Western Standard

"High speed rail advocates in North America are like communists. No matter how many times it fails, they insist it just hasn't been done right. Next time it will work for sure!" ~ Cory Morgan ALL ABOARD: Alberta explores future of rail for 22nd Century For more than 150 years rail has defined the Canadian — and Albertan landscape. Now the UCP government is looking to the next century to advance plans for a massive scale up of commuter rail. At a media event at — appropriately at the Heritage Park train roundhouse — Premier Danielle Smith announced a master rail plan that will look forward decades and identify concrete actions that can be taken now as well, as in the future, to assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services... READ MORE: https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/all-aboard-alberta-explores-future-of-rail-for-22nd-century/54170

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence increased by 65 per cent in 2023. The Alberta government is dedicating additional funding to support sexual assault centres and survivors of sexual violence, with a commitment of nearly $17 million annually, to provide essential services and promote a culture of consent.

CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre Ejected from House of Commons... Poilievre was removed from the House of Commons following an exchange with the Speaker after he referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a "whacko" during a question period... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard

Premier Danielle Smith announced a master rail plan that will look forward decades and identify concrete actions that can be taken now as well, as in the future, to assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services... READ MORE: https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/all-aboard-alberta-explores-future-of-rail-for-22nd-century/54170

Mike Meilleur of Freedom Honey chats with Cory Morgan on fixing the Canadian armed forces... FULL VIDEO HERE: https://westernstandard.news/watch/canadian-armed-forces-reform/54168

Alberta Invests in Nighttime Wildfire Operations for Improved Suppression... 'Over the past five years, an average of 67 per cent of wildfires have been caused by people...'

Retired paramedic Don Sharpe chats with Cory Morgan on the battle for EMS reforms. WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE: https://www.westernstandard.news/watch/don-sharpes-battle-cry-rethinking-ems-systems-for-improved-care/53965

“Every year from now on they must declare the quantity and types of plastic they supply, how these plastics move through the economy, and how they are managed at the end of their life,” said Guilbeault. The registry will track plastics in the country, measure pollution reduction, and help inform future climate-related decisions, the environment minister said in the news release... READ MORE: https://www.westernstandard.news/news/watch-guilbeault-moves-ahead-with-plastics-registry/54002

“The City of Lethbridge thanks the province for spearheading these water-sharing agreements. The agreements are the culmination of time, effort and collaboration between many stakeholders. The City of Lethbridge is proud to be involved in this important work. We will continue working with our regional water partners, and the province, to ensure this vital resource is used efficiently and responsibly.” ~ Blaine Hyggen, mayor, City of Lethbridge... After several dry years and El Niño winter, Alberta is at risk of severe droughts this year, especially in southern Alberta. Although the recent snowfall has helped, the winter snowpack remains below average, rivers are lower than normal and multiple reservoirs are below capacity... READ MORE: https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/alberta-takes-steps-now-to-prevent-stage-5-water-emergency-later/53955 #ableg #abpoli #skpoli #westernstandard

Alberta Government pledges relief from soaring electricity prices with new legislation... “Albertans should not dread opening their bill each month. Unpredictable power costs make it hard for families to plan their household budgets and we simply cannot allow confusion about electricity billing to cause Albertans financial hardship. We promised we would address rising unaffordability in utility bills and we’re taking the first steps to do just that, with more to come.” ~ Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta... About 29% of residential customers, 32% of eligible commercial customers, and 46% of farm customers currently utilize the default electricity rate. “Consumers benefit when they better understand the products and services they are purchasing. Proposed changes would provide more clarity to electricity consumers and will encourage them to explore their retail energy options to find the services that best meet their household’s or business’ needs.” ~ Chris Hunt, Utilities Consumer Advocate... The Alberta Utilities Commission estimated the average household uses 600 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. When these numbers are combined, that means average electricity bills would be $66 per month instead of $132 per month... READ MORE: https://westernstandard.news/alberta/alberta-government-introduces-rate-of-last-resort-to-reduce-electricity-price-spikes-and-add-more-certainty-about-future-costs/53930

"Canada is broken. It has been for a long time. The federation is slanted in favour of the Laurentian provinces and even then, Quebec wants to leave. The Charlottetown and Meech Lake Accords from 30 years ago failed to reform the constitution. The only way we can change the system is to tear a province free from it and Quebec is the best poised to do so..." ~ Cory Morgan #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard

MUNRO/FUSS: Trudeau government sticks to soft fiscal targets — but this is no cause for celebration... "When young people feel like they can’t get ahead in the same way their parents or grandparents could, that’s not fair. It's our job to fix that — and, in Budget 2024, we are." ~ wrote PM Trudeau 'Despite its tendency to violate its own self-imposed fiscal rules, according to the federal budget tabled on Tuesday, the Trudeau government will stick to the targets it established in its fiscal update last fall. But staying true to soft fiscal targets is no reason to celebrate, and this budget simply continues the Trudeau government’s irresponsible management of Canada’s finances...' ~ Grady Munro and Jake Fuss... READ MORE: https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/munrofuss-trudeau-government-sticks-to-soft-fiscal-targets-but-this-is-no-cause-for-celebration/53871 #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard

Be Careful What You Wish For... 'Asking #aiRobot if it can evolve itself. Will ai self evolve?'

