No problem! It's still pretty quiet here but I'll do my best not to let it become terrible! Disclaimer: Even when I used reddit frequently I never took part in or even viewed r/alberta. With that in mind I'm hoping this can be a friendly community with good discussions.
Spyware being used by 13 federal departments
A directive from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) requires that all federal institutions carry out what it calls a privacy impact assessment (PIA) prior to any activity that involves the collection or handling of personal information, with the goal of identifying privacy risks and ways of mitigating or eliminating them.
According to the directive, which took effect in 2002 and was revised in 2010, federal departments must then provide a copy of their PIA to the TBS and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Radio-Canada asked each of the federal institutions using the spyware if they had first conducted privacy impact assessments. According to their written responses, none did. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it intends to do so.
There are influential people in Alberta who share the views of the former school trustee and have a militant commitment to advancing them.
"There are influential people in Alberta who share the former school trustee’s views and have a militant commitment to advancing them, and who will see an opportunity to engage in culture warfare."
I really like OSMand but in my location they don't have any address info (I can't enter someone's house address and find it, only street names) which is what I need 95% of the time when I need navigation. So I found myself using either Apple or Google maps more.
Slow-moving train cars derail at local CPKC yard
"Ten train cars that came off the tracks in the Medicine Hat marshalling yard, including some tank cars on their sides, were “re-railed” on Monday, according to a brief statement from Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroad. "
REDCLIFF, AB - A Redcliff resident has been charged after a string of commercial break and enters in the town ...
"A Redcliff resident has been charged after a string of commercial break and enters in the town and western Saskatchewan this month.
The RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit and Redcliff RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in Redcliff on Sept. 21.
The 36-year-old man is charged with break and enter; wearing disguise with intent; mischief to property; theft under $5,000; possession of stolen property over $5,000; possession of stolen property under $5,000; and possession of break-in tools.
He was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 28."
Grifter and Her Cult Squatting in Richmound
Romana Didulo and her band of followers have hunkered down in a rural Canadian village.
I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up in the media more.
"She claims to be the Queen of Canada, and now she's holding court in an abandoned school.
Romana Didulo, a QAnon-inspired conspiracy theorist, leads a group of supporters who have spent the last few years traveling around Canada in motorhomes and other vehicles.
Recently, the group moved into Richmound, a village of around 150 people in south-western Saskatchewan, and settled in at a former school. "
Honestly, it’s one of the best hikes you’ll find in the area, though the trail is pretty rugged at parts, so keep those eyes open.
"HOT SUMMER GUIDE: Showcasing everything we love about Alberta. It’s larch season! When fall rolls around, the Rocky Mountains turn golden as the beautiful larch trees change colours. This hike is known for having some of the best larch views around."
Alberta government introduces new public safety protocols aimed at addressing crime concerns
Alberta's provincial government announced new protocols on Monday in an effort to address increasing concerns about violence being committed in the province's major cities.
"Alberta’s provincial government announced new protocols on Monday in an effort to address increasing concerns about violence being committed in the province’s major cities."
AHS details cockroaches, previous violations at kitchen used by Calgary daycares affected by E. coli outbreak
"22 patients have developed a disease which affects the kidneys after E. coli infection"
Energy pause to cost parties fighting over local solar play
"Lawyers for groups proposing and opposing the construction of the Saamis Solar Park in Medicine Hat are in dispute about next steps during a province-wide pause on renewable energy projects, but both agree their costs could mount."
MEDICINE HAT, AB -Three City of Medicine Hat construction projects are scheduled to start today.At the Lions P...
"Three City of Medicine Hat construction projects are scheduled to start today.
At the Lions Park baseball diamond, work begins on an accessible asphalt trail to connect the eastern edge of the diamond area to the Strathcona parking lot. The city says it will create an easily navigable path for people in wheelchairs or other mobility limitations. "
About 1,000 bikers run toys for Santa Claus Fund
Great to see so much support for such a good cause!
"The 37th annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Toy Run took place this past Saturday. The run started in Irvine, where motorcycle enthusiasts fill the hamlet for the kickoff pancake breakfast, before riding to the city and ending outside the grandstand at the Medicine Hat Stampede & Exhibition grounds. "
MEDICINE HAT, AB - After a summer of skyrocketing power prices and utility bills, Medicine Hat City Council is...
"After a summer of skyrocketing power prices and utility bills, Medicine Hat City Council is giving customers immediate cost relief.
