Weekly update: Work on Métis Cultural Centre resumes in spring, CUPE protests Jean and Yao

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Happy Friday, Fort McMurray!

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• Wood Buffalo Food Bank food drive: The Wood Buffalo Food Bank will be outside all Fort McMurray grocery stores collecting food and donations. Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. Information on volunteering and donating.
• Fort McMurray Oil Barons: Upcoming MOB home games at Centerfire Place are against Drumheller Dragons on Dec. 12 and 13, Grande Prairie Storm on Jan. 4-5 and 22, Drayton Valley Thunder on Jan. 10, Bonnyville Pontiacs on Jan. 12, and Olds Grizzlys on Jan. 25 and 26. Tickets and schedule.
• Keyano Huskies Volleyball: Upcoming home games at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre are against Medicine Hat College Rattlers on Nov. 30, Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves on January 17-18, University of Alberta Augusta Vikings on February 7-8. Women’s team starts at 6 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday, men’s team starts at 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Keyano Huskies Basketball: Upcoming home games at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre are against Concordia Thunder on January 10, Lakeland Rustlers on January 25, TKU Eagles February 14-15. Women’s team starts at 6 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday, men’s team starts at 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Santas Anonymous Christmas Market: More than 100 local vendors will support Santas Anonymous Fort McMurray with their annual Christmas market. Since 1984, students and staff at Father Mercredi High School have shared the Christmas spirit through the Santas Anonymous. The purpose is to provide children an opportunity to celebrate Christmas if their families cannot afford to do so. Market will be at Father Mercredi High School on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. Information.
• Ugly Sweater After 5 Mixer: Hosted by the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce at Uptown Alley on Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets and information.
• Keyano Huskies Holiday Camp: Camp opens to anyone between ages 6-13. Coaches will be present from all Keyano Huskies teams–including soccer, basketball and volleyball–alongside some special guest stars. No fee for the camp, but admission is by donation to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank. Dec. 6 at Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Information and registration.
• Santa Claus Parade: The RMWB’s Starry Night holiday party and Santa Claus Parade return Dec. 7. The party begins at Kiyam Community Park at 5 p.m., parade starts at 6 p.m. Information.
• Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Drum Brewing taps the keg of its Christmas-themed beer with a party that includes prizes for ugly Christmas sweaters. Keg is tapped at 6 p.m., DJ Smibble performs from 9 p.m. to midnight. Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. Information.
• Simon King live at Drum Brewing: B.C.-based stand-up comedian Simon King performs at Drum Brewing on Dec. 12. Tickets.
• Wood Buffalo Regional Library hosts all-ages weekly events.
• MacDonald Island Park updates its website with upcoming events and programs.
• Wood Buffalo Volunteers has volunteer opportunities for different causes and non-profits across Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.
• Obituaries: Obituaries, memorial notices and sympathy announcements can be uploaded and read online.

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Educational support staff protest UCP MLAs during downtown rally

Striking educational support staff brought their protest to UCP MLAs Brian Jean and Tany Yao during a Wednesday protest in downtown Fort McMurray.

As more than 200 protesters marched towards the offices of the FMPSD, some protesters passing the Franklin Avenue constituency office shared by Jean and Yao left handwritten messages on the windows accusing them of ignoring their cause.

Plans to protest Jean and Yao at a Thursday evening speakers’ event ended when the event was cancelled. But protest leaders blame the Alberta government for not properly funding education in Fort McMurray and across the province, and say they will continue protesting Jean and Yao.

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Yao said in a brief Thursday interview that Alberta is struggling to accommodate large population growth and is hopeful both sides can reach an agreement. A spokesperson for Jean did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

More than 1,000 educational assistants, librarians, administrative and maintenance staff, and custodians have held rolling strikes at Fort McMurray’s Catholic and public schools since Nov. 13.

Staff and school leaders agree their schools are crowded, poorly funded and under staffed. However school leaders say they cannot approve the raises CUPE is asking for.

Meanwhile, families of special needs students have urged both parties to reach an agreement and called on the province to increase school funding. Special needs students have been told to stay home on days when CUPE staff are on strike.

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Construction on McMurray Métis Cultural Centre resumes in spring

Construction will resume on the McMurray Métis Cultural Centre next spring after financial problems brought the project to a halt in October 2022.

