On March 14, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) executed a search warrant at a business in Eleske, Alberta, and seized approximately 140,000 cigarettes. The seized tobacco products consisted of 704 boxes, with each box containing approximately 200 cigarettes.
Regina City Council has unanimously approved a motion to designate a piece of city land at Kings Park campground as an Indigenous ceremonial site. The site, located east of Regina by Tor Hill golf course, was proposed by Piapot First Nation elder Harry Francis, who spoke to council about the need for a dedicated space for ceremonies in the city. Francis highlighted the importance of ceremonies for Indigenous peoples to find their identity and expressed the challenges faced due to the loss of previous ceremonial grounds due to flooding. City manager Niki Anderson emphasized the city’s commitment to reconciliation and the designation of the ceremonial site, along with the hosting of sweat ceremonies, as tangible actions in support of this process.
Peterborough Musicfest, Canada’s longest-running free music festival, has a significant economic impact on the Peterborough region. Visitor spending during the festival exceeds $1.76 million, with the combined spending of out-of-town attendees and event organizers totaling over $2.34 million. The festival supports $1.2 million in wages and salaries and generates a diverse range of economic activity, with accommodations and restaurants being the leading expenditure categories.
Ontario high school students will soon have the opportunity to dedicate a significant portion of their Grade 11 and 12 studies to skilled trades through a new apprenticeship program. The program, announced by Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Labour Minister David Piccini, aims to accelerate student entry into the skilled trades workforce and address the growing demand for skilled workers.
Regina’s Neuron e-scooters are back for the summer season, marking their second year of operation in the city. Last year, riders traveled 165,000 kilometers in Regina, with an average trip length of 2.9 kilometers and duration of 17 minutes. A survey conducted by Neuron revealed that 90% of respondents believe e-scooters have a positive impact on the city. Notably, 54% of all trips in Regina replaced car journeys, reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 14 tonnes. Neuron’s General Manager for Canada, Ankush Karwal, expressed enthusiasm about the return of e-scooters, highlighting their safety features and the positive economic impact they bring to local businesses.
In an effort to curb dangerous driving behaviors, Saskatchewan is implementing enhanced penalties for excessive speeding, stunting, and racing, effective Wednesday. These penalties include a 30-day vehicle impoundment and a seven-day license suspension for first-time offenses. The province is also increasing fines for these violations, with stunting now carrying a fine of $580 (up from $150) and first-time street racing offenses costing $580 (up from $205). Repeat offenses result in even higher fines.
The Edmonton Elks drafted linebacker Joel Dublanko first overall in the 2023 CFL Draft on Tuesday night, making him the ninth Bearcat taken in the draft but the first in the opening round. Dublanko, who is eligible for the CFL draft because his father is from Edmonton, played in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks before playing in 2023 with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars.
Peterborough police arrested a 32-year-old woman in connection with a series of garbage bin fires in the downtown area on Monday night. The suspect was identified using footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which have proven to be an effective crime-fighting tool in the city. The woman was charged with five counts of arson and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. Police Chief Stuart Betts praised the CCTV program for its role in the swift arrest.
The Edmonton Oilers stand on the cusp of securing their place in the second round of the NHL playoffs with a crucial Game 5 clash against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. The Oilers, holding a commanding 3-1 series lead, need just one more victory at Rogers Place to advance. Despite their success in Game 3 and 4, where they limited the Kings to a single goal, the Oilers are not taking their opponents lightly. Goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenseman Darnell Nurse emphasized the importance of being comfortable in high-stakes games and executing a strong defensive strategy.
The Alberta government has confirmed that it will be discontinuing its funding for low-income transit passes in Edmonton and Calgary. This decision has drawn widespread criticism from mayors and advocacy groups, who argue that the program is essential for low-income residents to access basic necessities and participate in the economy. The government has defended its decision, saying that transit is a municipal responsibility and that it is investing in other programs to support low-income Albertans.
