The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board has voted to immediately initiate the process for winding down operations.

As Ottawa promises to retaliate against American trade tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a new swipe at Canada.

As pickleball’s popularity soars in Alberta, some clubs in the Edmonton region say they desperately need more outdoor courts but can’t afford to build new facilities on their own.

Court of King's Bench Justice James Neilson certified the suit against the federal government, the Diocese of Saint-Paul and the Lakeland Roman Catholic Separate School Division. But he dismissed an application to include the Alberta government as a defendant.

An active transportation advocacy group wants the City of Edmonton to consider what it calls a "bold idea" for where 76 Avenue crosses the Mill Creek Ravine between the Ritchie and King Edward Park neighbourhoods.

Paths for People has proposed to close this portion of 76 Avenue to vehicles and renaturalize the area. Vice-chair Cheryl Villetard told Taproot the idea started when Paths for People and Connect76 hosted a Jane's Walk in May that explored the area. Currently, 76 Avenue crosses the ravine atop a culvert. A walk participant suggested the section of roadway could be demolished once it is scheduled for renewal in a few years. The idea was that the culvert could be removed, returning the natural flow of the creek, and that active transportation could be prioritized.

"We've been kind of percolating on the idea and (thinking) about bringing it up to the (city) project team for that renewal project to see if they would put it in as an idea, as one of the renewal options," Villetard said.

But Villetard then learned this exact portion of roadway would be worked on much sooner than thought because the city is now pairing the renewal with the replacement of the nearby Mill Creek Ravine trestle bridge. That meant time was running out to potentially influence the project.

During the bridge replacement project, the city's initial plan was to simply perform maintenance on the nearby culvert. After further review, though, the city is considering removing the culvert and building a bridge for vehicular traffic on 76 Avenue instead. (The corridor is currently closed to westbound vehicle traffic as the city completes unrelated work for erosion repair and slope improvement in the ravine.)

"It's sparked a really interesting opportunity where the scope of the project has turned from just maintenance on a culvert, which is probably minimal cost, to building the whole bridge, which is a huge cost, millions of dollars," Villetard said.

The trestle bridge project and culvert replacement are included in a composite budget profile in the 2023-2026 capital budget. The two projects are sharing about $210 million with 37 other bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects.

Villetard said the group's idea feels like a pipe dream, but is not impossible given how well-connected Ritchie and King Edward Park are.

"I think this one opportunity actually feels like a big hill to climb, but when you think about the details of it, it's actually quite a good spot to do this," Villetard said. "We're not talking about a neighbourhood like Belgravia where there's only two (entrances). We're talking about these neighbourhoods that are very grid-aligned, and they have (entrances) on almost every block."

Administration has considered "daylighting" Mill Creek since at least 2015. Portions of the creek were diverted underground in the 1970s to enable vehicle traffic. Daylighting would reroute the creek back to ground level. The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition wrote a letter of support for Path for People's proposal because it would help daylight the creek.

The city's engagement on 76 Avenue renewal asked cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers which section of the roadway they would like to see improvements on. Cyclists and pedestrians overwhelmingly pointed at the portion of 76 Avenue that crosses the ravine. Vehicle drivers also chose that portion, though to a lesser extent. According to the engagement, vehicle drivers want to discourage those who use 76 Avenue to shortcut through the Ritchie and King Edward Park neighbourhoods.

Paths for People said those who are interested in exploring its proposed changes to 76 Avenue can provide support on an online form. Villetard said Paths for People will continue to advocate for the proposal before the city's work on the trestle bridge begins.

Here are opportunities to inform municipal decision-making on rezoning, recreation, public services, and more. Please only answer surveys from the municipality where you live.

• Strathcona Blok99 Rezoning — The City of Edmonton is considering an application to rezone a vacant lot on the northeast corner of 99 Street NW and 90 Avenue NW to allow developers to build a mid-rise residential building of up to eight storeys. Residents can ask questions or share thoughts to a discussion board. Due to the recent Canada Post strike, engagement has been extended to Jan. 26.
• 2024 Public Satisfaction Survey — Strathcona County is running its annual public satisfaction survey for residents to share feedback on county programs and services. The survey will be open until Feb. 14.
• Engage and Play: Shaping Public Recreation — The City of Edmonton is working on a sports and recreation plan, which will affect decisions about programs, facilities, and budgeting. Edmontonians are invited to share stories about what they love about sport or recreation in Edmonton, or complete a survey until Feb. 28.

More input opportunities

• Until Jan. 26: Touchmark at Wedgewood Rezoning — 18333 Lessard Road NW (City of Edmonton)
• Until Feb. 2: 2025 RCMP and Enforcement Services Priorities Survey (Strathcona County)
• Until April 15: Passenger Rail Master Plan Survey (Government of Alberta)

A recently released report compiled by a local economist suggests the oil sector is already seeing some of the promised benefits from the contentious Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion just six months after its completion.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has been acclaimed as the party's candidate in Edmonton-Strathcona.

