Author: Shelly W

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Entertainment Ft Mac

Fort Mac is Back Event Causes Controversy

The Fort Mac is Back event was created to welcome the community back after the wildfire evacuation but the name of the event has led to some hurt feelings, criticism, and controversy. In a statement shortly after the event was initially announced Regional Recreation Corporation CEO Annette Antoniak explained “We have the opportunity to welcome the residents of our region home as we reflect on the events since May 3 and look towards the future. We hope the residents of our region will join us on June 29 in Fort McMurray to enjoy this experience as we strengthen our community bonds and begin the journey of recovery and rebuilding together.”

Soon the comments on Facebook started appearing. Aaron Fuson commented “Not all of us are back or able to return. Seems that the residents of Abasand, Beacon Hill, and Waterways are being forgotten about.” An announcement for the on the Facebook page for MacDonald Island a few days after the initial announcement of the event apologized, saying “We missed the mark, Fort McMurray – and we are sorry. Yesterday we shared news of an event coming to Shell Place on June 29. Unfortunately, we chose a name for the event that left some members of our community feeling forgotten, and that was not our intent.” Regional Recreation Corporation CEO Antoniak stated “It was never our intention to offend anyone, and we apologize for that. We just wanted to provide a venue […] for people to be able to experience what was happening down at Commonplace Stadium without having to drive the four to four and a half hours to get there.”

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Ft Mac Health

Gord Thibodeau Receives 4th Cancer Diagnosis

Gord Thibodeau has received a cancer diagnosis again, the fourth time that the former head coach of the McMurray Oil Barons has faced this type of diagnosis. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma seems determined to take Gord out, but the coach is just as determined to beat the condition this time around as he was the last 3 times. According to Gord “It’s been a constant battle. It’s almost like I’ve lived with this enemy beside me, and every five or 10 years I have to push him away. It never seems to fully cure. As a hockey coach, you are always pushing your players to never quit, and it’s ironic from a hockey standpoint.. I have to tip my hat to this cancer for sticking around. I almost have a begrudging respect for this disease for not quitting but I’m not giving up, either.”

One positive aspect of the cancer diagnosis for Gord Thibodeau is that non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a cancer that is considered one of the most treatable as long as it is detected early on. In December a biopsy led to the discovery of lymph node swelling, and in January Gord was laid low by streptococcus pneumonia. Gord explained “They did some more tests, and the doctor came back and said, ‘I’m sorry to tell you, but the test came back positive.’ ”. In the back of my mind, I knew the cancer was back, but I was trying to hold off dealing with it for as long as I could. The timing was awful. My wife was going through another episode with her MS, but I had a lot of thoughts running through my head. I was beginning to wonder if this was it. I took time before I reached out and got confirmation. It was stupid when I think about it, but it was because of fear. Thank God, the time factor didn’t cost me.”

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Economic Entertainment Ft Mac Sports

More Spots Opened at MacDonald Island for Free Summer Camp

An additional number of spots for the free summer camp program at MacDonald Island for Wood Buffalo children have been opened up due to the high demand for the program. The program is possible because of a partnership between MacDonald Island Park and Scotiabank. The RRC struggled to keep pace with the demand as the initial spots were rapidly filled up for the first camp session so 350 more spots have been opened to the program. The Anzac Recreation Centre also offered an extra 270 spots as well. According to RRC CEO Annette Antoniak “We’re really excited about it. We had a huge turnout for the first session of registrations.” Increasing the spots open to local children will ensure that kids who qualify will have an opportunity to attend summer camp for a week.

The free summer camp program at MacDonald Island Park offers kids in the area a chance to be kids again after everything that they have gone through and lost. Adults and children both have had to leave their homes, face uncertainty and instability, and struggle just to get by while they were under an evacuation order. Many people lost property, belongings, and even their homes when the wildfire swept the area. This can be a big source of emotional trauma for children. Many parents could not afford summer camp tuition because of all the other unexpected expenses. The program gives kids the chance to be with other kids, to run and play, and to forget even if only for a little while how their world has changed for the worse in recent months.

