WATCH LIVE: Premier Danielle Smith announces plan to enhance U.S.-Alberta relations
Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney share details on a plan to increase Alberta/Canada-U.S. policy research, LIVE here.
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CTV News
15 minutes ago
- CTV News
County pushes back on Barrie's boundary expansion proposal
The County of Simcoe is raising concerns about the City of Barrie's proposed boundary expansion, warning it could cost the region millions in tax revenue and development charges, impact infrastructure, and chip away at local economic development. According to a recommendation report presented to the County on Tuesday, staff were directed to work closely with impacted municipalities and consultants to complete a detailed analysis of the potential fallout from Barrie's proposed annexation of land from Springwater and Oro-Medonte. "An adjustment to the boundaries of the Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater is also an adjustment to the boundaries of the County of Simcoe," the report noted. "There are countless examples of municipalities growing side by side in Ontario, where annexation is not required to support growth." The County made it clear it's not opposed to a boundary adjustment, as long as the municipalities involved achieve 'mutual benefit.' The County wants a comprehensive impact analysis to be considered before any changes are approved. It also seeks to have an equal role in negotiations with the City of Barrie. According to County staff, the total annual County tax revenue of the proposed annexed lands could be as much as $6.5 million and tens of millions in development charges. The area under consideration includes about 11 kilometres of County and provincial roads and key employment lands that support long-term economic growth. The report notes the goal is to support sustainable growth that is balanced within the County without giving up control to a single city. The County is calling on the province to extend the deadline for a boundary agreement framework from Sept. 30 to Nov. 28 to allow for more thorough analysis and engagement. The report also states the County plans to continue working through the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator in hopes of reaching a cooperative solution with Barrie, but noted that if those efforts are unsuccessful, staff is prepared to present its findings directly to the province. Related Articles >> 'Is it a fulsome proposal?' Oro-Medonte responds to Barrie after ongoing boundary talks >> What's next for the boundary adjustment deal between Barrie and Springwater >> Significant development unveiled in Barrie's much-debated push for more land >> Barrie's mayor addresses push for boundary expansion at Queen's Park >> New report shifts focus to housing in Barrie's boundary expansion debate
CBC
16 minutes ago
- CBC
Province's delays in response to wildfire evacuees have 'fuelled distrust': Sask. ombudsman
Social Sharing Saskatchewan ombudsman Sharon Pratchler says the provincial government's response to wildfire evacuations needs to improve. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Pratchler said she has been hearing calls from evacuees living in cars, tents and parking lots without access to basic needs like food or shelter, or clear information about where they should go and who is supposed to support them. "Your process to provide services to those people who have been displaced from the homes in northern Saskatchewan are not working for many of them," Pratchler said. Pratchler said her office has received numerous calls from people confused about where to go due to a lack of organization. "We believe that people would be better able to manage the situation when they understand that there is a plan in place, and what that plan is and how it affects them," she said. Pratchler issued 14 immediate calls to action to improve supports for evacuees. They include ensuring the 24/7 help hotline is properly staffed, creating one list of all evacuation sites, ensuring that there is a space for doctors who have been evacuated from La Ronge to see their patients, and providing information on a long-term plan for rehousing those who have lost their homes. She said these calls to action are urgent. "The delays in response and accesses to services to meet basic needs, a safe place to sleep and food has fuelled distrust," Pratchler said. Pratchler promised a formal investigation into the government's handling of the crisis. "There will be a review by my office later on, but the focus right now is on immediate needs," she said. As of noon CST Tuesday, there were 23 active wildfires in the province, with five considered contained, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. 'Pure chaos and callous failure': NDP Jordan McPhail, the Saskatchewan NDP's MLA for Cumberland — which includes the northeastern region, where many fires are burning — says he has heard the same concerns the ombudsman expressed. "What Pratchler has revealed this morning reinforces so much of what I've been hearing since the wildfire crisis began nearly two weeks ago," the Opposition MLA said at a Tuesday news conference. McPhail said he's been told some evacuees are going thousands of dollars into debt trying to manage the crisis, and some are driving long distances to use grocery store vouchers provided to evacuees by the province. "Pure chaos and callous failure, and the Sask. Party government doesn't seem to care," McPhail said. Opposition House leader Nicole Sarauer is calling on the Saskatchewan Party government to take immediate action on help that includes providing proper long-term shelter, financial aid and a list of all available supports of all evacuation centres, along with better communication overall. "I can't even imagine why that doesn't already exist," Sarauer said. Denare Beach resident left without a home Chantelle Morin has been living in a camper trailer in Prince Albert with her family since fleeing Denare Beach, in northeastern Saskatchewan, last month. The wildfire that tore through the village and the nearby Denare Beach reserve left widespread destruction. "To lose three-quarters of your community and for everybody to be displaced, we have no homes to go to when we are able to go home," Morin said. "There's lots of us that have no homes to go to." WATCH | Denare Beach evacuee living in camper, uncertain about future or support: Denare Beach evacuee living in camper, uncertain about future or support 4 hours ago Duration 2:11 Many evacuees say they are confused and getting the run-around from support agencies as they seek assistance after being displaced by wildfires in northern Saskatchewan. Morin says getting help as an evacuee has been challenging, with multiple agencies offering assistance, which makes it unclear where to go for help. Morin is a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, which includes eight communities. Denare Beach is among those. She said the Red Cross is responsible for providing evacuation support, but hasn't been helpful to her so far. "We haven't got any assistance from them, like any laundry slips or things that help us get by the day." The province also offers daily financial support through the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency — $40 for the head of household and $20 for each additional family member, up to $200 per day. But Morin says that isn't enough for evacuees like her. She says she has received some help from her band, but her family is being forced to cover too much on their own. "Right now, we're using our savings to get the things that aren't being donated to the evacuation centre," she said. "Those other necessities we're spending out of pocket." Though some evacuees from Pelican Narrows — about 80 kilometres northwest of Denare Beach — are now allowed to return home, that's not the case for Morin's family. There's been no clear timeline on when that will happen. "We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow," she said. "We're just going day by day since last Saturday. We don't know when we can go home. We don't know when we can go through anything that's left."
Globe and Mail
17 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Did you move to Alberta in the past few years and are having schooling challenges? Tell us about it
Remember that big campaign the Alberta government ran starting in 2022 to entice people from Ontario to move out west? A lot of people answered the call, but many are now discovering the province doesn't have enough room in its schools for all of the people who brought their families and kids in tow. Alberta has a major plan to build more student spaces, but that's still a ways away. Globe reporter Dave McGinn is looking to speak to people in the Calgary and Edmonton areas who are dealing with these schooling challenges. Have you been looking for other options, like private schools? Considering moving neighbourhoods to find a spot for your kids? Or have you not found it to be an issue at all? Reach out to him at DMcGinn@ or send in your story by filling out the form below. And if you aren't in this situation but know someone who is, forward this over. Based on the numbers, you're likely to know someone who made the move.
