Blue Rodeo tribute arrives

By Murray Green

The duo of Barry Payne and Derek Barnes perform popular Blue Rodeo songs with their Diamond Mine band. In this exciting version of their acclaimed show, singer/guitarist Payne deftly handles the role of Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor in harmony with the Jim Cuddy sound-alike Barnes.

The talented duo perform the alternative country music Blue Rodeo is famous for across eastern Canada and the northern US on a regular basis and will tour western Canada for the first time.

On Sunday, April 6, they will be featured at a dinner show at the Days Inn Norsemen in Camrose. Phone 780-672-9171 for details.

Infinite Imagination theatre is looking for director

By Murray Green

Infinite Imagination Traveling Theatre is searching for a director for the Summer in the Park series.

They have selected Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare with auditions scheduled for April 3 from 7 p.m. and April 5 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Bailey Theatre Rehearsal Hall.

Producer Emily Rutledge and stage manager Ashley Robson have been named with the director spot open, due to a schedule conflict.

“We are in need of someone with passion, interest and some experience to direct Love’s Labour’s Lost for this year’s performance,” said Mike Hicks, one of the original founders of the theatre group.

Meanwhile the audition will continue to set the cast for the upcoming shows.

To book an audition time, or to discuss the director role, contact Infinite Imagination Traveling Theatre at infiniteimagination@gmail.com or phone 780-608-6371. No previous Shakespeare experience is required, but be prepared to read from the script.

Kodiaks face Calgary Canucks in playoffs

By Murray Green

Camrose Kodiaks lost a tough 5-4 contest in a shootout to Fort McMurray and lost 4-2 to Whitecourt as they prepared for the  Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The Kodiaks started strong against Fort McMurray by skating to a 3-1 lead in the opening period on March 11. Owen Lansing (6), AJ Schaaf (15) and Spencer Masters (14) all notched goals in the first period. In the middle frame, Masters (15) added another tally, but then it was all Oil Barons as they rallied back into the game.

Kodiaks’ goalie Carter Capton stopped 30 of 35 shots fired his way, while his teammates recorded 31 shots on goal.

Camrose dropped a 4-2 game to Whitecourt on March 12. Masters grabbed (16) the first Kodiaks’ goal to even the score at 1-1 just 21 seconds after the Wolverines’ tally.

In the middle frame, Masters netted his second of the game (17) to take the lead for Camrose. However, Whitecourt scored the next three markers to end the contest. Camrose goalie Capton turned away 37 of 40 shots. Camrose collected 34 shots on Whitecourt goalie Elliott Pratt, a former Kodiaks’ goalie.

Garrett Thom was the leading scorer for the Kodiaks in the regular season with 20 goals and 41 points. Sam Lozinski also scored 20 goals. Both Masters and Bowen Grycan led the team in assists with 22 each.

Capton led the goalies with most wins (16), best save percentage (.913), goals against average (2.88) and shutouts (3).
 
Bear facts

Camrose finished the regular season in fourth place in the south division. That matched them up with first place Calgary.

The Kodiaks will have home games on March 25 and 26 with 7 p.m. start times. If a game six is needed, it will be in Camrose on March 30 at 7 p.m.

Camrose and District Music Festival back for the 41st year

By Adan Shaikh

The annual Music Festival is back for its 41st year. From April 7 to 10, Augustana Campus will be filled with singers, bands and musicians of all disciplines. The festival is open to the public and the president of the Camrose and District Music Festival Association, Charlene Brown insists that people come out and support the local talent and the growth of musical arts in the community.
This year the organizers of the music festival have been working on refining and bettering the event to promote growth and opportunities rather than competition.

“This used to be a competitive festival, where you won your class and then you could move up to the next level which is a provincial festival. We have changed some things because we did a survey in collaboration with music educators and adjudicators and found that the idea of competition is discouraging and scary for a lot of kids, this didn’t always foster great things. So, now we call ourselves an entirely non-competitive festival and there’s no grading anymore, there’s just adjudication, where the performers get feedback, work-shopping and advice from professionals. The adjudicators still make recommendations because we do have scholarships to give out but the overall environment of the festival is of learning and honing the skills instead of competition,” shared Charlene.

Another aspect that the committee has fixed this year is accessibility to the surrounding areas.

“This year we have started a pilot project. This festival used to be very well attended by the schools, but we found that the cost of busing is very prohibitive. It costs a lot for the District to send students out here to perform, and school budgets can’t afford that. We have received a grant from the Camrose Arts Council which will cover the cost of buses. We noticed an immediate increase after making this available to the schools. We have three separate elementary schools this year and school choirs and out-of-town schools sending their bands. We are very happy to see this growth,” explained Charlene.

The event runs over the course of four whole days and has segments morning, afternoon and evening. Visitors are more than welcome to attend the whole event or pick and choose specific sessions.

The morning sessions generally start around 9 a.m., afternoon sessions are scheduled around 1 p.m., and the evening sessions are held around 6 p.m. Final details will be released soon and more information can be found on www.camrosemusicfestival.ca.
Camrose Music Festival

Blues king Charles to play at Bailey

By Murray Green

Grammy elected Australian blues artist Michael Charles will be performing at the Bailey Theatre on Saturday April 5.

The Guitars, Music and Miles 2025 tour drives the power trio of Michael Charles straight to you for a non-stop concert explosion of music and guitars, contemporary blues, high energy rock and soulful ballads from the 40 release discography of multi-genre Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Charles.

