Category: Economic

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Economic Ft Mac

The Wood Buffalo Food Bank Broke Distribution Records as Hunger and Food Need Continue to Rise

hunger, Wood Buffalo Food Bank

In August the Wood Buffalo Food Bank made organization history, however the history was made because of record numbers of people facing hunger. The food bank handed out 422 food baskets in August pf this year, and that is more than any other previous month. Arianna Johnson, the executive director of the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, told the media that “We’ve never broken 400, eve. So it was a fairly staggering, humbling month.” Johnson also discussed the fact that the numbers for the entire year of 2015 have been high, with an increase in demand. The executive director talked about the fact that many in the community have been laid off due to the downturn in the oil industry. These unemployed workers have probably already used up savings and now need help just to have sufficient food each month.

The demand for food help in the area served by the Wood Buffalo Food Bank shows just how pervasive hunger can be. The recent economic downturn has resulted in more people needing help than ever before. Johnson explained that approximately 15 individuals who used to donate to the food bank can no longer do so, and these people have now had to ask for food assistance themselves. “Significant individual donors, who donate annually, (have become) people who are now using our services, which is kind of scary.” When asked if the agency had plans to decrease the amount of food in each basket Johnson explained “Certainly it’s not something we want to do. But it’s better that everyone get something than some people getting nothing.”

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Economic Ft Mac Health

Additional Funding Announced For Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society

Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society, additional funding

According to a recent announcement the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society, also known as Waypoints, will receive additional funding from the provincial government of just over one million dollars. This is money that the organization can greatly use as they try to provide services to families, women, and children. The exact amount of the additional funding is $1, 054,000. Roughly 75% of the additional funds will be used towards the second stage housing program that they have with helps provide subsidized rent payments for women and children who have had to leave their homes. Waypoints director Michele Taylor stated “Now what we can do is really start to look at the quality of our programming. Our support for children, getting increased skill and expertise in the area of trauma…”

The additional funding for the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society is important so that they group can continue with their second stage housing project. During the press conference held by the provincial government the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters head Jan Reimer remarked “This is the best news that Alberta shelters have had in a very long long long time. We know second stage shelters work. Not all women can walk out of the doors of an emergency shelter and start a new life.” Michele Taylor also said “That should really aid in healing and really effective recovery from the experiences that they’ve had, and allow them to move forward with life more quickly.” The funding from the provincial government will go a long way to keeping families, women, and children housed.

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Economic Entertainment Ft Mac

Fort McMurray Arena Project Causes Sticker Shock But ICC Still Recommends Moving Forward

Fort McMurray arena project, sticker shock, ICC

The Fort McMurray arena project has caused sticker shock for many people, with a price that is expected to run close to $600 million and a lack of an anchor tenant to offer even some stability and income guarantee, yet the idea is still being pitched as a good one by the ICC. The project involves a complete arena along with a four star hotel and a parkade, While the ICC is firmly behind the idea the project was a tough sell in the local community. Rick Kozuback, the ICC president, argued that the downtown area of Fort McMurray continues to become more empty and barren. An arena could help revitalize the area and bring in new finances and interest. The ICC president and his partners also pushed the point that the arena and associated elements would support the local economy.

In spite of the sticker shock over the estimated $580 million cost of the Fort McMurray arena project the ICC believes that the investment is one that will pay off in time. Residents who showed up at the meeting expressed a great deal of concern over the cost involved. Initially the cost was expected to be a little more than $400 million but this soon shot up to almost $600 million when the parkade was added. This would mean yearly payments of around $14.5 million that the council would be responsible for and expected to pay. When discussing the project Kozuback argued “What is it going to look like in 10 years if we do build this? What is it going to look like in 10 years if we don’t build this? That’s the top question, From our perspective, we think the Western Hockey League is the best option. The next step is to put us in a position to go to a hockey league and say that we’ve got a group, how do we get a franchise? They would push us in the appropriate direction.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Royalty Review Comments by Rachel Notley Embarrassing According to Brian Jean

