There was a ring of election in the air as MP for Battle River Crowfoot, Kevin Sorenson, held an Open House for constituents last Thursday morning, March 28.
    Sorenson held the Open House at Drumheller Town Council chambers and had an audience of about 30 come out to hear him speak, including UCP provincial candidate Nate Horner. The conversation quickly turned to the dissatisfaction of the Liberal government.
    Sorenson fielded questions regarding the SNC Lavalin case,  China’s ban on buying canola from two companies and the treatment of veterans in Canada.
    “We do have an election coming in Alberta, but we are also seeing in Ottawa this government getting caught in the way they do business and now it is coming to light. As we know Canadians are not happy about it,” said Sorenson. “You are hearing today that people aren’t happy about it. The SNC Lavalin scandal and other scandals that are coming to light. It’s hard to be here to talk about people’s issues when the big frustration is with the Prime Minister and the Liberal government.
    He says one of his party’s main goals is to get more jobs in Canada and to make it easier to create those.
    “We want jobs here in Canada. I don’t want this riding to be only dependent on gas, and tourism. I want it where anyone can succeed if they decide they are going to run a business out of  Drumheller, I want to make sure we don’t have so much red tape that they are hindered from prospering,” he said.
    He says the Conservatives have a plan if they are successful in the next election.
    “We will have a 30-day plan, the 90-day plan, and the 120-day plan and these things have to be done,” he said. “When parliament is called back we know there is going to be legislation that has to change. We can’t come in and say ‘edict from the top,’ it all moves through a process and legislation. We have said the carbon tax is going to be our first goal. “You can’t just keep adding taxes and expect  your economy is going to grow.”
    He feels there is strong support for the Conservative Party in the riding and fielded questions about Andrew Sheer. He pledged his support and confidence in the leader.  
        “We always keep working day-to-day. The support I feel out here is very supportive and a lot of that is people are worked up against Trudeau and I have people coming up with donations and door knock. I tell them we have to take care of Alberta first…and then we need to change what is in Ottawa.”

Students  in Grade 4, 5 and 6 at St. Anthony’s celebrated their favourite literature during their annual Reading Fair. The students selected a book and created a display demonstrating their understanding and appreciation of the book. The displays were adjudicated for their content and creativity. In Grade 4, Yana Chibulu won first place, Meleah Laycock placed second and Luke Pascut was the third place winner, with an honourable mention going to a project by Jewel Bacus and Navada Mackenzie. In Grade 5, Erik Cortez placed first, Belva Kaiser and Jordyn Reid placed second and Aspen McHugh placed third. An honourable mention went to Callum Mah. In Grade 6, Hannah Beal and Tiffany Cervantes placed first, Jilliane Jesoro and Beverley Wiens placed second and Hayes Armstrong placed third. Andi Calon received an honourable mention. The Student Choice Award went to KC Abayon.