“I’ve been touring Canada for about 16 or 17 years and it is such a beautiful country. I always get a great reception and people are so friendly. They make me feel good, so that is why I keep coming back,” he said.

“I have a lot of releases, so I take notice of what people are enjoying and go with those. I like to keep the audience happy with a mix of new and old ones. You can’t leave out the songs people want to hear,” said Michael.

Charles’ musical pilgrimage started over five decades ago in his birthplace Melbourne, Australia. While enjoying a successful musical crusade of touring, recording, and numerous television and radio appearances in his homeland, Michael received an invitation from Buddy Guy’s management to appear at the infamous Legends in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

“We all do change. My songwriting is better with experience and my playing is better with a lot of shows played. We try to improve ourselves, but the core of the style and songs remain closer to the same,” said Michael.

Graciously accepting the honour, Michael Charles travelled the 12,500 miles and took the stage with Mr. Buddy Guy. After numerous trips back and forth, Charles made the monumental and life changing decision to make America his home. He worked the entire Chicago blues circuit performing with Mr. Buddy Guy, Phil Guy, James Cotton, Eddy Clearwater, Junior Wells, George Baze, as well as touring with blues legend, Jimmy Dawkins.

“Since the start of my career, I just go day by day and travel that journey of life. Every now and then it will hit me and I go wow, did I really do that. There are always new venues and new areas to go and reach people I haven’t reached before. It is mind-blowing, but I keep myself level-headed by getting up in the morning and do what is on my schedule for that day,” he offered. 

In 2015, Charles received the extreme honour of an induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. Charles’ discography is comprised of 35 releases including a double CD 30-year anthology released in 2014 and the live CD Concert at the Nest, released in the winter 2015.

“I normally go by what people say to me. But fans mostly like the songs ‘Gave you my Heart’ and ‘Long way to Go.’ I don’t have a favourite, my favourite song of the night is the one that people get into the most when I’m playing. It various every night,” said Michael.

In August 2021, a two CD and a DVD box set chronologizing the entire pandemic experience from the recording studio was released and featured singles “Key To The Highway” and his new original song “Silenced.” In 2023, Charles released his version of “Wichita Lineman” paying homage to one of his guitar heroes.

At this time, Michael Charles is travelling his 18th consecutive international tour The Guitars, Music and Miles 2025, which will once again take him to the far corners of the USA, Canada and Australia. The 2025 tour promises a multitude of concerts and publicity appearances as MC performs a whole new list of cities, festivals and music venues and revisits some favourites from the last 17 tours.
Education supports local communities
By Murray Green

Alberta Minister of Advanced Education, Rajan Sawhney answered some questions in the Chamber about University of Alberta Augustana Campus when she spoke with Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely.

“Augustana Campus is a truly phenomenal institute with a rich history. I’m proud to represent it and will continue to advocate for Augustana, including for the return of the nursing program. In the fall 2024 semester, the U of A Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine opened three new master of science programs at Augustana Campus: speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. To the minister of advanced education: how has the uptake of these new programs been and what does that say about students interested in Augustana?” asked Lovely.

“I also want to thank the member for that great question and for her relentless advocacy for Augustana Campus. Through the targeted enrolment expansion program, we committed $7.4 million over three years to create 88 seats in these three programs. Currently there are 16 enrolments in each of these programs for a total of 48, exceeding targets for 2024-25. These programs are helping train students for essential roles in the health care workforce. Our government is taking action to meet the health care needs of rural Alberta. We know that students who train in rural communities are most likely to stay in rural communities,” said Sawhney.

“Given that today’s job market is becoming increasingly competitive, focusing on skills and competencies, and given that it may be challenging to compete in that market as a new university graduate without the benefit of work experience and further, given that one of Augustana’s strengths as an institution is its focus on providing undergraduate research opportunities, to the same minister: what are the benefits of engaging in undergraduate student research, and why might the students choose Augustana for their studies?” asked Lovely.

“Research experience can help students explore areas of interest within their field of study. Research skills are also transferable to all manner of professions and occupations. The ability to critically analyze information and sources and synthesize input from multiple sources is valuable in any industry. I know that Augustana has a number of directed studies courses where students can even earn academic credit for their undergraduate research,” replied Sawhney.

“Given that rural, remote, and Indigenous communities can face difficulties in recruiting and retaining teachers for their classrooms and given that students who pursue studies at more rural institutions are more likely to remain in rural areas after graduation and further given that one of Augustana’s strengths is its combined bachelor of education program which is completed in five years instead of six, once again to the minister: why might students interested in teaching choose Augustana and how might that choice lead to more teachers choosing rural Alberta?” asked Lovely.

“As I mentioned earlier, the member is absolutely right. We know that students who study in rural areas are more likely to stay in their communities. The first step to recruiting and retaining more teachers in rural areas is to train more teachers in rural Alberta. Augustana and other rural institutions help fill a critical need by doing exactly that. With a strong, close-knit campus community and an educational experience based on personalized, hands-on learning, Augustana is a great option for aspiring teachers in the Camrose region and across the province,” concluded Sawhney.

Aglukark celebrates her past at LPAC

By Murray Green

Susan Aglukark is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album This Child with a tour that includes a stop at the Jeannie and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre on Friday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m.

