There is actually a bit of seed faith about it considering when the fire began and when it was still burning.
Fort McMurray under seige...
- Thread starter Nick Danger
- Start date
Syrian refugee turned Calgary entrepreneur receives award for helping with Fort McMurray relief
By Ryan Rumbolt
First posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 07:27 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, October 23, 2016 08:43 PM EDT
She is setting the bar for Syrian refugees in Calgary through hard work and helping Albertans along the way.
Rita Khanchet Kallas came to Canada in 2015 with her husband and son as part of the first groups of Syrian refugees to arrive in Calgary. In only 10 months, Kallas has opened her own business and has selflessly helped other Albertans in their time of need.
Kallas was awarded the People's Choice Peace and Human Rights Award - Home on Saturday for mobilizing Calgary's Syrian newcomers to assist victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires, and became the first Syrian refugee in Calgary to acquire a business license.
"When I received this award it means a lot for me and for all the Syrian newcomers," Kallas said. "Because we really want to say that we are here because we really want to be a good member of this community."
Kallas said refugees come to Canada with "a lot of hurt in our soul" and she was motivated to help the people of Fort McMurray because Syrian refugees "went through the same thing."
"They lost everything in one minute, and we lost everything in one minute," Kallas said. "We know how hard it is to lose everything. When we heard about them…we wanted to give back to Canada."
Kallas rallied the refugee community to donate to the Fort McMurray relief efforts and prepared hampers full of food and essential supplies for people who had to be evacuated. Kallas said her son even donated some of his toys and books that he had just received through charitable donations.
The winner of the Peace and Human Rights Award is selected by a small, diverse committee of human rights advocates and people "inspired by the vision of a global community," the committee said in a statement.
The selection committee said that Kallas' "dauntless spirit and passion for human rights" made her a clear choice for the 2016 People's Choice Award.
"What Rita did is very challenging, especially with us newcomers," Sam Nammoura with the Syrian Refugee Support Group Calgary - main (SRSGC) said.
Saima Jamal with the SRSGC said Kallas is an "exceptional" person, working at the grassroots level with no funding to help organize assistance for those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires, and did it all "without the help of any big organizations."
"The whole point of the award is it’s the people’s choice – we wanted to choose someone for this award who is doing things that don’t get recognized."
With the help of the Calgary Syrian Refugee Support Group (CSRSG), Kallas started a catering business, Syrian Cuisine made with Love. Nammoura said Kallas' story has been an example of what Syrian refugees can accomplish in Calgary.
"Instead of whining and crying and complaining about her life and how difficult it is, (Rita) really stood among the crowd and started a business that inspired a lot of other (Syrian) women," Nammoura said.
Syrian refugee turned Calgary entrepreneur receives award for helping with Fort
By Ryan Rumbolt
First posted: Sunday, October 23, 2016 07:27 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, October 23, 2016 08:43 PM EDT
She is setting the bar for Syrian refugees in Calgary through hard work and helping Albertans along the way.
Rita Khanchet Kallas came to Canada in 2015 with her husband and son as part of the first groups of Syrian refugees to arrive in Calgary. In only 10 months, Kallas has opened her own business and has selflessly helped other Albertans in their time of need.
Kallas was awarded the People's Choice Peace and Human Rights Award - Home on Saturday for mobilizing Calgary's Syrian newcomers to assist victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires, and became the first Syrian refugee in Calgary to acquire a business license.
"When I received this award it means a lot for me and for all the Syrian newcomers," Kallas said. "Because we really want to say that we are here because we really want to be a good member of this community."
Kallas said refugees come to Canada with "a lot of hurt in our soul" and she was motivated to help the people of Fort McMurray because Syrian refugees "went through the same thing."
"They lost everything in one minute, and we lost everything in one minute," Kallas said. "We know how hard it is to lose everything. When we heard about them…we wanted to give back to Canada."
