With the pandemic changing the way people work and go to school, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta has decided to ramp up their campaign to get reliable internet to those living in rural areas.
Kara Westerlund, a Brazeau County councillor and Vice President of the RMA, says they have asked everyone to check their internet speeds and report it to the RMA. The plan is to use the data to lobby the government for increased infrastructure and technologies.
“We’ve been running the tests since 2020,” says Westerlund. The information they were getting back led them to seek more results from residents.
However, the results the RMA are getting suggest this is not the case. “We were pretty hard-pressed to find anybody that could safely say they were seeing those numbers,” says Westerlund.
She says they are finding that less than 10 percent of the responders to the test survey are seeing the 50/10 speeds they should be getting.
Westerlund says rural internet is currently the top priority for the RMA. She says the organization, which reports Alberta’s municipal districts and counties, brings it up when speaking with the different levels of government, when talking to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, or whenever they are speaking with someone who may be able to help with it.
She says the customer operations performance centre (COPC) was saying rural residents in Alberta were receiving 50/10 service, meaning they could download 50 megabytes per minute and upload 10 megabytes per minute. This was considered to be served and was the standard the COPC went by.
“We’re saying, ‘Hey look, your information is faulty, this is actually what’s happening. So let’s start tackling this together,’” says Westerlund.
Westerlund says while the federal government has rolled out some money to help with rural internet, all of it was spent in Quebec because they were underserved. The hope of the RMA is to bring attention to the fact that rural Alberta is in the same situation.
“We’ve got their attention now and now they’ve ramped up the conversations to how we can solve this problem,” says Westerlund. She says the RMA realizes they also need to have the Internet Service Providers and the big companies like Rogers, Bell, or Telus on board to help with the process.
In the age where there’s a constant drive for more and more content, coming up with ideas of how to promote your business can become a full time job on its own and although that platform is free your time isn’t.
I mean – you signed up to be a business owner right? Not a videographer, copywriter, or graphic designer. The good news is newspaper advertising works differently from the social platforms that have you constantly chasing the next batch of likes and shares.
Grow Your Marketing Team
Print advertising with the Drayton Valley and District Free Press gets you off the hamster wheel and connects you with a copywriter, graphic designer, and an ad planner who are actually interested in learning the ins and outs of your business.
This person or people will work with you to generate creative ideas within your marketing budget. With their help you can get your creative juices flowing again and find ways to not just push content but to craft mindful creative content that will be seen and prompts action.
By advertising with your local newspaper you don’t just get an ad, you expand your marketing team exponentially. You get access to our professionals and we help you to figure out the direction you are looking to go with your business.
Stop The Disruption
Print ads are consumed like fine wine. Readers look at print ads longer and deeper than they do the disruptive advertising found on other media platforms. Tell me in the last time that you’ve binge scrolled your social media feeds – How many ads do you actually remember seeing? I am betting, not many.
Print ads are non-disruptive content for newspaper readers and therefore get the attention they truly deserve. They have a longer lasting impact for readers due to their longer shelf life, and after all, deepening the relationship with customers is really what you are looking to do.
So here are some ways you can position your local business with rural newspaper advertising:
- Thought leadership: Be a thought leader in the regional landscape of your industry. Use an ad space for how-to content, data presentation on regional trends. Newspaper readers are readers and so are more likely to read long form advertisements with interesting information. You can reuse this information on your website blogs, social platforms, podcasts and the like.
- Be action oriented: Ads are there to move the needle forward. A call to action can be as simple as moving an interested person from the print ad to “click to redeem in store coupon” – print to digital is easy to do in both the print and e-edition formats of your local newspaper. Using click through options and QR codes to specific URLs makes the cross over from print to digital platforms seamless.
- Event marketing: Discovering local events in the community newspaper is one of the top interest points for local readers. But don’t just churn out a generic “Come to our event”. Remember our readers enjoy spending time with the paper. Capitalize on that. When you advertise an event in the newspaper you have an opportunity to make an intimate connection so don’t treat it like a fly by night ad. Make it engaging, personal, and relevant. Call out the reader specifically “Calling all Free Press newspaper readers.” You can niche the demographic based on the action you assume they are doing when they are reading your ad.