Canadian premiers say it's time to focus on reducing domestic trade barriers, making it easier to trade goods and move workers between provinces — especially with a Canada-U.S. trade war looming.

Banff Sunshine Village says it's seeing more Americans hit the ski hills this winter, a bump they attribute in part to the Canadian loonie that has been hovering around 70 cents compared with the U.S. dollar for weeks.

Previously convicted teacher Fred Archer, now 80, is facing five new charges, stemming from alleged incidents in the 1990s, including sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching.

The broadcaster plans to expand its coverage in seven locations around the province, as part of an initiative to hire 30 permanent journalists to bolster its local news coverage.

Cochrane RCMP charged a 49-year-old teacher on Tuesday with a series of sexual offences, after a female student reported inappropriate behaviour.

A train derailment near Bassano, Alta., in July 2022 was caused by a track buckle, according to a Transportation and Safety Board of Canada investigation into the incident.

New guidelines are in place for Alberta doctors who, for safety reasons, decide to reduce the number of patients on their roster.

The cost of rent in major Canadian cities is decreasing. Andrew Chang explains changes in the market driving the downward trend and why fewer people are renting right now.

The Calgary Marathon will look different in 2025, expanding to an entire week of activities and events. Kirsten Fleming, executive director of Run Calgary, joined CBC Radio's the Calgary Eyeopener on Wednesday morning to talk about the changes.

A member of a committee created by former Alberta energy minister Sonya Savage in 2021 to consult the public on the future of coal mining in the province says he's in a "state of shock" about recent moves taken by the province.

Chester Cunningham received many accolades in his life for his work in Indigenous justice, but his family is remembering him as a man who saw the good in everyone, with a drive to help Indigenous offenders. He died last month at age 91. 

1936 – 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Walter Harold (Hal) Sigurdson of Pincher Creek, Alta., on Jan. 10, 2025, at the age of 88.

Hal was born on Dec. 29, 1936, to Alfred and Gertrude Sigurdson in Wynyard, Sask.  After spending several years in Saskatchewan, the family moved to Mission, B.C. 

At the age of 17, Hal wanted to join the Royal Canadian Air Force; however, you needed at least one parent’s signature to do so at the time.  After his father refused to sign, Hal got his mother to agree, and off he went to Borden, Ont., for basic training.

Hal’s life was one of service, spending many years serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force at bases in Manitoba and Alberta, as well as overseas in France and Germany.  While serving at Cold Lake, Alta., Hal walked into the bank where Janice was working, and Janice saw his blue uniform and immediately fell for him.  Hal and Janice were married on Sept. 18, 1971, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., where they lived until they received housing on the military base. 

Together they worked on blending their two families and were later blessed with their daughter Kim.  While raising a family, Hal took a peacekeeping posting overseas in Egypt on a six-month mission, while Janice held down the fort at home.  

Hal was also very involved with local Scout troops in Germany and Cold Lake; leading groups and teaching them different skills allowed him to build lifelong friendships. Hal and Janice also enjoyed camping often, and spent one summer travelling across Canada in their truck and fifth-wheel trailer.

After retiring from the Air Force, Hal took up woodworking in his spare time.  He had a small shop set up in his garage, where he produced many projects, including two cherished cradles he made for his grandchildren.  Never one to be idle in retirement, Hal continued serving his community, including working with the Pincher Creek Legion as a service officer, after moving here in 1997.

Hal was very intuitive and just knew how to fix things, especially anything electrical.  However, this did get him in trouble a time or two, when he insisted he could fix a light fixture without turning the power off and got knocked off the ladder in the process.  People describe Hal as smart, knowledgeable, well respected, with a strong personality and a great laugh.

Hal is survived by his loving wife, Janice; sons Allan (Donna) Moggey and Jeff (Cammie) Sigurdson; daughters Pamela (Roger) Sigurdson and Kim (Chad) Amos; and grandchildren Samantha, Hilary, Morgan, Mikaela, Logan, Theo and Taylor.

Hal was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Gertrude Sigurdson; brother Gerry; sisters Olive and Joyce; and son Randy Sigurdson.

Hal will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Arrangements entrusted to Snodgrass Funeral Homes

The obituary for Walter (Hal) Sigurdson appeared in the Jan. 22, 2025, issue of Shootin’ the Breeze. Condolences are extended to family and friends.

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1961 – 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Shenton, who left this world peacefully on Jan. 13, 2025, at the age of 63. Born on Oct. 15, 1961, Barb was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend whose vibrant spirit touched the lives of everyone she met.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Brian O’Sullivan, in November 2024; her parents, Marge and Cecil Shenton; and her brother Jim Shenton.

She is lovingly remembered by her surviving brothers, Pat (Pearl) Shenton and K.C. (Brenda) Shenton, Brian’s children, Judd and Tina and their children and grandchildren, and her many cherished nieces and nephews, who brought her great joy during their visits.

