March 9, 2021 Country Booster by The Camrose Booster

The paper created EXCLUSIVELY for farm families and rural residents of east central Alberta

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Always better – always better read

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March 9, 2021

Photos by Lori Larsen

8 Pages

Camrose County resident Rob Rondeau prepared the barn for the upcoming lambing season. The ewes, which are bred systematically in the fall, are brought into the barn once they are within days of their anticipated due date, which for this new mother ewe and her quadruplets, happened on March 4.

Birthing season for many farm and ranch animals can begin as early as mid March. The job of keeping an eye on expectant animals and their offspring is 24/7, especially with the unpredictable weather. Preparing and constant monitoring helps ensure the health and welfare of both mom-to-be and babies. See page 4 for more on preparing for lambs.

Inside...

A variety of merchandise and services: Farm supplies, services, structures, energy options and more!

News Features…

Tillicum to receive sign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rural municipalities continue to struggle with unpaid taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CDSS survey examines rural services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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See page 8 to win a colour enlargement of your farm! Visit our website: www.camrosebooster.com

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 2

Stop over-paying for your

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4925-48 St., Camrose

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is published for Controlled Distribution By CAMROSE BOOSTER LTD. Blain Fowler, Publisher Circulation 11,639 copies Providing coverage to the communities of Camrose (RRs and Boxes only), Ohaton, Edberg, Meeting Creek, Donalda, Bawlf, Kelsey, Rosalind, Daysland, Heisler, Strome, Forestburg, Galahad, Castor (farms), Killam, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Coronation/Brownfield, Alliance, Hardisty, Amisk, Hughenden, Czar, Metiskow, Cadogan, Provost (farms), Armena, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Round Hill, Kingman, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Bruce, Viking, Kinsella, Irma, Wainwright (farms and lock boxes), New Norway, Ferintosh, Bashaw, Bittern Lake, Gwynne, Stettler (farms).

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone 780-672-3142 Fax 780-672-2518 News email: news@camrosebooster.com Display Ads email: ads@camrosebooster.com Classified Ads email: ads@camrosebooster.com Website: camrosebooster.com

4925-48 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1L7 The most effective, most economical advertising medium in the Camrose area. The entire contents of THE CAMROSE BOOSTER and THE COUNTRY BOOSTER are protected by copyright and any unauthorized reproduction of it, in whole or in part, without consent in writing, is expressly prohibited.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 3

Realize Your Savings,

Reassess Solar

- Cover your electrical needs for the next 25 years (under warranty for 30 years) with a payback of 9.5 years or possibly less with a government incentive. - Small businesses are eligible for government incentives, up to 50% of the project cost, including agricultural businesses. - Utilize an accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) for investments in clean energy generation to enhance your savings. - Use the Solar Club for extra savings when exporting energy to the grid.

New technologies Bifacial solar modules are a relatively new solar technology that produce solar energy from both sides of the panel whereas traditional monofacial panels only produce energy from one side. The SunGround Bifacial™ system is designed to maximize the amount of light the backside of the panels receives. All rails are on the edge of the PV modules, not under them. No component

blocking the backside of the panels for optimized bi-facial performance from ambient light, reflective light, early morning and late evening sun. The SunGround Bifacial™ system is also a variable tilting array. Manually changed for seasonal adjustment, typical 30-55 deg.

SOLAR CLUB Solar Club is designed for solar systems that seasonally produce more electricity than they use. Our two rates are intended to be toggled for optimal benefit.

Example project - Designed for a farm or acreage with a 10 kVa transformer - 24 bi-facial modules, maximizing production by creating energy from both sides of the module, up to 30% gains! - Custom racking designed for optimizing bi-facial modules by not shading the back side of the solar array - Variable tilting array to maximize the angle of the sun in winter and in summer

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Benefits: • Seasonal rates for optimal payback. • High rate (excess production) of 24¢/kWh paid for anything fed into the grid. • Low rate (when drawing more from grid than producing) of 7.1¢/kWh. • We pay a 5% cashback for all energy drawn from the grid. • We Green 50% of energy used from the grid, by supporting green initiatives. • You can accumulate credits to cover your bills during lower production months. • Or you can have your credit paid to you if over $200 for 2 consecutive months. We have a new component to our Community Partner Program, whereby you can choose our “Solar Synergy Program” as the partner that 10% of our profits go to in order to bring solar to the roofs of non-profit organizations. In addition to Solar Club, did you know that Camrose Energy services electricity, natural gas, and internet across most of Alberta?

