Alberta
- Thread starter B00Mer
- Start date
Sounds like something your Indian band would come out with. So, how many albums have you sold so far? One, to yourself?
The french in kweebec can do whatever they fkn well please because they pretty much run and rule and own Canada today. All of our past and present dictating Marxist PM politicians were all from french controlled Marxist kweebec. English is pretty much banned in kweebec while at the same time I have to put up looking at the french slang language on everything that I buy in a store outside of kweebec.
Did you know that there is a rule in kweebec that says that when some store in kweebec wants to sell anything the french must be prominently displayed in front for all to see, while at the same time the English side is shoved to the rear so as not to be seen. The french language police monitor that rule all the time.
To do the same thing anywhere in the rest of English Canada that would be seen as being anti-french. The french can get away with everything because our so called Anglophone politicians and and stop worrying about the fake covid hoax and lie or the fake climate crisis all the fkn time. Just saying.
I actually once bought a native Indian CD that played music just like the one that you posted when my wife and I were visiting in Sedona, Arizona.
Unapproved racist float snuck into Alberta rodeo parade: Organizers
While the exact message the float was attempting to convey remains unclear, several from the Sikh community have condemned it.
Author of the article:Michael Rodriguez
Publishing date:Jun 26, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 70 Comments
A float being condemned as racist joined the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade without approval from parade officials on June 25, 2022.
A float being condemned as racist joined the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade without approval from parade officials on June 25, 2022. PHOTO BY MIKE CRAMPTON
The Sundre Pro Rodeo is apologizing after photos surfaced from the event’s Saturday morning parade of a racist and politically charged float, which parade officials say joined the procession without approval.
The float showed a tractor, driven by a man in a mask holding an Alberta flag, pulling a manure spreader marked “The Liberal” which carried another man wearing a fake beard and a turban, brandishing what appeared to be a pitchfork. While the exact message the float was attempting to convey remains unclear, several from the Sikh community have condemned it as a racist act.
The Sundre Pro Rodeo said the float was not approved to join the parade and apologized for the oversight, saying that the display would’ve never been allowed to participate had organizers known about it. Several photos on social media show the float queued up before the parade began but the parade committee said the display snuck in without passing through the approval process.
“The entry was not approved and, upon further investigation, joined the parade without passing through any registration,” the committee wrote in a statement shared on the Sundre Pro Rodeo Facebook page. “The committee is committed to ensuring that entries will be reviewed in any future events to prevent this from happening.”
The Dashmesh Culture Centre, a Sikh community centre in Calgary, said it was disappointed and saddened to see the “horrendous display of racism towards the Sikh community.” They called for a dialogue with rodeo and parade organizers.
“We hope dialogue will help end these senseless displays of ignorance towards minorities,” wrote the organization in a Twitter post.
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal and Calgary Forest Lawn MP Jasraj Singh Hallan condemned the float, saying racism has no place in Canada. Chahal said Sikhs have been a “steadfast force for good” in Alberta, calling the float a despicable display of racism, while Hallan said the display was “absolutely disgusting.”
Provincial politicians weighed in with a similar sentiment, with Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley saying, “This will cause more Albertans to feel unsafe in their own communities.”
Jason Nixon, the MLA for Rimbey–Rocky Mountain House–Sundre, also condemned the racist float.
“Discrimination and racism have no place in Sundre or anywhere in Alberta,” said Nixon, adding that organizers assured him measures will be put in place to ensure similar incidents don’t happen at future events.
The man who took the photos that sparked the social media stir, Mike Crampton, was at the parade to watch his daughter’s marching band when his wife spotted the float. He picked up his camera to snap some photos saying it was “unbelievable” that somebody would think the display was funny or appropriate for the event.
“I was just kind of flabbergasted,” he said.
“I don’t blame the organizers, but it’s more the reaction to it, right? (There were) lots of people clapping and cheering and thinking that’s hilarious and it’s just like, ‘Oh my god, like where are we here?'”
Postmedia attempted to contact the parade committee for further comment but did not receive a response.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
torontosun.com
While the exact message the float was attempting to convey remains unclear, several from the Sikh community have condemned it.
Author of the article:Michael Rodriguez
Publishing date:Jun 26, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 70 Comments
A float being condemned as racist joined the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade without approval from parade officials on June 25, 2022.
