Category: Economic

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Economic Ft Mac Health

Fort McMurray Resident Bo Cooper Fights Leukemia, Community Pitches in to Help

Fort McMurray, Bo Cooper

Fort McMurray resident Bo Cooper is known by many in the community. As a local firefighter and a promising MMA fighter the 26 year old has battled many things in his life but now he is facing one of his toughest fights ever, a battle against leukemia. The brave young man has already beaten leukemia before, and he is fighting the disease for the third time. Cooper first won against acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2011 but the disease returned. Since Bo has already received all the chemotherapy that he can have in his entire lifetime there are very few other treatment options to choose from that cold make the difference in how his battle turns out. One option, CAR T-Cell drugs, show great promise but there is a catch. Right now the government does not cover these drugs and Cooper would need to travel to the USA for his treatment.

Bo Cooper can not afford to receive the Car T-Cell drugs that could save his life, and the Fort McMurray community has rallied to try and help out. Each dose of these drugs can cost as much as $60,000. Cooper may need up to 10 doses, with a total cost just for the drugs expected to run about $600,000. Without this treatment option Bo may not be able to win this latest fight. According to Fort McMurray Fire Department Captain Rob Van Hecke “It’s not cheap. It’s nothing health care covers yet. But with a 90% success rate, it’s worth trying.” Hecke started an online fund raising campaign last month to raise money for Cooper, and over $100,000 has been raised in just a few weeks from this fund raising effort and other community events. How can you help out?

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Supreme Court Petitioned by RMWB to Intervene in Lawsuit Based in Edmonton

Supreme Court, RMWB

The Supreme Court has been petitioned by RMWB to intervene in a lawsuit based in Edmonton. The municipality’s position for the intervention is that millions of dollars are at stake in spite of the fact that the Edmonton based lawsuit is fairly obscure. The case involves a property tax assessment dispute, and it has mushroomed into something much bigger. Now the issue is also how much deference, or leeway, the Supreme Court should allow the decisions made by a lower administrative tribunal. The legal director for the RMWB, David Leflar, made a convincing argument to the councillors that an application for intervenor status in the Edmonton based lawsuit would be appropriate. The case is a dispute between a shopping centre in Edmonton and the City of Edmonton.

During the meeting about RMWB asking for Supreme Court intervention in the Edmonton based lawsuit LeFlar stated “This is an important intervention. To my knowledge — though I only go back about three years now with the municipality — this municipality has never done anything like this before.” LeFlar also said that “Nothing’s ever sure, the Supreme Court always has the discretion to say get out of here — but our chances of getting it given who we are and what we bring to the table are very good.” At issue in the lawsuit is whether tribunal decisions are upheld based on a legally reasonable standard or a legally correct standard. The RMWB argues that this is a difference that could affect millions of dollars. Do you think the RMWB is correct to try and intervene in the case? Why or why not?

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Economic Entertainment Ft Mac

Is your Christmas to do List Complete Yet Fort McMurray?

Christmas, Fort McMurray

Christmas Eve is just a week away, and many are scrambling to find the perfect last minute gift or special present for someone special. The year end holidays area time for joy and for giving, spending time with friends and family and enjoying all the social activities that are planned. Are you already finished with your shopping or are you still waiting to star with only a week left to go? The closer it gets to the holidays the bigger the crowds are, and the longer the lines can be. Fort McMurray has the holiday spirit, that is obvious, but is your Christmas to do list all checked off or do you still have a way to go before you are finished?

During the Christmas holiday it is better to put the focus on relationships and caring, with less emphasis on material things that so not matter nearly as much. With parties to attend, gifts to wrap, holiday meals to plan, and other details to be worked out and planned for this time of year can be hectic and stressful. Make sure that you take care of yourself and your loved ones during the season, in fact you should put this on your checklist so that it is easy to remember. The most important part of the Fort McMurray holidays is the people that you spend it with, not the gifts that you give and receive. What is left to do on your list before Christmas arrives in Fort McMurray?