Above all, Barbara was a dedicated mother to Nicole (Matt) Kaminski, and a proud grandmother to Abigail and Conner. She cherished their visits, especially during Christmas, which was a time of joy and togetherness for the family. Barb treasured her family deeply and delighted in sharing stories of her grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Barbara grew up on the beautiful Mill Creek Ranch near Pincher Creek, where she developed a deep love for the land and animals. Her passion for gardening and raising dogs was evident throughout her life. She bred Clumber Spaniels and Rottweilers and recently found a loyal companion in her pup, Missy, who was by her side until the end.

Barbara’s journey through life took her from Pincher Creek to Lethbridge, where she worked at Novatel. Later, she moved to Medicine Hat, where she worked on the farm and held several other roles before returning to Lethbridge to reunite with Brian. Together, they built their dream home and orchard on family land in the picturesque Gladstone Valley. For the past 10 years, Barbara worked at Co-op in Pincher Creek, where she made many meaningful connections.

Barbara’s warmth, humour and love for life touched all who knew her. She had a special talent for bringing people together, whether it was through her vibrant conversations or her love for a good card game. We find comfort in imagining her reuniting with her parents, Marge and Cecil, for another lively round of cards in heaven.

Barbara will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

A celebration of Barbara’s life was held at Jennie Emery Elementary School gymnasium (1101 22nd Ave., Coaldale) on Jan. 26, 2025. 

Rest in peace; your laugh, smile, hugs and kindness will be deeply missed. Love you always and forever. 

To send a condolence, visit www.edensfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Eden’s Funeral Home

The obituary for Barbara Shenton appeared in the Jan. 22, 2025, issue of Shootin’ the Breeze. Condolences are extended to family and friends.

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Feb. 3, 1950 – Dec. 31, 2024

Fred Gibson of Pincher Creek passed away Dec. 31, 2024, after a brief illness.

At the age of 10, he drove a tractor for his dad, and knew right then he wanted to drive trucks for a living. He loved every minute behind the wheel of a big rig driving across North America.

Fred is survived by Judi, his wife of 47 years, godson Gabriel and sister Hazel. He was predeceased by his folks, Gerald and Joyce Gibson of Pincher Creek.

At Fred’s request, there will be no funeral service.

The obituary for Fred Gibson appeared in the Jan. 22, 2025, issue of Shootin’ the Breeze. Condolences are extended to family and friends.

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Canada’s forgotten heroes of the Nevada atomic tests

Publisher’s preface by Shannon Peace

This story describes Canadian soldier Arnie Clay’s remarkable experiences in the Nevada desert in 1957. It was written by my dad, Oren Robison, and published in the The Nipawin Bridge magazine in 1994, then updated and republished in 2007.

To Canada’s shame, the “Atomic Veterans” and their survivors were unacknowledged and uncompensated for decades.

Atomic Veteran: Arnie Clay’s Story

By Oren Robison

“Experienced five atomic blasts at Yucca Flats, Nevada, as part of U.S.A. experimental task force.”

That entry was made in a small, hardbound booklet and signed by a U.S. army doctor, J.T. Richardson.

It is in the Canadian Army service, pay and medical record book of Arnold (Arnie) Clay, formerly of Nipawin, Sask., and now retired in Calgary.

Arnie has experienced — and survived — what generations of Canadians have been taught to fear — direct exposure to nuclear explosions, and their aftermath.

Born Nov. 5, 1936, the son of Albert and Ella Clay was raised with his brothers, Ken and Keith, in a tiny house in Nipawin. Their dad was a veteran of the Second World War, a baker by trade, and later a municipal policeman.

By 1956, Arnie was ready to see more of the world. In February that year he went to Regina and enlisted in the army. He was sent to Calgary to join the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

Before long he was among a contingent of men to undergo special training at Wainwright, Alta.

“I can’t remember if we volunteered, or if they volunteered us,” he says.

It was rigorous training, including river crossings and assault tactics.

“We would raid camps, do things other soldiers wouldn’t do” — some of the men couldn’t take it and were returned to their regular duties. So it was an elite group that left Canada in the summer of 1957, bound for the Nevada desert.

“We knew we were going to Nevada to see some atomic blasts, but I don’t remember ever being told that there was any particular danger,” Arnie says. “Besides, when you’re 20 years old you don’t believe anything can hurt you.”

At the first atomic blast witnessed by his contingent, “We observed it just as spectators. We were about a mile-and-a-half from it [ground zero]. It was a small bomb. We had no shelter, and we could feel a bit of the heat.

“I was at the back of the ranks, because I was one of the tall guys. When they said the blast was coming toward us I couldn’t see it, so I started jumping up and down [to see over the men in front of him]. Then the blast arrived and we were picking ourselves up off the ground.”

At the second explosion, the Canadian soldiers “just turned our backs to it.

“Then we went on manoeuvres [war games], skirting the ‘hot zone’ because in the initial blast area nothing lives, nothing survives, nothing grows; there’s just too much radiation to enter it.”

For the third experiment, the troops were ordered to dig trenches in the desert soil. This time they would be less than a mile from the bomb’s detonation point.