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denise@camroseenergy.com www.camroseenergy.com

780.678.4820 www.solarharvestalberta.ca info@solarharvestalberta.ca

T H E

F U T U R E

I S

B R I G H T !

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 4 210326G0

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Preparing for spring lambing season By Lori Larsen

As March rolls in, farmers and ranchers all over the county are preparing for the onslaught of the birthing season. Whether it is lambs, calves, foals or piglets, the fall breeding season comes to fruition at the first signs of spring, some as early as March. For Julie, Rob, Oliver and Tristan Rondeau, preparing for the first round of little lambs means getting the barn ready to pull in the pregnant ewes. “The first set of pregnant ewes are due any day now,” said Rob, as he moved two fairly round ewes into stalls. The barn is set up with comfy pens complete with straw on the floor, straw bales for warmth and play once the little ones arrive, feeders with hay, buckets for water, lamps for keeping the newborns extra warm, and a camera system so the family can keep a vigil eye on the soon-tobe mamas and babies. “I have the camera sys-

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Four little speckled lambs were born early March 4, just hours after Rob Rondeau pulled two pregnant ewes into the barn in preparation for lambing season.

tem connected to my cell phone, so I know exactly when a ewe is lambing,” said Rob. Technology has been a huge asset for farmers and ranchers during birthing season. In the sad event that a ewe is lost during birthing or can’t, for whatever reason, nurse her offspring, Rob has also set up a unique bottle feeding system. Last year, the Rondeau herd produced a total of 44 lambs, from the middle of March until the final few at the end of May. “We had sets of quadruplets, triplets and twins,” said Rob, “But no singles.” Despite both Julie and Rob having full-time jobs and both children in school, the job of birthing requires the attention of all. The end result, however, is well worth the wait. Cuteness overtakes the Rondeau’s birthing barn in the form of adorable, playful lambs that eventually head outside to the pens, then to the pasture. All are full of vim and vigor because they were given such a great start in life. “Once the lambs are born, they remain in the barn for about a week, then, if they are feeding well and healthy, we put them out into the pens with the other sheep. Once there is grass, they go out to the pasture.” The Rondeau’s three trusty llamas, along with a rather attentive sheepdog Zeus, take over the vigil of the newborns. This interview with Rob took place on March 3, at around 10 a.m. The next morning, Rob texted with the happy news that one of the pregnant ewes he had pulled into the barn had given birth to four adorable, frisky, little lambs. Lights, camera and so begins the action.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 5

Count on…

UNRESERVED TIMED ONLINE FARM AUCTION

Bidding Starts Monday, April 5, 2021 and Closes Monday, April 12, 2021

Estate of Edward Benjamin Grinde and Carol Grinde – Bruce, AB

LOCATED: From Bruce, go 5.2 km north on Hwy 857, then 3.4 km east on Twp Rd 492 (Bruce is approx 23 km west of Viking on Hwy 14). Gate Sign – 14327 Twp Rd 492 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Russ Schultz at 780-678-6702 Previewing starts Thursday, April 1 (please call in advance). Please follow Gov of AB COVID-19 guidelines. This is a very nice line of equipment. Grindes had a very good maintenance program and a lot of this equipment was purchased new. Major pieces have been shedded.