- Coupons and promotions: If you are a retailer or a restaurant that has deals and promotions, newspaper readers take notice! Not only does the use of coupons help you track the effectiveness of your ad it also gets people in the door. Your business isn’t an online hop on and hop off bus ride, you need foot traffic and this is one way to do it.
- Minimize or maximize. When people book a print ad they tend to want to throw everything into it. This creates a cluttered, hard to read ad. Instead take the space to promote your one product or service that tends to get people in the door, then cross promote once you are in contact with your prospective customer. Alternatively you can also use the space to create an organized product catalogue, or flier page that showcases a number of products but in an organized and thematic fashion.
I said it before and it’s worth mentioning again. Forming a relationship with your local rural newspaper helps you expand your marketing team, and frees you to do what you actually set out to do – run a business set on building real relationships with your customers.
Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services spent 12 hours fighting a fire at the Drayton Valley landfill on Monday.
Crews responded to the fire at 2:10 a.m. Monday morning and were able to extinguish the flames by 2:30 p.m. The fire resulted in the closure of the landfill for part of the day on Monday. By 3 p.m., the public drop-off area was open. However, larger loads that would be offloaded into the landfill were still not permitted as of the Free Press publication deadline.
Jennifer Stone, the interim CAO for Drayton Valley, says they weren’t sure of the cause of the fire.
“We have not been able to determine the cause of the fire; it’s inconclusive,” says Stone. “It was in the middle of the night; nobody saw anything.”
She says the garbage fire was located on one of the landfill cells at the top end of the landfill site. There are a number of things in a dump site that can cause fire. One of the more common issues is lithium batteries that get thrown into household garbage.
“It could have been batteries,” says Stone. “It could have been anything.”
A dozer was brought in to build a firebreak, and the crews were able to successfully contain the fire. As of end-of-day Monday, there was still heavy equipment out at the site addressing hot spots.
“We will have an overnight crew there just to monitor for hotspots and to ensure the flames don’t reignite or anything like that,” Stone says.
Oh, to be young again
Here’s an important question. Will you have enough money to live comfortably when it’s time to retire? Actually, scratch that. Here’s an even more important question. Will I have enough money to live comfortably when it’s time to retire?
It’s a question that’s worth asking, especially if, like me, you are haplessly stumbling toward your mid-sixties with no clear goals and no plan for the future whatsoever other than the half-formed notion that you’d like to make it to the pub on Friday if possible. And oh yeah, wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to spend the rest of your life collecting carts at the grocery store?
Retiring is expensive. You need money. Quite a lot of money. The gravity of the situation was brought home to me last week while I was slogging my way through my 2025 tax return (oh, the memories!) It turns out I have enough unused contribution room on my RRSP to fund the purchase of a mid-sized airline. But sadly I have so little money that I can’t even, well, I can’t even afford to pay someone else to do my tax return.
There’s always the Canada Pension Plan. I’m a big fan of the CPP, but even there I have a problem. What you get out is determined by what you put in. I didn’t start making contributions until I was 24 on the not unreasonable grounds that I didn’t live in Canada. There’s another gap in my contribution history from the five years I spent at university while I was in my thirties. Hey, it was a tough course and I didn’t want to rush things. Anyway, after that I got a job as a junior reporter with wages so low that my CPP contributions were virtually zero anyway … I think the thrill of getting my photograph in the paper every week was supposed to be reward enough for my efforts. After all that … you get the picture, and as pictures go, it ain’t particularly pretty.
So, what’s a boy to do?
It’s not that I don’t like working. OK, well maybe it is a bit. But it’s more that I’m starting to feel, if not actually old, then rather less young than I used to. I’ve still got some working years left in me, but I can see a time when I’ll be ready to spend my days sitting on the deck composing long and frequently incoherent letters to my Member of Parliament on a variety of issues, none of which I fully understand, before hiking my pants up somewhere in the direction of my armpits and heading off for my evening meal at 4 p.m.
So how do I get there? How do I put away sufficient dosh over the next couple of years to be able to keep myself and the current Mrs. Long in the necessities of life (Preparation H, gin and Maalox as I understand it) through our declining years? It is, as I said earlier, a question worth asking. And, if I had to do things over again, it’s a question I would probably have asked myself before things went quite this far.