“We were told to kneel in the trenches and put our rubber ponchos over our heads. When the flash came, the ground started shaking and the trenches started to cave in, so we had to stand, so we wouldn’t get buried.

“Some guys had to be dug out, because they didn’t stand fast enough.

“When we stood, we could see the blast coming across the desert, rolling everything in front of it. Later, we could see that in the trenches that hadn’t collapsed, the earth was burnt at least a foot down.”

Arnie had only vague recollections of the fourth blast, “Except getting on the trucks to go to the test area. There was equipment in the field, for testing, and the loudspeakers were blaring the countdown — but that’s all I remember of that one.”

The fifth was the biggest of this test series, a bomb more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

“We were 10 miles from it. We had to evacuate our original position and move, because of a wind change.”

At the new position, “We were behind a hill, with American troops. The Canadian group went and stood at the top of the hill, to watch.

“Just before zero hour, a warning came over the loudspeaker and we turned our backs, put our ponchos over our heads, and our arms over our eyes.”

When the detonation flash came, “I could see right through my arm, like it wasn’t even there — that’s how bright it was. We could feel the heat on our backs.

“When the flash was over we took our ponchos off and turned to watch. The blast came, rolling things in front of it. We could see it, and we stood to face it. It took a few minutes to come across the desert.”

Armoured tanks and heavy trucks left parked on the desert were tossed like toys.

“We braced ourselves for the hit, but it didn’t do much good — it threw us all over the place.”

As on the previous four occasions, the Canadian soldiers were completely exposed to the radioactive nuclear explosions — no shelter, no protective equipment.

On each occasion, they were advised to protect their eyes from the flash by averting their gaze and covering their eyes with their arms. On each occasion, they had nothing more than the standard-issue rubber ponchos to protect their bodies.

After each explosion and the subsequent field manoeuvres, they were given whisk brooms to sweep the radioactive dust from one another.

Each soldier wore a special badge-like device that measured how much radiation he had taken.

“The badge would change colour, depending on the amount of radiation. Once it got to a certain colour, the guy would be taken away. I don’t know what happened to them — I never saw them again, and my badge never got to that colour,” Arnie said.

That might have been because some of the “badges” were later found to be defective.

This series of tests was conducted in July and August 1957.

Arnold Clay of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, circa 1956.

Photo courtesy of Arnie Clay

When his duties in Nevada were completed, Arnie was sent to Germany with NATO forces.

“I was on the military hockey team, and that’s all I did there,” he says with a laugh.

About a year later, he left the army. On Nov. 22, 1958, he married a Calgary girl, Marjorie Hicklin, and settled into civilian life, a baker, like his dad.

Years passed and they were busy raising their sons, Tracy and Derrick, and a daughter, Crystal.

Unexpectedly, a call came from the army and Arnie was told to report to a military hospital for an examination.

“When I went into the hospital I was handed a big envelope with my name on it and the words, ‘Nevada Special.’ That’s all it said.

“They kept me there for two days, doing all kinds of tests. Some of the stuff was sent to the States, and I was told they’d get back to me.

“I’ve been waiting more than 30 years. They never have got back to me.”

Now retired from Safeway, Arnie suffers from deteriorating vertebrae in his back and from pain in his knees and neck — “all my joints.”

“But I’m one of the lucky ones,” he says.

He has remained active and with Marj has roamed the length and breadth of Canada and the United States in their motor home. 

Meanwhile, many of his comrades-in-arms were already in premature graves.

Others were striving, with virtually no success, to have the Canadian government recognize the so-called “Nuclear Veterans” and to provide compensation where appropriate.

At one time, there were six men from Arnie’s outfit living in Calgary.

“The last time I saw three of them, they were in wheelchairs. Their arms and legs were twisted. A lot of the guys have some form of cancer,” he said.

Since 1988, the United States government has recognized that thousands of American troops suffering from at least 15 types of cancers are victims of the nuclear tests. They, and their families, can apply for cash compensation.

In Canada, however, the policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs has been to examine individual cases.

Few applicants made any headway. According to the Calgary Herald, nuclear veteran Jim Huntley was turned down for a pension several times — and was finally told not to bother applying anymore.

Although Canadian authorities at one time displayed some apparent interest in testing their human guinea pigs to learn about the effects of atomic radiation on unprotected human beings, even that ceased many years ago.

There never has been interest shown in acknowledging the atomic veterans or for looking after any special needs of the men or their descendants.

On Nov. 11, 2007, at a Remembrance Day banquet at the Nipawin Legion, Conservative MP Brian Fitzpatrick proudly presented a framed copy of the new Veterans Bill of Rights, for permanent display.

Among its provisions is the right to be treated with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.

Arnie’s earlier comment on Canada’s indifference did not reflect a sense of betrayal — quite.

“Well, I’m one of the lucky ones so, for me, no — but for some of the guys, and for their families … ”

His closing thoughts:

“We were 10 miles from the blast on the fifth test — the column that went up after the explosion might have been a mile high, I really don’t know — but it was just like it was right there.