“This tour will feature music from her breakthrough album This Child, a 30th anniversary for her. This album launched her into international fame,” said Nick Beach, LPAC manager.

Susan’s writing of This Child brought her to a personal call to action, get on the platform and speak up, learn, heal, share, this has been her work for these 30 years.

Susan is Canada’s first Inuk artist to win a Juno (four times), a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement and she is an officer of the Order of Canada. Susan holds several honourary doctorate degrees and has held command performances.

Her journey as a singer-songwriter began in the early 1990s when she began her writing and recording career. In Susan’s early reflections was the discovery of the platform as learning, sharing and healing, this inspired her major label debut album This Child, released in January 1995.

Susan has since written and recorded 10 albums, founded the Arctic Rose Foundation, authored two children’s books and has a personal memoir in the works. She holds an honourary doctorate from the U of A and This Child, earned her a JUNO Award and made history with the hit song, “O siem” as the first top 10 single in Canada by an Inuk artist.

She is also bringing special guest Angela Amarualik, who is also an Inuk artist who was born and raised in Igloolik, Nunavut, and has travelled across Canada performing as a throat singer, folk singer, and pop music artist.

Angela was born and raised in Igloolik. Like many small communities in Canada’s Arctic, Igloolik had many social problems. Angela worked hard to retain good attitude, improve circumstances and be a role model for the younger children in her town. Already a community role model, as well as Miss Igloolik, Angela now uses her music to inspire Nunavummiut youth and share Inuit culture with people around the world.

Starting off with the ukulele, Angela began writing songs in her native language, Inuktitut. Her musical style is a mix between ancient Inuit melodies and throat-singing, and the pop music of her childhood heroes Beatrice Deer and Hilary Duff.

In 2018, Angela released her self-titled debut album.

Don’t clean the leaves in your yard just yet

By Adan Shaikh

As the weather warms up and snow starts melting away, many might find it tempting to start raking the leaves, getting their yards cleaned up and ready for spring. However, the Camrose Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee recommends that they don’t.

“Beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies and moths, ladybugs and soil-building insects, don’t all emerge at the same time; some continue to develop within the shelter of fallen leaves throughout the spring and summer,” said Joy-Anne Murphy, City councillor and member of the committee.

Many insects that are beneficial for the environment rely on the fallen leaves, twigs and stems for shelter and a place to complete their life cycles. The committee explained that while there are many recommendations for when to clean up a garden, the most beneficial approach is to leave the leaves permanently, allowing insects to develop naturally without disruption.

For example, butterflies and moths overwinter in leaf litter as caterpillars or pupae. Cleaning up too soon can mean unknowingly discarding them before they have a chance to emerge. “No matter when you bag the leaves, or put them in your green bin, you risk tossing away beneficial insects,” said committee chair, Pam Stacey.

Ladybugs and bumblebees also rely on leaf and other vegetation litter for protection during the colder months. If disturbed too early, they may wake before their food sources are available, leaving them to starve.

“Instead of removing leaves and stems completely, consider moving them elsewhere in your yard. This is a compromise between removing all plant matter permanently, and not doing any cleanup at all,” shared Pam.

In addition to protecting insects, this practice can improve soil health. Fallen leaves and plant debris help retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and add organic matter as they break down, reducing the need for additional mulch.

“Based on the information shared by Wild Pollinator Partners and Olds College, generally when we clean up our gardens, we cut back perennials to ground level. Instead, if you cut pithy or hollow plant stems to 12 to 15 inches, they can be used as cavity nests by solitary bees.

“New plant growth will soon cover the awkward stems in the garden. Again, instead of putting old plant stems and other debris into your green bin, perhaps drop them on the ground or move thick woody stems to the back of the garden. Like the leaves, this material will eventually decompose and enrich the soil. Wiry stems are too small for bees to nest in, and they tend to stick out in all directions, so they can be chopped up with secateurs and dropped around the garden,” shared committee member Susanna Bruneau.

The committee advises that rather than seeing leaves and fallen plant matter as waste, think of them as part of a thriving ecosystem. Keeping them in place not only benefits insects but also helps create a healthier and more sustainable environment.

Heritage committee needs volunteers to plan celebration

By Murray Green

If you love history and want to share your passion with the Camrose community, why not join the Heritage Day committee, that celebrates in August.

“The Camrose Heritage Days committee is growing and looking for new members to help plan Heritage Day, which is on Saturday, August 23rd. Heritage Day is an inclusive and welcoming full-day, multi-location event bringing the Camrose community together to celebrate our area’s rich history and heritage. Last year’s Heritage Day included a keynote talk and tours of the Bailey Theatre, a downtown walking tour, and dramatic readings and games at the Camrose and District Centennial Museum and the Heritage Railway Station. This year, we hope to expand the day’s offerings to make the event even bigger and better,” said chair Deanna Mason, one of the organizers.

Whatever your skills–whether community-building, event planning, fund-raising, grant writing, hands-on set-up, or historical knowledge–you are invited to join this diverse and friendly planning committee.

“It is not a demanding commitment, the group meets downtown on the first Tuesday of each month, 4 to 5 p.m. (next meeting on April 1). While meetings become more frequent in the month leading up to Heritage Day, attendance at each meeting is not required and we willingly work around members’ other commitments,” added Deanna.   
       
For more information reach out to Deanna by email at deanna@ahimsayoga.ca, or phone/text her at 780-678-6063.

