read more
UCP convention supports private health care
The governing United Conservative Party has passed a resolution supporting the option of a privately funded and managed health-care system for Alberta. The decision was made during voting Oct. 17 by UCP members on policies submitted during the party’s virtual annual general meeting. Critics of private health care have long maintained that such a move […] Read more
Alberta premier defends doctor reform
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said “perhaps misinformed attacks” by the Alberta Medical Association on his government’s initiative to rein in health-care costs have helped fuel grievances by rural physicians. “We acknowledge that there are always unique challenges in recruiting and retaining rural physicians, that’s not new to Alberta,” he told the recent virtual annual general […] Read more
Kenney recognizes energy-climate change balancing act
Alberta must be able to “walk and chew gum at the same time” when it comes to promoting projects such as oil and gas pipelines, said premier Jason Kenney. Access to capital for the energy sector increasingly “requires a demonstration that companies and governments are serious about improving their environmental performance — reducing their CO2 […] Read more
Farmers request private rail crossing extension
Prairie farm groups want Ottawa to extend the deadline for when landowners become responsible for maintenance
Farmers in all three prairie provinces are asking Ottawa to put the brakes on a federal deadline affecting private rail crossings they rely on to access everything from fields to homes. “We are sending a letter asking for an extension,” said Lynn Jacobson, president of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture, adding the issue likely isn’t […] Read more
