The major junior squad announced the signing today.

“Wil had a very good rookie season in the AJHL. He is a good skater that plays with an edge,” Americans GM Bob Tory said in a release. “He will add considerable depth to our blueline next season.”

“We are pleased that Wil and his family have chosen the Americans and the WHL to pursue his hockey aspirations,” Tory added.

The 6’2″ blueliner played 54 games in his rookie season with the MOB, registering 6 points and 55 penalty minutes.

Published May 14, 2012

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable gas that is also highly poisonous.

The government says it happened in May of 2010 at the Horizon plant.

The first court appearance has been set for July 11 at the provincial court in Fort McMurray.

The charges are under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act:
• One count under section 109(2) that states no person shall release into the environment a substance that causes or may cause a significant adverse effect.
• One count under section 110(1)(a), that a person who releases a substance into the environment, as soon as that person knows or ought to know of the release, must report it.
• One count under section 110(2), that a person having control of a substance that is released into the environment shall, immediately on becoming aware of the release, must report it.
(Courtesy: Alberta Government)

Published May 14, 2012

Police stepped up patrols on Highway 63 between Mariana Lake and Highway 28, as well as on 881 between Lac La Biche and Conklin.

The tickets ranged from speeding to not wearing seatbelts and unsafe passing.

Two drugs charges were also laid.

Published May 14, 2012

The Inside Education program has been operating since 1985, giving hundreds of teachers a first-hand look at the oil sands industry.

This year, teachers outside of Alberta will be eligible for the free six-day trip.

Environmentalists say the fact that industry funds the program makes it unlikely that teachers are getting an unbiased education.

Published May 14, 2012

Quebeckers currently have the lowest level of support for the industry; only 37 percent of the province said in a recent poll that the oil sands are more positive than negative.

The CEO of Canadian Oil Sands Limited will speak to the Montreal Board of Trade on Wednesday about sustainability efforts at Syncrude.

AEG Vice-President David MacLean says Quebec’s provincial pension plan is heavily invested in the oil sands, and Quebec is Alberta’s second-biggest trading partner behind Ontario.

Published May 14, 2012

Two men with guns robbed the Spirits Uptown Liquor Store at about 10:45 PM and ran away.

Police say one was a five-foot-six caucasian and the other native and five-foot-nine.

Both were described as possibly being high on drugs.

They were both wearing black sweaters, blue and white running shoes, and ski masks.

If you have information, call the RCMP at 788 4000.

Published May 14, 2012

The company says its 440 million dollar STP-McKay phase 1 project is almost ready to go; its central processing facility will be commissioned tomorrow.

The 12 thousand barrel per day SAG-D facility is 45 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray and should start production by September.

The project could eventually be expanded to 18 thousand b-p-d.

Published May 14, 2012

The fire started around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, and within hours, was up to 700 hectares in size. One home is reported to have been destroyed.

Fire crews, helicopters, and air tankers were called to help fight the fire. The AMA is reporting that Highway 63 has re-opened.

Wildfire information officer Geoffrey Driscoll says a majority of fires that happen this time of year are caused by humans, and are preventable.

Published May 14th, 2012

In 2004, 43 year old Elaine Alook was reported missing. She had been known to live in or frequent Anzac, Grande Prairie, Lac La Biche, and Edmonton. Before she went missing, Alook had suffered a broken arm.

She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt, running shoes and a black jacket. She’s described as a female of Native descent, 5’3″ tall with black hair and brown eyes.

If you have any infromation regarding her whereabouts, contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Published May 14th, 2012

StatsCan says the province added more than ten thousand jobs last month – that’s almost a fifth of all the new jobs in the whole country.

Overall, Canada added six times more new jobs than economists had expected.

Employment in Alberta has grown 4 percent over the last 12 months; that’s the highest of any province.

Published May 11, 2012

The company is moving ahead with expanding a pipeline terminal in Hardisty, which is where the pipeline is planned to start.

Keystone XL would then take that oil to gulf coast refineries in Texas.

TransCanada says it already has enough producers lined up to use the terminal to make the 275 million dollar expansion worthwhile.

Published May 11, 2012

There’s only one active wildfire right now, near Anzac, and it’s under control at 14 hectares.

