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Tag: John Barlow

The Breeze Mailbox header for letters to the editor

Putting the heat on the Liberals

As I travel throughout the Foothills riding this summer, I am reminded of the immense honour it is to represent the people from this beautiful part of southern Alberta. It is hard to believe that this past month marks nine years since I was first elected, in the 2014 byelection, to represent the hard-working Foothills residents.

What a journey it has been!

In my nine years as a member of Parliament, eight of them have been challenging the endless Liberal corruption, deficits and failed policies. Now more than ever, we are experiencing how these countless failures and missteps from this Liberal government are hurting every single Canadian.

Every day, I hear the concerns of my constituents about the future of our country.

I have heard from families who are struggling to afford food as grocery prices in Alberta have risen by 11 per cent, but data from Statistics Canada indicate grocery prices are actually much higher.

I have witnessed young people struggling to pay their rent and mortgages as the Bank of Canada raised its interest rates for the 10th time since spring 2022.

I’ve been informed by local business owners they can no longer afford their energy bills as they have tripled in the past year, devastating their operations.

Farmers have reached out saying they pay more in carbon taxes than the actual natural gas itself, making it nearly impossible to remain economically viable.

This is simply unacceptable. 

Liberal elites also continue to support Justin Trudeau’s attacks on Alberta energy and agriculture sectors, essential elements of our province’s economy.

The Liberals’ anti-energy “Just Transition” plans to eliminate 170,000 jobs in the oil and gas sector, 2.7 million jobs in related sectors (including 292,000 in agriculture) and $200 billion in yearly salaries.

Similarly, farmers continue to be punished with the burdensome red tape and inflationary taxes, placing the financial viability of Canadian agriculture and agri-food in jeopardy. 

Canada has reached a breaking point, yet the Liberals’ response is to continue their out-of-control spending and adding to our record-high deficit, sacrificing the economic well-being of our country.

Justin Trudeau’s most recent cabinet shuffle is just another example of his attempt to distract from all he has broken. This is not a solution. At the end of the day, families, businesses and farms cannot afford the policies and tax hikes imposed upon us by the Liberal-NDP coalition; they are failing our country and Canadians deserve better.

It is time to end the attacks on Canadian energy and agriculture. It is time to stop the Liberals from looking at Canadian farmers as part of the problem, because in fact, Canadian farmers are part of the solution, and the carbon tax has got to go.

I see our farm families, agriculture and our energy sector and the people it employs as parts of the economic and environmental solution. These industries build hospitals and schools and fund our social programs, and we should be proud of what these industries contribute to our society. I look forward to continuing the fight on behalf of farmers and all Canadians. 

While our challenges are many, I remain steadfast every day, working hard to earn the support, trust and confidence of my constituents. My commitment to listening to the insights, and voicing the concerns of my constituents will remain my utmost priority. 

Foothills, I want to thank you for your unwavering support over the years. I will continue to be a champion of our communities

 

Shootin’ the Breeze welcomes submissions about local issues and activities. Personal views expressed in Mailbox articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect views of Shootin’ the Breeze management and staff. 

Male youth pins poppy to Remembrance Day cross held by female youth, while another male youth stands at attention, on the front page of Shootin' the Breeze. Alberta news from Pincher Creek area and Crowsnest Pass.

Nov. 9, 2022

We will remember them

Peter Van Bussel and Abigail Rigaux receive a poppy from Walker Anderson at the MHHS Remembrance Day assembly in Pincher Creek.

Canada Day events galore!

Canada Day events in Pincher Creek

In Pincher Creek, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village will host a day of family activities starting at 10 a.m. There will be a bouncy castle and traditional picnic activities, including a three-legged race, a sack race and an egg race.

Blue Rock Entertainment will DJ the event and Noel Burles will perform live music. Admission is free, and burgers and ice cream will be sold. A beer garden will also be available.

