-The provincial Finance Critic says more than 88-percent of people who’ve responded to their question: “Should Alberta leave the Canada Pension Plan?” have said no.
Shannon Phillips says many Albertans understand the risks of leaving the CPP, saying they’re too high and that they don’t trust the money will only be used for pensions.

Premier Danielle Smith has said if the matter needs to head to a referendum, that will be the case.

**************************

-The province is launching the Ag Societies Infrastructure Revitilization Program, a capital grant to help ag societies update existing facilities.
The Ag Minister says community halls, ice rinks and rodeo grounds are integral to the groups, and the funding will make sure rural communities will continue to benefit from the events at those facilities.
Societies can start applying today.    (photo courtesy of GOA)

• The Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program grant awards between $10,000 and $100,000 for individual projects.
• Alberta has 290 agricultural societies, the highest number in Canada.
• Alberta’s agricultural societies own or operate more than 900 facilities and host more than 37,000 activities and events per year.
• The oldest agricultural societies date back to 1879, predating the province.

*****************************

-Edmonton police have re-opened the Henday westbound between 111th Street and Rabbit Hill Road.
There were a couple of collisions, starting when a car hit an SUV before it ran into a school bus and then the ditch.
There weren’t any kids on the bus at the time, but the woman driving the bus was taken to the hospital.
The 35-year old man behind the wheel of the car was also taken to the hospital to be checked out.
Police believe speed and substance impairment are factors in the incident, and charges are pending.
The Henday is completely open again.

*****************************

-The city of Edmonton has created a new tax  subclass to go after derelict property owners.
It will include homes that were abandoned in the middle of construction or demolition, and the money from the tax will be used to manage those properties.
Close to 3-hundred have been identified at this point, and letters are being sent to the owners.

***************************

****************************

-The Chief of the Long Plain First Nation says she’s pleased to hear the federal government is working on making sure a landfill near Winnipeg is going to be searched for the remains of two First Nations women.
Chief Kyra Wilson says the 740-thousand dollars the government promised, will be used to figure out first steps, to carry through with the search.

****************************
-Meanwhile, Stats-Can says when homicides involve Indigenous women and girls in this country, suspects are less likely to be hit with the most serious murder charges, as compared with cases involving non-Indigenous victims.
Officials are promising to improve on the situation.

******************************

-St. Albert Council has said yes to another contract extension with Alberta Health Services for ambulance service.
The two sides are still working on some details, and the extension will give them the time they need for that.

*******************************

-A new report says raising just two kids in Canada these days ould wind up costing more than half a million dollars by the time the kids are 17.
The report took housing, transportation, clothing, food and other things into account, although experts admit it can vary, depending on how much the parents make to begin with.

**************************

-If you’ve got babies or grand-babies, there’s been a recall of the “George” brand sleepers.
Health Canada says it affects the zero to 5-T sizes for boys and girls, as there are choking and ingestion hazards, because the zipper-pulls and foot-grips may fall off, or be removed after going through the washing machine a few times.
You’re asked to stop using the sleepers, and take them back to Wal-Mart for a full refund.  (photo from Health Canada)

*******************************

-Edmonton city council is going to look into the idea of setting up a relief program to help businesses that have been hit by construction projects that go on for years.
As one example, stores along Stony Plain Road say road work being done in that area has really cut into their customer base, because it’s too difficult for patrons to get to their buildings.
The relief program the city is talking about could help businesses when they need it, and once things are hopping again, they could repay it.
This hasn’t been set in stone yet, and council could wind up rejecting it.

***************************

-Eight people were forced from their homes, following a fire at a walk-up apartment in north-central Edmonton yesterday morning.
It happened on 118th Avenue and 89th Street.
One person had to be taken to the hospital.
The cause of the blaze hasn’t been determined at this time.

*****************************

-Three of Alberta’s resorts have been named among the best in Canada.
The Top 10 list was compiled by magazine “Conde Nast Traveller”, as determined by its Readers Choice Awards.
The Fairmont Banff Springs came in 4th place, while the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was number 8, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge was 10th.

**************************

**************************