This auction is Online Bidding only. Register and bid at www.dougjohnsonauctionservice.com

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780-673-9593 WWW.AMRAA.CA • HWY 13 & 56 • CAMROSE, AB

TRACTORS • 1988 Versatile 936 4WD, Designation 6, showing 5014 hrs, 20.8R42 duals, 4 hyd plus return, stand trans • 2009 John Deere 7530 Premium MFWD w/ JD 741 ldr, 8’ bucket & grapple, showing 8860 hrs, 20 spd AutoQuad Plus, 20.8R38 rears, LH reverser, joystick, rear whl weights, 3 hyd, 540/1000 PTO, one owner (JD dealer installed new JD Reman eng – Sept/19) • John Deere 4440 2WD, 20.838 duals, quad trans, 2 hyd, 540/1000 PTO, rebuilt eng in 2010 • John Deere 4020 2WD w/ JD 48 ldr, 6’ bucket & bale fork, 18.438 rears, stand trans, rear wheel weights, 3 hyd, 540/1000 PTO COMBINES & HEADER • 2018 John Deere S780 w/ JD 615 PU, never been used, 1.3 sep / 21.7 eng hrs, 580/85R42 duals, 750/65R26 rears, Pro Drive, Advanced PowerCast tailboard, Power fold hopper, LED lights, Harvest Screen (crop catcher) • 2018 MacDon FD 140 40’ Flex Draper header, never been used, dbl knife drive, split PU reel, upper cross auger, transport • 1999 John Deere 9610 w/ JD 914 PU, 1960 sep / 2711 eng hrs, 30.5L-32 fronts, Crary chaff spreader • John Deere 7720 w/ JD 212 PU, Hydro, 3603 eng hrs, 24.5-32 fronts, Crary chaff spreader, hopper cover SWATHER & HAYBINE • 2011 MacDon M150 Premier swather w/ 30’ D60-D header, showing 656 hdr / 873 eng hrs, dbl knife drive, split PU reel, Dual Direction, no transport, dbl swath, 600/65R28 fronts • 2008 New Holland H8040 SP haybine w/ 16HS Series hay header (2007), 16’, showing 1154 eng hrs, dbl knife drive, rubber rollers, hyd center link, cab susp, 18.4-26 fronts • Swather mover, 6 wheel GRAIN & GRAVEL TRUCKS • 1994 Ford L9000 Aeromax TA w/ 20’ (69’’ sides) SWS box & hoist, hyd silage endgate, showing 956,343 km, Cummins 855 (330 hp), 13 spd, pintle hitch, air ride, roll tarp

• 1979 GMC 7000 TA w/ 20’ box & hoist, 7.4 L gas, auto trans, air brakes, spring susp, roll tarp • 1979 Ford 9000 TA w/ 14’ gravel box, pole hoist, Detroit diesel, 13 spd, pintle hitch • 1966 GMC 960 SA w/ 18’ wood box & hoist, 6 cyl gas, 4&2 trans • 1968 Chev 30 1 Ton w/ 12’ box & hoist, 350 eng, 4 spd stand BREAKING DISC & HEAVY HARROW • 26’ Wishek 842NT-26 HD disc, 30’’x5/16’’ discs, light kit, c/w acre meter (not installed), ltd use, one owner • 73’ Riteway HH82-73NT narrow transport heavy harrow, 5/8’’ tines, carbide tip option, hyd angle, 16.5L-16.1 fronts, ltd use, one owner AIR DRILL • 45’ Flexicoil 5000 air drill w/ FC 2320 TBH cart, dbl shoot, 9’’ spacing, 3-1/2’’ steel packers (recapped April/19), Dutch openers, 2 rollers, lots of upgrades on drill & cart FIELD EQUIPMENT • 30’ John Deere 235 disc, 9’’ spacing • 100’ Flexicoil 65XL PT sprayer, 1500 US gal tank, hyd pump, wind curtains, disc markers • 45’ Morris CP-743 DT cult w/ 4 bar harrows • 41’ CCIL 279 ﬁeld cult w/ 3 bar harrows • 70’ Flexicoil Sys 82 harrows & drawbar • 70’ Inland diamond harrows & drawbar • CCIL Disker, 2-14’ sec HAYING & CATTLE EQUIPMENT • 2008 John Deere 568 rd baler, net wrap, MegaWide Plus PU, 12,240 bales, 21.5L-16.1 tires, one owner • Unused New Holland 358 mixermill, 31x13.50-15 tires, bale feed, SN 862730 • Unused Wheatheart High & Heavy Hitter post pounder, 13 hp Honda, post hugger • Haybuster 2544 bale processor w/ adjustable blower, 1000 PTO, ltd use • John Deere 346 sq baler, ¼ turn chute • Sitrex Magnum MK10-12 12 wheel V rake • Kuhn GA 4220 TH rotary rake, 540 PTO