“I saw it tower up, like a cylinder of deep, pure red — and then it got like a mushroom, this huge, black cloud.

“It was beautiful.

“They’re nice to see — but you want to hope you never see one.”

The Long Road to Justice for Canada’s Nuclear Survivors

Publisher’s closing by Shannon Peace

Canada’s atomic veterans waited more than 50 years for the federal government to recognize their service and sacrifice. Between 1946 and 1963, these soldiers were subjected to nuclear testing, enduring extraordinary circumstances and exposure to deadly radiation. They did as ordered, including keeping the atomic trials secret. 

Class-action lawsuit

For decades, the Canadian Atomic Veterans Association, an advocacy group for affected soldiers and their families, sought formal acknowledgement of their service and compensation for illnesses and deaths attributed to radiation exposure. 

In February 2008, the association filed a class-action lawsuit against the federal government. 

Legal counsel Tony Merchant alleged that Canadian soldiers were not informed of the known health risks of nuclear exposure. He sought $150,000 per veteran, an amount based on inflation-adjusted compensation of up to $75,000 paid to American atomic soldiers who were similarly uninformed of the health risks.

With no public record of a settlement found through online searches, it seems the suit did not have a favourable outcome for the veterans.

Arnie Clay has no knowledge of the lawsuit.

Paltry compensation

Fast forward to September 2008 when then Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced an ex-gratia payment of $24,000 for eligible atomic veterans, including estates of the deceased. 

The timing of the Calgary press conference was suspect, with the compensation laid out just ahead of a federal election call.

“We simply felt that now was the time to deliver on this commitment to see a form of financial recognition but, more importantly, public acknowledgement of the tremendous contribution that atomic veterans made to the security of our country. And made with, really, little choice. They were given an order, which they obeyed valiantly,” the minister told reporters.

An archived press release closes with, “All those who serve their country, past or present, deserve the respect, admiration and care of a grateful nation.”

Last man standing

Arnie Clay turned 88 on Nov. 5, 2024. He is in good health and continues to enjoy roadtripping with his wife, Marj. 

In 1957, Arnie was one of 42 soldiers exposed to nuclear testing in the Nevada desert. Now, he is the last man standing.
“I’m the only one left,” he says. “There were 1,200 Americans and they’re all gone also.”

While he counts himself lucky, Arnie isn’t defined by that long-ago summer in the desert. After years of silence Arnie says he has forgotten everything.

“For so long, we couldn’t talk about it, so I just let it all go,” he says. “It’s something that I’ve done and I’ve got lots of other things left to do.”

Thank you, Arnie, for your service and for sharing your story.

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Local stories, news, obituaries, jobs, notices and events in Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass in the Jan. 22 issue of Shootin’ the Breeze.

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It's that time of year again: Edmonton homeowners are getting their property tax assessments in the mail.

An Edmonton mother says her family is feeling the strain as a strike by school support staff enters its second week. More than 3,000 support workers have been picketing over a wage dispute with their employer.

The young man pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced under an intensive custody and supervision order — a sentencing option for youth convicted of serious criminal offences who have a mental illness or psychological disorder.

Alberta New Democratic Party leader Naheed Nenshi does not currently hold a seat in the Alberta Legislature and has announced he will run for Rachel Notley's recently vacated seat in Edmonton-Strathcona in a by-election.

Nenshi is synonymous with Calgary thanks to his 11 years as mayor and has confirmed he is not moving to Edmonton in a social media post. "This doesn't mean I'm leaving Calgary behind!" Nenshi wrote.

How can he run to represent an Edmonton riding, then? To find out, Taproot caught up with Duane Bratt, a professor who teaches international relations and public policy at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

"It's up to voters, and we replicate the British parliamentary system," Bratt told Taproot about Nenshi's decision and options.

Bratt said Nenshi, who won the NDP leadership in June and did not run to be a member of Alberta's legislative assembly in the 2023 provincial election, fits the definition of a "parachute candidate" in this scenario. Such candidates are people who parachute into a riding located far from where they live in order to secure election to a legislature. Other examples of parachute candidates in Alberta include Premier Danielle Smith, who returned to the legislature by winning a by-election in Brooks-Medicine Hat in November 2022, after already being handed Alberta's premier role by winning the United Conservative Party leadership contest to replace former leader and premier, Jason Kenney, in October 2022.

Notley, who led Alberta as premier from 2015 to 2019 and the NDP from 2014 until 2024, vacated the Edmonton-Strathcona seat on Dec. 30. The rules dictate the United Progressive Conservative government must call a by-election by June 30. It has yet to do so.

Bratt said provincial candidates have always been allowed to run in any riding, regardless of where they live, and that holds true federally as well. Bratt also said Nenshi's choice of where to run makes sense for political reasons, and that the UCP has options to add politics to it all, too.

Nenshi, for his part, said in a post that running in Edmonton does not change much about who he is. "While still proudly Calgarian, I'm already dividing my time between the two cities and I'm looking forward to learning more about Edmonton," he wrote in his social media post.