Over 110,000 Albertans presently live in over 60,000 homes subsidized by the government, and as the cost of living escalates, the demand is on the rise. “This investment underscores our shared commitment to ensuring that more individuals and families have access to safe and affordable housing. As an affordable housing provider, these additional resources will have a direct and positive impact on the quality of life of the over 15,000 individuals and families living in Civida homes, allowing us to better address inflationary pressures, maintain and renew much-needed affordable homes and sustain our service delivery.” said Gord Johnston, chief executive officer, Civida Alberta Community Housing encompasses a blend of single-family homes, apartments, and townhomes, with rent calculated at 30 percent of household income. Presently, this initiative gives priority to low-income households with dependents and assets totaling less than $25,000. Budget allocations are determined by considering the scale of local housing providers and the quantity of units they oversee. Consequently, every housing management entity involved in community housing received a boost in their operational budget.

'After 8 years of Trudeau, brace for more taxes and higher debt on YOUR tab.' "I can guarantee who will NOT pay for today’s costly budget: Trust Fund Trudeau & the billionaires who host him on their private islands." ~ wrote Pierre Poilievre on X. #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard #Budget2024

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Dodges Inquiries on Consumer Carbon Levy... "Pierre Poilievre has absolutely no plan [...] the Liberal plan is unfair..." ~ Jagmeet Singh

"While taking a leak at the Ottawa Int. Airport, I found tampons and maxi pads in the men’s room. This shit isn’t real. I still don’t believe it. I’m in the Matrix." wrote Derek Fildebrandt on X.

'Pass C-234 to Lower Food Prices for Canadians' "When Trudeau taxes the farmer who grows the food and the trucker who ships the food, he taxes all who buy the food. Common sense Conservatives are calling on Trudeau to pass C-234 in its original form so our farmers can bring home lower prices for our people." ~ Pierre Poilievre [On X]

Red Deer Receives $3 Million Boost to Extend Family Justice Strategy, Offering Relief from Court Complexities... “The Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch supports the expansion of the Alberta Family Justice Strategy, which moves our province closer to having a fully unified family court system. We look forward to continued innovations in this area, which will serve to improve court processes and advance access to justice for Alberta families.” ~ Kyle Kawanami, president, Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch. Introduced in December 2023, the Family Resolution Hub provides Albertans with an online platform to explore dispute resolution options for family law matters, alleviating the need for court visits and reducing stress. “As a family lawyer, I understand the profound impact legal proceedings can have on individuals and families. By providing alternative forms of resolution for family matters and streamlining the family justice system, we can begin to build a more compassionate system that better supports all Albertans.” ~ Bud Melnyk, K.C., family lawyer.

Alberta Responds to Federal Inaction: Coaldale to Receive Annual Grant for RCMP Policing... “Coaldale’s unfair treatment is the result of the federal government’s unwillingness to be flexible and consider the needs of small-town Alberta. Where the federal government is unwilling to act, Alberta’s government is stepping in to ensure the residents of Coaldale are safe and protected with stable and predictable police funding. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure our communities are safe places to live, work and play.” ~ Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #westernstandard

THOMSON: Trudeau's defence plan won't survive first contact with the enemy... 'This week, Prime Minister Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair announced their new vision for Canada’s defence. Their plan, outlined in a document called, Our North, Strong and Free, addresses the geopolitical changes that have transpired since 2017 when the previous defence policy was released. If you want to read Our North, Strong and Free, you can pick up a copy in the fantasy section of your local library. When you’ve finished, there’s no need to return it, they won’t want it back. If it was a book and subject to review from the Washington Post or the New York Times, that critique might go something like this: “Our North, Strong and Free is a whimsical and implausible tale told poorly. The timeline makes little to no sense as it lacks any bearing to the dramatic series of events it is set against. It is ultimately an incoherent and an intangible experience that leaves both the reader and Canada’s defence in no better state then they were beforehand.” While it’s generally all-around preposterous bluster, it’s singularly bad for the Navy'...READ MORE: https://westernstandard.news/opinion/thomson-trudeaus-defence-plan-wont-survive-first-contact-with-the-enemy/53673 #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard

#Solareclipe2024

$1.2M Alberta’s Government Grant to Propel Digitalization Research “We’re looking to the Simpson Centre to research and provide recommendations on how Alberta’s producers can use technologies like robotics and data analytics to help Alberta successfully navigate their adoption. These technologies will support advancements in the sector so our province can remain a leader in agriculture innovation.” RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Alberta stands at the forefront of agricultural research and technology on a global scale, fostering heightened productivity, competitiveness, sustainability, and food security for producers and consumers alike. #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #westernstandard

Trudeau admits mass immigration fuelling housing crisis... "Temporary immigration has caused so much pressure in our communities," ~ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Trudeau made this admission after announcing the Canadian government will spend $400 million through Budget 2024 on the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to speed up construction of more homes to address the housing crisis. 'Sean Fraser has an out-of-body experience as he transforms himself into a passive observer of “out-of-control” immigration that he says helped cause the housing crisis.' Pierre Poilievre wrote on X. READ MORE: https://www.westernstandard.news/atlantic/watch-trudeau-admits-mass-immigration-fuelling-housing-crisis/53529 #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard #Trudeau #CanadaHousingCrisis #CanadaImmigration

Protests have been growing as citizens feel hopeless... "In Canada’s system, once a person is elected to office, there are no mechanisms for citizens to hold them accountable. No matter how poorly a politician may govern, the people are stuck with them until the next election." ~ Cory Morgan #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #skpoli #bcpoli #westernstandard