Tag: Fort MacMurray

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Ft Mac Health

What is Phosphine and Why is it Used?

phosphine, Fort MacMurray

The recent accidental poisoning of an entire family in Fort MacMurray has many people wondering what phosphine is, why it is used, and just how dangerous this insecticide is. Phosphine is a gas that is colorless, and this gas is also odorless when it is in the pure form. This substance is used for many purposes, and one of the applications is as an insecticide. The gas can not contaminate water or food, but it can be inhaled, ingested, and absorbed through the skin. Direct contact with the pure gas can result in frostbite of the tissues that were exposed. Even exposure to a small amount of a phosphine based insecticide can be fatal to humans, and children are more susceptible because they have a lower body weight and mass plus their systems are still developing.

Phosphine based insecticides, like the product that poisoned an entire Fort MacMurray family, are very dangerous. These products can be very effective at eliminating bedbugs and other household pests though, and they are often used for pesticide in orders to get rid of insects and pests that could cause an infestation. Phosphine is toxic to almost all life forms, so it will work effectively at killing bugs and pests. Unfortunately this same aspect makes phosphine based insecticides very dangerous for use in places where people and pets will be. In the most recent accidental poisoning in Fort MacMurray an 8 month old died, and two older children are still hospitalized in critical condition and may not fully recover.

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Ft Mac Politics

Provincial Candidates for Fort MacMurray Named by NDP

provincial candidates, Fort MacMurray

The provincial candidates for Fort MacMurray have been named by the NDP, making it the second party to do so. The candidates named include public school teacher Ariana Mancini and plant operator for Suncor Energy Stephen Drover. Both candidates are hoping to gain support from former supporter of Wildrose and PC who have become jaded. Mancini explained “I am of the opinion the NDP will provide, and has provided, really the only viable opposition to a government that has left too many people jilted or left behind. I feel that public service workers have been attacked ,unnecessarily so and I feel they are not getting the fair treatment or respect from the province they deserve. I feel that Albertans as a whole voted in favour of a progressive conservative government that ran under a very progressive platform and after Premier Redford took office, it didn’t take too long to see those progressive values and policies she ran under were simply window dressing.”

Stephen Drover is also one of the Fort MacMurray provincial candidates named. When asked about being named Drover responded by saying “The PCs have wasted our resource wealth with corporate tax breaks. With 9% cuts to health education and senior citizens’ care, the results will be devastating. Jim Prentice wants Albertans to pay for the PC’s mistakes. I know I’m swimming upstream here in Alberta but I believe the NDP has the right priorities to protect families, not the big corporations and the PCs and Wildrose lean towards protecting the big corporations first. I believe if Peter Lougheed’s six steps to resource management were followed, we would be all better off.”

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Breaking News Ft Mac

RCMP Investigates Suspicious Death in Fort MacMurray

Fort MacMurray, RCMP, suspicious death

A suspicious death in Fort MacMurray is being investigated by the RCMP. The death occurred on Monday night at an apartment complex located on MacDonald Ave. Details so far are few and incomplete, and police are still looking into the incident and are releasing little information to the public right now because the investigation is ongoing. A complaint was made to the RCMP at 11:20 pm, and the caller complained of a disturbance. When responding officers arrived at the apartment complex to investigate they found a male in his 20s who was deceased. So far the RCMP has not released the cause of death, only reporting that it was suspicious. The name of the deceased male has also not been released.

While the RCMP is keeping mum on the suspicious death in Fort MacMurray Monday night they are asking the public for any information. If someone knows anything about what happened in the apartment that led to the death of the young male they are encouraged to contact the local RCMP to report what they know. Right now there is little information and that leaves many questions unanswered. Hopefully all of the facts in this suspicious death will be made clear, and if the man was killed the individual responsible is identified. The RCMP can be contacted by calling 780-788-400. Individuals who are hesitant to contact the RCMP for any reason can also contact CrimeStoppers at 800-222-8477 and report any information that they have about this crime in order to help close the case.