Why Edmonton-Strathcona?

Bratt said Nenshi's decision of where to run makes sense. "It's the safest NDP riding in the province," he said. The numbers back him up. Notley held the seat for nearly 17 years. In the 2023 election, Notley running for the NDP received 80% of the vote, and Edmonton-Strathcona received the lowest number of votes for the UCP of any riding.

What took Nenshi so long to run?

Premier Smith has suggested Nenshi should have found a seat sooner. Nenshi, meanwhile, has said he did not want to ask one of his colleagues to step down in their riding to make way for him. Nenshi could have run in the Lethbridge-West by-election (which the NDP's Rob Miyashiro won on Dec. 18), but said he was more interested in Calgary and Edmonton due to his familiarity with them.

Bratt said there are a few possible reasons for Nenshi choosing to wait. One, he needs to work in Edmonton as opposition leader. Two, living in Calgary and working in Edmonton makes Lethbridge out of his way. Three, waiting for the right riding is less time-sensitive for an opposition leader than it is for a premier.

"I understand the reasons why he's doing this," Bratt said. "This is not unprecedented; this is actually quite common." He later added that there's a "fundamental difference" between being the premier, like Smith was (when she secured the Brooks-Medicine Hat seat) and leading the opposition.

Though some may not understand this, in our electoral system, premiers don't even need to win a riding to hold the province's top job, Bratt explained. There is no constitutional requirement for premiers to have seats at the assembly, and the same is true federally. Party leaders need not be a member of Parliament to become prime minister, which could be the case for Mark Carney.

Still, Bratt said that it's not politically feasible to last in a top job like premier or prime minister without holding a seat. Without one, the premier cannot address the legislature, though they can appoint envoys to speak on their behalf.

When will the by-election take place?

The by-election in Edmonton-Strathcona must legally be called by June 30. Bratt said the UCP's most logical move to serve its own political interests is to wait as long as possible. He said this is what they did for Lethbridge-West, which former NDP MLA Shannon Phillips vacated by resigning on July 1.

The UCP also chose not to hold a by-election in Calgary-Elbow after Doug Schweitzer announced he was vacating his seat as of September 2022. The seat was filled by the general election in May 2023. The NDP's Samir Kayande narrowly won the riding in 2023.

Dave Climenhaga, the author of AlbertaPolitics.ca, has written that one complexity of the by-election in Edmonton-Strathcona is the spectre of a federal election that could take place at or around the same time.

What might the UCP's strategy be for the by-election?

"They're not going to defeat Nenshi in (Edmonton-)Strathcona," Bratt said.

He said that there are two options the UCP could pursue, even if defeat is a foregone conclusion.

"What they could do is weaken him by throwing up a strong campaign," Bratt said. "Or, they could finally say: 'No, he's going to win' — but they won't say that. They'll say: 'Out of respect, we won't run a candidate.'"

He said that sometimes parties don't even bother to run a candidate against a party leader in a by-election. However, the NDP ran Gwendoline Dirk against Smith in the 2022 by-election in Brooks-Medicine Hat. "The NDP put a lot of force into fighting Smith, because they thought if they could defeat Smith in her by-election, it would force her out of office," Bratt said.

Whatever the UCP decides to do about Edmonton-Strathcona, the next provincial election is currently scheduled for Oct. 18, 2027.

Alberta RCMP are advising drivers against travelling on Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary Tuesday night due to what they describe as "extreme weather conditions."

A judge with the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has certified a class-action lawsuit that alleges school staff knew and “failed to respond properly to the many disclosures of abuse" made by students against two teachers at John Ware Junior High School.

Alberta's social services minister says $112 million earmarked for 250 new permanent homes in Jasper, Alta., is off the table if Parks Canada and the local government continue to pursue a different vision for the town's post-wildfire rebuild.

On the second floor of the Château Montebello’s lobby, there are framed photographs commemorating the visits of Ronald Reagan in 1981 for a G7 summit and George W. Bush for a meeting of North American leaders in 2007. Those days — and those presidents — now seem quaint.

The man accused of orchestrating a string of arsons connected to extortion cases targeting South Asian home builders in Edmonton has been arrested overseas.

A version of this story was originally published in Alberta Native News.

In one of his final acts in office, U.S. President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist who was convicted of killing two federal officers on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975.

Biden didn’t outright pardon Peltier, an 80-year-old elder of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa who survived the federal Indian boarding school system—the U.S. equivalent of residential schools—but permitted him to serve the rest of his sentence from home.

A Jan. 20 statement from Biden cited Peltier’s age, poor health and the fact that he “has spent the majority of his life (nearly half a century) in prison.”

Biden commuted Peltier’s sentence over the objection of Christopher Wray, his FBI director, who wrote a letter to the president in early 2024 calling Peltier a “remorseless killer,” although Peltier has consistently maintained his innocence.

Peltier was a leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM), which in 1973 led an occupation of Wounded Knee, the site in South Dakota where the U.S. military massacred 300 Lakota people in 1890, to protest violations of their Treaty rights.