A float being condemned as racist joined the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade without approval from parade officials on June 25, 2022. PHOTO BY MIKE CRAMPTON
The Sundre Pro Rodeo is apologizing after photos surfaced from the event’s Saturday morning parade of a racist and politically charged float, which parade officials say joined the procession without approval.
The float showed a tractor, driven by a man in a mask holding an Alberta flag, pulling a manure spreader marked “The Liberal” which carried another man wearing a fake beard and a turban, brandishing what appeared to be a pitchfork. While the exact message the float was attempting to convey remains unclear, several from the Sikh community have condemned it as a racist act.
The Sundre Pro Rodeo said the float was not approved to join the parade and apologized for the oversight, saying that the display would’ve never been allowed to participate had organizers known about it. Several photos on social media show the float queued up before the parade began but the parade committee said the display snuck in without passing through the approval process.
“The entry was not approved and, upon further investigation, joined the parade without passing through any registration,” the committee wrote in a statement shared on the Sundre Pro Rodeo Facebook page. “The committee is committed to ensuring that entries will be reviewed in any future events to prevent this from happening.”
The Dashmesh Culture Centre, a Sikh community centre in Calgary, said it was disappointed and saddened to see the “horrendous display of racism towards the Sikh community.” They called for a dialogue with rodeo and parade organizers.
“We hope dialogue will help end these senseless displays of ignorance towards minorities,” wrote the organization in a Twitter post.
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal and Calgary Forest Lawn MP Jasraj Singh Hallan condemned the float, saying racism has no place in Canada. Chahal said Sikhs have been a “steadfast force for good” in Alberta, calling the float a despicable display of racism, while Hallan said the display was “absolutely disgusting.”
Provincial politicians weighed in with a similar sentiment, with Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley saying, “This will cause more Albertans to feel unsafe in their own communities.”
Jason Nixon, the MLA for Rimbey–Rocky Mountain House–Sundre, also condemned the racist float.
“Discrimination and racism have no place in Sundre or anywhere in Alberta,” said Nixon, adding that organizers assured him measures will be put in place to ensure similar incidents don’t happen at future events.
The man who took the photos that sparked the social media stir, Mike Crampton, was at the parade to watch his daughter’s marching band when his wife spotted the float. He picked up his camera to snap some photos saying it was “unbelievable” that somebody would think the display was funny or appropriate for the event.
“I was just kind of flabbergasted,” he said.
“I don’t blame the organizers, but it’s more the reaction to it, right? (There were) lots of people clapping and cheering and thinking that’s hilarious and it’s just like, ‘Oh my god, like where are we here?'”
Postmedia attempted to contact the parade committee for further comment but did not receive a response.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
Unapproved racist float snuck into Sundre rodeo parade, say organizers
Rodeo and parade organizers apologized for the display, which is being condemned by the Sikh community as a racist act.
It looks like a specific attack against a certain puppet Sikh leader of one of our federal parties as opposed to a general attack on Sikhs.
Thank you. That's what I was thinking. He was calling Mr Singh a "Liberal" as an insult to both him and his supposedly-different party.
A minor party that goes into coalition with a major party always has to face this. Nothing to see here.
Imperial Oil to extract lithium from historic Alberta oil field
Imperial Oil to extract lithium from historic Alberta oil field
The companies plan to draw lithium from under Imperial's Leduc oil field using E3's proprietary technology.
Unapproved racist float snuck into Alberta rodeo parade: Organizers
While the exact message the float was attempting to convey remains unclear, several from the Sikh community have condemned it.
Author of the article:Michael Rodriguez
Publishing date:Jun 26, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 70 Comments
A float being condemned as racist joined the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade without approval from parade officials on June 25, 2022.
A float being condemned as racist joined the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade without approval from parade officials on June 25, 2022. PHOTO BY MIKE CRAMPTON
The Sundre Pro Rodeo is apologizing after photos surfaced from the event’s Saturday morning parade of a racist and politically charged float, which parade officials say joined the procession without approval.
The float showed a tractor, driven by a man in a mask holding an Alberta flag, pulling a manure spreader marked “The Liberal” which carried another man wearing a fake beard and a turban, brandishing what appeared to be a pitchfork. While the exact message the float was attempting to convey remains unclear, several from the Sikh community have condemned it as a racist act.