SRD says all fire permits in the Forest Protection Area have been suspended, but there are no fire bans right now for the region.

Published May 11, 2012

Environment Minister Terry Lake says the province is being pressured to take a stand on the pipeline, but he says they want to see the federal environmental review first.

The $5.5-billion pipeline would ship oilsands crude to the BC coast, where it would then be transported to Asian markets.

Published May 11th, 2012

Over the weekend, Thomas Mulcair said that the oil industry is to blame for some struggles in the country’s manufacturing sector, because the cost of oil was artificially inflating the value of the Canadian dollar.

He said that meant that American buyers could no longer afford Canadian goods.

Redford says someone looking to lead the country one day needs to understand just how important the oilsands are to the entire country.

Published May 11th, 2012

Ryan (who just wrapped up a tour with Alan Jackson) was in Fort McMurray to perform with Emerson Drive. Last summer Ryan was in Fort McMurray to perform with George Canyon.

Ryan received recognition and media attention across The United States and Canada in December 2008 after putting up a billboard on Nashville, Tennessee’s famed music row asking Taylor Swift to produce his album.

There is one fire burning in our region, known as the Waterways District. It’s near Anzac, and considered under control at 14 hectares in size.

SRD says that they’ve suspended all issued fire permits in the Waterways area within the Forest Protection Area, but there are no fire bans in place for the region. Check out albertafirebans.ca for more details.

Published May 11th, 2012

ForestEthics is telling media that almost three-quarters of shares of oilsands companies are foreign-owned.

It also says more than 40 percent of the profits from the oil sands go to foreign companies.

But University of Alberta professor Andrew Leach has pointed out that in 4 of the last 5 years, profits in the manufacturing industry have been more foreign-owned than the oil and gas industry’s.

Published May 10, 2012

U.S.-based Jacobs Consultancy found that new technologies mean the oil sands only produce 12 percent more GHGs than conventional crude oil.

The EU has rated the oil sands as producing 22 percent more.

But the Pembina Institute says the report is cherry-picking the best technologies to paint a rosier picture.

Published May 10, 2012

The upcoming Wood Buffalo council by-election has its second candidate.

Former radio host and current Suncor communications advisor Tyran Ault says he’s putting his name forward.

He says he wants to bring a more youthful perspective to the municipality.

“The median age of Fort McMurray is 31 right now, and that group is lacking a voice on council,” he said. “There hasn’t been a young councillor in quite some time.”

He says he’s not in it to radically change the current council – but to enhance it.

“I think we’ve seen in this current council that there is a lot of harmony, compared to last time,” he said, “and they’re making some great decisions. That injection of fresh blood will really take them over the top.”

He says his campaign will be focused on engaging younger voters.

“I’ve already started,” he said. “I’ve been meeting with a lot of community groups already, I plan on meeting with a lot more, I’ve reached out to student associations, the high school students, I think a real big thing is getting traditional non-voters out to the polls.”

Ault previously worked for the municipality in communications as well.

Published May 10, 2012

Municipal council passed the 2012 tax rate bylaw, which also holds property taxes for business steady for the third straight year.

Although the tax rate has not changed, you may end up paying more in taxes because the market value of your property increased.

Also included in this year’s tax bill is the provincial education tax, which is collected by the RMWB on behalf of the provincial government.

Published May 10th, 2012

The poll, conducted by the Canadian Press and Harris Decima, shows 34 percent support for the New Democrats. It also says that the party is making inroads with traditional Tory supporters.

Of the 2000 people surveyed, about 30 percent said they supported the governing Conservatives.

Published May 10th, 2012

Burton finished just short of winning a seat in the 2010 election, missing out by just over 300 votes.

“Since that time, I’ve added to the wealth of my experience and community advocacy,” she said, “and I think awareness of the issues, and certainly a chance to meet some of the people involved in solving those issues.”

She practices law in Fort McMurray and also heads up the Penhorwood Condo Association, while volunteering with several local groups.

She says one of her key issues is improving overall quality of life in the region.

“And that’s something that really, really inspires me,” she said. “Because, as a long-time resident, I’ve seen so many changes here, so the recent focus on really making this a community people can call home is really exciting.”

Suncor communications advisor and former radio host Tyran Ault is expected to join the race at a media conference tomorrow morning as well.