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Alberta Will Receive $300 Million in Federal Disaster Funds

Alberta will receive an advance payment of $300 million in disaster funds in early July, with the payment coming from the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program according to a recent announcement about the payment. This payment is an interim funding payment which is based on a preliminary review of the wildfire damage in the province. According to a press release from federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale “The Government of Canada is moving quickly to make federal funds available for Alberta to alleviate the financial burden of recovery from the northern wildfires.” In addition another $90 million in Red Cross donations will be matched by the federal government and $30 million in donations to the Red Cross will be matched by the provincial government. The news release also detailed the fact that “Both governments are working closely with the Red Cross to determine how the funds can be best used to support recovery efforts in the impacted communities.”

Danielle Larivee, Municipal Affairs Minister for Alberta, discussed why the disaster funds alone are not enough to prevent future wildfire events in Alberta. “Alberta appreciates the support of our federal government and all Canadians as we continue to deal with a difficult situation. Much work remains ahead in the recovery of Fort McMurray. An even greater challenge is mitigating the risk of similar disasters in the future. We look forward to working with the federal government and other partners across Canada to make this happen.” Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Wildrose MLA Tany Yao called for a review of logging and firefighting practices, saying “It is just about time to start taking a look at reviewing our strategies for how we do logging and fight forest fires. That’s something I want to see the province work with the federal government on. Hopefully we learn, because we obviously did not learn from Slave Lake.”

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Ft Mac Health

Restricted Area Access Tightened by Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

The procedures in place by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for restricted area access have been tightened up for Abasand, Beacon Hill, and Waterways neighborhoods. The new procedures are designed to enhance security in the restricted access areas by keeping anyone except owners and approved individuals out of the areas. Anyone who is not a resident of the restricted area that they are trying to enter must be accompanied by a resident or have written authorization from a resident in order to get through. Photo identification issued by the government will need to be provided in order to check in for restricted area access, and a police officer will record the check in information provided. Any passenger traveling with a resident must also check in and provide identification. Every individual who checks in must also check out.

One way that the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has tightened up the restricted area access is by using colour coded wristbands to identify various contractors, insurers, and residents. Abasand residents will receive an orange wristband after they check in, residents of Beacon Hill will receive a blue wristband, and Waterways visitors will get a wristband that is white. RMWB contractors and employees will have an REOC ID tag with an outline in either red or blue. A green wristband will be provided for other contractors while a gray one will be given to insurance adjustors. Identification badges will be worn by security guards in the restricted access areas. This will streamline the process and identify anyone who should not be in these areas.

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Ft Mac Health

First Birth at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre Since Evacuation

The very first birth at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre since the area was evacuated due to the wildfire brings a sense of hope and new beginnings. The boy was born to Melissa Taylor and Steven Mercer on June 17, 2016 at 5:02 am, and he weighed 6 pounds and 6 ounces. Big sister Abigail waited for mom and dad to bring her new baby brother home after he was born. According to Melissa giving birth anywhere else was not an option that she would consider, saying “It was the deciding factor for us to come home, knowing that the hospital was back up and running. I didn’t want to have my baby anywhere else.” It was not until June 1 that residents were even allowed to return, and the re-entry was phased to minimize confusion. Core services were starting to be restored at the hospital by June 13 and expects full services to be offered very shortly.

A Northern Lights Regional Health Centre news release by senior operating director David Matear addressed the first birth at the hospital since the evacuation. According to Matear “We are so thrilled to see the NLRHC returning to normal service and we’re all so excited to mark this special birth. We are here to make sure that the residents of Fort McMurray are taken care of as they return home and start to rebuild following this natural disaster.” Alberta Health Services has also given the all clear so that residents with health issues can return home safely.