Author: Shelly W

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Breaking News Canada

Cop Killer Sentenced, Justin Bourque Receives Up to 75 Years

cop killer, Justin Bourque
cop killer, Justin Bourque

Cop killer Justin Bourque has been sentenced for killing 3 law enforcement officers and seriously injuring two more during his rampage on June 4, which caused a large manhunt for the man. According to the sentence handed down by Justice David Smith it is highly likely that Justin Bourque will die in prison, which is where his victims and their families believe he belongs. The justice sentenced Bourque to 3 consecutive life sentences, and that means Justin will not be eligible for parole until a minimum of 75 years have been served. Justice David Smith called the crimes that Bourque committed heinous and horrific. The 24 year old’s rampage started in a suburb of Moncton, and after the crimes Justin Bourque did not seem like he was sorry at all for the people that he murdered or his actions.

In August Justin Bourque pled guilty to 3 counts of first degree murder and 2 counts of attempted murder. During this week the court saw videotaped interviews that law enforcement had with the cop killer after Bourque was arrested, and he showed no remorse at all but was instead cocky about what he had done. On June 4 Justin Bourque dressed in camouflage and started walking down the street carrying a gun. Residents called the police and Mounties responded. Bourque ambushed the Mounties when they arrived, killing constables David Ross, 32, Doug Larche, 40, and Fabrice Gevaudan, 45. Justin Bourque also injured constables Darlene Goguen and Eric Dubois. Bourque’s family left the courthouse after the sentencing without commenting at all.

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Canada World

Canadian Military Has Started Operations Against ISIS in Iraq

Canadian military, ISIS
Canadian military, ISIS

The Canadian military forces have started operations against ISIS in Iraq, and these forces are expected to start bombing ISIS in the Middle Eastern country of Iraq any day now. Canada has joined the global community in the fight against the extremist group ISIS, defending freedom and keeping the extremist group on alert. The operation was started when Canada stationed a number of jets and other aircraft in Kuwait City. The Canadian military aircraft stationed in this part of the world include 2 CP-140 Aurora surveillance aircraft, 6 CF-18 fighter jets, and a C-150 refueling aircraft. When asked an anonymous defense department source told investigators and journalists that the operations have begun but Canada has not dropped any bombs in the region yet.

The recent terrorist acts in Canada and the USA show why the Canadian military is getting involved in the fight against ISIS. According to the official reports the fighter jets from Canada will be conducting missions alongside military forces from countries that include the USA, Australia, the UK, and even some of the Gulf states in the Middle East. There have been some reports that ISIS has acquired weapons that include shoulder to air anti aircraft missiles. Right now no one is clear on who is giving the orders for the international coalition of military forces, but around 600 soldiers in the Canadian military have been stationed in Kuwait City. If the rumors about the newly acquired missile capabilities are true then these soldiers may be at risk from ISIS attacks.

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Is Fort MacMurray a Family Oriented Community?

Fort MacMurray, family oriented communities
Fort MacMurray, family oriented communities

Is Fort MacMurray one of the family oriented communities in Alberta? For many residents the answer is yes. This region has seen an incredible boom in the last few years, with people arriving on a continuous basis. This has led to higher crime rates, more drugs and weapons, and an atmosphere in some parts of town that can be rowdy on certain nights. The large number of roughnecks and oil workers who come into Fort MacMurray on payday from the work camps, in order to get supplies or relax and let off some steam, has some questioning whether this is one of the most family oriented communities to choose from. When all of the factors and elements are reviewed it is clear to see that Fort MacMurray is very family friendly, although there are some problems that any other communities face in this part of Alberta.

There are many reasons why people choose to come to Fort MacMurray, and one of these is the fact that this is viewed as one of the most family oriented communities in spite of a few drawbacks. The school system in Wood Buffalo is exceptional, with plenty of resources and an expanding base that can cover new arrivals as well as established students. There is a variety of shopping options as well. The cost of housing and rental units is quite high, but that is due to the high demand and the booming economy. There are always jobs available for qualified professionals, and the community offers many opportunities for families to enjoy time together and several venues to pick from. That makes Fort MacMurray one of the top family oriented communities in Alberta for many people.

