St. Albert Minute: Issue 73

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• Mayor Cathy Heron expressed frustration over the nearly year-long delay in appointing a permanent RCMP commanding officer. Staff Sgt. Dwayne Moore took over on an interim basis in September 2024. Heron, who was involved in the hiring of Moore’s predecessor, hopes to participate in the next hiring process and has criticized the lack of communication from the Alberta RCMP. Councillor Ken MacKay noted that the RCMP typically interviews several candidates before making a final selection. Both Heron and MacKay emphasized that the City is satisfied with Moore’s work but want to explore all options. Heron hopes the permanent appointment is made before the upcoming election to avoid leaving the decision to a new Mayor, who will already have a full plate.
  
  
• Jackie Sargent, a St. Albert resident and former municipal employee, has announced her candidacy for Council. Having worked in communications and administrative roles across several municipalities, including Sturgeon County, Edmonton, and Leduc, she believes her experience connecting communities with local government will benefit her in a Council role. Sargent emphasizes “engaged, not enraged” as a guiding principle, aiming to improve communication between the City and residents. She supports further industrial growth to help reduce the City’s reliance on residential taxes and alleviate financial pressures on residents. Sargent also prioritizes fiscal responsibility, advocating for careful spending and efficient use of resources. She values the City’s small-town feel and strong community connections, which she wants to preserve while guiding St. Albert’s growth beyond a bedroom community. 
  
  
• St. Albert businesses are feeling the impact of escalating US tariffs on Canadian goods, which recently rose to 35% for products outside the Canada-US-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, alongside existing tariffs of 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on cars and auto parts. Local golf shops, like Cattail Crossing, expect significant price increases on equipment next year as most manufacturers are American. Endeavour Brewing is considering sourcing hops from Canada or overseas to avoid higher costs, though this could alter their beer flavours. Auto parts suppliers report longer wait times for deliveries, sometimes up to 14 days, which disrupts repairs and forces customers to opt for aftermarket parts. While some costs have yet to fully affect consumers, businesses anticipate ongoing challenges from tariffs and supply chain delays. Many local operators have had to adapt their sourcing and pricing strategies, with uncertainty about how long these trade tensions will continue. 
  
  
• St. Albert bars have not experienced the same post-playoff slump reported by many Edmonton establishments following the Oilers’ loss in the Stanley Cup Finals. Some bar owners say business has remained steady, with some regulars returning and wing nights drawing large crowds. They noted only minor drops during holiday weekends but overall consistent patronage. Outdoor watch parties at Servus Credit Union Place also did not negatively impact bar attendance. In fact, some bars report higher business this summer compared to previous years. 
  
  
• Two St. Albert women recently reported encounters with a potential lost cell phone scam, prompting an RCMP warning to the community. In one case, a woman was away from home when three people claimed to have tracked a lost phone to her address, insisting on entry. She refused, called 911, and the suspects were stopped, though no charges were laid. In a separate incident, another woman faced a man at her door claiming to track a lost phone, accompanied by two others. RCMP say these scams aim to gain access to homes, either to steal items or gather information for future crimes. Both women urged neighbours to stay alert, use cameras, and be cautious about opening doors to strangers. Authorities emphasize awareness and report that even minor variations of the scam, like leaving a note, can be used to target homes. The RCMP and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

A lot of people have been asking about what Common Sense St. Albert is doing for the upcoming municipal election.

We plan to survey all Mayor and Councillor candidates and share that information closer to the vote.

In the meantime, you can see who is running by visiting the City's website.

Keep in mind, the list won’t be final until nominations close on September 22nd.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!