2025 Year in Review

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Taber Times

February continued

Danielle Smith joined a premiers’ trip to Washington, D.C. from Feb. 11 to 13 as part of a Council of the Federation mission. The team of provincial leaders headed south to engage with U.S. lawmakers and industry and reinforce that tariffs on Canadian and U.S. products would harm Canadians, Americans, workers, businesses, and industry on both sides of the border.

 Smith went with a plan to highlight Alberta’s proactive approach to added border security and the prominent role the province plays in delivering energy to the U.S. Prior to the trip, she said, “The past few weeks have marked a pivotal time in the historic partnership that has bridged our two nations for generations. I was, like all Canadians, deeply disappointed by President Donald Trump’s decision to announce damaging tariffs, but I am encouraged by the decision to pause tariffs for 30 days and the progress the pause represents.”

 It’s an election year on both the federal and municipal fronts. That means either a changing of the guard or a retention of the current one. Mayor Andrew Prokop and a council composed of Garth Bekkering, Jack Brewin, Carly Firth, Monica McLean, Dan Remfert, and Joanne Sorensen have been holding down the fort and making the critical town decisions by committee. Those seven are backed by an administration and staff departments that keep the Town’s services, property, and finances intact.

The agenda for the Jan. 24 Horizon School Division (HSD) board meeting included a ministerial order mandating that the number of trustees in the division increase from seven to eight during the October 2025 general election.

 The agenda package also included a guide for nominees that outlined the competencies and responsibilities required of them. The guide from the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) said, “Trustees act as advocates for students, stewards of public funds and bridges between the community and the school division. Trustees work collaboratively as part of a school board to ensure students receive a high-quality education that reflects the values and needs of their community.”

The Town of Taber is concluding its participation in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s (AAIP) Rural Renewal Stream. Recent federal and provincial immigration policy changes have reduced the allocation spaces for immigrants coming into Canada to fill vacancies in understaffed sectors.

March

Alberta Environment is forecasting river levels across the province to be much lower than average this summer based on mountain runoff modelling.

On Feb. 24, Taber town council had a decision to make about a price increase to the new garbage truck the Town was intending to purchase this year. As a 2025 capital project equipment purchase, the automated truck was expected to cost $250,000 from reserves and $100,000 from LGFF (Local Government Fiscal Framework) for a total of $350,000.

For June 30-July 1, the town is planning a two-day celebration featuring music, food, entertainment and festivities for all ages.

 Arrowwood’s David Bexte ran against Taber’s Graham Abela, Vauxhall’s Josh Senneker, and Chestermere’s JL DeCosta for the right to be the Conservative representative for the riding. As a lifelong Albertan, farmer, and former vice-president at the largest oil field service company in the world, Bexte’s appeal earned him a chance to become an MP come the next general election.

The Board of Trustees of Horizon School Division has announced the appointment of Dr. Adam Browning as the new Superintendent of Schools, effective August 1, 2025.

As discussions continue with several agricultural agencies, boards and commissions across the province, RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and irrigation, stresses the importance of buying local and supporting domestic producers throughout these uncertain economic times.

Broyce Jacobs, a two-term MLA for the former Cardston-Taber-Warner provincial riding in Southern Alberta, passed away March 14. He was 84.

As of March 24, three cases of measles have been confirmed in the South Zone. All have been linked to an Ontario traveller. 

April

 The annual Taber Charity Auction returns on April 5 as one of the region’s most powerful fundraising events. The viewing starts at 4 p.m. in the Community Centre and is followed by dinner at 5 p.m. and the auction at 6 p.m.

Taber’s former Member of Parliament is part of a group hoping to open direct talks with U.S. President Donald Trump about Alberta’s future, and is also now calling for a provincial independence referendum this year.

At the March 24 meeting of town council, Waste Services Manager Lisa DeBona presented updates about extended producer responsibility (EPR) and recycling. EPR is applicable to producers of single use items, packaging, and paper products in the province. After the Alberta government passed new regulations for EPR, it shifted the financial and operational responsibility of recycling programs to the producers – instead of the municipality or its residents through utility costs.

After an April 2 annual general meeting, the St. Mary River Irrigation District’s (SMRID) board of directors announced a 50 per cent increase in allocation for the 2025 season. The rate is 50 per cent higher than what the District allocated at the beginning of last year’s growing season.