The Sundre Pro Rodeo said the float was not approved to join the parade and apologized for the oversight, saying that the display would’ve never been allowed to participate had organizers known about it. Several photos on social media show the float queued up before the parade began but the parade committee said the display snuck in without passing through the approval process.
“The entry was not approved and, upon further investigation, joined the parade without passing through any registration,” the committee wrote in a statement shared on the Sundre Pro Rodeo Facebook page. “The committee is committed to ensuring that entries will be reviewed in any future events to prevent this from happening.”
The Dashmesh Culture Centre, a Sikh community centre in Calgary, said it was disappointed and saddened to see the “horrendous display of racism towards the Sikh community.” They called for a dialogue with rodeo and parade organizers.
“We hope dialogue will help end these senseless displays of ignorance towards minorities,” wrote the organization in a Twitter post.
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal and Calgary Forest Lawn MP Jasraj Singh Hallan condemned the float, saying racism has no place in Canada. Chahal said Sikhs have been a “steadfast force for good” in Alberta, calling the float a despicable display of racism, while Hallan said the display was “absolutely disgusting.”
Provincial politicians weighed in with a similar sentiment, with Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley saying, “This will cause more Albertans to feel unsafe in their own communities.”
Jason Nixon, the MLA for Rimbey–Rocky Mountain House–Sundre, also condemned the racist float.
“Discrimination and racism have no place in Sundre or anywhere in Alberta,” said Nixon, adding that organizers assured him measures will be put in place to ensure similar incidents don’t happen at future events.
The man who took the photos that sparked the social media stir, Mike Crampton, was at the parade to watch his daughter’s marching band when his wife spotted the float. He picked up his camera to snap some photos saying it was “unbelievable” that somebody would think the display was funny or appropriate for the event.
“I was just kind of flabbergasted,” he said.
“I don’t blame the organizers, but it’s more the reaction to it, right? (There were) lots of people clapping and cheering and thinking that’s hilarious and it’s just like, ‘Oh my god, like where are we here?'”
Postmedia attempted to contact the parade committee for further comment but did not receive a response.
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
View attachment 14403
Unapproved racist float snuck into Sundre rodeo parade, say organizers
Rodeo and parade organizers apologized for the display, which is being condemned by the Sikh community as a racist act.
Wow? What nice big and fancy words these lefty liberals have to say. Some are saddened and disappointed and find it horrendous. Some white Jason Nixon guilt ridden lefty liberal said that it was showing discrimination and racism towards the Sikh's. The Sikh community was offended. I am offended by seeing that communist Singh's face with his turban on his head every time I see the commie on TV. Sikh's wear their turbans just to let white people know that we are here. Kiss our Sikh's ass, whitey. Rachel Nutley? Well, what else can we expect from this commie. No doubt she is just trying to score points with the Sikh's.
It was just some political satire and that was it. Apparently, Singh and Turdeau are not well likes at all these days. So, who gives a shit about some float making fun of those two Marxist arse holes anyway? I am pretty sure that thousands of people at the parade cheered them on as they went by. I wonder what those same arse holes that condemned the tractor driver and his partner would say if some non-white did the same thing and tried to make some white people look bad? No doubt we would be hearing that there is nothing to see here. Just a little bit of anti-white satire. Ha-ha-ha. FO you bunch of whiny crybabies.
Alberta scientist releases guide identifying cow dung insects
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Bill Graveland
Published May 13, 2023 • 2 minute read
Alberta entomologist Kevin Floate is ready to start spreading the news that he has compiled a comprehensive guide into insects that live in cow dung in Canada.
Floate — a scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre in southern Alberta — said he started studying insects in cattle dung about 30 years ago.
At the time, he realized he needed one source of information to help get him started.
“It didn’t exist. So, here we are 30 years later, and I’ve written that guide and it’s intended for ranchers and farmers and students and naturalists,” said Floate, who has a doctorate in entomology and penned “Cow Patty Critters: A New Guide on Canada’s Faecal Friends.”
“Anyone who’s ever asked the question ‘What’s in dung?’ This is the guide that I’ve written for you.”