Published May 9, 2012

The plan was tabled at last night’s council meeting.

Chief financial officer Elsie Hutton says that says the plan allows administration to have a plan in place when it comes to financial planning for the region.

The municipality also carries a debt load in order to invest in projects, but is living within its means.

Council also passed this year’s tax rate bylaw, which leaves property taxes unchanged from last year.

Published May 9th, 2012

R-E-S says the building’s fire alarm was not properly maintained and that some horns and strobe lights were manually turned off and disconnected before the fire.

It also says there isn’t enough evidence to say what the cause of the fire was, though it was narrowed down to either smoking or a propane barbecue.

Published May 9, 2012

RCMP have determined that the value of the drugs totals $100,000.

56-year-old Lawrence Joseph Roy is set to appear in court on May 22nd, to answer to charges including five counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. RCMP initially started the investigation while looking into another matter.

Published May 9th, 2012

The municipality is now gearing up for a by-election to replace Scott and Allen. As was first mentioned earlier this week, the vote will be on June 25th.

Returning officer Darlene Soucy says that anyone who wants to run for one of the two council spots has until noon on May 28th to get their nomination forms into the municipality. Anyone interested in running for a council position can access the nomination forms on the RWMB website starting this evening. All nomination forms must be handed in at Council Chambers, along with a $100 fee.

Soucy says that when it comes to voters being able to cast their ballots, they’ll have ample opportunity. The municipality will hold 12 days of advanced polls leading up to June 25th. Council has also voted on a recommendation which allows polling stations to be open an hour earlier that that’s normally required.

In the event any voter is unable to leave their home to vote, they can contact the returning office and request returning officers attend their home so they can cast their ballot.

Scott says the specific responsibilities he’ll have as Associate Minister for Accountability, Transparency, and Transformation are still to come.

“I do understand that it’s going to be pretty thorough review of some legislation that touches on those topics,” he said. “So it’s going to be an exciting and challenging opportunity.”

Scott says his legal background prepares him well for that role.

But he adds he’ll still be lobbying for local issues.

“I just feel tremendous optimism,” he said. “First of all, the Transportation Minister, I’ve indicated over and over again that I’m going to try to corner him as soon as I can so we can make sure that our issues that have to do with Highway 63 are addressed.”

Calgary-area MLA Ric McIver was named Transportation Minister.

Scott also says people will need to be patient early on.

“Results always take time,” he said. “Government works at a slower pace than we would like, but I’m feeling optimistic. I know that Mike [Allen] and I are going to work very hard to try to move the issues of our region forward, and I’m definitely going to press matters as hard as I can to get things moving.”

Published May 8, 2012

On April 27, 2012 Stephanie Rayner received the 2012 Alberta Child Care Award of Excellence. Stephanie accepts the honour for her genuine care of children, her passion for their learning and her dedication to supporting their growth.

Hope Moffatt, Board of Directors President states “When we opened our Eagle Ridge Child Care Nest in 2010 we set out to Recruit the Best and that is what we did.

Stephanie has been a strong member of our Nest Team from the beginning. We are so proud of Stephanie. She embraces our philosophy of our centre and that is evident in her award.

Children First: Community Child Care Network Society has created “Circles of Support” for our children & families with one key component being our staff.

We are excited for our children and their families to have the Best!

Neither Fort McMurray–Wood Buffalo MLA Mike Allen, nor Fort McMurray–Conklin MLA Don Scott were called to the front bench today by Premier Alison Redford.

However, Scott was named to a junior position of Associate Minister for Accountability, Transparency & Transformation.

Redford broke the news of new ministers via her Twitter feed at 1 o’clock.

No Fort McMurray MLA has served in cabinet since 2008, when Guy Boutilier was Aboriginal, Intergovernmental, and International Relations Minister.

“The Premier selected her cabinet based on what she thought would deliver the best for the province at this time,” Allen said. “I’ll just work in whatever capacity I can to work my way up the ranks, and just be part of the team.”

Nearby MLA Jeff Johnson (Athabasca-Redwater) was promoted to Education Minister, while Wayne Drysdale succeeds him in Infrastructure and will handle the upcoming Urban Development Sub-Region (UDSR) for the municipality.