Among the three major parties, Bentley Barnes is representing the Liberal Party of Canada, David Bexte is challenging for the Conservative Party of Canada, and Louisa Gwin is carrying the flag for the New Democratic Party. Tom Lipp is back on the ballot for the Christian Heritage Party, and newcomer Aaron Patton is representing the United Party of Canada.  

Lance Wehlage from Benchmark Assessment Consultants appeared before town council on April 14 to provide a breakdown of property increases/decreases due to development growth in Taber. His report also included market change increases/decreases due to inflation or deflation. The assessed property values showed an overall increase from last year.

 The 2024 assessments for the 2025 tax year reflected market changes, assessment growth, and municipal comparisons of single family dwellings. In Alberta, each assessor is legislated to prepare assessments annually based on market value. The assessments must reflect the market value of property as of July 1, 2024 and the physical condition as of December 31, 2024.

The Alberta government is introducing legislation which would eliminate the need for municipal councils to have formal codes of conduct.

A proposed amendment would repeal the requirement for councils to have formal codes of conduct and also prevent them from developing their own codes.

As a global trade war escalates between twin superpowers that have locked horns, canola producers in Canada are bearing the brunt of China’s imposition of 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil and meal.

Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter lays the blame for this development squarely at the door of Ottawa, while advocating for the federal government to immediately drop its various tariffs against China and support canola producers.

May

 On April 29, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), issued a notice that it would be executing search warrants in Taber, but a week after the fact declined the opportunity to divulge details or outcomes to the Times, citing an “ongoing investigation.”

 The April 29 notice, presumably released just as the Taber operations began, said, “ALERT is currently conducting an organized crime investigation in Taber and residents can expect a heavy police presence in the area.”

Taber’s 2025 operating budget was approved by town council on April 28. After the April 14 council meeting in which council directed the administration to ask for adjustments to the proposed budget, it came back to the table with a number of changes.

On April 22, CAREERS: The Next Generation, held a camp in Taber that gave female-identifying youth in grades 10-12 a chance to explore several trades in a supportive environment. CAREERS is supported by local businesses and organizations, and the girls gathered at PGS Equipment for the morning session.

 The young ladies toured the PGS facility with a millwright who talked about his role and explained the workings of a variety of shop tools and machinery. A pre-event news release touted the event as one that would bridge the gender gap in the trades.

On May 8, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) warned that the Province is edging closer to a system where privately-owned hospitals dominate the healthcare landscape. In a news release, the AUPE said the Alberta government should pull Bill 55, introduced May 1, which allows it “to appoint anyone who is not a provincial health agency or provincial health corporation to operate Alberta’s hospitals.”

With the M.D. of Taber facing a municipal election in October 2025, the M.D. of Taber Council has been contemplating their future in politics.

Canada Post employees may be headed back to the picket line this week as an extension of the existing agreement between the postal carrier and the union is set to expire on May 22. 

Just stepping into his newly appointed roles as Associate Minister of Water and Chief Government Whip, Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter is getting down to work in his new cabinet positions. 

 On May 9, the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers (ASBG) announced that it had secured a new five-year contract with Lantic Inc. ASBG is the local marketing board that represents 200 farm families who grow the sugar beets processed at the Lantic factory in Taber.

 June

At a May 27 budget meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Horizon School Division approved the operating budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The budget included revenues of over $55.2 million, 90 per cent of which are sourced from Alberta Education through the Province.

On May 27, the three winners of the 2025 APEX Youth Awards received their honours at the Taber Police Station.

Economic Development Manager Amy Allred spoke to town council on May 26, giving them an update on the Taber 120 anniversary celebration and Canada Day events on June 30 and July 1.

On May 26, Taber’s Ken Holst appeared before town council as a delegation to request an amendment to an exotic animal bylaw that states bees are prohibited within the corporate town limits.

The provincial government recently passed Bill 54, or the Election Statutes Amendment Act, which significantly lowers the threshold of support needed for citizen initiatives and makes the potential for a constitutional referendum on Alberta’s sovereignty much more likely. 

At a June 9 meeting, town council reviewed a Taber and District Chamber of Commerce request for in-kind support for this year’s Cornfest. Council approved the equipment, facilities, road closures, and staff support needed to make the event a success.

On June 19, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and local police agencies held a news conference in Lethbridge after a lengthy organized crime investigation in southwest Alberta led to charges against nine suspects.