 

Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village curator Farley Wuth grins widely as he shows off his sparkly Canada Day hat.
Farley Wuth, curator of Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek, and museum staff look forward to welcoming a big crowd on Canada Day.

 

The day will finish with DJ Stu broadcasting live from the agriculture grounds on 103.5 FM, starting at 9 p.m. Families can gather to enjoy the music and fun at the outdoor venue that will conclude with a fireworks display at 11.

Organizers request that dogs be left at home.

The duck race along Pincher Creek and the Legion’s afternoon market have both been cancelled.

 

 

Canada Day events in Cowley

Cowley hasn’t held a Canada Day celebration since the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017.

“It’s been a long time since people have had the opportunity to actually come to a public open event,” says Mayor Barbara Burnett. “I think it’s long overdue.”

A large turnout is expected, with some people coming from as far as Claresholm and Taber.

“There has been a lot of interest in the village,” says Mayor Burnett. “Recent house sales have gone immediately. Within two weeks they sold. One even sold for $30,000 over market price.”

“We’re just trying to make the village visible,” she says, adding that the desire to make Cowley more attractive to outsiders, and to give the community more of a regional spotlight, were primary motivators behind the decision to host the event.

 

 

The festivities will start with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at Cowley Community Hall, where MLA Roger Reid and MP John Barlow will make an appearance.

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., car enthusiasts can display their classic cars at a show and shine by the railway tracks across from the post office.

They will also have an opportunity to take part in the parade that will begin at 11 a.m. at the corner of First Avenue and Highway 510 and circle around the northwest end of the village past the railway tracks. Parade preparation will begin around 10:15 a.m. and registration is not required.

Mayor Burnett says the event committee extended parade invitations to the Cowley Boat Club, to a provincewide gun group known as the Alberta Black Powder Association and to all Cowley residents aged 75 or older.

 

 

The community hall will be filled with a variety of activities, including a market that will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a heritage display with historic photos of the village. Locals will have the opportunity to play cards and Rene Desjardins will provide musical accompaniment, likely country and classic rock.

There will be plenty of family-friendly activities, including face-painting, soccer and equipment demonstrations from Cowley Fire Department. The fire crew will also be flipping hamburgers starting at noon.

Children are encouraged to set up their own lemonade stands, and Cowley resident Norm Walker has arranged for free ice cream.

 

 

Canada Day events in Crowsnest Pass

Pre-pandemic events are making a comeback in Crowsnest Pass and Canada Day will start with breakfast and a parade.

From 8 to 10 a.m., folks can head over to the Coleman Legion for pancakes — $8 for anyone 13 or older, $5 for children aged five to 12, and free for children under five.

The parade will depart from Flumerfelt Park at 11 a.m. and pass through downtown Coleman. Entry applications are still being accepted.

 

Coleman Community Society Canada Day parade float
The Coleman Community Society, which puts on Canada Day activities in Crowsnest Pass, with its float in a past Canada Day parade.

 

From noon to 4, Flumerfelt Park will be a hub of activity, complete with a bouncy house, a splash pad and inflatable bumper balls. Guitarist Kevin Smith will perform live music and Harvest Spoon and Snacknhand will sell burgers, pizza cones and fries.

Cake will be passed around at 1 p.m.from 8 to 10 a.m.

The mini heritage railway train will be making rounds near the Canadian Pacific Railway line junction off 133rd Street, and children can take a free ride any time in the afternoon.

 

 

Crowsnest Cando has arranged for live musical entertainment in front of Roxy Theatre, located on Coleman’s main thoroughfare.

The lineup includes Tynan Groves, Larry Whan, Lani Folkard, Sarah Lillian,the Big Beat and On the Rox, with music starting at 1 p.m.

Raffle tickets will be on sale for a chance to win Roxy merch and a Canada Day cake.

Everyone is invited to visit Crowsnest Pass Museum to check out the newly updated exhibits on the second floor, or to stop by the Alberta Provincial Police Barracks to take part in Escape the Barracks, its latest attraction, launching July 1.

 

 

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