Kallas rallied the refugee community to donate to the Fort McMurray relief efforts and prepared hampers full of food and essential supplies for people who had to be evacuated. Kallas said her son even donated some of his toys and books that he had just received through charitable donations.
The winner of the Peace and Human Rights Award is selected by a small, diverse committee of human rights advocates and people "inspired by the vision of a global community," the committee said in a statement.
The selection committee said that Kallas' "dauntless spirit and passion for human rights" made her a clear choice for the 2016 People's Choice Award.
"What Rita did is very challenging, especially with us newcomers," Sam Nammoura with the Syrian Refugee Support Group Calgary - main (SRSGC) said.
Saima Jamal with the SRSGC said Kallas is an "exceptional" person, working at the grassroots level with no funding to help organize assistance for those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires, and did it all "without the help of any big organizations."
"The whole point of the award is it’s the people’s choice – we wanted to choose someone for this award who is doing things that don’t get recognized."
With the help of the Calgary Syrian Refugee Support Group (CSRSG), Kallas started a catering business, Syrian Cuisine made with Love. Nammoura said Kallas' story has been an example of what Syrian refugees can accomplish in Calgary.
"Instead of whining and crying and complaining about her life and how difficult it is, (Rita) really stood among the crowd and started a business that inspired a lot of other (Syrian) women," Nammoura said.
Syrian refugee turned Calgary entrepreneur receives award for helping with Fort
Re: Fort McMurray fire a carbon catastrophe
May 5-7, 2016 A.D. should've been the Three Days of Darkness; it seems that they might have been moved to November 24-26, 2016 A.D.
Something like that has happened, though.
May 5-7, 2016 A.D. should've been the Three Days of Darkness; it seems that they might have been moved to November 24-26, 2016 A.D.
Ezra Levant 
Verified account @ezralevant I did not expect this lovely letter in the mail from @RachelNotley! Credit goes to our 1,000+ donors who made it happen! #ableg #cdnpoli
This is my final analysis as regards the Three Days of Darkness :
http://risen-from-the-dead.forumotion.com/t323-pop-up-message-preceding-november-27-2016-a-d
It still seems to me, though, that Canada got the brunt of it.
I, for one, am thankful it wasn't worse.
http://risen-from-the-dead.forumotion.com/t323-pop-up-message-preceding-november-27-2016-a-d
It still seems to me, though, that Canada got the brunt of it.
I, for one, am thankful it wasn't worse.
The Beast finally out: Fort McMurray wildfire deemed extinguished 15 months later
The Canadian Press
First posted: Thursday, August 31, 2017 09:26 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 01, 2017 12:16 PM EDT
FORT MCMURRAY — A wildfire that forced 80,000 people in northern Alberta to flee more than a year ago has finally been extinguished.
Wildfire information officer Lynn Daina says the Horse River fire that started on May 1, 2016, and destroyed more than 2,400 buildings in Fort McMurray and area was deemed officially out on Aug. 2.
She says they had to wait for winter to be over to see if any smoke or heat remained from the massive fire, dubbed "The Beast" because it was so fierce and unpredictable.
Daina says they also used advanced heat detectors from helicopters to ensure there were no remaining hot spots coming from the ground.
Wildfire crews will continue to monitor all areas.
The fire spread into Saskatchewan and burned nearly 6,000 square kilometres in total.
"With a fire that size it takes time to make sure it is fully extinguished, so we wait for a winter's worth of snow and then in the summer we check to see if any smoke pops up and if not we use advanced heat detectors from helicopters and make sure there is no remaining heat," Daina said.
"Once we determine there is no remaining heat left on the fire, we determine it is extinguished and out."
The fire caused an estimated $3.8 billion in insured damage.
The Beast finally out: Fort McMurray wildfire deemed extinguished 15 months late
The Canadian Press
First posted: Thursday, August 31, 2017 09:26 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 01, 2017 12:16 PM EDT
FORT MCMURRAY — A wildfire that forced 80,000 people in northern Alberta to flee more than a year ago has finally been extinguished.
