Todd Loewen

I'm sick and tired of groups like Extinction Rebellion trying to give a vital part of our economy a black eye. I rise in the House to say exactly what I think about their stunts and the NDP who still refuse to condemn Extinction Rebellion and want them taught in our classrooms.

You may have seen this news in the last couple weeks, but the Alberta Government has extended supports for beekeepers who had to replace queen bees this past year. The past couple years have been a real challenge with smoky weather and low temperatures. Many producers saw severe colony loss last winter and then faced the added challenges of trying to import replacements during the pandemic.

Paul-Émile Maisonneuve passed away in his sleep at home in McLennan at the age of 101 on November 5, 2020. He was born in Donnelly, Alberta on November 17, 1918.... He enlisted in the Edmonton Regiment in McLennan on September 17, 1939. He served as a Signals Instructor at the Signals Depot in Farnborough, England and with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Paul-Émile was discharged on August 14, 1945 as a Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Second Class). He was a Life Member of Royal Canadian Legion McLennan Branch 153. When I interviewed Paul-Emile in 1995, he told me he was 22 years old when he arrived in Scotland on New Years Day 1940. He had enlisted for adventure, and a bit to help." Newspaper and radio coverage said it would be serious, but Paul-Emile said "I wasn't expecting to be gone so long". More than 200 Northern Albertans, mostly farmers, were in Company C and D when he arrived in Edmonton. His specialty was in communications and he spent 18 months teaching enlisted Canadians how to use codes. All we did was codes and cyphers - we mixed up the messages when they were sent out and decoded them when they came in. I did that for about all the time I was gone, said Paul-Emile whose rank was Warrant Officer, Second Class, Sgt. Major. Paul-Emile was in England, Italy and France before arriving in Nijmegen, Holland on Nov. 15. 1944. He had asked to see action and was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. The division arrived in Nijmegen, Holland on Nov. 15, 1944. Earlier, they were part of the force that stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6. He was in Holland for most of the winter of 1944. Because he had been in service for five years he was allowed a leave of absence and found himself in Donnelly on December 23, 1944. He went back to his unit, which was still near Nijmegen, in March, 1945. They were to participate in one of the critical missions of the War: the crossing of the Rhine river in April 1945. "Our division was in Germany - we knew on the 5th of May that the war was over." Fifty years later Paul-Emile had the chance to travel once again to Holland for celebrations marking the liberation of the country. Aalten, a town near the German border, played host to Paul-Emile and his wife Cecile and more than 200 other Canadian veterans. They stayed with Willem and Betty Hengeveld during their visit. Paul-Emile was even invited to speak at the seventh grade class of one of his host family’s two sons. It was touching for him to hear the personnel connections these children had with the war. He knew why the people of Holland hold such a special attachment to the Canadian soldiers of long ago. The English and the British fought in the south and in Germany leaving Holland to be liberated by largely Canadian forces. "The winter of 1944-45 was very difficult. The Germans withheld food." said Paul-Emile. The soldiers who stayed the winter were invited to spend the nights in civilian homes. It was in the house of Belly van Thiel that Paul-Emile lodged during the winter. In May of 1995, Paul-Emile once again visited van Thiel. During the trip one of the highlights was a parade held in Apeldorn. "It was very emotional. The Apeldorn parade was really something", said Maisonneuve. Soldiers marched and rode in restored vehicles while 300,000 people cheered them on. It’s gratifying for us to see they've done such a good job of it - it’s a beautiful country.

I hope you and your family enjoy a relaxing, heartwarming, and turkey-filled Thanksgiving! This time of year, even during these challenging times, provides us the opportunity to reflect on our many blessings.

It was an honour to attend Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Valleyview today. Thanks to the Legions across Alberta for all the important work they do for our communities and helping us to remember those who have served and continue to serve us. We Will Remember Them.

Wanham is a village in Birch Hills County. It is a great community and widely known for the Wanham Plowing Match. This event takes place each summer and gives e...ven amateurs a chance to be involved in the walking plow. Horse drawn, one bottom, hand held, plowing. It takes a lot more skill than you’d think. Many more activities like softball and tractor pulls going on. Always have to pick up some Bear Country Inn donuts when you’re in Wanham. See more

While it will probably be a more low-key Remembrance Day tomorrow than we're used to, I just thought I'd share some photos of Fairview's main street where they are honouring members of the community who have served in our armed forces.