• Vicon 5 wheel rake • Owatonna mixermill, bale feed, extra screens • Trailer type post pounder • New Holland SA manure spreader • (2) 30’ pipe frame bale wagons • (2) Lil’ Red portable creep feeders, 150 bu+/• (2) Kelln solar watering systems, ﬂoat pump (no batteries) • Morand maternity pen • Alley scale w/ Sensi-Weigh digital scale head • WSI squeeze & palp cage; calf squeeze • Quiring tipping chute, manual / hyd • (40) free standing corral panels (24’ – 30’); (30) corral panels (10’ – 12’); (3) 16’ HD gates • (4) HD bale feeders (20-1/2’); (9) sgl bale feeders; (6) calf shelters; 25’ free standing wind break • Qty of troughs • Lg qty of fence & corral posts; 150+/- railroad ties; (27) rolls Tree Island barb wire • Fibreglass Charolais bull (full size 9’L x 5’H +/-)

MISCELLANEOUS • Air-O-Matic Preheater aeration heater / dryer, unused, NG, w/ trailer • John Deere 318 tractor w/ 42’’ rototiller & 46’’ mower • 1985 Honda 250 Big Red trike, reverse • McMillen hyd post hole auger, 9’’ & 6’’ bits • Tuthill chem pump; Honda 2’’ water pump • Campbell Hausfeld 60 gal air compressor • Blanchard 6’’ tailgate drill ﬁll w/ fert / seed box • (50) lengths 2-7/8’’ drill stem • Westeel Road-Vault 135 gal slip tank w/ 12V GPI pump on trailer; (2) slip tanks • 14’ dbl bin skid; 500 gal propane tank, 250WP; (3) Flaman inline aeration fans (3-5 hp); (8) rolls Canuck Premium Netwrap; (4) pencil augers; Forster Feed auger • Qty lumber (rough plank, 2x12, 2x10, 2x8, 2x6, 2x4, wind boards) • Bin parts (doors, wall panels, lids, bolts, etc); (3) Twister concrete bin ﬂoor forms • Antique tillage equipment (plows, discs, one-ways, dump rake) • (2) 1250 gal poly water tanks • Trim-Met grain tester w/ scale; (2) New Holland hay testers • Holland 5th wheel hitch; 5th wheel hitches; saddle; harness pts & tack; traps & stretchers • Antiques (anvil; walk behind cult; wood spoked wheels; 30’’ cast iron cauldron, (2) slips, cutter running gear; stove; trunks; well pumps; coal scoops; stitching horse; crocks; jugs; chairs; 4 wheel scale; beam scales)

TRUCKS/STOCK TRAILER/CAMPER • 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 1T dually, 4x4, Cummins (deleted & tuned), auto, showing 148,000 km, quad cab, 8’ box, loaded w/ leather • 2000 GMC 2500 Sierra SLE, 4x4, 6-1/2’ box, showing 146,144 km, ext cab (3rd door), 6L • 24’ Featherlite TA aluminum stock trailer, 2002, (7’wide / 6-1/2’ high), 3 compartment • 2007 Host 11.5 Yellowstone DS camper, 2 slides, elec jacks w/ remote, outside shower, rear awning, 3 piece bath • 1992 Toyota 4 Runner SR5, 4x4, showing 371,995 km, 22R-E (4 AUCTIONEER’S NOTES • Online Bidding purchases will be cyl), auto charged a 3% fee to a maximum of

