The mother of a former Drumheller woman who was detained in China expects her daughter will be released before the new year.
National media reported that former Drumheller resident Sarah McIver has been detained and is sentenced to an administrative punishment for illegal employment.
According to Global News McIver is a teacher who had gone to China to teach in August and was detained.
Her mother Maria McIver said this is a normal and routine response from Chinese officials to a mix up in Sarah’s paperwork when she was transferred to another school.
Maria tells the Mail she appreciates all of the support and prayers from friends and the community and requests that family privacy is respected.
“Sarah is doing well and being treated fairly,” she said.
Maria expects Sarah to be released by December 28.
Officials from China and Canada, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have noted that McIver’s detention does not appear to be related to the diplomatic conflict arising from the arrest of Wanzhou Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, in Vancouver on December 1.
MP Kevin Sorenson has been made aware that a Canadian with ties to his riding has been detained.
“Right now we are expecting that our consulate service in China is doing what it can. Sometimes it is better to get all the information first,” said Sorenson.

The Drumheller and District Humane Society received a boost last week after receiving a $2,500 cheque from the Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities Program.

Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer. The program allows farmers to register to win $2,500 for their favourite community charity or not-for-profit organization. Charitable groups also offer suggestions online at
www.canadasfarmers.ca, which farmers can consider in their application.

Lisa Rosgen nominated the humane society for the work they do in the community. Deb Bussie of the society says the money will be put to good use and they were thrilled to have found out they won last week.

The 2018 program received 758 farmer applications (a 68 per cent increase from 2017) and 337 charity suggestions (a 200 per cent increase from 2017) making this the most successful year yet since the program launched in 2012. Two winners were selected in each of 33 different regions in a random draw which took place on October 19.

“We are thrilled to see farmers and charities engaging in this program and thinking creatively about how to strengthen their communities,” said Trish Jordan, public & industry affairs director with Bayer’s Crop Science division. “There are so many worthwhile groups and projects in need of assistance in rural communities across the country. We know the funds will be put to good use for the benefit of all community members.”