Latest news with #Calgarians
Calgary Herald
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Group pushes for faster action on growing city's tree canopy
More urgency is needed in expanding Calgary's tree canopy, a green cover that lags behind other Canadian cities, says an environmental group. Article content Article content While members of the Calgary Climate Hub say they're supportive of the city's efforts in adding trees to its leafy inventory, it should be moving faster and in a more even-handed way. Article content The city's northeast and downtown need to catch up to the rest of Calgary in its green numbers, said Heather Addy, a volunteer with the group, who notes the city has set a goal of doubling its canopy from the current 8 per cent coverage of city land by 2060. Article content Article content 'The northeast has a much lower tree canopy, it's below 8 per cent — some of those are new communities but some are not,' said Addy, a University of Calgary professor emeritus in bioscience. Article content Article content 'And the downtown needs more trees — there's not much for people who work there but also for those who live there and it's hot during the summer.' Article content Last November, the city announced it will receive nearly $61 million from the federal government's 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program — a 2019 election promise from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to plant an additional two billion trees across Canada within a decade. Article content Article content Article content The funding will allow for 930,000 new trees to be planted across Calgary over the next five years, which the city said will help expand its overall urban forest canopy and provide equitable access for all residents. Article content Article content Addy said the city's goal of 16 per cent trees coverage over land it owns should be nearly double that, a standard that's been met or sought by other Canadian centres and even more trees will be needed to replace those that die from drought or disease. Article content 'It's really something for Calgarians to come together on,' said Addy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Is Calgary's tap water safe again? Why a controversial mineral is making a splash again
After over a decade without fluoride in its drinking water, Calgary is set to reintroduce the mineral into its municipal supply beginning June 30, 2025. This follows a 2021 plebiscite in which 62 per cent of Calgarians voted in favour of resuming fluoridation to support better dental health outcomes. Calgary stopped fluoridating its water in 2011, citing aging equipment and concerns over cost. However, since then, health professionals have noted a rise in tooth decay, especially among children. Studies suggested that Calgary residents, particularly lower-income groups, were facing worsening dental health outcomes. In response to the growing evidence and public demand, city officials put the matter to a vote in 2021, resulting in a clear mandate to bring fluoride back. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Melhore a performance da sua frota [Clique] Sistema TMS embarcador Saiba Mais Undo How will it be implemented? After extensive retrofitting and construction, fluoride will be added at two upgraded water treatment plants, Glenmore and Bearspaw. The reintroduction project cost the city $28.1 million, and the anticipated annual maintenance cost is around $1 million. Live Events The city aims to maintain fluoride levels at 0.7 milligrams per litre, the standard recommended by Health Canada to prevent tooth decay. Given the natural fluctuations in fluoride content in the Bow and Elbow rivers, water quality will be closely monitored and adjusted accordingly. Broader health and regional impact Alberta Health Services , the Canadian Dental Association, and the World Health Organization endorse fluoridation as a safe, effective public health measure. It will also impact surrounding communities like Chestermere, which rely on Calgary's water supply. This decision aligns Calgary with other Alberta cities such as Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Red Deer, which have continued fluoridation without interruption. In contrast, two weeks ago, Florida became the second state in the US, after Utah, to ban fluoride in public drinking water. It stated that adding forced fluoride into the water supply is forced medication on people. Social media's support, skepticism, and satire The reintroduction has sparked a flurry of social media commentary, with reactions ranging from cautious approval to deep skepticism. Some residents welcomed the move, saying Calgary's water quality has long needed improvement. Others, however, expressed concern over perceived health risks. Several users referred to fluoride as a 'neurotoxin' and shared videos urging people to invest in home filtration systems. One user quipped, 'Time to invest in water filtration stocks in Alberta,' another warned of 'random poisoning' and advised switching to healthy water or filters with UV attachments. Conspiratorial tones also emerged, with claims about fluoride affecting the pineal gland and interacting with 5G frequencies. Still, a few commentators simply saw it as a practical decision overdue for a growing city. What comes next? City officials say residents won't notice any difference in taste or smell, but long-term oral health outcomes are expected to improve. As the system is phased in, regular updates will be provided through Calgary's official channels.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: Waterton-Glacier Peace Park a reminder of goodwill between nations
