Friday's letters: Cartmell's infill vote absence a bad look for potential mayor
Is that what Edmonton has to expect should Tim Cartmell become mayor? Lame excuses about technologies followed by a letter? He should be in front of the camera and face reporters and Edmontonians.
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In reading Don Braid's column on the current measles outbreak in Alberta, it's sad when 'equally awful' seems to be considered an acceptable standard. We should all be equally ashamed.
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Someone has got to explain to our premier that she can start an Alberta pension plan at any time, but will have to start it from scratch. And it would have to be separate from and out of the hands of the Government of Alberta. The money in the CPP doesn't belong to the Government of Canada to use as it sees fit; the government of the day can't just take money out of it to balance a budget or to build a railway.
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None of the CPP should ever belong to the Government of Alberta; it belongs to us, those that have and are still contributing to it. Even if we separate from Confederation, the money in that CPP that we the people have contributed will be due to us, not to the Alberta government's general revenues.
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Warren Footz, St. Albert
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Alberta now has more cases of measles than all of the United States. Definitely not a record to be proud of. Interesting that both Alberta and the United States have leaders who are strongly against vaccines. The people I feel sorry for are the poor children who may have long-term aftereffects, but had no voice in getting the vaccine or not.
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Plain and simple, we need a government that will heed the science.
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Thank you to Lydia Kawun and Colin Hefferon for their clear assessment of Edmonton's new zoning law. Most people would agree that increased density in Edmonton is a good thing. The problem is the no-holds-barred, one-size-fits-all approach. This is simply building the tenements and slums of tomorrow.
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Global News
5 hours ago
- Global News
New rail spur line aims to connect Coaldale to global markets
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CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
RCMP commissioner challenges accuracy of Alberta Next survey on provincial policing
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme waits to appear before the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld In a letter to the premier, RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme challenged the accuracy of the Alberta Next policing survey, saying some of the information is incorrect. The Alberta Next Panel survey, which launched in late June, aims to collect feedback from Albertans on issues including immigration, the Alberta pension plan and provincial policing. Before taking the survey, participants are required to watch a short video with information about each topic. One video regarding the provincial police service incorrectly asserted that the Government of Canada sets provincial policing priorities, the commissioner said. Duheme pointed out that under Article 6 of the Provincial Police Service Agreements, it is the responsibility of the provincial minister to establish the objectives, priorities and goal of the provincial police service. 'Neither the Government of Canada nor RCMP Headquarters sets priorities in this regard,' wrote Duheme, adding that the Municipal Police Service Agreement enables the head of the municipality to set objectives, priorities and goals of the municipal police service. 'In this vein, the RCMP is, and has been proud to deliver policing services that reflect the priorities and needs of communities across Alberta,' said Duheme. In a response to the letter, the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services said federal white paper, A New Policing Vision for Canada, 'clearly signals a shift in the RCMP's long-term mandate.' The paper said the federal government should be committed to working closely with provinces to support a transition away from contract policing while maintaining strong interoperability with federal policing. Contracts with municipalities and the RCMP are set to expire in 2032. The paper also said provinces should be on a path to fully exercise their responsibilities over policing, adding that provinces are best placed to define their own policing models. Duheme addressed a statement in the video that claimed regular members in Alberta are prevented from obtaining promotional opportunities in the province on the belief that they must be bilingual, saying it is inaccurate. 'In addition, I assure you that the RCMP does not move regular members out of communities on a 'moment's notice,' said Duheme. 'The process to relocate a member includes careful planning to support them and their families should they choose to pursue another opportunity. This choice is up to each individual member.' The ministry's statement said the RCMP previously confirmed in a CBC story that all deputy and assistant commissioner positions in Ottawa are designated bilingual, as are senior positions held by civilians within senior staff. 'On bilingualism, the RCMP is wrong,' said the statement from press secretary Arthur Green. However, the story also discovered that many senior officers in bilingual-designated positions can't speak French and aren't learning it. A 'frequently asked questions' portion of the document contained an inaccuracy related to the distinction between major crimes and the RCMP's federal policing program, claimed Duheme. 'I would like to clarify that in the context of a transition, the RCMP would retain responsibility for investigating criminal activity that poses the highest threat to Canada through its federal policing mandate,' wrote Duheme. The responsibility for major crimes investigations, such as homicides, would be retained by the incoming police or jurisdiction, which is currently the case where the service is delivered by Alberta RCMP as the provincial police service. Premier Danielle Smith unveiled a plan for the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service last month, allowing municipalities to opt for a provincial police service over the RCMP. The move has had mixed reactions and has raised questions about recruitment while RCMP has been struggling to hire officers.
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Cision Canada
Canada invests in services to support economic integration and fill labour market shortages Français
OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - Canada's new government has a mandate to build a strong economy by attracting the best talent in the world and filling key labour shortages. Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced more than $3.2 billion over three years across more than 520 organizations outside Quebec to improve the integration of newcomers, including into the job market, and to reduce labour shortages. Settlement services are essential to filling vacancies in high-demand sectors such as health care and skilled trades. With increased economic integration, newcomers can apply their skills quickly, fill critical labour gaps and boost productivity. Funding will be provided to local organizations to deliver tailored services that recognize regional considerations and needs, instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Services will include support with getting a licence or certification in a regulated profession providing job-specific and general language training in English and French supporting French-speaking newcomers to integrate into Francophone communities outside Quebec These services will help newcomers build successful lives in Canada by supporting their economic, social and cultural integration into communities across the country. With an outcome-focused approach, Canada will attract a strong workforce and build one unified Canadian economy—the strongest economy in the G7. Quote: "Canada is focused on building more homes, better infrastructure and a clean economy—and newcomers are essential to making that happen. This investment is about giving newcomers the skills and opportunities they need to build their lives here and help build Canada at the same time. When newcomers thrive, our communities grow stronger, and we all move forward together." – The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Quick facts: As of April 1, 2025, more than 520 organizations received funding to deliver settlement and resettlement programs and services across Canada. Organizations were chosen following a competitive national call for proposals. All applications were carefully reviewed to confirm they met eligibility requirements, were aligned with program priorities, provided good value for money and offered services that met newcomer needs. Under the Canada–Quebec Accord, the Government of Canada provides the province of Quebec with an annual grant for the delivery and administration of reception services and of services to support the linguistic, cultural and economic integration of immigrants who settle in that province, including resettled refugees. From April 2014 to January 2025, 47% of all permanent residents outside Quebec and 93% of resettled refugees accessed at least one IRCC-funded settlement service in Canada. Associated links: SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