Brian Jean, Rachel Notley

Recent comments made by Rachel Notley over the royalty review has left many dumbfounded, and is an embarrassment according to Wildrose leader Brian Jean. When Notley gave an interview to the Edmonton Sun whet the Premier said was seen as offensive by many. Notley commented that “I think that folks need to settle down a bit. That being said, the energy industry is going through great changes right now so as much as we want to restore stability and predictability, we’re trying to do that in a context where the price of oil is incredibly volatile.” The premier also pointed out that in the past a review was undertaken every 18 months by the previous premier Peter Lougheed. Brian Jean quickly responded to the interview and stated “I’m not going to speak for Rachel Notley. I’m frankly embarrassed by her. Right now, I am not embarrassed by Alberta.”

Brian Jean also pointed out the many differences between the reviews which happened under the previous administration and the review that Rachel Notley is defending. Jean argued that during the time when Lougheed was premier there were not the current market issues and the climate concerns and geopolitical instability that are an issue today. Jean went so far as to say that Notley’s comments were ridiculous. Jean continued by remarking that “When you’re investing $5 billion to $15 billion, those shareholders say if you don’t find the right investment and don’t invest properly, you’re fired. To send those shockwaves into the marketplace clearly causes a tremendous amount of unpredictability and people flee the marketplace. We’ve already seen the reactions from the market.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Fort McMurray Greets Royalty Review Panel But Remains Skeptical

royalty review panel, Fort McMurray

When the royalty review panel recently visited Fort McMurray the panel was met with skepticism instead of a warm welcome. The panel has been visiting local communities to get feedback on possible changes to royalty rates and other factors, but some in the local community feel that there are panel members who have a bias against the oil industry and this is fueling fears. Most of the day was spent with the panel members meeting local business and aboriginal leaders, but eventually the panel met with a crowd of residents who had plenty of feedback to give as well. The crowd was very skeptical of the panel and some made their skepticism quite clear. One unnamed resident asked panelist Mowat what his panel leader qualifications were, saying “How can you guarantee you don’t have a bias towards us?” after pointing out that Mowat was trained to discuss climate change by Al Gore himself.

If the royalty review panel was expecting a warm welcome in Fort McMurray just because panel members wore buttons and gave presentations they were quickly disillusioned. When Mowat was questioned by the resident the panel leader tried to reassure the crowd, saying “We’ve complemented the panel with different attributes. It’s the job of the panel to ask the right questions. It’s not my personal views that are coming into this. We know the review will play a part in Alberta’s role in the global economy. Principles last longer than regulations. We will keep our regulations up to date with technology, but we’ll keep true to our principles.”

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Economic Ft Mac Health

RMWB Council Considers Financial Aid for Those Affected by Timberlea Sewer Backup

Timberlea sewer backup, RMWB council

The RMWB council is considering possible options in order to provide some form of financial aid to those who have been affected by the Timberlea sewer backup. As part of the process the council received presentations from both residents and administrators for the municipality. The presentations offered included facts and concerns about the severe rain storm on July 12 which has received blame from some for the sewer system being overwhelmed and backing up. During the storm 64 different residences had a sewer backup, and there were assertions that the large storm caused problems with an inadequate sewer system. Kevin Scoble, the Deputy CAO, believes that the current updates being added should resolve the problem and give an assurance of 98% that the backups will not happen again.

One issue that some residents expressed concern about to the RMWB council was the delays that could lead to a future Timberlea sewer backup. The upgrade project has two parts, the upstream area and the downstream area. The downstream area is being done by Dene Sky, and the upgrades will be finished on time. The upstream area is being done by Surmont Sand & Gravel Ltd., and it will only be around 65% finished when construction season ends later this year. The upstream area is also where there have been several waterline breaks caused by the construction, leading to further delays and even complete stops in the wok being done at times. Residents who have had to deal with the sewer backups in Timberlea are upset and angry, and they want something done.