Wildfire information officer Lynn Daina says the Horse River fire that started on May 1, 2016, and destroyed more than 2,400 buildings in Fort McMurray and area was deemed officially out on Aug. 2.
She says they had to wait for winter to be over to see if any smoke or heat remained from the massive fire, dubbed "The Beast" because it was so fierce and unpredictable.
Daina says they also used advanced heat detectors from helicopters to ensure there were no remaining hot spots coming from the ground.
Wildfire crews will continue to monitor all areas.
The fire spread into Saskatchewan and burned nearly 6,000 square kilometres in total.
"With a fire that size it takes time to make sure it is fully extinguished, so we wait for a winter's worth of snow and then in the summer we check to see if any smoke pops up and if not we use advanced heat detectors from helicopters and make sure there is no remaining heat," Daina said.
"Once we determine there is no remaining heat left on the fire, we determine it is extinguished and out."
The fire caused an estimated $3.8 billion in insured damage.
The Beast finally out: Fort McMurray wildfire deemed extinguished 15 months late
HOW ABOUT IT, BUB: Wolverine fans hoping for a statue in Fort McMurray
Canadian Press
More from Canadian Press
Published:
December 24, 2017
Updated:
December 24, 2017 12:53 PM EST
This publicity photo released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine in a scene from the film, "The Wolverine."Ben Rothstein / AP
A raging wildfire known as “The Beast” forced all of Fort McMurray’s 80,000 residents to flee in 2016 and now comic-book fans are lobbying for a statue of another beast to be built as a tribute to the Alberta city’s resiliency.
Wolverine is a fictional character who according to Marvel Comics lore hails from northern Alberta. He’s a mutant with super-human senses and the power to heal from almost any wound.
“I actually think it’s a really cool idea,” said Ashley Laurenson, manager of Nerdvana Collectible, Comics and Hobby in Fort McMurray.
“He’s as tough as nails, from northern Alberta, and can regenerate after taking massive amounts of damage. He seems like a fitting tribute for sure.”
Laurenson, her boyfriend and their very “distraught cat” were forced to leave when the fire ravaged parts of the city.
She said the comic-book store can’t keep Wolverine comics and graphic novels on the shelf for long.
“Fort McMurray has a lot more of a nerdy base of people than a lot of people realize. We’ve got a lot of closet nerds up here,” Laurenson said.
“Some people might think it’s a silly idea, but I know hundreds of people that I’ve talked to in the town who are super-keen to have a Wolverine statue.”
Marvel Comics’ Wolverine superhero. (Photo courtesy of Marvel Comics.)
The idea began as a joke when the city of Edmonton was debating whether to help fund a new arena for the National Hockey League Oilers. Resident Brian LaBelle started a petition calling for a Wolverine statue to be built as a way to revitalize the downtown.
His friend Sameer Singh picked up the torch and has set up an Indiegogo page to raise the $85,000 required to build a bronze statue of Wolverine in Fort McMurray.
“When the wildfires … happened last year it had seemed like putting a statue of Wolverine up there seemed like a good way to give back to the community in a way that was beyond just donating to the Red Cross,” said Singh.
“Fort McMurray is definitely northern Alberta. Wolverines — the actual animals — live in northern Alberta and there’s even a Wolverine Drive in Fort McMurray.
“It just sort of all came together in a vision of let’s do something really cool and unique and give back to a community that could use a helping hand.”
LaBelle said it’s not as if famous mascots are anything new and Wolverine could help draw visitors to the northern city.
“There’s the statue of Captain America in the Brooklyn Zoo, a Hulk statue at the Chicago library and a Robocop statue being built in Detroit,” he said.
“I’m sure if there were people in town coming for the Edmonton comic expo or even the Calgary expo, it might be a fun little side trip and see part of Alberta.”