Hinse modernizes 1934 International

12 hinse international 1934
Clarence Hinse took a 1934 International, the first year of the C-1 series, and turned it into a modern truck with the conveniences of disc brakes and better suspension. He enjoys taking it out on the highway and going to car shows.

By Murray Green


Clarence Hinse owns a 1934 International C-1 truck.
“I have had this truck for three years. I found it in the Peace River area and it was original when I got it,” said Clarence.

“I put a modern independent front suspension in and a Ford rear end in the back. I have disc brakes all around. It now has a 350 Chevy engine in it with a 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission. It had a wood floor and I replaced that with metal. I raised the floor up three inches so it sits three inches lower on the frame. I lowered the grille to go with it,” explained Clarence.

International trucks have been built and sold by the International Harvester Company (renamed Navistar International in 1986) from 1909 until the present.

“I also shortened the box nine inches and modernized the interior a bit. I built my own console for it. I was looking for a pick-up truck to fix. I was looking more for a ‘50s Chev or Ford, but when I saw this truck and fell in love with the roof line, I wanted this truck. The design says International and it is a cool looking truck,” Clarence stated.

“The body was in really good shape when I got it. The truck had a little bit of rust on it along the bottom and in the corners, but not a lot of dents to it. The original truck was in good shape. I’ve restored a number of street rods and they are fairly easy to do once you get started. When I started to like this truck, I looked at others that were done and I was excited to work on this truck. I like the fenderless look, but I might put the original fenders back on at some point,” added Clarence.

“It is my hobby to build rods, but I want to keep this truck. What I have done is build one, sell it and then build another one to keep going. I’ve decided to not build anymore, so this one is my last one. What I am going to do is finish this one, maybe put the fenders back on and this will be my keeper,” Clarence continued.

“That’s what I will do instead of building another rod. It is just a fun truck to drive. It handles really well down the highway. It is just your basic 350 Chevrolet engine, but has tons of power under the hood for this little truck. It has a lot of power, fun to drive and it looks really cool,” laughed Clarence.

“I’ve never seen another truck like this one on the road. If you compare a ‘34 Chev and Ford pick-up, and then look at the roof lines of this truck, it is totally different. Who would’ve thought that the International is a cooler looking truck, but it is,” he said.

Trojans advance to hoop provincials

By Murray Green

The École Camrose Composite High School (ÉCCHS) Trojans advanced to the provincials basketball championships in the senior 3A girls’ event in Sylvan Lake.

“The senior girls had a standout season, finishing first in league play and earning the right to host all their playoff games. In the semifinals, they faced the number four ranked team in the province and provincial championship host, H.J. Cody. Though they fell short, they held one of the highest-scoring teams to one of their lowest point totals of the season. With H.J. Cody hosting provincials, our girls had one more chance to qualify–and they seized the opportunity. In a thrilling, winner-takes-all game against zone rival Wetaskiwin, they delivered one of their best performances of the season, securing a spot at the provincial championship. They now head to H.J. Cody as the 11th-ranked team in the province,” explained Graeme Thain, ÉCCHS athletic director.

“Our Grade 9 teams kicked things off with their championship tournaments, setting a high standard. The Grade 9 girls, ranked as the top seed in the west division, travelled to Sedgewick, where they battled hard throughout the weekend. In a tough final against Sedgewick, they ultimately finished as runners-up. Meanwhile, our Grade 9 boys, having secured first place in league play, hosted their championship tournament. They carried their dominant regular-season form into the finals, overpowering the competition to claim back-to-back championships,” Thain shared.

“Our junior teams followed a similar path. The junior varsity (JV) girls, seeded second, travelled to Sylvan Lake for their championship. After a strong semifinal performance, they faced a formidable Sylvan Lake team in the final. Despite an early deficit, they fought until the end, narrowly missing out on the title and finishing second. The JV boys, like their Grade 9 counterparts, earned the right to host their final tournament as the top team in league play. In the semifinals, they encountered a red-hot OLMP team and unfortunately fell short. However, they showed tremendous resilience in the bronze medal game, dominating H.J. Cody from Sylvan Lake to secure third place,” noted Thain.

“Our senior teams have led by example all season. The senior boys were ranked as the number four 3A team in the province for most of the year. After an undefeated league run, they entered their zone championship as the top-seeded central team. Facing league rival Wetaskiwin in a best-of-three zone final, they played with heart, but were ultimately edged out by a red-hot Wetaskiwin squad. Throughout the season, they demonstrated character, winning with humility and losing with grace.”

Senior Trojan girls reach hoop provincials

By Murray Green

The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association basketball provincials were held on March 20 to 22.

“Because our zone was hosting provincials, our zone received two berths. H. J. Cody has been strong for the last few years and this year were ranked as high as number two, but ended up at number four. We knew it was going to be tough, but we actually beat them in the regular season. We played them in the zone finals and they beat us. But, we just didn’t advance, we had to play Wetaskiwin for the wild card spot,” said coach Josh Lyons.

École Camrose Composite High School (ÉCCHS) Trojans defeated Wetaskiwin 51-30 in zone play to see which team advanced to provincials along with the host, H. J. Cody from Sylvan Lake.

“We beat Sylvan Lake when it mattered in regular season, so I think we could have beaten them again. Our shots just weren’t falling, but we won against Wetaskiwin, which is the game that mattered to go to provincials,” said Grade 12 player Myia Tylosky.