AUGERS & GRAIN VAC $800 CAD per item. • Brandt 10x70 XL mech swing • All goods are sold on an “as-is”, “where is” basis and any description, verbal auger, reverser or in advertising, of goods is set out or • Sakundiak HD7-45 auger w/ 16 offered as a guide only. The Auctioneer hp Kohler accepts no responsibility for errors in • Kongskilde Cushion Air 700 Turbo description, it being the responsibility of grain vac prospective buyers to inspect the goods before the sale and satisfy themselves GPS EQUIPMENT as to condition, age, authenticity, make • Trimble EZ steer w/ FM 750 or model. display, wheel motor, Terrain • Doug Johnson Auction Service Ltd. compensator, globe, foot switch does not guarantee actual hours and kilometres. • Trimble FM 750 display & globe

Tillicum to receive sign By Murray Green

Tillicum Park will soon have a new entrance sign. Wood master craftsman Ernie Bertschi offered his time and materials from his company to build a new sign for the park that is owned by Camrose County. Councillor Brian Willoughby moved that council accept the offer to provide a new sign at Tilli-

cum Park, but the County will install the sign. On Jan. 12, Bertschi sent a note to Reeve Cindy Trautman offering his design and woodworking skills in building a sign. “I live out at Tillicum, and have been using Tillicum Park and the lake for 45 years, and there has never been a sign entering the park.”

CAMROSE, AB

Phone 780-672-1105 • Fax 1-888-870-0958 Email office@djas.ca www.dougjohnsonauctionservice.com AB License 334038

Continued on page 7

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 6

FOR SALE BY TENDER

TENDERS ARE INVITED for the purchase of the following properties located in the Camrose County: Parcel 1 MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 21 TOWNSHIP 48 SECTION 10 QUARTER NORTH WEST CONTAINING 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THEREOUT: A) PLAN 9620315 ROAD 0.801 HECTARES (1.98 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS *150 cultivated acres and 8 acre yard site. Seller is willing to consider offers for the entire parcel or just for the 150 cultivated acre portion and the Seller will subdivide and retain the yard site. Parcel 2 THE NORTH HALF OF THE SOUTH WEST QUARTER OF SECTION FIFTEEN (15) TOWNSHIP FORTY EIGHT (48) RANGE TWENTY ONE (21) WEST OF THE FOURTH MERIDIAN CONTAINING 32.4 HECTARES (80 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS *80 cultivated acres The title to the properties will be subject to the reservations and exceptions now appearing on the title and free and clear of all financial encumbrances. GST will be added to the tender price unless the purchaser is a GST registrant at the time of closing. TENDERS must be in writing, accompanied by a certified cheque for 5% of the tender price, sealed in an envelope marked “RWR Tender”, indicate what parcel or parcels the tender applies to and must be received by Fielding & Company LLP, Barristers and Solicitors, #100, 4918-51 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1S3, on or before 12:00 noon, April 1, 2021. Municipal taxes and will be adjusted. The closing and adjustment date of sale will be April 30, 2021, and the successful tenderer must pay the balance of the purchase price, plus GST unless the tenderer is a GST registrant, on the closing date, or the deposit will be forfeited. The deposits of all unsuccessful tenderers will be returned to them forthwith after the closing of tenders. No conditional tenders will be accepted, and the highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. No warranty whatsoever is given as to the condition of the property or as to the fitness of the property for any purpose. For further information about the property phone Wayne Throndson, Q.C. at Fielding & Company LLP, 780-672-8851.

