Madison Colberg was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Alberta at a ceremony at the Lethbridge Courthouse on Friday, June 24.
Colberg who has been articling at Kloot and Associates firm in Drumheller, was admitted to the Bar by Assistant Chief Judge The Honourable S.L. Oishi.
She is grateful for the support of her mentors.
“I have so much respect for (Principal) Colin Kloot and Bill Herman for the mentorship they have done. It has been incredible. They have over 80 years of experience,” said Colberg of her experience articling.
Kloot shares the sentiment.
“It has been a privilege,” said Colin Kloot, noting she will be his last pupil after having seven law student complete their articles under his supervision.
“She has been an excellent pupil and works hard and is going to be a real asset to this firm and we are hoping she will stay on in Drumheller because she was raised here, her roots are here, her family is here and her interest are here, so it is a wonderful fit.”
She is comfortable in Drumheller and says by her second year of university she knew she wished to return home for her career. She graduated from DVSS in 2014, and took her undergraduate in marketing and entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University. She went on and graduated from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Common Law (cum Laude) in April 2021. She was accepted into the accelerated CPLED PREP course for a select number of Articling students in Alberta to complete legal modules, assignments and presentations.
From September 2021 to June 2022 she articled under Colin Kloot with continuous guidance and mentorship from Bill Herman.
“I loved the experience, but I think you can’t take a small-town girl away from a small town. Drumheller has so much, I can bike everywhere, and I can walk down the street and know everybody, tube down the river, all of these things,” she said.
“Law always interested me because I believe you have a lot of power to help in so many different ways, For an estate, you are helping a family, to a divorce, you are helping children be parented the right way,” she said.
Kloot is impressed with the work Colberg has put into her training.
“Madison is ready, willing and capable of fulfilling the gamut of services we provide as barrister and solicitor. I have little doubt she will be very competent,” he said.
While she has a diverse background she enjoys doing corporate, wills and estates and real estate.
“Definitely I like more of the solicitor work,” said Colberg.

Ranchers are speaking out on Health Canada’s proposal to label ground beef and pork as high in saturated fat.
Health Canada is proposing to introduce labelling for foods that are targeted as health concerns, food with high levels of sodium sugars and saturated fats. This came out of its Healthy Eating Staget launched in 2016. On this potential list, ground beef and pork. MLA for Drumheller-Stettler Nate Horner is concerned with the proposal.
“Everyone is concerned with food affordability and food security,” said Horner. “It is one of the most affordable proteins, it is one of the easiest ways to get enough iron in diets, and we think it is targeted. It will be at a cost, and some producers feel hurt and targeted by it, but it is the consumer who will feel it as well.”
The provincial government released a statement opposing this proposed measure.
“Alberta livestock producer associations have requested an exemption from proposed federal labelling requirements for ground meats, similar to exemptions being offered for other nutritious, single-ingredient foods like milk, eggs, vegetables and other meats. Alberta’s government supports this exemption,” said Horner.
He also notes the measurement of saturated fat is done in the raw form of ground beef and pork, not prepared.
“They are not even taking into account how people consume it,” he said. “I don't know how much ground beef you eat uncooked, but I don’t eat much.”
The Alberta Minister of Health, Jason Copping also lent his support in opposing this measure.
“This decision was made without consultation with the provinces, which have equivalent expertise in nutrition and food science to that of the federal government. It’s inconsistent with the treatment of other products; it’s not good policy, and it should be reversed.”
Kent Holowath operates a cow/calf operation in the Rumsey area and is a director for Alberta Beef Producers.
As a producer, he has concerns.
“From the producers' standpoint, It feels like an attack. They are singling out a product that is no different than a steak in essence, but once you grind it, now they are labelling it,” he said. “It’s misleading to consumers. Will it hurt sales? It probably will. Will there be costs for producers?”
“It doesn't seem fair when the egg and poultry industry, and the dairy industries are excluded from it.”
There are also concerns if this will affect exports. Around half of Canadian beef is exported, and there are concerns there will be trade implications.
Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Associations (ACFA) have launched dontlabelmybeef.ca for Canadians to show their support for the industry.