“We haven’t been to provincials in four years and Myia has played senior ball in Grade 10 and 11, lost in the finals both times. Lost to H. J. Cody in her Grade 10 year and then we didn’t play well last year and we were ousted early,” explained coach Lyons.

“This is a very big opportunity for us because we haven’t gone. I think we have a chance to medal this year. I believe we have the team that can take us there. We have bonded as a team very well. We don’t have one person doing all of the work, we all work hard as a team to collectively score to win a game. I also believe that we have very good defence. We are aggressive going for the ball and that really helps us win games,” shared Myia.

In the 12-team 3A girls’ provincials, the Camrose Trojans played Louis St. Laurent in the first game in Sylvan Lake.

“It means a lot to me to go to provincials. I see how much it means to my team and seeing how hard the Grade 12s, like Myia, work so hard to get there. I want to support my teammates to win as much as we can,” said Grade 11 player Tessa-Ray Storos.

“Just to experience it (provincials) makes you want it even more. I want to do it again next year to allow other people a chance to experience it as well too,” added Tessa-Ray.

“We are going in as the number 11 spot. There is no pressure for us. I don’t think that ranking shows how good, or what kind of a team we are. We have a chip on our shoulder to prove that we are better than that seeding. We got our foot in the door and anything can happen,” said coach Lyons.

“There is going to be some very good competition, but I believe we can fit right with them. If we get an opportunity, we will take them. That ranking doesn’t really matter,” added Myia.

Camrose has beat the number four, nine and 10 ranked teams. The Trojans eliminated Wetaskiwin, who beat the number seven team, so it is wide open for who plays the best.

“That gives us confidence that we can beat anybody,” shared the girls.

“I would love to beat H. J. Cody in the provincial final. I would love to beat them in their own gym,” said Myia.

In girls’ 1A provincials, Bawlf were ranked number four heading into the provincials in Olds.

On the boys’ side, Hay Lakes were ranked number nine and faced Fr. Gerard Redmond in the opening game. Forestburg were ranked number seven and played Vegreville in the opening game for them in Taber.

Newly imposed Chinese tariffs on canola pose a threat to industry

16 canola tariffs chevrauxs
Heather and Roger Chevraux farm east of Camrose. Roger has dedicated many years of service to the agriculture industry and currently holds positions on both the provincial and national canola associations.

By Adan Shaikh


China’s recent decision to impose a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal, effective March 20, has sent waves of distress through Canada’s agricultural sector. This move is viewed as retaliation against Canada’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum imposed in September 2024.

Canola is one of the major cash crops for Canada’s agriculture sector, contributing approximately $43.7 billion annually to the economy and supporting around 40,000 farmers. The newly imposed tariffs are expected to severely disrupt this trade, leading to significant economic repercussions for Canadian farmers and the canola industry.

“When you crush canola, you get two products, you get oil and you get meal. In China, they use the meal for their dairy rations. It’s a superior food supply for the dairy animals, if they use canola meal instead of soybean meal the cow will produce a litre more milk every day,” explained Roger Chevraux, board director of Alberta Canola and Canadian Canola Growers Association.

“China is the second most important market for us when it comes to meal. They buy about $5 billion worth of canola products each year. This is already having an impact on the farmers. We are already experiencing uncertainty when it comes to the United States which is our biggest customer and now we have China our second largest customer putting anti-discriminatory tariffs,” commented Chevraux.

The United States and China have historically been Canada’s largest markets for canola products. These two nations represent a substantial portion of Canada’s canola export market, highlighting their importance to the Canadian agricultural economy.
The current tariffs not only threaten the livelihoods of Canadian farmers but also pose challenges for China’s domestic market. China relies heavily on Canada for over 70 per cent of its canola meal imports.

“It’s one of our major cash crops, and it is concerning when we have that crop tanking in the market. There are three things we need the government to do. Firstly, we need the government to realize that Canada is not in a position to fight two trade wars at once, especially the agriculture sector. We need to negotiate with the Chinese government because these are retaliatory tariffs. Canada was following suit with the States and imposed the tariffs to support EV production in North America but it seems that the U.S. does not remember that and we have not benefitted in any way through these tariffs, so it might be time to negotiate a deal. It is not fair for Canadian farmers to foot the bill for something that has nothing to do with their industry,” said Chevraux.

“Secondly, the government also needs to compensate the organizations and producers who have been affected by these decisions. Lastly, we need to look at developing a stronger domestic market, we can’t replace it completely because we export about 90 per cent of our canola. We certainly can replace a good portion with bio-fuels. There has been a lot of investment in Canada towards the development of more crushing plants which can support the production of bio-fuels. That is taking canola oil and turning it into renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel. Both of those have the opportunity to use up about 2.5 million metric tons annually, that is a very significant thing and we need the government to invest in that,” he continued.

The Canola producers call upon the Government of Canada to engage in diplomatic negotiations to mitigate the effects on both economies and ensure the sustainability of the canola trade.

Waterfowl, hunting expo to be held

By Murray Green

The 2025 Alberta Saskatchewan Waterfowl/Hunting Expo will be held at the Camrose Regional Exhibition on August 22 and 23.

“I move that Camrose County provide a Category B major provincial event sponsorship of $1,000 to the Waterfowl/Hunting Expo,” said councillor Tina Sroka, at the February 25 regular council meeting. The motion was carried.