The humble cow turd, sometimes known as a cow patty, cow pie or cow chip, has a soft texture and tends to be deposited in circular shapes, inspiring its various monikers.
Beaver, Okla., has held the World Cow Chip Throwing Contest since 1969 and singer Jim Stafford penned the tongue-in-cheek 1981 hit “Cow Patti.”
Despite the potential for numerous scatological jokes, Floate said he doesn’t mind a bit of ribbing about his profession.
“I embrace it because it’s an unusual topic, yet it’s everywhere, ” Floate said with a laugh. “So, I don’t mind a bad pun, and when you work in cow pies, you get a lot of bad puns.”
Floate said he has spent much of his career looking at the effects of chemicals that end up in cattle dung, and the impact on the insects that live there.
He said an estimated 110 million dung pats are deposited every year in Canada.
He’s identified more than 300 insects in his dung detective’s handbook and only three are considered harmful: horn flies, face flies and stable flies.
He said others, like the dung beetle, can play an important role, especially in the pasture.
“Some of those beetles will put the dung underground in tunnels. The tunnelling increases the permeability of the soil to water and oxygen and the little packages of dung the beetles push underground are like little parcels of fertilizer and help the plants grow,” Floate said.
He said the actions of the beetles also disperse seeds and pollinate plants before they are eventually consumed by birds and smaller mammals higher up the food chain.
Float said the scattering of the fecal matter also reduces the number of pest insects that breed and bother cattle.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Bill Graveland
Published May 13, 2023 • 2 minute read
Alberta entomologist Kevin Floate is ready to start spreading the news that he has compiled a comprehensive guide into insects that live in cow dung in Canada.
Floate — a scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre in southern Alberta — said he started studying insects in cattle dung about 30 years ago.
At the time, he realized he needed one source of information to help get him started.
“It didn’t exist. So, here we are 30 years later, and I’ve written that guide and it’s intended for ranchers and farmers and students and naturalists,” said Floate, who has a doctorate in entomology and penned “Cow Patty Critters: A New Guide on Canada’s Faecal Friends.”
“Anyone who’s ever asked the question ‘What’s in dung?’ This is the guide that I’ve written for you.”
The humble cow turd, sometimes known as a cow patty, cow pie or cow chip, has a soft texture and tends to be deposited in circular shapes, inspiring its various monikers.
Beaver, Okla., has held the World Cow Chip Throwing Contest since 1969 and singer Jim Stafford penned the tongue-in-cheek 1981 hit “Cow Patti.”
Despite the potential for numerous scatological jokes, Floate said he doesn’t mind a bit of ribbing about his profession.
“I embrace it because it’s an unusual topic, yet it’s everywhere, ” Floate said with a laugh. “So, I don’t mind a bad pun, and when you work in cow pies, you get a lot of bad puns.”
Floate said he has spent much of his career looking at the effects of chemicals that end up in cattle dung, and the impact on the insects that live there.
He said an estimated 110 million dung pats are deposited every year in Canada.
He’s identified more than 300 insects in his dung detective’s handbook and only three are considered harmful: horn flies, face flies and stable flies.
He said others, like the dung beetle, can play an important role, especially in the pasture.
“Some of those beetles will put the dung underground in tunnels. The tunnelling increases the permeability of the soil to water and oxygen and the little packages of dung the beetles push underground are like little parcels of fertilizer and help the plants grow,” Floate said.
He said the actions of the beetles also disperse seeds and pollinate plants before they are eventually consumed by birds and smaller mammals higher up the food chain.
Float said the scattering of the fecal matter also reduces the number of pest insects that breed and bother cattle.
Big bug benefits: Alberta scientist releases guide identifying cow dung insects
Alberta entomologist Kevin Floate is ready to start spreading the news that he has compiled a comprehensive guide into insects that live in cow dung in Canada.
shitty job.Alberta scientist releases guide identifying cow dung insects
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Bill Graveland
Published May 13, 2023 • 2 minute read
Alberta entomologist Kevin Floate is ready to start spreading the news that he has compiled a comprehensive guide into insects that live in cow dung in Canada.
Floate — a scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre in southern Alberta — said he started studying insects in cattle dung about 30 years ago.
At the time, he realized he needed one source of information to help get him started.