Calgary-area MLA Ric McIver was named the new Transportation Minister.

“I know Wayne and Ric very well,” said Allen. “They’re very competent individuals and they’re very positive individuals. I know that Don and I will be able to get some strong results with them.”

Doug Griffiths remains the Minister of Municipal Affairs, while former AHS head Ken Hughes takes over as Minister of Energy.

The full cabinet:

Deputy Premier: Thomas Lukaszuk
Finance: Doug Horner
Human Services: Dave Hancock
International and Intergovernmental Relations: Cal Dallas
Environment & Sustainable Resource Development: Diana McQueen
Health: Fred Horne
Energy: Ken Hughes
Education: Jeff Johnson
Agriculture and Rural Development: Verlyn Olson
Justice & Solicitor General: Jonathan Denis
Municipal Affairs: Doug Griffiths
Aboriginal Relations: Robin Campbell
Culture: Heather Klimchuk
Service Alberta: Manmeet Bhullar
Infrastructure: Wayne Drysdale
Enterprise & Advanced Education: Stephen Khan
Transportation: Ric McIver
Tourism, Parks, Recreation: Christine Cusanelli

Published May 8, 2012

That’s because the country exports oil for more than thirty dollars a barrel less than it imports oil.

That buying high and selling low is creating a drag on economic growth and costing the country about 19 billion dollars a year.

CIBC Vice Chairman Jim Prentice says new pipelines like Keystone XL and Northern Gateway are the only way to solve the problem; though experts say the price gap will likely stick around because of the glut of oil supply in Cushing, Oklahoma driving the price down.

Published May 8, 2012

The CBC is reporting that one of the city’s two MLAs will receive a junior post; sources say it would be Scott who is moved to the front bench.

Scott was elected after serving just under two years on Wood Buffalo municipal council.

He would be the first Fort McMurray-area cabinet minister since 2008, when Guy Boutilier was Aboriginal, Intergovernmental, and International Relations Minister.

The cabinet will be announced at 1:30 today.

Published May 8, 2012

Ken Chapman, executive director of the Oil Sands Developers Group, says the the industry association has asked to meet with the province to discuss the possibility of a partnership.

According to the Edmonton Journal, financial assistance would be a loan and would only apply to construction between Fort McMurray and the work sites north of the city, but not the stretch of highway that leads to Edmonton.

The OSDG says that there is no offer to help complete twinning south of the city, because the provincial and federal governments committed to complete that portion back in 2006.

Published May 8th, 2012

It ran from last Thursday until Sunday and involved officers spending 600 hours on the highway looking for offenders.

552 of the charges were for speeding, while they also laid 4 alcohol charges, 95 for dangerous driving, 4 seat belt infractions, and 8 licensing charges.

The enforcement was about double what the highway usually sees, and resulted in more than double the usual number of charges.

Published May 7, 2012

Mulcair told the CBC on the weekend that the oil sands industry is keeping the Canadian dollar at an artificially high value, which means American clients can’t afford Canadian goods anymore.

He blames that for the loss of half a million manufacturing jobs across the country.

He also says he wants polluters in the industry to pay, and for the country to stop shipping raw bitumen.

Published May 7, 2012

That’s the day that council will likely approve Tuesday night for the byelection to fill two vacant council seats.

Don Scott and Mike Allen will vacate the seats when they’re sworn in as MLAs.

Residents in Ward 1, which is the entire Fort McMurray urban service area, will be eligible to vote.

The nomination cutoff will be May 28th.

Published May 7, 2012

The rally served as both a call to action and a way to remember the seven people killed in the most recent crash on the highway.

“I feel that our entire community has felt the aftershock of that horrific scene,” said one of the speakers. “We feel it each time one of our family members head down that highway, we feel it each time we drive it ourselves, we feel it because we live it each and every day!”

Speakers at the rally included Dion Lefebvre, one of the witnesses of the most recent crash that killed 7 people.

He says despite not being a local, he’s seen more than his fair share of close calls on that road.

“There’s a good side to every story though, and this is it,” said Lefebvre. “You guys are the story, and you guys are the heroes. That highway needs to be twinned; it’s long overdue.”

Speakers included other concerned residents, and a mother who had lost her son in a crash on 63.