Agricultural Communications Committee 2021 Scholarship

1,000

SCHOLARSHIP

Eligibility Requirements:

Selected Topics: Please select from one of the following:

• Students must be in Grade 10, 11 or 12 • Must be a resident of Camrose County 1. Having a career in agriculture might not mean that you are driving a tractor. • Previous Camrose County scholarship Describe the diversity of careers in award winners are ineligible agriculture and why they are worth • Essay should be 1,000 to 1,500 words considering. in length OR video presentation 2. Food waste is present in all pieces of should be 4 to 5 minutes in length the food cycle - from farm to grocery store, to home. What is the impact of Please reference people interviewed or research material used for your essay or food waste in Canada and what are video presentation. (No Power Point the solutions? presentations will be accepted this year.) 3. The trend is for a large reduction in the Submit entries to: use of fossil fuels. How will agriculture Camrose County Essay Contest production reduce its dependency on 4728-41 Street, Camrose AB T4V 0Z6 traditional energy sources? or email to: asb@county.camrose.ab.ca Please include the following as part of your submission: Full name, mailing address, phone number, high school being attended and legal land description or hamlet address.

The winner will be photographed for press releases and the essay or video presentation will be displayed on the Camrose County website.

Deadline: April 30, 2021, 4:30 pm For more information: Doug Lyseng 780-672-7625 or Corey Stuber 780-672-4765

Drive sober. alcohol or marijuana – it impairs your judgement.

FOR SALE BY TENDER

TENDERS ARE INVITED for the purchase of the following property located in the Flagstaff County: MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 16 TOWNSHIP 46 SECTION 15 QUARTER SOUTH EAST EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS AREA: 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS The land is fully fenced with 2 dugouts. The land is currently pasture; however, 100 acres had been previously broke. The title to the property will be free and clear of all financial encumbrances. GST will be added to the tender price unless the purchaser is a GST registrant at the time of closing. TENDERS must be in writing, accompanied by a certified cheque for 5% of the tender price, sealed in an envelope marked “Congdon Tender” and must be received by Fielding & Company LLP, Barristers and Solicitors, #100, 4918-51 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1S3, on or before 12:00 noon, April 1, 2021. Municipal taxes will be adjusted. The closing and adjustment date of sale will be May 3, 2021, and the successful tenderer must pay the balance of the purchase price, plus GST unless the tenderer is a GST registrant, on the closing date, or the deposit will be forfeited. The deposits of all unsuccessful tenderers will be returned to them forthwith after the closing of tenders. No conditional tenders will be accepted, and the highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. No warranty whatsoever is given as to the condition of the property or as to the fitness of the property for any purpose. For further information about the tender process, phone Wayne Throndson, Q.C. at Fielding & Company LLP, 780672-8851. For further information about the property phone Dennis Congdon at 780-608-5719.

FA R

DI NG S

nction and af f u f ord in s ab r e i d

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 7

an L I dC U B OMM ERCI A L Garth Brett

Devan Herder

garth@hhbccamrose.ca

devan@hhbccamrose.ca

Call Now: 780-672-8818 Phone 780.672.8818 Fax 780.672.1002 6809-48 Avenue, Camrose

Rural municipalities continue to struggle with unpaid taxes By Murray Green

The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has conducted a member survey identifying that approximately $245 million in property taxes currently owed to rural municipalities by oil and gas companies have gone unpaid. A similar survey conducted in early 2020 showed unpaid amounts at an estimated $173 million, and a 2019 survey estimated the amount at $81 million. The latest survey shows a

42 per cent increase in unpaid tax amounts compared to 2020, and a 203 per cent increase from 2019. The $245 million amount is based on a 100 per cent response rate to the survey from all 69 RMA members. Non-payment of property taxes by some oil and gas companies is an ongoing and increasingly urgent threat to the ability of rural municipalities to provide the core infrastructure and services on which the oil and gas industry

Tillicum to receive new signage Continued from page 5

“So I, along with my business Innovative Kitchens and Bathrooms, would like to donate a sign, possibly at the top of the hill going down into the lake,” said Bertschi. “I have made a mock-up of the sign, and what you see as far as the sign and the uprights to hold the sign would be 100 per cent donated.” Corporate services manager Teresa Gratrix said it was a nice offer, but liability and consistent signs may be an issue. “This is such a beautiful sign, so I struggle with this decision,” added Reeve Trautman.