Don’t write off seniors
There is a little bit of a stereotype around newspapers. Some people think that the only people who read them are seniors. Our data shows otherwise. Typically as soon as you own property or enter the family phase of life you get more involved in the community. And that includes reading the newspaper. So our range of avid readers tends to be 34 plus, not 65 plus. But, regardless, many business owners will decline to advertise in the paper because, “It’s only read by seniors.”
Even if that was the case, I am writing today to say; don’t write off seniors.
Seniors make up about 17.5 percent of the Drayton Valley population according to the 2021 census. Census data states that in 2021 our community has a population of 6,970, and 1,040 of that is 65+. So why is this important information to know?
Boomers’ spending power is stuff of legend. In September 2025, McLean’s Magazine featured a long form article titled “The Jackpot Generation.” The article explored the wealth transfer of $1 trillion from boomer parents to their children or grandchildren that is expected over the next 10-15 years.
Drayton Valley has typically been considered a young community with the bulk of our population being well under 65. However, as community founders, and boomers who moved here in the early days of the oil boom age in this community we are lucky to have a portion of our population who have strong community ties, some disposable income, and still favour the traditional ways of doing commerce – face to face.
While this population is on the rise in our community, I am not so sure our businesses have grown to include this demographic in their marketing mix.
Last Wednesday at 2:30 pm I went grocery shopping, and I was amazed at how packed the parking lot was. It was seniors’ discount day, and so on top of your regular shoppers you are now seeing an influx of seniors who are discount savvy and are looking to experience the community while doing so. This got me thinking. Why didn’t other retail locations piggy back on the success of the grocery store with a Wednesday seniors’ discount day? Or where are the early bird dinner specials to fill up the slow 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm time slots in the restaurants?
Seniors in 2026, are not shut-ins. They are active in the community, and in life. They have disposable income, and they still believe in traditional business transactions. If you think the newspaper is “only read by seniors,” you’re wrong. But even if it was, then choosing not to advertise because of this fact may mean that you are not reaching a critical demographic in this community and you are leaving money on the table.
Am I worried? Actually, yes
Looking forward to a nice relaxing summer? Not so fast. As we (finally!) approach the nice bit of 2026, I thought it would be useful to put together a list of the things I am currently worried about. And if I’m going to worry about them, so should you.
I’m worried about the way our provincial government is extending its own powers. The UCP is attempting to broaden its authority in areas that have traditionally been under federal jurisdiction. At the same time they are limiting the powers of municipalities and school boards to act without provincial approval. If all this comes to pass we are going to have one honking big (and powerful) government in Edmonton. That should give every one the collywobbles. If the NDP had tried something like this while they were in power we’d have been screaming to the high heavens.
I’m worried about our friends to the south. Every time you think America can’t get any more dystopian they find a way to prove you wrong. And the noise! It’s like living next door to a frat house.
I’m worried about retirement. The Canada Pension Plan works just fine. I’m looking forward to collecting my CPP in a year or two. Brand name beer here I come! The thought of ditching the CPP for a new and untried Alberta Pension Plan makes me more nervous than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. And yet that’s what the provincial government seems intent on doing. I’m sorry, I’m sure Danielle and the gang have nothing but good intentions, but I don’t trust them not to make a complete and utter mess of things. If they feel like gambling I wish they’d do it with their own money.
I’m worried about the amount of ill-informed bile I see on social media and elsewhere directed at immigrants and refugees. This stuff invariably comes from people who claim to be acting to protect Canadian values. Clearly we have a different view on exactly what Canadian values are.
I’m worried that our thoughts and prayers don’t seem to be doing enough to prevent school shootings, public transit attacks or any of a raft of other atrocities. And I’m worried that I seem to have lost count of the number of those atrocities that have happened already this year. Perhaps we should all try thinking and praying harder?
I’m worried that we seem to spend more time focussing on the things that divide us than on the things that unite us.