In response, U.S. law enforcement spent the next three years engaged in a campaign of surveillance, harassment and violence against local AIM members, killing 64 people. They did so with the help of local paramilitary collaborators, the Guardians Of the Oglala Nation, or GOON Squad.

In this context, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams entered Jumping Bull Ranch on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to arrest a young Native man in June 1975. There were 30 AIM members gathered on the ranch, including Peltier, who had been invited by elders.

A shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of Coler and Williams, as well as local Native Joe Stuntz, whose death was never investigated.

Peltier was charged in the officers’ deaths, as were fellow AIM members Dino Butler and Bob Robideau. Fearing an unfair trial, Peltier fled to Canada, where he was extradited by the RCMP and returned to the U.S. to stand trial in February 1976.

Peltier was convicted in 1977, despite prosecutors admitting they had no direct evidence tying him to the officers’ killing.

Documents obtained by his lawyers through a 1980 freedom of information request revealed that key ballistics evidence that called into question whether his gun was used to kill the officers was withheld from the defence, but the Court of Appeal denied a 1986 request for a re-trial.

Amnesty International USA executive director Paul O’Brien cited “serious human rights concerns about the fairness of his trial” in a Jan. 20 statement applauding Biden for commuting Peltier’s sentence, although Amnesty has long called for full clemency.

Peltier’s release was praised by the National Congress of American Indians, who called him “one of the longest incarcerated Native American political prisoners.”

“After nearly 50 years of unjust imprisonment, President Biden’s decision to grant Leonard Peltier the opportunity to return home is a powerful act of compassion and an important step toward healing,” said NCAI president Mark Macarro in a statement.

Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe who became the first Native American cabinet secretary when Biden appointed her secretary of the interior in 2021, said she was “beyond words” about the commutation of Peltier’s sentence.

“His release from prison signifies a measure of justice that has long evaded so many Native Americans for so many decades,” Haaland wrote on Twitter.

Musician and activist Tom Morello, who played guitar in the American rap-metal band Rage Against the Machine (RATM), celebrated Peltier’s release on Twitter, posting a link to the music video for his band’s 1992 song “Freedom,” which brought attention to Peltier’s plight.

“For almost 5 decades human rights organizations, Native American activists, average everyday people and bands like RATM have lobbied for the release of political prisoner, [sic] Leonard Peltier,” wrote Morello.

“Leonard has become a friend over the years and I am so glad at 80 years old and in poor health he will be able to spend his remaining years with family and friends.”

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Trump begins second presidency with suite of executive orders

President Donald Trump marked the start of his second administration on Jan. 20 by signing more than two dozen executive orders, which included pardoning all people convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, further militarizing the southern border and persecuting transgender people.

The executive order freeing the Capitol rioters refers to their prosecution as a “grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years,” and says their pardoning “begins a process of national reconciliation.”

Trump proclaimed a “national emergency” on the U.S.-Mexico border, enabling the Department of Defense to deploy the military and the National Guard to the border. This was supplemented by an executive order declaring Mexican drug cartels, as well as the transnational MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs, “specially designated global terrorists,” which would allow for the deployment of special forces to Mexico.

Another executive order, dubbed “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” mandates government documents refer only to the biological sex Americans were assigned, not at birth but “at conception,” and blocks public funding for gender affirming care.

Trump also restored the death penalty, withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, declared a “national energy emergency” to facilitate fossil fuel extraction on federal lands, and ended birthright citizenship.

You can shuffle through the series of executive orders, proclamations and memorandums Trump ordered yesterday here.

If you’re wondering what the difference between an executive order, proclamation and memorandum is, USA Today has got you covered with a handy explainer.

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In other news …

• Calling Canada “a very bad abuser,” Trump announced that his promised 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports will be going into effect on Feb. 1.

• Emma Paling writes in The Maple of how “the very tools Trump is threatening to dismantle are the same ones the United States has used for decades to influence and dominate other countries,” especially Canada.

• Jake Landau has an interesting piece in his newsletter outlining the ways Canada could use its economic heft to “freeze and starve the treacherous Yankee” in response to Trump’s economic warfare and annexationist threats.

• The Anti-Defamation League, an organization ostensibly committed to fighting antisemitism, described Elon Musk’s inauguration day Nazi salute as “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm,” telling critics of the world’s richest man, who has a track record of endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories, to “take a breath.” If Israel critics Rashida Tlaib or Ilhan Omar had made the same gesture, they’d no doubt be singing a different tune.

• The International Criminal Court is preparing to insulate itself from U.S. sanctions in preparation for a “worst case scenario,” in which the Trump administration seeks to bully the court into dropping war crimes charges against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.

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Watch: British journalist Owen Jones outlines why the ceasefire Trump brokered in Gaza promises to be short-lived.

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A billboard asking for information about Jeannine Ermineskin’s disappearance will be up for the next two months at the intersection of 107 Ave. and 101 St. Police described her as five feet eight inches tall and 138 pounds, with dyed blonde hair.