“It didn’t exist. So, here we are 30 years later, and I’ve written that guide and it’s intended for ranchers and farmers and students and naturalists,” said Floate, who has a doctorate in entomology and penned “Cow Patty Critters: A New Guide on Canada’s Faecal Friends.”
“Anyone who’s ever asked the question ‘What’s in dung?’ This is the guide that I’ve written for you.”
The humble cow turd, sometimes known as a cow patty, cow pie or cow chip, has a soft texture and tends to be deposited in circular shapes, inspiring its various monikers.
Beaver, Okla., has held the World Cow Chip Throwing Contest since 1969 and singer Jim Stafford penned the tongue-in-cheek 1981 hit “Cow Patti.”
Despite the potential for numerous scatological jokes, Floate said he doesn’t mind a bit of ribbing about his profession.
“I embrace it because it’s an unusual topic, yet it’s everywhere, ” Floate said with a laugh. “So, I don’t mind a bad pun, and when you work in cow pies, you get a lot of bad puns.”
Floate said he has spent much of his career looking at the effects of chemicals that end up in cattle dung, and the impact on the insects that live there.
He said an estimated 110 million dung pats are deposited every year in Canada.
He’s identified more than 300 insects in his dung detective’s handbook and only three are considered harmful: horn flies, face flies and stable flies.
He said others, like the dung beetle, can play an important role, especially in the pasture.
“Some of those beetles will put the dung underground in tunnels. The tunnelling increases the permeability of the soil to water and oxygen and the little packages of dung the beetles push underground are like little parcels of fertilizer and help the plants grow,” Floate said.
He said the actions of the beetles also disperse seeds and pollinate plants before they are eventually consumed by birds and smaller mammals higher up the food chain.
Float said the scattering of the fecal matter also reduces the number of pest insects that breed and bother cattle.
Big bug benefits: Alberta scientist releases guide identifying cow dung insects
Alberta entomologist Kevin Floate is ready to start spreading the news that he has compiled a comprehensive guide into insects that live in cow dung in Canada.
Alberta tornado rated EF4, strongest since Edmonton's 'Black Friday'
The 275-km/h winds managed to throw a 10,000-kilogram combine at least 50 metres, researchers say
Author of the article:Michael Rodriguez
Published Jul 04, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
The tornado that tore through a stretch of central Alberta farmland over the weekend was the most powerful to hit the province in almost four decades, according to researchers.
With wind speeds reaching up to 275 km/h, the 620-metre-wide twister ripped across 15 kilometres between the towns of Didsbury and Carstairs in Mountain View County on Saturday afternoon. Researchers with Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Arctic Storm Prediction Centre have rated the tornado an EF4 on the six-point Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges between EF0 and EF5.
In a report released Tuesday, the research group said 12 homes were damaged by the tornado, of which three were destroyed, and four were left uninhabitable. The house that sustained the most severe damage was a “well-constructed” home — which belonged to Ray and Diane Kellsey, the latter of whom was home at the time and sheltered in the basement until her son came to her rescue — located just north of Highway 2A between the two towns.
The winds, which razed the Kellseys’ longtime family home and destroyed all exterior and above-grade interior walls, were powerful enough to flip and toss around weighty farm equipment on that property.
“This includes a combine weighing almost 10,000 kilograms that was thrown at least 50 metres and then rolled for another 50 to 100 metres after that,” reads the NTP report.
Due partly to an emergency alert, the report states only one minor injury was reported as a result of the twister — a cut to a first responder. Environment Canada said all homeowners it spoke with received and acted on the tornado warning, either finding shelter or leaving the area.
“The tornado warning and its lead time before the tornado impacted residences likely helped to ensure no fatalities occurred,” the weather agency said in a Tuesday statement.
Still, researchers noted the twister was the strongest to hit Alberta since Edmonton’s “Black Friday” twister of 1987, which killed 27 people, and the first in the province since that event to reach a four on the scale. While the Edmonton tornado was rated an F4 on the Fujita scale, direct comparisons are tough due to the tweaked Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale being the standard since 2013.
Graphic and map of Didsbury tornado
The Didsbury tornado is one of 21 tornadoes to be classified as “violent” — EF or F ratings of four or higher — in Canada’s history, the majority of them occurring in Ontario. It’s the second to be rated EF4 since the implementation of the new scale, the other being a 2018 twister in Alonsa, Man., that killed one person.
