PC

Local Wildrose Party team committed to the cause

The Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta is on its way to becoming the longest running provincial government in Canadian history, however, roughly three and a half years from now Alberta may finally see a changing of the guard if the upstart Wildrose Party continues to attract voters.

Defeated by 699 votes in the Banff-Cochrane constituency while still gaining 37 per cent of the popular vote during the spring election, the local Wildrose team is now prepared to work with official opposition status and focus on attracting Albertans fed up with a lack of conservative politics. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

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.

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.

MLA Ron Casey backs Premier Redford on re-engaging Albertans

Less than four months has elapsed since the Alison Redford-led provincial Conservatives regained a majority government in Albert’s legislature, but Banff-Cochrane MLA Ron Casey is confident the party’s leader is moving the province in the right direction.

The former Canmore mayor and rookie MLA said he has adapted to his new role as chair of the rural caucus within the party and his experiences as both mayor and town councillor provided the necessary experience. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Alberta candidates address rising power bills and new transmission lines

One of the hot topics for the upcoming provincial election is the recent spike in power bills, which has affected both St. Paul residents and business owners alike.

From large car dealerships to small independent shops on Main Street, the increase in the amount business owners are paying for power is substantial and with the passing of a very mild winter, people are scratching their heads to determine why that is. Read the full story at the St. Paul Journal.