Tina Bitangcol, also known as Mama Nurse Tina, is an Edmonton-based labour and delivery nurse who uses online platforms to share knowledge about pregnancy and post-partum issues with more than 500,000 followers.

It has taken a national sovereignty crisis to drive home the point that Alberta energy is central to Canada's strength — something advocates, politicans and lobbyists have been saying for decades.

Edmonton bookstore The Book Boudoir is in the middle of moving to a new location, but they decided to host one last event for its community of readers — a midnight release party for the long-awaited third book in the Fourth Wing series. The store joined hundreds of bookstores across the U.S. and Canada for the release of Onyx Storm.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said he is open to replacing the carbon tax he has long defended if Liberal leadership candidates propose new measures to help Canada achieve its climate targets.

Alberta businesses could face tariffs on U.S. exports as soon as next month, according to comments made by President Donald Trump on Monday.

As U.S. President Donald Trump renews his tariff threat, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says diplomacy, not retaliation, is the best way for Canada to stifle the risk of punishing new trade sanctions.

Eddie Robar, the now-permanent city manager for the City of Edmonton, said on Episode 291 of Speaking Municipally that working on the next four-year budget after the October election is a test he's excited to take.

"What is a new council looking for? Does it change significantly the direction we're looking to (go in)?" Robar told co-hosts Mack Male and Stephanie Swensrude. "(The budget) is an opportunity to put a stamp on what we're trying to do as a city moving forward, and really showing Edmontonians what's important."

In 2022, council approved the 2023-2026 capital budget at $7.91 billion. A significant portion of that goes towards previously approved projects like LRT expansion, Blatchford redevelopment, new recreation centres, and the Yellowhead Trail freeway conversion.

Council's latest fall adjustment came with a 6.1% increase to property taxes, whittled down from the 8.1% increase that administration had proposed.

Coun. Andrew Knack's successful motion for the city to use zero-based budgeting (budgets that start at zero and require departments to advocate for their next round of funding, rather than building on the status quo) for the next cycle was discussed in Episode 289 of Speaking Municipally.

Robar said how zero-based budgeting will work has yet to be determined. Still, he said the approach will be a chance to "retool" and demonstrate "budget accountability" to achieve outcomes like lower taxes and economic development.

"I think we've heard that loud and clear in the past, we've put ourselves in positions that have not necessarily helped us to achieve those outcomes," Robar, a past Speaking Municipally guest, said. "What we have to do in this next four-year cycle is to try and drive that in a different direction."

The Jan. 17 episode of Taproot's civic affairs podcast includes more from Robar about changes coming to Edmonton Transit Service, opportunities for the city to generate revenue, and more. Plus, Taproot's managing editor, Tim Querengesser, provides an update from the Taproot newsroom. Speaking Municipally comes out on Fridays. Listening and subscription options are all right here.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Understanding Business Financial Statements and Cash Flow Statements starting at 10:30am online
• NABI Networking at Noon starting at 11am at Northern Alberta Business Incubator Society
• Business Networking Hack Workshop starting at 11:30am at Greater Parkland Regional Chamber Office
• Web Growth Strategies to Scale your Business | Learning Lab Series starting at 12:30pm online
• Glenora Rotary's Third Annual Pyrogy Dinner starting at 5pm at Towne & Countree Kitchens
• Dry January Classic Mocktails Class starting at 6:15pm at Spilt
• Washington Capitals vs. Edmonton Oilers starting at 7pm at Rogers Place
• Book Clubs of EPL: Becoming starting at 7pm at Edmonton Public Library (Woodcroft)
• Tuesday Jam Hosted by Alex Ketchum Quartet A Charlie Parker Tribute starting at 8pm at The Yardbird Suite

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Jan. 28: Thirty Day Startup at Pub 1905
• Jan. 29-Feb. 1: Flying Canoë Volant
• Feb. 5: Winter Walk Day

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Marking Calgary's anniversary will look somewhat different than it has in the past.

The fastest ice in the world is on borrowed time. Calgary's Olympic Oval is a legacy of the 1988 Winter Games in the city and the oldest of three covered speed skating ovals in Canada. The building that turns 38 years old this year has been a centre of international, university and community sport well past its expected life cycle.

A decision to purposefully knock down some Jasper businesses may have helped prevent flames from spreading to others during the July 2024 wildfire. The CBC’s Acton Clarkin has more on the firefighting decision and how one affected business owner is building her salon back up again.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a punishing 25 per cent tariff on everything imported to the U.S. from Canada. In return, the Canadian government says it will impose retaliatory tariffs of its own. Here's what would happen if Canada takes that route.

When a traumatic event threatened Karen Langtved’s career aspirations, the thought of almost losing half her face came second to feeling like she was letting down her colleagues and the dog that attacked her.

The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society is winding down operations in Edmonton and shifting to Calgary due to financial and capacity constraints.

The Alberta government has lifted a ban on coal exploration in the Eastern Slopes and the Rocky Mountains, a move that the regulator says will allow suspended projects to resume.