Canada’s only F5 tornado occurred in Elie, Man., in 2007.
“Though this was a climatologically significant tornado, it thankfully won’t enter the list of Canada’s top 10 ‘worst’ tornadoes due to the single minor injury and limited property damage,” said NTP researchers.
Government funding for tornado relief uncertain
While announcing $175 million in wildfire recovery support for municipalities and Metis settlements Tuesday, Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said he’s unsure whether there will be similar funding for the municipalities affected by the tornado as the damage is still being assessed.
“We just don’t know at this time,” Ellis said, adding Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has committed to stopping in the area on his way back to Calgary from Edmonton, and that he may do the same.
Ellis commended Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper on his response to the disaster, keeping himself and Premier Danielle Smith updated while doing work on the ground and talking with affected residents and first responders.
“When this tornado first touched down, I think within minutes (Smith) already called me,” he said. “She knew before I did, and we’re all trying to figure out how we can help this community, so she’s absolutely on top of this.”
Smith tweeted about the disaster on Monday, stating she’d heard “harrowing accounts” from residents of Mountain View County.
“While we are all thankful no Albertans lost their lives, latest reports indicate houses have been destroyed and there has been loss of cattle and other livestock,” she said. “To any Albertans that were affected by this tornado, my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
torontosun.com
The 275-km/h winds managed to throw a 10,000-kilogram combine at least 50 metres, researchers say
Author of the article:Michael Rodriguez
Published Jul 04, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
The tornado that tore through a stretch of central Alberta farmland over the weekend was the most powerful to hit the province in almost four decades, according to researchers.
With wind speeds reaching up to 275 km/h, the 620-metre-wide twister ripped across 15 kilometres between the towns of Didsbury and Carstairs in Mountain View County on Saturday afternoon. Researchers with Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Arctic Storm Prediction Centre have rated the tornado an EF4 on the six-point Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges between EF0 and EF5.
In a report released Tuesday, the research group said 12 homes were damaged by the tornado, of which three were destroyed, and four were left uninhabitable. The house that sustained the most severe damage was a “well-constructed” home — which belonged to Ray and Diane Kellsey, the latter of whom was home at the time and sheltered in the basement until her son came to her rescue — located just north of Highway 2A between the two towns.
The winds, which razed the Kellseys’ longtime family home and destroyed all exterior and above-grade interior walls, were powerful enough to flip and toss around weighty farm equipment on that property.
“This includes a combine weighing almost 10,000 kilograms that was thrown at least 50 metres and then rolled for another 50 to 100 metres after that,” reads the NTP report.
Due partly to an emergency alert, the report states only one minor injury was reported as a result of the twister — a cut to a first responder. Environment Canada said all homeowners it spoke with received and acted on the tornado warning, either finding shelter or leaving the area.
“The tornado warning and its lead time before the tornado impacted residences likely helped to ensure no fatalities occurred,” the weather agency said in a Tuesday statement.
Still, researchers noted the twister was the strongest to hit Alberta since Edmonton’s “Black Friday” twister of 1987, which killed 27 people, and the first in the province since that event to reach a four on the scale. While the Edmonton tornado was rated an F4 on the Fujita scale, direct comparisons are tough due to the tweaked Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale being the standard since 2013.
Graphic and map of Didsbury tornado
The Didsbury tornado is one of 21 tornadoes to be classified as “violent” — EF or F ratings of four or higher — in Canada’s history, the majority of them occurring in Ontario. It’s the second to be rated EF4 since the implementation of the new scale, the other being a 2018 twister in Alonsa, Man., that killed one person.
Canada’s only F5 tornado occurred in Elie, Man., in 2007.
“Though this was a climatologically significant tornado, it thankfully won’t enter the list of Canada’s top 10 ‘worst’ tornadoes due to the single minor injury and limited property damage,” said NTP researchers.
Government funding for tornado relief uncertain
While announcing $175 million in wildfire recovery support for municipalities and Metis settlements Tuesday, Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said he’s unsure whether there will be similar funding for the municipalities affected by the tornado as the damage is still being assessed.
