Cabinet minister responsible for broadband services says work continues: NDP skeptical
Rural communities in Alberta continue to cross their fingers for a plan that can help them connect to high-performing broadband, hoping the new government doesn’t put past efforts on hold. Speaking at the recent Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) convention in Edmonton, town and village representatives wondered what the new UCP government plans to do […] Read moreFarm Living
Truck driver training rule changes under fire
Families whose loved ones died or were seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy left the legislature yesterday still feeling frustrated with Alberta’s trucker training rules. The United Conservative Party government and opposition NDP had an emergency debate over the issue for nearly two hours, but little changed in terms of how the government […] Read more
Trucker training changes protested in Alberta
Families whose loved ones died or were seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy joined Alberta’s Official Opposition NDP today in calling on the UCP government to roll back changes that would exempt some truck drivers from requiring training for Class 1 or 2 licenses. Family members said it is not about politics, but […] Read more
Proposed legislation targets animal activists
Alberta plans to introduce legislation to strengthen the Petty Trespass Act to address trespass on agricultural land
GRANUM, Alta. — There are new “no trespassing” signs at the Jumbo Valley Hutterite colony turkey operation near Fort Macleod, Alta., along with a few new locks. They are a response to a Sept. 2 incident in which animal rights activists entered the turkey barns, sat with live turkeys and held signs protesting animal agriculture. […] Read more
Minister speaks out on rural crime lawsuit
OKOTOKS, Alta. — The Alberta government is talking about taking harder line in its fight against rural crime. Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer is touring the province talking to rural residents who say they are angry and want meaningful action to protect themselves against thefts and violence. He also took the unusual step of speaking out […] Read more
Fall-inspired menus help give thanks for nature’s bounty
We are in the midst of autumn, so it’s time to enjoy the colours and experiences that nature offers this time of year. We can bask in the glow of the beautiful northern lights shooting blue and green into the dark starlit sky, marvel at the gold and crimson leaves falling to the ground, watch […] Read more
Exposing the roots of rural crime
Rising mental health and addiction issues compound the problem, and top police officials from Alberta offer solutions
Addictions and mental health issues are on the rise in rural and urban Alberta, say top police officials, making crime increasingly challenging to tackle. The increase has strained services, they say, even though solutions to stem addictions and mental health problems are working. “Meth is driving most of our violence and most of our crime […] Read more
Students gather to discuss food sustainability
The cross-country project is a collaboration between McGill University, Dalhousie University and Lethbridge College
The recipe: 15 students 3 institutions 1 topic A dash of ag-related input Method: Mix ingredients together, bake for three days and see what ideas arise on the issue of food sustainability. The recipe is called McDalBridge. It’s a project involving agriculture students — or those with an interest in the field — from McGill, […] Read more
Father and sons enjoy farming with each other
On the Farm: The Bystroms feel the pros of farming outweigh the cons and like the sense of freedom they get from it
SYLVAN LAKE, Alta. — Brothers John and Doug Bystrom have a standing coffee date most afternoons at 3:30 p.m. with their dad, Bernie, at his farm. The trio, partners in Bystrom Farms Ltd., discuss their crops and livestock, who’s doing what and where, and the daily goings-on in their neighbourhood, as well as the wider […] Read moreCanadians help Malawi in cyclone aftermath
It was a farmer’s nightmare. “They were anticipating a pretty good crop,” said Jim Cornelius, executive director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, about farmers he was visiting in southern Malawi. “When the cyclone hit, it was just before harvest.” Cyclone Idai hit a swath of central Africa in March, devastating farming areas with hurricane force […] Read more