“I call on everybody: everybody standing here, everybody who hears this, anybody who can do it; I don’t give a [expletive] about caribou migration!” said another speaker. “I care that my family comes home safe and that my community stays safe!”

Premier Alison Redford has promised her government will look into an accelerated schedule for twinning the highway.

Published May 7, 2012

Clayton grew up in Bonnyville, Alberta before his family settled in Nashville, Tennessee.
He has won many awards including a Juno for Best Country Recording, a four time Canadian Country Music Award winner Canadian Country Music Awards, and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year award.

Clayton Bellamy is also one of the three members of the group The Road Hammers.

One of the affected instructors says 4 Visual and Performing Arts instructors’ positions were eliminated, and up to 10 across the college have been let go today.

They include the head of the Drama program, a digital media instructor who has worked for Keyano for 22 years, a Musical Instrument Repair instructor, and the chair of the entire VPA department, who had also worked there for more than 2 decades.

They were given 15 minutes to collect their belongings and leave the College, after being told their positions had been abolished due to “program realignment.”

“The community is far poorer today,” said one of the affected instructors, who preferred to remain anonymous. “The budget hasn’t even yet passed, and yet the College has deemed it necessary to let all of these people go today.”

Keyano’s Director of Marketing & Communications Russell Thomas says the College cannot comment on personnel matters, nor on the potential status of Arts programs until the budget is approved by the Board of Directors on May 25th.

The College’s Facebook page has been littered with complaints from students.

“Shame on you Keyano,” read a post from Eryn Rickard. “The arts are NEEDED in Fort McMurray.”

“I’m not even in the arts programs or anything like that and I’m furious that your [sic] doing this to the programs,” read another from José Vivanco. “It’s shameful.”

“I believe the college is making a grave mistake in letting these instructors go,” added Binh Nhi Hua. “Please re-evaluate this decision and strongly consider the feelings of the students. We are devastated.”

It’s been almost a year since Keyano controversially suspended its Music and Musical Instrument Repair programs.

Published May 4, 2012

Dion Lefebvre says he and a co-worker pulled their moving truck over and helped pull people from the wreckage.

He says 63 is so dangerous that he won’t even let his employees drive it on Thursdays and Sundays.

“There’s just no business being on that highway on that day, it’s just chaotic,” he said.

He says doesn’t blame first responders for the late response because they got there as quickly as they could.

“If there’s an accident, a lot of times traffic is backed up for miles, and that was the case with this one too,” he said.

The Globe and Mail is reporting that the province promised a year ago to add 4 full-time first responders to monitor Highway 63, but hasn’t filled the positions.

Published May 4, 2012

Clean up supplies, a safety presentation, and a shuttle service to and from the designated locations will be provided. Volunteer as a group or individual!
(MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER)

SCHEDULE:

9:00am -Meet and register at Quarry Ridge Golf Course

9:30am -Board the buses/ Training and Safety review with groups

10:00am -12:30pm -Litter picking will occur on designated sections

12:30 -Pick up groups and return to Quarry Ridge Golf Course

1:00 -BBQ for all volunteers

Win a free patio set valued at $500, courtesy of Rona!

Please call 780-799-7479 or email beautification@woodbuffalo.ab.ca to register!
Deadline to register is May 10th!!!

24-year old John Schroeder was in the northbound truck with Dan Sennett and his 11-year old daughter Faith.

That was the truck that pulled out to pass and hit a southbound pickup head-on.

Schroeder was from Windsor, Ontario and had moved to Calgary four years ago.

Published May 4, 2012

10$ for a car 15$ for a truck.

 All proceeds are going to our 2012 Relay For Life Team the S.uper H.awt A.wkward W.eirdos.

 please come down and join in the fun and support a great cause.

The event was organized to call provincial attention to the residents of the region wanted the twinning of the highway sped up, following a crash that killed seven people and injured two others.

The protest is scheduled to begin at 11am on Saturday.

Published May 3rd, 2012, edited May 4th, 2012

Alberta Health Services says access to cataract surgeries and radiation therapy has improved.

Emergency department wait times are also down.

The government agency says that in December, 81 per cent of patients were being discharged within four hours — their target is 84 per cent.