New project leadership cut costs by 60 per cent, according to a Tuesday evening press release from McMurray Métis Local 1935. This was done by redesigning the building, an engineering review and a plan that includes a phased-build approach.

The statement does not include a new construction timeline or what the new cultural centre will look like when it opens. But leadership have sworn to complete a project they say now has a secure and leaner financial plan.

McMurray Métis says the centre will bring cultural, economic and tourism opportunities to Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.

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“Success is the only option when it comes to completing a project that will preserve, showcase and celebrate Métis culture, history and traditions,” said Kelly Myers, president of McMurray Métis Local 1935, in the statement.

The building was supposed to open in December 2023 after a groundbreaking ceremony was held in September 2020. Construction was halted in October 2022 by new leadership at McMurray Métis because the project was short on funds and progress was “not where it needs to be.”

At that point, what was supposed to be a $22-million project had expanded into a $74.7 million centre after scope changes and redesigns. Leaders began a review of the project, which concluded it had “insufficient planning, project management and cost controls.”

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Interviews with current and former staff at McMurray Métis, as well as federal and provincial officials, say the project’s financial problems grew the project’s scope went beyond its original plans. Problems worsened as the project was hit by inflation, global supply chain problems and the federal government’s rejection of a $25-million Green and Inclusive Community Buildings grant.

Council approves crosswalk honouring veterans

The RMWB will have a crosswalk honouring veterans placed somewhere in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region.

The idea was was proposed by Mayor Sandy Bowman as a way to honour Canadian veterans living in the community, and to teach young people about their sacrifices and the mistakes of the past.

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The motion was supported by the Fort McMurray Legion. Information on costs, designs and locations will be presented to council in the near future.

Councillor Kendrick Cardinal was concerned about Indigenous veterans being included in any mural. Legion board member and past president Pat Duggan acknowledged the inequalities many Indigenous veterans have faced, and Indigenous veterans who are members of the Legion will join the rest of the membership in offering input.

Duggan also said if there is funding for multiple locations, a crosswalk honouring veterans in the rural areas could be possible.

Councillor Stella Lavallee suggested Real Martin Drive as a possible location. Real Martin was a local Metis man who fought in the Second World War and Lavallee’s great uncle. She also suggested a location near Bill Woodward School in Anzac. The school’s namesake is another local veteran.

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Council approves funding for pickleball courts

An outdoor rink in Thickwood will be converted into pickleball courts after council approved building more courts to keep up with the sport’s increasing popularity.

The RMWB will install plexipave over the concrete surface at the Hinge Bay Outdoor Rink on Signal Road. The estimated total cost is $126,000.

Ian Kelly, president of the Fort McMurray Pickleball Club, said the club has grown to 160 members since it was founded in June. As a result, the existing public courts at MacDonald Island Park and the Anzac Recreation Centre are frequently booked.

Kelly said this is slowing the sport’s growth in Fort McMurray while Grande Prairie, Cochrane, Calgary and Edmonton have added pickleball courts.

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Councillor Allan Grandison, who proposed the motion, said much of the interest in pickleball he was seeing came from seniors and was surprised so many young people were playing the sport.

Kelly said most club members are in their 30s, but said it is a sport friendly to any age group. As a teacher, Kelly said pickleball has also interested many of the students.

Councillor Kendrick Cardinal voted against all options because he argued the RMWB’s rural communities have been left out of many recent municipally-led discussions on recreational opportunities. Councillor Loretta Waquan said she supported the motion, but said Cardinal’s concerns are valid.

Council approves bid for Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games in 2027

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The RMWB hopes to host the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games in 2027. This would be the first time the games were held locally since 2003.

Council unanimously approved setting aside $500,000 to host the games if the region’s bid is successful. Economic projections for the games were not yet available, but the games are expected to bring 900 athletes plus families and friends.

The RMWB’s Sport Strategic Plan says Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is well prepared for sports tourism and athletic events. Most sports facilities were built or upgraded within the past 15 years. There is a sprawling trail system maintained year-round. The airport can handle international flights.

Baseball Canada is hosting championships this summer and next August. As host city, Fort McMurray is guaranteed a local team for the 18U competitions.

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Since the 2003 games, Fort McMurray has also hosted the 2004 Arctic Winter Games, 2015 Western Canada Summer Games and 2018 Alberta Winter Games.