Measures for interim “best of market” electricity rates and an investigation into how the city sets its energy rates were also passed.
All nine councillors unanimously approved a cost pressure relief program totalling $33.1 million
Every residential utility account holder will receive a cost pressure relief payment of $400 on their bill for September and $200 in October and November. "
MEDICINE HAT, AB - Medicine Hat city council will take up the issue of high power prices and the method used t...
"Medicine Hat city council will take up the issue of high power prices and the method used to set the rates, as it meets tonight at 6:30.
The issue spilled over into a volatile meeting of concerned citizens at Higdon Hall last Tuesday, and came after a special direction from council to bring options to the current high prices to the meeting tonight."
Okay yes, at the pumps it may be, but what I'm saying is: Company 1 increases their prices 10% to offset the CT costs. Company 2 takes that 10% cost increase + their 10% increase and raises their pricing. Company 3 has an increase from Company 2 + 10% increase of their own and raises their prices accordingly.
Every level raises the prices that much more and in the end the consumers get stuck with all of that. So we're paying the carbon tax for each company down the supply chain.
That's fair. But as an ordinary person what I see is this: no matter which government is in charge, I'm getting poorer and no government is willing to do anything to help people like me. They just keep blowing smoke up my ass and pretending like they're actually doing something.
Absolutely agree. "Shrinkflation" is already a real problem used by many companies to give the appearance of not raising prices.
In all fairness, I'm getting nowhere near the amount back on rebates that prices have increased for me. One check doesn't even cover 1 month of utility increases let alone the several months that go by in between. And there's grocery, clothing and fuel costs on top of that.
REDCLIFF, AB - The Redcliff Legion and its future have been unknown for the past year. The legion took a finan...
"The Redcliff Legion and its future have been unknown for the past year. The legion took a financial hit last year after 64 thousand dollars were misappropriated almost forcing them to shut down. Now, a member says he is more optimistic for the organization’s future, but not without help from the community."
Part of the problem is that none of the parties address the real problems created by their actions. Liberal introduce a nation-wide carbon tax that should in theory tax large companies. In reality: Companies don't pay taxes, they raise their prices to cover the tax increase which "trickles down" (the only time trickle down economics actually "works") to the people.
So without dealing with that scenario when implementing the taxes, the ordinary Canadian gets hosed.
But now lets say PP becomes prime minister and reduces the taxes. Is he going to force companies to drop their prices to make up for that? Probably not. Companies will just use that as profit. So Canadians are still getting hosed.
And now after that lets say Liberals rise to power again. And re-implement these taxes. Once again, the companies will just pass those added costs onto the consumer again.
I wish I knew what the solution is here but I really don't. It feels like no matter what the government in charge does, companies just keep using it as an excuse to hose us one way or the other.
CYPRESS COUNTY, AB. - Two people from Medicine Hat and a third from Swift Current, lost their lives in an earl...
"CYPRESS COUNTY, AB. — Two people from Medicine Hat and a third from Swift Current, lost their lives in an early morning single vehicle accident in Cypress County.
Redcliff RCMP were called at around 1 o’clock this morning to a report that a vehicle had left the Holsom Road and entered the St. Mary’s Irrigation District Canal west of Medicine Hat.
..."
I think, and I've noticed this a lot with local radio. Big media companies shy away from pointing fingers and criticizing ANY potential advertisers. I guess they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.
This is quite problematic.
MEDICINE HAT, AB - The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about fraud asphalt paving companies ...
"The Consumer Investigations Unit is warning Albertans about fraud asphalt paving companies targeting residents in small towns and rural communities."
Aurora Sun transferred to subsidiary that sells ornamental flowers, starter vegetables
"Aurora Sun will rise again, according to the owner of the half-built greenhouse in Medicine Hat, and a new power agreement from the City of Medicine Hat helped guide the deal to completion."
Three episodes in and a Medicine Hat duo is still running The Amazing Race Canada.Siblings Shayla Oulette Ston...
"Three episodes in and a Medicine Hat duo is still running The Amazing Race Canada.
Siblings Shayla Oulette Stonechild and Joel Oulette finished episode three last week in fifth place. Eight teams remain in the race. The fourth episode of the reality series airs tonight at 9 p.m.
Both Shayla and Joel list Medicine Hat as their hometown. Shayla now lives in Vancouver working as an Indigenous and wellness advocate. Joel is an actor based in Medicine Hat."
Medicine Hat and area also under a watch.