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Alberta Canada Ft Mac

Legal Aid Alberta Funding for Individuals With Severe Disabilities Increases

Legal Aid Alberta, funding for individuals with severe disabilities
Legal Aid Alberta, funding for individuals with severe disabilities

Legal Aid Alberta has received new provincial funding, but these funds will not go towards opening the Legal Aid office in Fort MacMurray back up. Instead this funding will be used to address covering individuals with severe disabilities. The government of Alberta has announced that they will provide $5.5 million for this fiscal year, and that allows Legal Aid Alberta to increase their income cutoff levels, and this means that more individuals with severe disabilities who are on Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped will qualify for services from the organization. The Legal Air board chair Derek Cranna explained “It is an important and signal event for Legal Aid today, to be able to proceed … on the basis that we wished to for some time now, which is to provide coverage for those Albertans who are in the most vulnerable positions.”

Now Legal Aid Alberta can provide full representations to those whose income falls below $1,588. Up until now the income limit was $1,348, and that eliminated individuals with severe disabilities who received the AISH payments which are typically around $1,500 per month. The income cutoff limits are intended to control spending while ensuring the lower income levels have access to full legal representation. According to Jonathan Denis, the Minister of Justice for Alberta “I’ve said since day one that we would take this issue to the federal government, and I’ve indicated that if the federal government wasn’t ready to stand up, we would do this.” Denis explained that he discussed this issue with Peter McKay, a federal minister. “He did indicate that he was willing to keep a dialogue going, however, talk is cheap and Legal Aid needs services now.”

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Breaking News Ft Mac

Wood Buffalo RCMP Look for Fort MacMurray Stabbing Suspect

Wood Buffalo RCMP, Fort MacMurray
Wood Buffalo RCMP, Fort MacMurray

The Wood Buffalo RCMP is on the lookout for a Fort MacMurray stabbing suspect, and they are hoping that the local community can help them catch the male suspect. The stabbing occurred last Friday at around 6:30 am in the morning, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Amin Abdi Jama. According to the Wood Buffalo RCMP a report was received early Friday morning about a stabbing that occurred on Saunderson Avenue located in the downtown Fort MacMurray area. When law enforcement arrived at the location in question they found an unidentified male from Fort MacMurray with stab wounds. The male victim was transported to the local hospital, the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, where he was treated for injuries that were determined to be non life threatening.

The Fort MacMurray stabbing victim was released from the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre the same day after receiving medical treatment for his injuries. The Wood Buffalo RCMP investigated the incident, and this led to an arrest warrant being issued for Amin Abdi Jama, the suspect in the case. Jama is 25 years old, and law enforcement believe that he is still in the Fort MacMurray area. Jama is not considered to be a threat to the general public, and it is believed that the victim and Jama knew each other prior to the stabbing. Wood Buffalo RCMP is asking anyone who knows where Jama is currently to contact either the Wood Buffalo RCMP, at the 780-788-4000 or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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Alberta Ft Mac

Fundraiser for Students and Programs the Focus of Keyano College Foundation Event

Keyano College Foundation, fundraiser
Keyano College Foundation, fundraiser

The Keyano College Foundation recently held a fundraiser gala, with the hopes of raising $500,000 for students and a few programs that benefit the kids. The fundraiser was held at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, and it had more than 1,200 guests even though it was a black tie affair. There were raffles, a concert performance by Corey Hart, and a live auction for guests to enjoy. The proceeds for the event went to the Keyano College Foundation, which helps to fund community facilities and student awards for financial assistance. According to the board of director’s chairperson for the Keyano College Foundation, Paul Taylor, “The funds raised through Gala and through our partners will go to support our students, our programming, athletics, the theatre, and capital improvements. Collaboration is vital to Keyano’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Canada’s fastest growing region here in Wood Buffalo has sufficient and affordable access to post-secondary education..”

This is not the first year that the Keyano College Foundation has held the gala fundraiser. Keyano College external affairs vice president Theresa Greenwood, remarked “We call the work we do at the foundation fundraising, but we also call it friend-raising. We include friend raising because we know that while the financial part is important, it’s also just as important to have our supporters involved in other ways. Greenwood continued by saying ”“There are certain things that you can fund through government funding and certain things that you can’t. The theatre, for example, we don’t use any of our provincial funding to go towards the theatre, it’s all community based, so it’s based on ticket sales and fundraising.” Paul Taylor also discussed the athletic programs funded by the Keyano College Foundation “Instead of them having to go south, if we can offer … close to elite athletes the opportunities to remain in the region and play for the Huskies, so much the better. It helps them, they’re closer to their families, and obviously it allows Keyano to field a very competitive team.”