The Community
Press
TEXT ‘ABFIRES’ to 45678 Telling to donate $10 to Red Story Cross for Jasper wildfire relief YOUR Volume 117 Issue 28
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2024 in Review Inside
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 s
BRSD says cyber security breach no threat to student information Battle River School Division is sharing information about a North America-wide cyber security incident involving PowerSchool, a widely used system for managing student information. The BRSD said in a release it has been informed of a North America-wide cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a widely used system for managing student information. This breach has impacted numerous school divisions across Alberta and hundreds across North America. “PowerSchool has assured us that immediate action was taken to stop unauthorized access, and the breach is now contained,” stated the school division. “PowerSchool confirmed that whatever data the unauthorized user accessed has been deleted and that no copies of that information were shared online. “We want to reassure our families and staff that sensitive information such as financial data (credit card or banking information), student profile pictures, and computer passwords were not accessed or stored within PowerSchool.”
BIG MONEY FOR FOOD BANK Wild Rose Co-op offered for sale their annual Good Buy to Hunger bags throughout the month of December. Members of the Co-op donated a total of $13,292.68 at the till, and Wild Rose Co-op matched up to $15,000 between Camrose and Flagstaff regions, making the total donated to Flagstaff at $20,792.68. Wild Rose Co-op Killam staff member Nikki Heisler (left), and Manager Raymond Callueng (right), present their donation to Stacey McLennan, FFCS Executive Director (middle).
More costs that are expected to rise in 2025 Philip Oddi Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Experts say prices will again rise this year as Canadians continue to struggle with significant cost increases for common goods and services. Numerous factors continue to play a significant role in the affordability of necessities. This includes the ongoing battle with inflation, limited housing, a weaker Canadian dollar, global political tensions, and the threat of United States President-elect Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. Increases to food items in 2025 by percentage from the 2025 Canada Food Price Report. Food The 2025 Canada Food Price Report outlined that food prices are expected to rise between three and five per cent. Meat products are set to increase the most at four to six per cent, followed by vegetables and restaurants at three to five per cent. Bakery and dairy products will see a two to four per cent increase. On average, Canadians can expect to pay approximately $801.56 more than last year for food for a family of four. The average family of four in Canada spends approximately $16,000 a year on food alone. Statistics Canada also reported that more than 50 per cent of Canadians have changed their spending
habits to make ends meet. Furthermore, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index explained that 47.3 per cent of Canadians stated that affordability was the most important factor when purchasing food, followed by nutrition at 24.9 per cent. Housing The demand for housing, both home ownership and rental units, is likely to continue this year. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) forecasts national home sales to climb 6.6 per cent in 2025, or approximately 500,000 units, playing into the strong demand and competition for housing in the country. Average housing prices across Canada are hovering around $713,000; a 4.4 per cent increase from
2024. Utilities The cost of heating homes, powering businesses, and filling up the gas tank are all expected to add to the cost of living in Canada. Carbon Tax The CBC reported that provinces affected by the carbon tax increase in April will see a jump of 20 cents per litre for gasoline and 14 cents per litre for propane this year. Agri-Foods Analytics Lab’s Senior Director Sylvain Charlebois at Dalhousie University explained that the upcoming carbon tax increase will play a role in rising food costs, “The policy’s impact on food security, competitiveness, and affordability has been underestimated.” “While retail food prices cannot be directly correlated with carbon pricing due to numerous influencing factors, wholesale food prices in Canada have surged relative to other countries. This suggests that the competitiveness of Canada’s agri-food sector has been negatively affected, partly due to the carbon tax. The long-term implications for food security and affordability are significant,” he continued. Approximately 90 per cent of government revenues We will reopen Tuesday, Aug. 6 at from the carbon tax are returned to households quar9 a.m. andCarbon our next edition terly through Canada Rebate payments, while will still be published Wedneday. Aug. 7 the other 10 per cent is used toward programs aiding businesses, schools,will andbe municipalities to reduce Ad deadlines noon Tuesday, Aug. 6fossil fuel usage.
The Community Press office will be CLOSED Monday, August 5 for the Civic Holiday.