Two Wildrose MLAs have crossed the floor Nov. 24 to join the Alberta Progressive Conservative party. MLAs Kerry Towle of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake and Ian Donovan of Little Bow joined Alberta premier Jim Prentice during a news conference to announce their defection. Both MLAs said they felt they could serve their constituents from within the governing […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Alta. extends rural entrepreneur council
A forum to attract and support rural entrepreneurs will be extended. The Next Generation Advisory Council will continue for another year, announced the Alberta government. The council was created in 2012 with 12 young Albertans with various skills and experiences and tasked with helping find ways for the next generation to be come involved in […] Read more
Alta. rural municipalities want stable funding
Rural councillors don’t like going cap in hand to the Alberta government every year looking for money to repair road, bridges and other infrastructure projects. They say stable funding would solve the problem. “We need to know the money from the provincial or federal governments is going to be consistent so we can make plans,” […] Read more
Alta. provides funding for rural seniors facilities
Rural Alberta seniors facilities are getting a much-needed financial boost. Alberta premier Jim Prentice announced $160 million of new money over four years to build and renovate rural seniors facilities. “Enabling seniors to stay in their own community in familiar surroundings is a key to their health, and keeping them happy is something we’ll be […] Read more
First Nations sue over planned B.C. hydro dam
One of what’s expected to be a long list of lawsuits against BC Hydro’s Site C dam was filed in Federal Court Oct. 12. The Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation filed the lawsuit opposing the dam project on the Peace River in British Columbia, saying it would have a devastating impact […] Read more
Livestock genomics firm pleased to be on its own
Self-sustaining | Delta Genomics praises Western Development Fund
Funding cutbacks are usually a time of tears, not celebration, but Delta Genomics is celebrating the end of its government funding. The livestock genomics company, which began at the University of Alberta and is now almost completely self-sustainable, celebrated its independence Nov. 13. “This is a recognition of the (Western Economic Development) funding and its […] Read moreAttention to detail pays off in show ring
EDMONTON — An old saying in the show cattle business says that there is a fine hair that splits first and second place. Rod McLeod didn’t leave anything to chance and hired a team of young cattle fitters to ensure every hair was in place on his Charolais show cattle at Farmfair International. “Us older […] Read more
Forage association finds itself in financial bind
BROMONT, Que. — Building the profile of forages and grasslands in Canada has been easy compared to raising money to fund the sector’s national organization. The Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association will have about $3,000 in the bank by the end of the year. Higher than expected costs to promote forages and the ending of […] Read more
LIVE BLOG: Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s AGM
Day 2 – Follow along via Twitter below as WP reporter Mary MacArthur covers the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s annual general meeting in Bromont, Quebec. #CFGA2014 Tweets Day 1 – WP reporter Mary MacArthur is on the road in Bromont, Quebec for the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s annual general meeting. Today, participants have […] Read more
First Nations sue to stop proposed B.C. dam
By Mary MacArthur Camrose bureau One of what’s expected to be a long list of lawsuits against BC Hydro’s Site C dam has been filed in Federal Court Oct. 12. The Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation filed the lawsuit opposing the dam project on the Peace River in British Columbia, saying […] Read more