Published May 4th, 2012

Tar Sand Betties is Fort McMurray’s first roller derby league established in September of 2010. They are currently a competitive travel team with dreams of creating some recreational house teams.

There is no “typical” roller girl. Roller derby attracts women of all shapes and sizes, and all different backgrounds. It’s a place to meet women you may never have met before, and you will come to love them all as a derby sister. It’s also a great confidence boost, it provides a different and fun workout and no one is around to judge. You may be shy your first practice, but as you look around you’ll see women is fishnets and booty shorts, or sparkly gold leggings, things you wouldn’t see people wearing on the street; but everyone here wears them with pride. The bigger the booty, the bigger the block.

You can purchase tickets for May Long Mayhem at www.tarsandbetties.com, Earl’s, from your favourite Roller Girl or at the door.

Although Canadian pennies will no longer be manufactured, they will be accepted in cash transactions for as long as Canadians hold on to them.

Eliminating the penny would save the government $11 million per year. One reason for getting rid of the coin is that it costs 1.5 cents to produce one penny.

Published May 4th, 2012

The American government initially rejected the application for the project, because the pipeline was originally planned to go through what turned out to be an environmentally sensitive area of Nebraska.

The pipeline would carry oilsands crude from Hardesty, Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

The Keystone XL requires approval from the US State Department, because it crosses the Canada-US border.

Published May 4th, 2012

The company made 427 million dollars compared with 46 million a year ago.

But that’s because last year’s first quarter saw the explosion and fire that shut down Horizon.

This year’s adjusted earnings, though, were almost 40% lower than analysts expected.

Overall production went up 8 percent, but the company is reducing its forecast for Horizon by about 12 percent.

Published May 3, 2012

But Justice John Major is also recommending that politicians not get extra pay for things like sitting on committees.

He’s also suggesting that cabinet minister salaries go down, and that rich transition allowances for retiring MLAs be abolished.

But he also says the Premier should get a more than 100 thousand dollar pay raise.

Published May 3, 2012

“Doug Golosky is a quiet and softspoken man,” the Hall said in inducting him. “From humble beginnings as a welder with one truck travelling from job to job, he and his wife Carol emerged on the business scene to create a multi-million dollar group of companies that employs more than 1,000 people. The Goloskys’ companies provide a wide variety of industrial products and services to various clients, such as Syncrude and Suncor, involved in the oil and gas industry, oil sands, the pulp and paper industry, as well as construction.”

Golosky was nominated by former Syncrude President and COO Jim Carter.

The induction took place last night in Edmonton; Golosky was one of two new inductees this year.

Published May 3, 2012

A new Ipsos-Reid poll also shows 57% of the country thinks the positives of oil sands development outweight the negatives.

29% see it the other way around.

Albertans showed the most support for the industry, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba close behind.

The lowest support was in Quebec – but even there, a majority think production can be increased while the environment is protected.

75% of Canadians say the country needs to access new markets for its oil through things like new pipelines.

Published May 3, 2012

Wood Buffalo RCMP continue to investigate the theft of a Hitachi Excavator that was reported missing from a construction yard on Mackay Crescent on March 26, 2012. The construction equipment is valued at over $120,000.00 and is described as an orange 2006 ZX450cl model, weighing over 100,000 lbs. Bearing serial number FF016JQ011577, the stolen excavator also has the marking ‘230’ on the boom and was missing the front window.

Please contact Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000 if you have any information regarding this crime or the whereabouts of the stolen equipment.

Published May 3rd, 2012

Scott Niedermayer has joined forces with the World Wildlife Fund and Coastal First Nations in order to oppose the $5.5-billion Enbridge project.

The Globe and Mail reports that the group of activists which also includes a former Vancouver city councillor and the grand chief of the Tl’azt’en First Nation will be speaking at different forums about their concerns over the project.

Raised in Cranbrook, BC, Niedermayer told the newspaper that the pipeline would endanger the Great Bear Region, which is a rain forest along the BC coast.

Published May 3rd, 2012

“I have asked our department to take a look at what an accelerated schedule will look like,” Redford said. “I think it’s a priority to move ahead with that.”

Addressing the issue for the first time since last week’s fiery crash, Redford noted the importance of 63.