The County discussed that they have limited consistency in signs, and that the sign should read Tillicum Park, instead of Tillicum Beach. “I move that Camrose County council accept the donation of a community sign by resident Mr. Bertschi, but that the County install the sign. It is typically the responsibility of the municipality to install signage for safety and liability,” said councillor Brian Willoughby. Council viewed the mock-up design and liked it, with the change from Beach to Park.

relies to access natural resources. RMA members manage over 70 per cent of Alberta’s roads and 60 per cent of Alberta’s bridges, and the revenue needed to manage this critical transportation network is almost entirely derived from property taxes. If municipalities are unable to depend on taxes being paid, they may be unable to manage roads and bridges at a level required by the oil and gas and other industries. “The fact that every rural municipality in the province took the time to complete this survey speaks to the anxiety and frustration that rural leaders are facing on this unpaid tax issue. In some municipalities, unpaid tax amounts are so high that service levels are being reduced, municipal staff are being laid off, and serious discussions are occurring about whether the municipalities can continue to function,” said Paul McLauchlin, RMA president. While municipalities can take action to recover unpaid taxes on most residential and commercial properties, the oil and gas industry is subject to a legislative loophole that does not allow municipalities to place special liens or use other tax recovery tools on linear property. This puts rural municipali-

ties in a powerless position to enforce the payment of property taxes on oil and gas companies, and has made recovering unpaid taxes from both operational and non-operational companies extremely difficult. According to the member survey results, approximately 57 per cent of unpaid taxes are the responsibilities of companies that continue to operate. “As a homeowner, I am responsible for paying my property taxes or face stiff penalties. Small business owners across the province are expected to pay property taxes regardless of the profitability of their business,” added McLauchlin. “There is no reason why oil and gas companies should have an option to pay property taxes and face no consequences if they choose not to. Not only does this non-payment impact municipalities providing the infrastructure that those companies use every day, but it is also disrespectful to every other homeowner and small business in the municipality who will see their taxes increase or their service levels decrease due to the irresponsibility of some oil and gas companies.” The most straightforward provincial solution would be to amend the

process through which the Alberta Energy Regulator approves the acquisition and transfer of energy licences and approvals. Under the current model, not only are municipalities not able to recover unpaid oil and gas property taxes, they are actually on the hook for forwarding a portion to the province, even if they are unable to collect it from the property owner. Unfortunately, the province has yet to take any action, despite repeatedly indicating that they take the issue seriously over the past several years. “RMA and its members are willing to work with the province and the oil and gas industry to develop tools and incentives to lessen the property tax burden on industry during these difficult economic times. However, constructive dialogue will not take place while the oil and gas industry continues to take advantage of municipalities through the non-payment of property taxes, and the province stands by and does nothing,” McLauchlin said. “We need to address this issue, ensure that oil and gas companies pay taxes the same as everyone else, and move forward on how to build strong rural industries and communities.”

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, March 9, 2021 – Page 8

CDSS You could win a survey photograph of your farm! examines rural If this is your farm, services By Murray Green

The farm appearing in this photograph is located in the Camrose trading area. If you recognize it as yours, come to the Camrose Booster, 4925-48 Street, Camrose. You will be presented with a free 8” x 10” colour enlargement of the photo.

• The Mystery Farm winners for February 9 are Cliff and Vivian Badry of Daysland. • This week’s prize must be claimed by March 16, 2021.

THIS WEEK’S MYSTERY FARM IS SPONSORED BY:

Burglars strike without notice...

Built-in Dishwasher

…anytime, anywhere. Could your home, farm or business be their next target? We can provide the right insurance at the right price and give you the peace of mind to sleep right through the night.

CENTRAL AGENCIES INC. 4870-51 Street, Camrose Phone 780-672-4491 Edm. Direct 780-429-0909

• • • • KDFE204KPS

SALE…

949

When purchasing appliances at our store, you will receive a 2nd year warranty absolutely FREE! 5000-51 Ave., Camrose 780-672-8759 Toll Free 1-877-672-8759 *See store for details.

INSURANCE

Camrose Insurance Services Ltd.