Council approved sponsorship of $1,000 to the first annual Alberta-Saskatchewan Waterfowl/Hunting Swap Meet and Trade Show in 2024, but the event was postponed until 2025.

“No funding was provided last year and a request for sponsorship has come forward again. Last year, the County asked to set up a sitting area similar to the set up at Bull Congress. If council approves the request, administration will request this setup again,” added corporate manager Chris Willms.

This event is intended to be mainly a waterfowl hunting and hunting gear event. Vendors and manufacturers in the outdoors and fishing area will be showcased.

They will be limiting the number of booths available to non-hunting and fishing industry businesses.

Bittern Lake voting on future village or hamlet status

By Murray Green

Residents of Bittern Lake have a decision to make. They will have the opportunity to decide if they want the Village of Bittern Lake to remain a village, or dissolve and become a hamlet within Camrose County.

Residents learned about their options during a Viability Review Report presented on March 18.
A viability vote will be held on April 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. and on April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alberta municipal affairs staff Charlene Brown and Linda Reynolds explained the process at the Bittern Lake Community Hall.

“Should electors vote to remain a municipality, the minister of municipal affairs will direct the village to take action to improve its viability,” said Brown, in the review.

“If the Village of Bittern Lake dissolves and becomes a hamlet in Camrose County, the County would have full responsibility for the governance and operation of the hamlet. The County has indicated Bittern Lake residents can expect similar tax rates as currently offered in the County,” added Brown.

A viability review included public information sessions to gather information and then another  public mid-review to keep track of changes and added information. The Viability Review discussed governance, administration, finances, infrastructure and services.

“If voters want Bittern Lake to remain a village, they would have to develop a long-term strategic plan of 10 years, not just for five years and increase communications and engagement with the community to improve resident satisfaction. If it goes to the County, they will determine the future needs,” Brown stated.

“The village should consider dedicating funds annually to infrastructure to encourage proactive funding and improvements. They would need to apply for grants to help balance operating and capital budgets. Under the County, they will look after the grants,” explained Brown.

Alberta municipal affairs determined a 10-year plan of repairing or replacing roads, water systems, storm water upgrades and sanitary system upgrades would cost more than $4 million in today’s prices. The estimated cost for upgrades to the buildings over the next 10 years is $152,100.

“If residents stay a village, the 10-year plan must have a projected funding source, as well as develop a general operational and maintenance task list for public works,” said Brown.

The majority of work would be done by the mayor and two councillors.

“If Bittern Lake continues as a village, they should increase utility fees to reflect future cost recovery, conduct a service review, and develop policy and procedures to formalize funding support to community organizations and events. Under the County, they will  be close to cost recovery on all services,” suggested Brown.

It is estimated that resident taxes would go down slightly under the County, but the farmland and business tax would go up slightly. All hamlets under the County are treated similarly and would receive standard levels of service.

“Voting will take place at the Community Hall. Once the vote has been completed, the ballots will be counted. Any resident who votes for council in Bittern Lake can vote in this decision. You have to be 18 years old or older, a resident of Bittern Lake and a Canadian citizen. Special mail-in ballots must be returned by March 31,” explained Reynolds.

If a majority of voters choose to remain a village (50 per cent plus one of valid ballots cast), the minister will order specific directives to ensure the future viability of the municipality.

If the voters choose to dissolve and fall under the County, the County will take steps to offer regular services to the residents. At the meeting, most of the residents were in favour of dissolution.

Farm Safety Week

By Adan Shaikh

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is observed every year in the third week of March. Agriculture is among Canada’s most hazardous industries, with over 100 people losing their lives annually due to farm-related incidents. The leading causes include machinery rollovers, runovers, entanglements and traffic collisions.

“As an agricultural society we know that even one farm injury is too many and we encourage producers to take this time of year, as they are busy planning their season, to renew their commitment to safety. Camrose Regional Exhibition and Agricultural Society (CRE) is also beginning our Ag Skills training courses with the first course being April 14th. We will be offering Telehandler Certification at our facility. Space is limited and you can register on the CRE website at cre.ab.ca,” shared Dianne Kohler, executive director of CRE.

“Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is a good time to remind those working on farms and ranches about the importance of farm health and safety measures to keep operations safe, sustainable and successful,” said Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson.

“As farmers and ranchers prepare for the upcoming growing season, it’s important to remain diligent and focused on safety. I encourage you to take the time to renew your commitment to safety, because even one injury is too many. Farm employers and workers should create a plan before starting a job, to identify hazards and determine how best to deal with them. This includes developing an emergency plan and practicing it often. Investing in health and safety is an investment in your farm’s future,” said  Minister Sigurdson.

There are a few ways farmers can ensure safe practices in their operations:
 
Education

Regular safety training ensures that everyone on the farm is aware of potential hazards and knows how to handle equipment safely. A great resource available to Albertan farmers is AgSafe where many free safety educational resources for farmers and their workers are available.
 
Maintenance

Regular inspections and maintenance of machinery can prevent malfunctions that lead to accidents.
 
Protective Gear

Wearing appropriate safety gear, such as helmets, gloves, and avoiding clothes that could get stuck in machinery, reduces the risk of injury.
 
Mental health

Recognizing and addressing stress and fatigue can prevent accidents caused by lack of focus or impaired judgment.