In the weeks ahead, you will hear more about the Rotary International Convention coming to Calgary from June 21 to 25. Up to 20,000 Rotarians from around the world will descend on our city. Article content Article content Given the current times, several Rotary members thought it would be appropriate for Calgarians to learn more about a peace initiative with our friends in the United States that was conceived, promoted, and nurtured to this day by Rotarians on both sides of the border. Article content Article content It all began when a group of Rotarians from Cardston invited fellow Rotarians to a goodwill meeting at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park in July 1931. More than 100 Rotarians from Montana, Saskatchewan and Alberta attended. Article content Article content There was a consensus to advocate for the creation of an international peace park that would encompass both Waterton and Glacier national parks. It was resolved, 'that the proper authorities be petitioned to commence negotiations to establish the two parks indicated as a permanent International Peace Park, which will be definitely set aside for this laudable purpose, pledging our loyalty and allegiance to foster all international relationships.' Article content Canadian and American Rotarians reached out to their respective federal governments and, in the days when things could get done expeditiously, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park — the first of its kind — was commemorated on June 18, 1932. Article content Article content It's worth noting the words of leaders of the day. Article content Prime minister R.B. Bennett said, 'It is my earnest hope that this great International Peace Park stretching across our common frontier and in which citizens of both our countries may seek recreation, may forever remain a permanent memorial of all that neighbourly relations should be between adjoining nations.' Article content Said U.S. president Herbert Hoover: 'Dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a full gesture of the goodwill that has so long blessed our relations with our Canadian neighbours, and I am gratified by the hope and the faith that it will forever be an appropriate symbol of permanent peace and friendship.' Article content The peace park combines the 525-square-kilometre Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada with the 4,144-square-km Glacier National Park in the U.S. The arrangement allows both national parks to operate as separate entities under the peace park mantle. Thereafter, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association was created to perpetuate the message of peace and goodwill inspired by this monumental achievement.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Security top of mind at this weekend's Lilac Festival, says deputy police chief
Article content With one of Calgary's largest street festivals set to take over the Beltline, Mission and Cliff Bungalow this weekend, and with recent vehicle-ramming events in Liverpool and Vancouver in mind, protecting attendees will be a priority at Sunday's 4th Street Lilac Festival. Article content Article content The free yearly event is slated to bring more than 100,000 Calgarians down to 4th Street S.W. for the day-long celebration, which informally kicks off the summer festival season. Article content Article content Lilac Fest, which is entering its 34th year, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between 12th Avenue and Elbow Drive S.W., offering up hundreds of vendors and dozens of live performances. Article content Article content A statement from the Calgary Police Service said there will be enhanced security protocols in place and the agency is taking extra measures to ensure the safety of festivalgoers this year. Article content 'We continuously monitor both local and international incidents as part of our planning for all major events,' it stated. Article content Article content This year's festival comes just days after a minivan plowed into a crowd of soccer fans in Liverpool who were celebrating their team winning the English Premier League championship. Nobody was killed in Tuesday's attack, but 79 were reportedly injured and many were hospitalized, including children. Article content Article content That incident followed a deadly vehicle-ramming in Vancouver last month, where 11 people were killed and many more were injured during the Lapu Lapu Day festival on April 26. Article content In response, chief administrative officer David Duckworth said the city completes approximately 100 emergency response plans for festivals and community events each year, preparing for everything from medical emergencies to fires, bomb threats and violence.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
City's parks foundation director announces departure
Article content After eight years at the helm of the organization, Sheila Taylor has announced she is stepping down as the executive director and CEO of Parks Foundation Calgary. Article content Article content 'It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside such a passionate team and help shape Calgary's parks and recreation spaces,' she said. 'I'm proud of what we've accomplished together and excited for what's next for both me and the Foundation.' Article content In a news release, the foundation saluted Taylor for her leadership and guidance, noting that since she became CEO of the organization in 2017, Parks Foundation Calgary has grown significantly and created dozens of new parks and green spaces. Article content 'Sheila has been instrumental in raising millions for community-driven initiatives while championing equity and inclusion, helping ensure our spaces serve all Calgarians regardless of background or ability,' the release stated. Article content Article content Among the projects completed under Taylor's guidance were the award-winning Flyover Park, which converted the underpass below the Fourth Avenue Flyover in Bridgeland into a vibrant public space. The inner-city park now features two hill slides, a bamboo jungle, a tandem swing and games, including shuffleboard, ping pong and ladder toss. Article content Article content Taylor also oversaw the development of the the Brawn Family Foundation Rotary Park, the Quinterra Legacy Garden, the Manmeet Singh Bhullar Park, the David Richardson Memorial Disc Golf Park, recent upgrades at George Moss Park, and many other park projects. Article content In a previous interview, Taylor told Postmedia her vision was to make Calgary's parks more inclusive and accessible for all residents.
