Drumheller and Rosedale Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at the Starmine historic site north of the Rosedale Suspension Bridge on Sunday evening. Upon arrival the departments found an old tipple structure was on fire but quickly put out the blaze. Officials say no cause has been determined yet. Photo submitted by the Drumheller Fire Department.
While producers seem to be waiting forever to get their grain to market, it is taking just as long for Bill C49 to pass through parliament.
Bill C49, the Transportation Modernization Act, aims to make grain transportation more reliable, however, last week the Senate sent the bill back to the House of Commons for amendments for the second time.
MP for Battle River Crowfoot Kevin Sorenson says the timely passing of the bill is important for producers, but it is a complicated bill, affecting many industries.
“The problem with this type of legislation, although it is a Transposition Act Bill, is that it affects so many things,” said Sorenson. “We want this thing to pass. There were a few amendments we wanted, and we sent it to the Senate and they put in some amendments from different advocates in the industry.”
“You try to speed it up but on the other hand, there are amendments put in there, we just wish the government would just accept and push it through.”
He still is confident the bill will pass and hopefully, it will decrease the transportation issues that have plagued producers.
“I think it will get through yet. I have heard some say unless it gets through by the first part of June, it might not make it in time. I am still optimistic, but it is going to take a little bit of “water in the wine,” on both sides, from the Liberals and us as well,” said Sorenson.
“In a nutshell, it’s going to make sure our agricultural industry is satisfied, not just gas and oil,” he said, adding the solutions has many facets.
“Again it is another one of those things where a lot of the whole issue would be solved if we had pipelines for oil and not using rails,” he said.
The look of the Royal Tyrrell Museum is changing as its expansion and renovation continues.
While the completion date is still about a year off, Executive Director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Andrew Neuman, says the project is progressing well.
“Over the coming months, as we close in the space, visitors will see the exterior of the building come together,” said Neuman.
The project has been a long time coming, and in the spring of 2016, the Alberta government committed to a budget for the project. The federal government is also contributing $3.95 million to the $9.3 million renovations. Last summer, Lear Construction was selected as the contractor.
The expansion is roughly 1,100 square metres and it will make more space for the distance learning center and additional classroom and laboratory space. It will feature a large multi-purpose room that can be used for programming and conferences. It will also expand on improvements that make visits a more positive experience including accessible washroom facilities, a hands-on discovery room, and a family rest area.
Neuman says the project is on time and on budget.
“The main construction won’t be done until Christmas, and then they will be doing some renovations to some of the existing space, so it will be spring at least until we are using it,” said Neuman.
The project is slated to be complete in March of 2019.
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