I am very encouraged to see that, year-over-year from Sept 2019 to Sept 2020, Alberta has added 246 registered doctors. As always, it will continue to be my priority to see that new and returning physicians are encouraged to settle in rural Alberta. It's a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. And, thanks to recent changes, Alberta now has the most attractive compensation package available for rural and remote doctors in Canada on top of very competitive personal and business taxes.

Why is the left trying to ruin Albertan businesses for having different opinions? Is this what we've stooped to? Every business in the province should be supported right now, and you know my preference has always been to shop local and to preserve our cherished communities. I think most people are mature enough to leave their partisan loyalties at the door and just help a neighbour. If your ideology causes you to hate your own community, you need to re-think your obsession with politics as a blood sport. Totally classless and divisive.

Yesterday was the harvest moon. That’s the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. October will have 2 full moons and the second full moon in a month is called... a blue moon. That 2nd moon will be on Halloween. So it will be the hunter’s moon, a blue moon, on Halloween. What are the chances? I have no idea. It is interesting though. And good luck to all the farmers working long hours to get their crops harvested. Hopefully the weather holds and they get their crops in the bin. Stay safe!! https://www.cnn.com//full-moon-harvest-moon-blu/index.html

While there is still much work to be done seeing this project through, it's very exciting that America understands the importance of connecting the north. Such a project would go well beyond oil and open up all sorts of economic opportunity for this province.

Glad to see that schools have re-opened safely and that this important part of life is gradually returning to normal.

Thanks to Todd Loewen for joining me at Halo Exploration. The last 5 years have been some of the toughest our resource sector has faced. But companies like Halo are leading the way in Alberta's recovery, proving this industry will supply energy the world needs for decades to come.

Last Friday, I had the privilege of welcoming Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard and Minister of Finance, Travis Toews, to Valleyview to discuss proposed changes to the way industry will be taxed. Municipalities from across northwestern Alberta were represented and had the opportunity to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on how to strike the right balance between the need for tax competitiveness and ensuring the sustainability of rural Alberta's municipal districts and counties. I thought it was a very productive meeting and I was pleased to receive so much constructive feedback. The Minister committed to proceeding only in a way that respects our rural municipalities and ratepayers. The Government will now take the advice they received and use it as part of their review process.

I’ve gotten a little behind on posting my constituency tour. Lots more to cover! Rycroft is a great village located between Grande Prairie and Fairview. It is at the junction of Hwy 2 and 49 and is a major rail grain loading location. It is called the Hub of the Peace.

PRSD schools honor the Terry Fox legacy and raise money for cancer Schools throughout Peace River School Division (PRSD) are hosting cohorted walks and runs, ac...tivities and various challenges in honor of the Terry Fox legacy and to raise money for cancer research. School participation in Terry Fox events is important to PRSD as it raises awareness to an important cause while at the same time promotes the attributes of citizenship, generosity, leadership and kindness. Donations to cancer research can be made at your local community school or online on the Terry Fox website where schools are registered to accept donations (see link below). PRSD extends heartfelt thanks to our school communities for your generosity and support in this very important cause. View the school listing of Terry Fox events on our website here: http://www.prsd.ab.ca/view.php Terry Fox school/student donation page: https://secure.terryfox.ca/registrant/search.aspx Tags: The Terry Fox Foundation Trending 55 News Room River Country Smoky River Express The Fairview Post Peace River Record-Gazette Move Up Magazine Mile Zero-Banner Post

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes!! I am so lucky to have so many good friends and family. I’m always torn between saying I’m 20 and having people say... that that must have been a hard 20 years or saying I’m 80 and having people say I look great. So far all my gifts have been edible...and I like that! Cherry cheesecake See more

Today we couldn’t resist a visit to the Corn Maze near Brownvale. The Koch family is in their 4th year of having a corn maze. Each year the design has a theme. ...It’s a lot of fun for the whole family. You gotta try it!! https://www.facebook.com/cornmazeandcountryclutterdecor/ https://mightypeace.com/events/corn_maze_country_clutter/