Fuselage striking Calgary airport runway tied to pilot training issue

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) says pilots were assigned more training after the tail of a commercial plane that left Fort McMurray came in contact with the Calgary airport runway last April.

The incident involved a Bombardier DHC-8-402 flown by WestJet. The plane carried four crew members and 78 passengers at the time. No injuries were reported.

“The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the lower aft fuselage structure that consisted of deformed frames and stringers and perforated belly skins,” the report said.

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The aircraft’s tail strike switch also broke off at impact, the report said. In its report, the TSB linked the fuselage strike to a wider issue with pilot training on the DHC-8 aircraft. The captain and first officer on the flight completed extra simulator training on pitch awareness before they were assigned any further flying duties, the TSB said.

The report says there have been 13 other reported aft fuselage strikes involving the DHC-8 aircraft since 2002. All occurrences involved pitch exceeding limits stated in the aircraft operating manual, the report said.

McMan recruiting foster parents in Fort McMurray as province reports shortage

There are not enough foster parents in Fort McMurray, according to McMan Foster Care, and there is a critical need for foster caregivers across northern Alberta.

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Without more local foster families, children entering the foster system are sent to other communities. Corie Entrop, a spokesperson with McMan Foster Care, says this can disrupt their education, social lives and recovery during a traumatic time.

“Not only do they have trauma being pulled from their home, they’re also pulled from their school and their friends and their routine and their comfort,” said Entrop in an interview.

“We want to keep kids in your area so they can stay connected with their families, schools, activities, friends, all of those things they’re familiar with.”

Most children in Fort McMurray and Alberta’s north entering foster care are brought to families in Edmonton or central Alberta. Others have stayed with families in Calgary or southern Alberta. McMan Foster Care hopes to find enough families in Fort McMurray to support at least 15 children in care.

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As of June, the Alberta government says the province had 1,477 foster caregivers, 2,313 kinship caregivers and 3,013 families offering permanent homes through adoption or private guardianship. They care for roughly 10,000 children, youth and young adults.

“There’s a shortage of beds everywhere and that’s probably part of the reason why kids are getting moved around so much. It’s really hard on them,” said Entrop.

Alberta challenges federal emissions cap via sovereignty act as Trump tariffs loom

The Alberta government is using its signature sovereignty act to again push back against Ottawa’s planned emissions cap amid mounting concerns about the potential impact of heavy cross-border tariffs proposed by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

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A resolution based on the act has yet to be tabled but could come as soon as next Monday. It would be first debated in the legislature and would then pass by a majority vote of MLAs.

If the motion passes, Premier Danielle Smith said her government will pursue a number of measures intended to defy the emissions cap through a mix of changes to policy, regulations, and legislation.

Ottawa’s federal emissions cap is not yet finalized. The federal government describes it as a regulatory tool that it says will ensure the oil and gas sector “does its fair share to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, while creating new jobs in Canada.”

Earlier this month, Smith slammed the regulations as a “deranged vendetta against Alberta” in hinting that a sovereignty act motion would be coming.

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The sovereignty act announcement comes a day after Smith and other premiers issued an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appealing for an emergency meeting on how to address the 25 per cent tariff on all products from Canada promised by Trump.

The letter states the premiers are seeking a “Team Canada approach” on engaging with the incoming Trump administration as well as clarity on issues of trade, borders, energy, defence, and supply chains. Smith plans to travel to Washington to attend Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 next year.

Fort McMurray man arrested after gunshots reportedly heard in apartment

A Fort McMurray man has been charged with firing a weapon inside an apartment building early Tuesday morning.

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At 5 a.m. on Nov. 26, Wood Buffalo RCMP say they were told of suspicious people outside a Thickwood apartment on Spruce Street. The complainant reported the people may have been carrying firearms.

Police arriving at the scene heard multiple gunshots fired from inside the building. As officers approached the apartment where the gunshots were heard, officers left and contained the area when they heard more gunshots in the same apartment.

Alberta RCMP spokesperson Staff Sergeant Sabrina Clayton said some of the bullets went through the apartment walls and into the hallway.

Police say a man tried escaping from the building by jumping off a balcony. The suspect was arrested without incident. No one in the area was injured.

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Police searched the apartment and found a handgun investigators believe was used in the shooting.

Brandon Power, 23, of Fort McMurray has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and three counts of failing to comply with a release order condition.

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