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Economic Ft Mac

Winter Road to Fort Chipewyan to Officially Open Tomorrow

Fort Chipewyan, winter road

The winter road to Fort Chipewyan will officially open tomorrow, Tuesday December 15. The opening is on schedule in spite of recent weather that forced crews to work on the road at night because the daytime temperatures were warmer than normal. After the road opens initial traffic will have some restrictions due to weather factors. Only light traffic, and vehicles that weigh a maximum of 5,000 kilograms will be allowed to use the winter road, and high clearance 4X4 vehicles are recommended right now according to the RMWB. Drivers are also cautioned that the delta section still has some rough road. According to an MWB press release drivers are asked to obey all of the signage posted along the road, and to keep an eye out for workers who are continuing their efforts to prepare the road for the expected winter traffic.

Drivers who travel the Fort Chipewyan winter road need to be prepared for any type of emergency. The road does not offer any gas stations, cell phone coverage is almost nonexistent along much of the winter road, and there are not any road patrols which look for motorists in trouble. Drivers who become stranded in the cold weather temperatures could quickly face serious trouble along the winter road if they are not properly prepared. Updates on the road condition and any restrictions in place can be found on social media and the website for RMWB. The La Loche winter trail has not opened yet this year and is still under construction, but this trail is expected to open up later in December if everything goes as planned. Have you ever used the Fort Chipewyan winter road? Why, and what was your experience?

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

The Suncor Takeover Bid for Canadian Oil Sands has been Extended in Spite of Previous Announcements to the Contrary

Suncor takeover bid, Canadian Oil Sands

In recent weeks the Suncor takeover bid for Canadian Oil Sands has been the topic of much discussion and many conversations. When COS initiated a so called poison pill amendment and asked for more time to consider the options Suncor publicly stated that their bid would end on the indicated date. When the Alberta Securities Commission granted Canadian Oil Sands the extension that was requested Suncor extended their bid until the new date of January 8, 2016 despite their previous comments to the contrary. According to a statement from Suncor president and CEO Steve Williams “This process has always been about allowing COS shareholders to decide for themselves on the merits of our offer. The good news is that they will finally have their say.”

After the decision by the ASC on the COS request and the Suncor takeover bid Williams stated “The Alberta Securities Commission decision allows COS more time to surface a superior offer from a credible third party, something most analysts see as unlikely. They are now focused on a self-serving claim that COS, despite a balance sheet with a near junk credit profile, is better off as an independent company in a lower for longer crude oil price environment.” While Suncor has extended the deadline for the id the company is not increasing the original offer because they believe the offer was fair with oil prices still on the decline. Suncor also described the negative free cash flow that COS has reported so far this year.

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Economic Ft Mac Health Politics

Decision on Financial Aid for Residents Affected by Timberlea Sewer Backup Delayed Once More

Timberlea sewer backup, financial aid

There was some hope that residents would see some financial aid for the Timberlea sewer backups that happened on July 12, 2015 before Christmas arrived but that does not look like it is going to happen any time soon. During a council meeting the administration for Wood Buffalo discussed the investigative report that was completed. According to this report both Surmont Sand & Gravel Ltd. And the Wood Buffalo municipality were in the clear and were determined not to be negligible or liable for any of the damage that the Timberlea sewer backups caused to the possessions and property of the residents. In total 65 homes in Timberlea had sewer backup problems that caused sewage to flood the basements of the properties. There was a severe rainstorm on the morning of July 12, and the report emphasized more than once that the Timberlea sewer backups would have occurred no matter what because the storm and rain were so severe.

Financial aid for the Timberlea sewer backup issue has not been denied completely. Approximately 10 Timberlea residents who were affected by the sewer backups attended the meeting and they were very vocal with their questions and concerns. The weather data used from the report was taken from the rain gauge at Fort MacMurray International Airport, and some residents were critical of this data because of the distance between the homes affected and the airport. Those who were affected talked about having tens of thousands of dollars in damage from the event. Annie Simpson was one of the residents who were skeptical of the data. According to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Scoble “It’s the data we have.”