By prioritizing safe practices, the agricultural community can protect its members and ensure the continued prosperity of this essential industry.
Sta rylee and heidi

Camrose Skating Club presents Rainbow Glen

Adan Shaikh, Camrose Booster

Rylee Flynn and Heidi Arends performed a graceful duet to Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Brain health and addictions

By Adan Shaikh

March is Brain Health Awareness month, a time to promote the understanding of brain functions, mental wellness, and cognitive health. One of the most misunderstood but major influences on brain health is addiction, which affects many Albertans every day.

“My area of research, when I was getting my Master’s and PhD was all about brain functions and specifically the region of the brain that is involved in memory. I studied how the individual parts of the brain work and how the neurons in the brain connect through the synapsis, and ultimately how the drugs affect that,” shared Dr. Timothy (Tim) Parker, who has taught 17 different psychology courses over the course of his 38 years long career at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus.
He has also published a book on addictions called Trapped by the High: What Addiction is and How it Changes the Brain.

Addiction can be related to substances such as drugs or alcohol or be behavioural like gambling or social media. Such dependencies can have a lasting effect on the brain. Addiction is not a matter of poor choices and a lack of willpower, but it is a complex neurological condition which rewires the brain’s reward system.

“Learning plays a huge role in addiction, in a way it is learning put into practice. The brain learns how to reduce the effect of the drug to where it is no longer producing the high. This is what makes people so desperate for the next dose,” shared Parker.

According to Dr. Parker, addiction alters the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making, impulse control, and judgment. These changes can make it increasingly difficult for the person battling the habit, to stop engaging in addictive behaviours, even when they recognize the harm. Chronic substance abuse has been linked to cognitive decline, memory loss, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Opioids, for instance, can impair pain regulation and emotional processing.

Behavioural addictions, though often overlooked, can also contribute to neurological changes. Excessive gambling, for example, has been associated with structural differences in brain regions linked to risk assessment and impulse control. Social media addiction can lead to increased anxiety, reduced attention spans, and disruptions in sleep patterns, all of which affect overall brain health. Despite the serious effects of addiction on the brain, recovery is possible.

Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, means that with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, individuals can regain cognitive function and improve mental health. Key strategies include professional treatment such as therapy, counselling, and medically assisted treatments to help address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.

Healthy lifestyle choices like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep support brain health and aid in recovery. Mental health support underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can reduce the risk of relapse. Community and social support by connecting with support groups and loved ones can provide the encouragement needed to sustain recovery.

“I think the biggest misconception about addiction is that people often assume that people who are addicted are just weak-willed and they should just overcome it,” explained Dr. Parker.

“When I ask a room full of people if they have a bad habit, so many hands go up, but when I ask do you know how you started the habit, no one seems to have an answer. No one consciously decides to start their habit. It generally happens as a coping mechanism and before you know it, it’s formed into a habit, and somehow our environment or our condition triggered that habit,” said Dr. Parker.

Brain Health Awareness Month reminds everyone that addiction is not a moral failing but a medical condition requiring compassion and evidence-based treatment. By increasing awareness and supporting those struggling with addiction, society can work towards reducing stigma and promoting overall brain health. Understanding the profound impact of addiction on the brain is the first step in promoting a more informed and supportive community.

To find help and support for addictions, an Alberta helpline is available 24/7 at 1-866-332-2322.

Celebrate Open Farm Days this summer

By Murray Green

Alberta Open Farm Days is a summer event that allows people an opportunity to experience farms and ranches.

The program started in 2013 and has encouraged Albertans to engage with their local communities and experience agri-tourism.

More than 150 farms participated in Alberta Open Farm Days last year, welcoming over 52,000 Albertans to their farms and ranches. Host farms have included traditional farms, livestock (bison, cattle, alpaca, sheep, llama, goat, poultry) farms and ranches, organic operations, corn mazes, wineries, craft distilleries, meaderies, craft breweries, stables, petting zoos, along with honey, fruit, vegetable, grain and u-pick farms.

Since 2013, Open Farm Days has had more than 235,000 people visit about 1,200 farms and ranches, injecting over $1.7 million into the rural economy through on-farm sales. In 2024, reported on-farm sales surpassed $300,000 for the first time.
It has also evolved to offer professional development opportunities for hosts, helping them build successful ag-tourism programs.

Participating farms and ranches have had very positive experiences being part of Alberta Open Farm Days. Registration is now open for Open Farm Days on August 16 and 17.

Visit https://alberta openfarmdays.ca for more information.
Bonnie

Reflections

By Bonnie Hutchinson

Seven deadly political sins
 
Some years ago, I was privileged to attend a two-day writing workshop led by Satya Das. At the time, he wrote regular columns for the Edmonton Journal.

Das had already had an amazing life. Born in India, he moved with his parents to the United States. As an eight-year-old boy, he heard Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
During the writing workshop I attended, Das talked about how, as an eight-year-old, he didn’t really understand Martin Luther King’s speech, but he could tell that something momentous was happening.

In 1968, at age 12, he moved with his family to Edmonton–a city he’d never heard of in a country he’d never been. He still lives in Edmonton. During the writing workshop I attended, Das talked about the power of plain simple language to change the world.

So. To the point of this column. In his book called Us, Das focuses on three men whose lives changed the world: Mahatma Gandhi in India, Martin Luther King in the United States, and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. So far, I’m reading about Gandhi.