“We just don’t know at this time,” Ellis said, adding Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has committed to stopping in the area on his way back to Calgary from Edmonton, and that he may do the same.
Ellis commended Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper on his response to the disaster, keeping himself and Premier Danielle Smith updated while doing work on the ground and talking with affected residents and first responders.
“When this tornado first touched down, I think within minutes (Smith) already called me,” he said. “She knew before I did, and we’re all trying to figure out how we can help this community, so she’s absolutely on top of this.”
Smith tweeted about the disaster on Monday, stating she’d heard “harrowing accounts” from residents of Mountain View County.
“While we are all thankful no Albertans lost their lives, latest reports indicate houses have been destroyed and there has been loss of cattle and other livestock,” she said. “To any Albertans that were affected by this tornado, my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
Didsbury tornado rated EF4, strongest Alberta twister since Edmonton's 'Black Friday'
A tornado that tore through a stretch of central Alberta farmland over the weekend was rated an EF4, with wind speeds reaching 275 km/h.
'Horrifying' rise in Alberta syphilis rates draws calls for renewed public health efforts
Of the 273 congenital syphilis cases diagnosed between 2018 and 2022, 50 were stillborn
Author of the article:Lisa Johnson
Published Jul 06, 2023 • 3 minute read
The rising rate of babies being born with syphilis in Alberta is drawing calls for a targeted public health response after being put on the backburner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest Alberta Health statistics tracking sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in 2022 show the rate of cases of congenital syphilis went to 169.1 per 100,000 live births from 152.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
That’s compared to 30.8 cases per 100,000 in 2018 — a more than fivefold increase.
Of the 273 congenital syphilis cases diagnosed between 2018 and 2022, 50 were stillborn. The report said that routine surveillance data doesn’t track miscarriages, so the total impact of congenital syphilis is likely under-estimated.
Dr. Ameeta Singh, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta, called the numbers “horrifying.”
“That’s not something we should be seeing in Canada today, nor ever,” said Singh, who practices at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Edmonton STI Clinic.
“I think that is a public health emergency, it needs to be acknowledged as such, and resources need to be put into responding to it,” said Singh, noting that would include the province putting more money into outreach, expanded access to services, and scaling up the availability of rapid testing.
Alberta’s former chief medical officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw declared a syphilis outbreak in July 2019. In August, 2021, Hinshaw said the response to COVID-19, which directed most public health resources to the pandemic response, came at the cost of “not fully working on other threats, like syphilis and opioid deaths.”
Singh said the outbreak never stopped.
“Essentially, all attention to this issue fell off during the pandemic and I think it’s time that that outbreak declaration be refreshed,” said Singh, noting that those who access prenatal care in pregnancy can get syphilis screening and preventative treatment.
In 2022, all AHS Zones reported an increase in infectious syphilis rates, but the hardest hit areas were the North Zone, with 144.1 cases per 100,000 population, and the Edmonton Zone, with 86.4 cases per 100,000 population.
Province-wide, the number of HIV cases rose by 17.2 per cent from the previous year, while chlamydia cases increased by 19.4 per cent.
David Shepherd, NDP health critic for primary and rural care, told reporters Thursday he hopes to see the government take leadership and activate public education and engagement campaigns.
“Those numbers are deeply concerning and it’s quite clear we need to take some quick, swift action to address this,” said Shepherd, pointing to the importance of culturally competent outreach and access to primary care.
“We have to be able to offer that testing, that support and treatments in an accessible way,” he said.
A mandate letter to Health Minister Adriana LaGrange outlining priorities from Premier Danielle Smith is expected to be released this month.
In a statement to Postmedia Thursday, spokesman Chris Bourdeau said Alberta Health is monitoring the rise in STIs, including syphilis, which is seeing a resurgence globally.
He said the reasons behind the rise aren’t fully known, but there are some contributing factors, including “a decrease in public perception of risk, individuals not being diagnosed in a timely manner, dating apps becoming more popular, and individuals feeling less comfortable accessing health services during the pandemic.”
Bourdeau added the government would continue to make “targeted investments to prevent infections and to provide wrap-around supports for people living with these infections.”
Singh said that while financial and human public health resources were diverted during the pandemic, homelessness, poverty and addiction also worsened.