I’m worried that these days, when you come across something that doesn’t match your own narrow world view, you’re free to select your own set of alternative facts to back up whatever bonkers theory you’re supporting. And if someone points out that your set of facts aren’t actually very, umm, factual, you’re able to label him as a stooge of big government who’s too blind to see that the Earth really is flat, 9/11 was the work of the Illuminati, the Kremlin is controlled by Disney etc. etc. etc.
I’m worried about inflation. I’m worried about Iran. I’m worried about the Blue Jays’ pitching. I’m worried about gas prices and I’m worried about property tax.
There. I’m glad that’s off my chest. Now It’s time to get out and enjoy that sunshine!
Three degrees with a chance of flurries? I did not see that coming. Dammit!
Quilters support All Are Daughters
The Hearts and Hands Quilters’ Guild did more than just draw winners for their annual quilt raffle last week. They also presented 14 quilts to All Are Daughters for use at their women’s rehabilitation facility.
The guild boasts 28 members from the community, and all of them work to build quilts that can be donated to people in need. Each year, they hold a raffle fundraiser for three quilts, and the proceeds are then split between three different organizations.
This year they raised about $700 for their guild, the Kickstand Youth Hub, and STARS, along with their donation of quilts to All Are Daughters.
Trina Beckett, the vice president of All Are Daughters, was on hand at their meeting to accept the donation.
“About a year-and-a-half ago, a group of us women got together to start working on this dream of so many of us to open this recovery centre for women,” says Beckett.
She says there are members of the board who have gone through addiction and have been in recovery for years. Beckett is the mother of an addict, and her experience helping her daughter get through the first few months of recovery made her want to help others going through something similar.
“As a parent, you do anything to help your child because you know they’re in there somewhere,” she says.
Beckett says her daughter was involved with the centre before she passed away last summer. Despite the loss of her daughter, Beckett still wants to see the centre completed.
Right now, the facility is ready to go, but they don’t have an open date just yet. The organization is currently waiting for funding from the Province to cover operating costs, as well as getting licensing in order.
“We do have all our rooms spoken for as sponsor rooms right now,” she says. “We are just waiting for the go-ahead to get open.”
She says there aren’t any recovery centres for women in rural communities. Having both a men’s and a women’s centre is a positive thing, she says.
“We thank you guys for your support as well,” she told the guild. “Without the support of the community, we wouldn’t be able to do so far what we’ve done.”
The winners of this year’s raffles were Mel Sibley from Warburg, who took home Wolves on the Prowl; Pam Baker, who won Winter’s Day; and Wendy Nordell received One Up One Down.
The guild is always looking for new members, and they meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Beehive Support Services Building, but don’t meet in July or August. They also have regular sewing days on Wednesdays.
“In this day and age, in this country, in this province, that is absolutely unacceptable,”
She says they are encouraging anybody to hop on and check out their speed. It’s a quick link and it’s easy. “A lot of people are fascinated by it,” says Westerlund.
It was Covid that really highlighted the issue for the RMA. Westerlund says they heard stories about parents driving into town with their kids and parking somewhere with free WiFi so their kids could attend classes.
“In this day and age, in this country, in this province, that is absolutely unacceptable,” she says.
She says lack of internet is hindering business growth, the education of children and college students, and those who rely on the internet to work from home.
Westerlund says they are well aware that fiber isn’t going to work for rural residents, but they are open to “any and all” technology that will help fill the gap. She says there are some technologies there, such as StarLink. However, the cost is not necessarily affordable for everyone.
“We’re not here to promote one company over the other, or one technology over the other, we’re simply saying, ‘Hey look, this is what’s actually going on,’” she says.
Anyone who wishes to participate in the speed test can visit www.RMAlberta.com/speed-test.
Interesting times in Alberta
Here we go then. In October we’ll be heading to the polls to vote on the future of this province with respect to its role in Canada.
Sort of.
Event supports school in Ghana
The Awaso Canadian Academy Foundation had another successful fundraiser to support a school in Ghana last weekend.
Sports! All your questions answered!!!
What’s this World Cup I keep hearing about?
It’s the global festival of football that takes place every four years.
Book club helps build community
Angela Patty and her family have lived in the Berrymoor area all her life, and she would like to see the Berrymoor Centre as busy as it was when she was younger.