Gandhi defined seven deadly public sins he believed must be overcome in order to move the arc of civilization toward justice. He named these in the year 1925.

So–100 years later–here are Gandhi’s seven deadly public sins.
 
  • Wealth without work
  • Pleasure without conscience
  • Knowledge without character
  • Commerce without morality
  • Science without humanity
  • Worship without sacrifice
  • Politics without principle

I think I’ve seen examples of at least five of those sins. Not just a long time ago, but in the past few years. Not just in Asia or Africa or Europe or South America, but in North America. Not just in Mexico or the United States, but in Canada–including Alberta.

So how did Gandhi oppose those seven deadly political sins? What methods did he use to lead the people of India to overturn decades of British dominance?

Das said, “Gandhi believed in the power of example. Specifically, the power of sacrifice. In Gandhi’s view, the glue of social cohesion was to be selfless.

“Rather than the pursuit of individual liberty, he believed in the fulfillment of individual obligations. Our obligations to our family, our friends. The responsibility to care for one another, to build the bonds of love and trust.

“His second method was to walk in the shoes of the dispossessed, the forgotten, those at the fringes of society. Gandhi believed that the only democracy worthy of the name would put human dignity ahead of accumulated wealth. ‘Once the poorest enjoyed the same respect accorded to the wealthiest…then we could rightly claim that the arc of history would bend toward justice.’”

Gandhi was in a country with dozens of languages and ethnicities in a huge geography. This was long before any form of mass communication. How did Gandhi manage to engage 10s of thousands of people to join his cause? He used the power of 10. Find 10 people who will spread the message. Task each one to find 10 more. Watch it multiply. And change the world.

We’re in election season. I find I’m wistful, wishing for a candidate or a party I believe has an ethic of service, of respecting the poorest as well as the wealthy, of promoting what unites us rather than fostering animosity.

With tariff wars, we Canadians are more united than has sometimes been the case–the gift of a common enemy. But we are certainly not united in our opinion of which party or which leader can best serve our interests–or even what our interests should be.

Happily, it’s spring. Days are longer and warmer. It’s easier to feel hopeful that “the arc of history will bend toward justice.”
 
***

I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send an email to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within two business days.
Laurel nadon 2019
Homespun By Laurel Nadon

Homespun

By Laurel Nadon

Cooking classes, round two
 
I had decided that it was time–time for all of my kids to have a chance in the kitchen, learning how to make meals on their own. First, we would need some rules for Mom’s cooking classes. We have tried to cook together before, but without a proper set of guidelines, it was quickly dropped.

Rule number one: one kid will cook with me at a time. My husband is a foreman and has noted that I am not a good foreman. I get flustered if I get asked too many questions, while I’m trying to do something.

Rule number two, as requested by the kids: we will play music while cooking. This goes well, other than they all agree that Dad’s playlist is better than mine. With mine, you never know when a Cat Stevens or Neil Young song will come on (old man music as they call it), mixed in with pop songs. If they are lucky and dad is home, we can listen to his music on our little Bluetooth speaker.

Rule number three: Gum is provided so there is no crying while cutting onions, whether or not onions are involved in the preparation of the meal. The gum of choice is Doublemint, also the gum that we use whenever we fly.

Rule number four: I do the “easy” stuff–peeling vegetables and making a salad, while talking them through the more difficult aspects of cooking–the meat, noodles or rice. I also like to talk about how part of cooking is having everything done at the same time; which meats are allowed to have pink on them when they’re done; how leftover night is the best, so always make double what you need.

Rule number five: we will track the meals they make on a piece of paper and, once all three kids achieve five meals, they will get a treat. Surprisingly, they didn’t ask what kind of treat before agreeing to the terms, though it will likely be something sugary and delicious.

Rule number six: the kids can give input into what meals they want to make, though I often plan out the meals for the week, and then ask who wants to help with what.

Rule number seven: they have to stay until the meal is served onto the table, no getting things started and then disappearing. We clean up the kitchen while we cook, and the final steps are calling everyone to the table and making sure that the stove top and oven have been turned off.

After about a month, the kids have each completed three or four meals. They have made perogies and sausages, sloppy joes, tuna casserole, French toast casserole, macaroni, beans and wieners, meatballs with noodles and a salad, salmon and rice, and spaghetti. Stunningly, there is almost no complaining–other than when I forget to start the music. They want to make sure their siblings have done a comparable amount so they all finish five meals around the same time. (I haven’t mentioned that once five meals per kid are complete, we will start again.)

I asked my 13-year-old what we should cook next and he said Corn Flake Chicken; the recipe for this is found in a cookbook I received from my paternal grandparents. I wrote about this cookbook briefly for a column a year ago, when I was compiling a new family cookbook. It is the Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cook Book, with this inscription on the first page: “To our dear Laurel on her 8th birthday, from Grandma and Grandpa. We hope you’ll always enjoy using this Cook Book.”

A funny part about our cooking classes is that I don’t even like cooking. Baking, yes. Cooking has an element of survival to me, as in “if we don’t do this, we will die.” Still, somehow the practical, thoughtful gift of a cookbook from my grandparents has become a keepsake possession.

An interesting part about the one kid at a time rule is that it opens up this space for one-on-one time with me. We can talk about their classmates, what’s happening in their school, sports, the world, plans for the summer. We tease each other, we laugh, we reminisce about past holidays. Cooking together is proving to be very entertaining.