Interviews

Small business in Alberta crippled by bureaucracy

Small businesses are widely regarded as the backbone of Canada’s economy, but the amount of red tape and regulations affecting entrepreneurs in the province is increasing on a more frequent basis, says the Alberta director of provincial affairs for the Canadian Independent Business Foundation (CIBF).

Richard Truscott of the CIBF was guest speaker at last week’s Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association (BOWDA) luncheon, where he outlined some of the difficulties both local small business owners and others across the province face, such as an unnecessary “death by paper cuts.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

New House of Commons committees ‘good mix’ for MP

Wild Rose member of Parliament Blake Richards has been appointed to two House of Commons committees that he says will help him address issues affecting the riding at the national level.

Since the fall sitting of Parliament resumed last month, Richards has been appointed to the standing committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI) as well as the standing committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANO).

Regarding the latter, the MP indicated there are a couple pieces of legislation the committee will be looking at to improve accountability while also studying the link between land use and sustainable economic development within the country’s First Nations. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

‘Stellar’ evening for Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts

The Community Public Art Committee in Canmore has managed to top itself yet again.

Last Friday (Sept. 28) the group, along with Mayor John Borrownman, hosted the annual Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts, which celebrates and honours those who have contributed to the arts in the community with an evening of song, dance, visual art and this year, a keynote speaker from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

“I thought it was stellar,” Borrowman said afterwards. “It was such a great Canmore event with Canmore spirit. With my background in the arts, I do have a soft spot for the arts sector. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Fuel cells to change the future of the energy industry

The world is moving to a lower carbon footprint and Canadians can expect to see significant changes to the energy industry and development of natural resources over the next 10 to 30 years.

Speaking to a packed room at Silvertip Golf Course on Sept. 13, Guy Turcotte, chairman, president and CEO of Stone Creek Resorts, highlighted this point and outlined for members of BOWDA and other guests the future of hydrogen as an energy source and its relevance to individuals and municipalities.

Turcotte, who previously founded oil companies Chauvco Resources Ltd. and Western Oil Sands Inc., the latter of which was sold to Marathon Oil Corporation in 2007 for an estimated $6.6 billion, is now chairman of Western Hydrogen, a Calgary-based company dedicated to the development and commercialization of hydrogen manufacturing technology. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

More transparency for Alberta’s governing bodies

The provincial government is making strides to be more transparent in how its politicians are spending taxpayer dollars in hopes of influencing municipal members to do the same.

In Canmore, however, that has already begun with the detailed online publication of the contract given to the Town’s chief administrative officer, Lisa de Soto, after she was hired this past July.

The issue of providing all details online was somewhat contentious when the public learned former CAO Don Kochan was paid out over $400,000 after leaving the position in November, 2011. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Tougher penalties in place for drinking and driving

Impaired driving is often cited as the largest single criminal cause of death in Canada and tougher penalties introduced by Alberta Transportation aim to curb that, however, the legislation has its fair share of critics.

On Sept. 1, the second stage of the modification surrounding Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act laws came into effect – which provides tougher penalties handed out to those caught driving with a blood alcohol level of between .05 and .08.

Under the new legislation, drivers face a three-day licence suspension and vehicle seizure if they blow between .05 and the legal limit, as opposed to a 24-hour suspension that has been in place since 1999. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

No cap set on licences for taxi companies

Canmore council has decided to maintain the taxi bylaw in its current form and not put a cap on the number of future cab businesses it issues licences to.

A motion by Mayor John Borrowman to maintain the status quo passed unanimously among council at its meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 18) following a request from the Canmore Association of Taxi Cab Owners (CATCO) to limit the number of future cab companies the town grants licences to.

In its letter request to council in April, CATCO, which is comprised of six cab companies operating within Canmore, stated that it’s difficult to plan, operate and hire new staff when there is no restriction to limit the number of cab companies allowed to operate. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Black bear moved out of the valley

A black bear spotted in multiple backyards near Elk Run Boulevard last weekend has been relocated out of the valley after it was tranquilized by Fish and Wildlife officers.

Around 16 calls were received on Saturday (Sept. 15) of a bear, which was brown in colour and originally mistaken as a grizzly, seen roaming backyards and eating fruit from trees, predominately crab apple trees.

“It was going from yard to yard, deck to deck,” said Fish and Wildlife Officer Dave Dickson. “It was obviously habituated to fruit trees. The guys were one step behind that bear for most of the day.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Prescribed fire projects set to commence in K-Country

Four prescribed fire projects are set to commence in the Kananaskis area over the next few weeks, as long as weather and on-the-ground forest conditions provide the appropriate circumstances.

The four initiatives include the Buller Creek prescribed fire, McLean Creek research prescribed fire, the Boundary Douglas-fir restoration project and the Old Baldy project, according to an update provided by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD).

“With these prescribed fires what we’re looking for is for it to increase diversity in habitat,” said Geoffrey Driscoll, a wildfire information officer. “When you don’ t have a fire in a landscape and there hasn’t been wildfires for a long time, then you get a forest that’s old.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Slàinte: Canmore Highland Games draws a big crowd

Canmore’s Sally Garen from the Three Sisters Scottish Festival Society at the Massed Pipes & Drums closing ceremony last Sunday (Sept. 2)

As the last pipe bands marched off the field to the tune of “Alba an Aigh” (Scotland the Brave), thousands of spectators in attendance paused to let the hairs on the back of their neck recede and celebrate the end of the day events at the 22nd annual Canmore Highland Games.

With a sun-soaked morning and afternoon filled with heavy sports such as the sheaf toss, colourful regalia worn by highland dancers and pipe and drum bands from across Western Canada, the event at Centennial Park last Sunday (Sept. 2) was another success. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.