“Highway 63 is a unique road in this province,” she said. “It’s busy, there are safety issues on that road, of course we know there are challenges with respect to the construction.”

But despite those challenges, she says she expects faster completion could be possible.

“In our current capital plan, we have always anticipated that at least 50% of that road would be twinned within 3 years,” she said. “We need to act faster on that, and I will be asking our transportation minister to make that a priority.”

The new cabinet will be sworn in next week.

Published May 2, 2012

The funeral at the Evangel Pentecostal Church in Gander will be broadcast starting at 10:30 on Sunday morning.

Local pastor Shannon Wheaton, his wife Trena, and two year old son Ben were killed last Friday when their pickup truck was hit by another truck trying to pass.

The Family Christian Centre says it set up the broadcast as a way to offer the community something more meaningful than a memorial service.

Published May 2, 2012

MLA-elect Mike Allen says he’s confident the province is prioritizing the Highway 63 twinning project.

He and fellow MLA-elect Don Scott met with Deputy Premier Doug Horner, Infrastructure Minister Jeff Johnson, and senior transportation officials in Edmonton yesterday.

Allen says he came away from the meeting very optimistic.

“I think the very first thing that encouraged us,” Allen recalled, “was that you could feel in the room [that] there was a genuine desire and a genuine support to advance this project, and to see whatever measures we could do to speed things up.”

Allen says expectations about speeding up the project have to be realistic.

“We still have to understand it’s not going to be completed this year, so what do we do in the short-term as well?” he said. “A lot of discussion around the short-term, medium-term, and what’s going to happen in the long term.”

Allen says long term solutions will start to come out once the cabinet is sworn in and there’s a new transportation minister.

Published May 2, 2012

The Fort McMurray United Way announced that its 2011 community campaign raised more money per capita than any other across the country, for the sixth straight year.

This year’s campaign was the most successful ever, bringing in more than 7 million dollars.

The organization also announced that Barb Jewers will take over as President; she was the chair of the 2010 campaign that raised 6.75 million dollars.

Published May 2, 2012

Canadian Oil Sands Limited owns a 37 percent stake in Syncrude and is cutting back its annual production forecast by three percent, to 301 thousand barrels per day.

That’s mostly because of the mechanical problems and small fire at a coking unit this year.

But despite the outages, the company shattered analyst expectations with its first quarter earnings.

Profits were 321 million dollars, when analysts were expecting just over 260 million.

Published May 2. 2012

It happened near Hangingstone Park, where the posted limit is 100 kilometres an hour.

Over the weekend following the horrific crash on 63, police laid almost 100 speeding charges.

Overall this month there have been 561 tickets related to speed violations.

The RCMP and Sheriff Highway Patrol have made speeding the focus of their efforts in April; they’re reminding drivers to slow down, saying speeding isn’t worth the risk.

Published May 1, 2012

The Edmonton Journal says 11-year old Faith Kondusky-Sennett and her father were two of the three people killed in the northbound pickup truck that pulled out to pass, causing the accident.

She was pulled from the burning vehicle by bystanders but later died of her injuries.

A priest at the family’s old church in St. Catharines, Ontario confirmed their identities.

The Journal also reports that three year old crash survivor Timothy Wheaton has been released from hospital and is heading to Newfoundland with his grandfather.

Published May 1, 2012

Tragedy Points to Need for Change on Highway 63

It is an unfortunate truth about human nature that it often takes a tragedy to incite change. There has been no greater example of the necessity for change on Highway 63 than the horrific crash that claimed the lives of seven people about 50 kilometres north of Wandering River last week. Our hearts go out to all of those who have been touched by this tragedy and who have suffered such an immeasurable loss.
An incident of this nature – reaches far beyond the community where the victims live, its impact is felt across the province and the country as our thoughts turn to friends and family who go to work each day in the oil sands. Odds are if you know someone who has lived or worked in the Fort McMurray area, they have driven the very same stretch of road that claimed these innocent lives.

There are no words, no messages that can erase the pain and heartache of those who lost a loved one in this tragedy. With this understanding, the members of the Coalition for Safer 63 and 881 offer their condolences along with a commitment to action to the friends and family of the deceased:

1) We will hold government accountable to its promise of improving this stretch of highway to make it safer for all those who utilize it.