“We need to enhance our testing and treatment, and we also need to address the root causes of what is driving this,” she said.
Singh emphasized that anyone who is sexually active outside of a mutually monogamous relationship is at risk for one or more STIs and should get tested.
“Many people will never know that they’ve been infected until they get tested.”
lijohnson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/reportrix
For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to Healthing.ca – a member of the Postmedia Network.
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Of the 273 congenital syphilis cases diagnosed between 2018 and 2022, 50 were stillborn
Author of the article:Lisa Johnson
Published Jul 06, 2023 • 3 minute read
The rising rate of babies being born with syphilis in Alberta is drawing calls for a targeted public health response after being put on the backburner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest Alberta Health statistics tracking sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in 2022 show the rate of cases of congenital syphilis went to 169.1 per 100,000 live births from 152.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
That’s compared to 30.8 cases per 100,000 in 2018 — a more than fivefold increase.
Of the 273 congenital syphilis cases diagnosed between 2018 and 2022, 50 were stillborn. The report said that routine surveillance data doesn’t track miscarriages, so the total impact of congenital syphilis is likely under-estimated.
Dr. Ameeta Singh, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta, called the numbers “horrifying.”
“That’s not something we should be seeing in Canada today, nor ever,” said Singh, who practices at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Edmonton STI Clinic.
“I think that is a public health emergency, it needs to be acknowledged as such, and resources need to be put into responding to it,” said Singh, noting that would include the province putting more money into outreach, expanded access to services, and scaling up the availability of rapid testing.
Alberta’s former chief medical officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw declared a syphilis outbreak in July 2019. In August, 2021, Hinshaw said the response to COVID-19, which directed most public health resources to the pandemic response, came at the cost of “not fully working on other threats, like syphilis and opioid deaths.”
Singh said the outbreak never stopped.
“Essentially, all attention to this issue fell off during the pandemic and I think it’s time that that outbreak declaration be refreshed,” said Singh, noting that those who access prenatal care in pregnancy can get syphilis screening and preventative treatment.
In 2022, all AHS Zones reported an increase in infectious syphilis rates, but the hardest hit areas were the North Zone, with 144.1 cases per 100,000 population, and the Edmonton Zone, with 86.4 cases per 100,000 population.
Province-wide, the number of HIV cases rose by 17.2 per cent from the previous year, while chlamydia cases increased by 19.4 per cent.
David Shepherd, NDP health critic for primary and rural care, told reporters Thursday he hopes to see the government take leadership and activate public education and engagement campaigns.
“Those numbers are deeply concerning and it’s quite clear we need to take some quick, swift action to address this,” said Shepherd, pointing to the importance of culturally competent outreach and access to primary care.
“We have to be able to offer that testing, that support and treatments in an accessible way,” he said.
A mandate letter to Health Minister Adriana LaGrange outlining priorities from Premier Danielle Smith is expected to be released this month.
In a statement to Postmedia Thursday, spokesman Chris Bourdeau said Alberta Health is monitoring the rise in STIs, including syphilis, which is seeing a resurgence globally.
He said the reasons behind the rise aren’t fully known, but there are some contributing factors, including “a decrease in public perception of risk, individuals not being diagnosed in a timely manner, dating apps becoming more popular, and individuals feeling less comfortable accessing health services during the pandemic.”
Bourdeau added the government would continue to make “targeted investments to prevent infections and to provide wrap-around supports for people living with these infections.”
Singh said that while financial and human public health resources were diverted during the pandemic, homelessness, poverty and addiction also worsened.
“We need to enhance our testing and treatment, and we also need to address the root causes of what is driving this,” she said.
Singh emphasized that anyone who is sexually active outside of a mutually monogamous relationship is at risk for one or more STIs and should get tested.
“Many people will never know that they’ve been infected until they get tested.”
lijohnson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/reportrix
For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to Healthing.ca – a member of the Postmedia Network.
STIs in 2022: emerging and re-emerging outbreaks
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries had reported low coverage for preventive, testing and treatment services related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which has led to a resurgence of STIs and the emergence of non-classical STIs globally.
'Horrifying' rise in Alberta syphilis rates draws calls for renewed public health efforts
STI rates on the rise in Alberta, drawing calls for an expanded public health response