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Alberta Ft Mac

Fort MacMurray Benefits From UofA and Keyano Deal

UofA, Keyano, Fort MacMurray

Fort MacMurray will benefit from a deal between UofA and Keyano which is intended to make post secondary programming more accessible to residents in the northern region. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by both Keyano College and UofA so that Fort MacMurray receives a new collaborative education degree. Students who want to finish a Bachelor of Education degree with a specialization in Elementary Education can now access all 4 years of programming for the degree at Keyano College. PAINKILLERreviously JANUAKeyano offered the initial two years of programming but students had to attend UofA in order to receive the third and fourth years of programming. Academic vice-president for Keyano College Catherine Koch said “For people studying at Keyano, very importantly, they can actually complete a degree in Education and become teachers in our community. It answers personal needs, their own calling to become teachers, and it helps us satisfy the need for teachers in our community.”

The deal between UofA and Keyano College will allow Fort MacMurray residents interested in the four year degree to stay in the local community rather than leaving for the final two years of study and preparation. UofA dean of Education Fern Snart explained “We have wonderful instructors and professors from the local area who bring not only their knowledge and expertise, but their experience and a deeper knowledge about the area and the cultural part of the area. With instructors bringing that to the degree, and then scholars and the folks writing textbooks from the University of Alberta, that combination is really unbeatable, and the students are the ultimate benefactors.”

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Economic Ft Mac

Fort MacMurray Student Fundraising Effort to Help Fight Homelessness

Fort MacMurray, student fundraising, homelessness

Student fundraising in Fort MacMurray recently was for a very good cause, homelessness. National organization Raising the Roof partnered with the Centre of Hope in Fort MacMurray to raise funds and awareness about homelessness. A Toque Tuesday event was held, with toque and sock sales raining money to help homeless in the local and national community. The event also included talking with students at local area schools including Timberlea Public School about homelessness and ways that the students can help with this problem. Centre of Hope fund development coordinator Barbara Rex said “When you look to the future, the children are the future. This gave us … a chance to discuss with the students and it gave them an eye-opening experience. I know a few students that are really excited about supporting the Centre of Hope and they really jumped on board.”

The Fort MacMurray student fundraising event to help with homelessness included several speakers. One of these speakers was Fort MacMurray Mayor Melissa Blake. Students could purchase a toque for the event for $10, or they could wear their own toques and donate $2 for the cause instead. More than $2,500 was raised on Toque Tuesday, and these funds will go a long way towards helping fight homelessness. Rex continued by saying “The Centre of Hope is in the heart of Fort McMurray, it’s downtown, and these schools are up in Timberlea and not really seeing what it is that our patrons are going through. They know now what we do and they know now that it’s an issue that’s facing our community and also our country.”

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Entertainment Ft Mac

Fort MacMurray Preparing for 2015 WinterPlay

2015 WinterPlay, Fort MacMurray

Fort MacMurray is gearing up for 2015 WinterPlay, and all of the signs that the time is near can be seen. The air is cold and crisp, there is plenty of snow and ice available, and the Snye has frozen. 2015 WinterPlay will start on February 27 and go through March 1, and the winter event will have activities and fun for the entire family. Visitors will find sports, fun entertainment, and activities that even kids will find thrilling. Past snow and ice festival favorites have included Penguin Dash, Sno Drifters Sno N Shine, and Shootout on the Snye. Fort MacMurray residents will find related events across the city, and several activities will be held at the WinterPlayground. This year is different though, because the Jubilee Plaza which just opened will be the venue for the playground.

The 2015 WinterPlay in FortMacMurray will also have a new Winter Urban Market, and the opening ceremonies will take place at the Jubilee Plaza. The Shootout on the Snye event will include a new skills competition component, and there will be plenty of music and art that appeals to everyone. Pear, The Stampeders, ad Big Sugar will hold local performances. Another favorite event, WinterReels, also made a comeback this year and the 72 hour Film Challenge is expected to draw in plenty of talented locals. On Sunday during the winter event there will also be the usual fireworks show at the Snye. Many in Fort MacMurray look forward to the WinterPlay event every year and make this festival a top priority on that weekend.