2) We will work tirelessly to inform, educate and compel change among drivers on Highways 63 and 881 in the hopes of preventing future heartbreak.

In light of this senseless tragedy, I ask all those who use this stretch of highway to remember that we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are practicing safe driving behaviour. Remember to rest first, slow down and drive carefully.

For more information about safe driving practices please visit: www.safer63and881.com

Sincerely,

Todd Anderson, Director
Coalition for a Safer 63 and 881

The Coalition for a Safer 63 and 881 is a group of like-minded organizations working to make Highways 63 and 881 a safer place for everyone. Its main role is to inform, educate and compel change among drivers. The Coalition currently has 25 members and is continuously looking for partners that have employees and stakeholders who use Highway 63 and 881.

Published May 1, 2012

First quarter earnings were down from last year, but still $1.3 billion.

CFO Bart Demosky says the company will spend seven and a half billion dollars in capital this year. The company says despite the fire that caused an outage at Suncor, it won’t have to adjust production estimates.

But the outage did bump down oil sands production by about 5 percent.

The results were released ahead of the company’s annual general meeting today. The AGM is the last under CEO Rick George, who is retiring. After 21 years at the helm, George will hand the reins to chief operating officer Steve Williams.

One of the biggest milestones of George’s tenure was the 2009 takeover of former Crown corporation Petro-Canada.

Published May 1st, 2012

Following weeks of viewer excitement and fervent speculation, Citytv announced today that 28-year-old CFL wide receiver Brad Smith is now the country’s most eligible bachelor, and will star as ‘the bachelor’ on The Bachelor Canada, premiering this fall on Citytv. The highly-anticipated announcement was made earlier this morning on Breakfast Television, Rogers Radio stations across the country, and BachelorCanada.ca.

Smith, who grew up in small-town Hudson, QC, graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and went on to enjoy a successful career as a wide receiver with the Montreal Alouettes (2007), Toronto Argonauts (2007-2009), and Edmonton Eskimos (2010-2011). Currently a free agent, Smith is taking time off from sports to find true love. After living out his childhood dream on the football field, the charismatic bachelor is ready to settle down and find his soulmate, taking Canada along on his romantic journey.
“I’m extremely honoured to be chosen as Canada’s first bachelor. I take this experience very seriously, and I truly believe in the process,” said Brad Smith. “I can’t wait to meet all the wonderful Canadian women who have put their lives on hold to experience all of this with me. I hope I can live up to their expectations, as I know they’ll absolutely exceed mine.”

Driven, confident, candid and comfortable in his own skin, Smith, who now makes Toronto his home, is looking to find the right woman who will complement both his fun-loving personality and active lifestyle. He is attracted to women who are independent, intelligent, and just as confident in a ponytail, sweatpants and sweatshirt as they are all dressed up for a night out on the town.
“Brad is the full package – a quintessentially Canadian, down-to-earth man,” said Claire Freeland, Director of Original Programming, Rogers Media, and Executive Producer of The Bachelor Canada. “He is completely committed to this experience and in it for the right reasons. It’s Canada’s turn to find love with The Bachelor Canada and we could not have hoped for a more well-rounded and genuine person to kick off the first season.”

Off the football field, Smith values time with his family and friends more than anything, and looks up to his father, the Honourable Senator Larry Smith – former CFL Commissioner and former President and CEO of the Montreal Alouettes – as both a leader and a role model. His parents’ loving and committed relationship is an inspiration to him, as they prepare to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

With casting now complete, production on the nine-episode, original reality series is currently underway. The Bachelor Canada will premiere on Citytv this fall. Additional details, including the identity of host and the 25 bachelorettes, will be announced at a later date.

The Bachelor Canada is the Canadian version of the perennially successful The Bachelor franchise on Citytv and OMNI Television.

Horner says environmental sensitivity, terrain, and avoiding “disrupting the traffic patterns” mean that pouring more money into the project will not allow it to proceed any faster.

The CBC report suggests that Horner believes twinning 30 to 40 kilometres a year is the better strategy.

Wildrose leader Danielle Smith says the government has broken its promises to make 63 a priority in past.

Premier Alison Redford has yet to make any public comment on the highway since last Friday’s crash.

Published April 30, 2012