Latest news with #WayneJackson
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Smith to give update on creation of Alberta provincial police service
Danielle Smith will give an update Wednesday on the creation of a provincial police service. Mason DePatie reports. Danielle Smith will give an update Wednesday on the creation of a provincial police service. Mason DePatie reports. Alberta's premier will be providing an update on Wednesday about setting up a provincial police service. Danielle Smith, Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis and the parliamentary secretary for Indigenous and rural policing will give a progress update at 12:30 p.m. The mayor of Coaldale and deputy mayor of Hardisty will also be speaking at the event. The last major update on the new police service came back in April when Bill 49 was introduced. The legislation proposes establishing a Crown corporation to operate a provincial police force separate from the RCMP. Municipalities would the have the option of opting in, especially if they feel underserved by the RCMP. According to the town of Hardisty's website, the town spends $2.4 million annually on RCMP services. Earlier this spring, the Town of Hardisty issued a tender to initiate a study on policing. At the time, Mayor Wayne Jackson discussed the issue of rural crime and how the RCMP was stretched thin in the area. When Bill 49 was first introduced, Ellis noted Alberta was short up to 20 per cent in RCMP staffing and paying millions for services that sometimes don't show up. The idea of a provincial police force isn't without controversy. A 2021 study found an independent police service could end up being more expensive than the RCMP.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Harvey's restricted burning period set to stay and could be extended again
The Shire of Harvey's restricted burning period has been extended for two weeks with the potential to be extended even further amid dry conditions. The requirement for landowners to acquire a permit before lighting fires on their land was set to end at midnight on May 15 but has been extended until May 29, with shire chief bush fire control officer Wayne Jackson saying the decision was not made lightly. 'We had that rain a couple of weeks ago, like a fair bit of it, and I thought, excellent, we won't have to extend it,' he said. 'But then I started to go north and I realised (it is) still dry, like it's still really dry.' Mr Jackson said despite the cold nights, the weather was still warm meaning there was still a risk to the community. 'I've talked to the farmers, and they're saying the ground is still warm,' he said. With no significant amount of rain expected for another month, Mr Jackson said there was a chance the restricted burning period would have to be extended further. 'There's a lot to consider and I know it's about inconvenience for people,' he said. 'So we don't do it lightly, but when it's got to be done, it's got to be done.' Leschenault Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade captain Mick Papalia last week told the Reporter while the restrictions could be extended, it was good to see community members following the rules. 'People are now starting to realise there is a danger if they go outside of the rules. Not only because you get fined, but because it endangers the community,' he said. 'I think from 2017 after Yarloop things really started to improve. I think now everybody realises these things happen and it doesn't happen often, but when it does — you look at Yarloop — and (it's) lives lost and property damaged. 'You do the wrong thing and there's consequences. You'd hate to be the one person that had a fire outside of the permit and it got away and caused a Yarloop-type incident.'