Alberta’s tourism minister likes the idea.
“It’s not surprising that Wolverine’s hometown is Fort McMurray — they are both tough as nails. The people of the Wood Buffalo region have inspired us with the same indomitable spirit and almost superhuman ability to recover from adversity, that they share with their alter ego,” said Ricardo Miranda.
“I look forward to the community’s decision on the project.”
The campaign came as a surprise to Fort McMurray’s mayor.
“Nobody has told me about a Wolverine statue until now. I thought I’d heard about everything,” said Mayor Don Scott.
“My council colleagues, would be pretty keen on seeing exactly what the plan is. There’s a lot of rules … about what’s on roadways and where things are placed, so I’d have to see the overall plan before I could really comment on it.”
Singh acknowledges getting the statue completed could take a while and he would still need permission from Marvel to display Wolverine.
Neither actor Hugh Jackman, who plays the Wolverine character in the X-Men movies, nor representatives from Marvel responded to a request for comment.
An attempt to have a statue of the comic character Deadpool in Regina last year failed. The character, played by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, claimed to be from the Saskatchewan capital during the movie.
[youtube]moX2zKC5JBg[/youtube]
http://indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-build-a-wolverine-statue-in-fort-mcmurray-art-comics
HOW ABOUT IT, BUB: Wolverine fans hoping for a statue in Fort McMurray | Toronto Sun
Canadian Press
More from Canadian Press
Published:
December 24, 2017
Updated:
December 24, 2017 12:53 PM EST
This publicity photo released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine in a scene from the film, "The Wolverine."Ben Rothstein / AP
A raging wildfire known as “The Beast” forced all of Fort McMurray’s 80,000 residents to flee in 2016 and now comic-book fans are lobbying for a statue of another beast to be built as a tribute to the Alberta city’s resiliency.
Wolverine is a fictional character who according to Marvel Comics lore hails from northern Alberta. He’s a mutant with super-human senses and the power to heal from almost any wound.
“I actually think it’s a really cool idea,” said Ashley Laurenson, manager of Nerdvana Collectible, Comics and Hobby in Fort McMurray.
“He’s as tough as nails, from northern Alberta, and can regenerate after taking massive amounts of damage. He seems like a fitting tribute for sure.”
Laurenson, her boyfriend and their very “distraught cat” were forced to leave when the fire ravaged parts of the city.
She said the comic-book store can’t keep Wolverine comics and graphic novels on the shelf for long.
“Fort McMurray has a lot more of a nerdy base of people than a lot of people realize. We’ve got a lot of closet nerds up here,” Laurenson said.
“Some people might think it’s a silly idea, but I know hundreds of people that I’ve talked to in the town who are super-keen to have a Wolverine statue.”
Marvel Comics’ Wolverine superhero. (Photo courtesy of Marvel Comics.)
The idea began as a joke when the city of Edmonton was debating whether to help fund a new arena for the National Hockey League Oilers. Resident Brian LaBelle started a petition calling for a Wolverine statue to be built as a way to revitalize the downtown.
His friend Sameer Singh picked up the torch and has set up an Indiegogo page to raise the $85,000 required to build a bronze statue of Wolverine in Fort McMurray.
“When the wildfires … happened last year it had seemed like putting a statue of Wolverine up there seemed like a good way to give back to the community in a way that was beyond just donating to the Red Cross,” said Singh.
“Fort McMurray is definitely northern Alberta. Wolverines — the actual animals — live in northern Alberta and there’s even a Wolverine Drive in Fort McMurray.
“It just sort of all came together in a vision of let’s do something really cool and unique and give back to a community that could use a helping hand.”
LaBelle said it’s not as if famous mascots are anything new and Wolverine could help draw visitors to the northern city.
“There’s the statue of Captain America in the Brooklyn Zoo, a Hulk statue at the Chicago library and a Robocop statue being built in Detroit,” he said.
“I’m sure if there were people in town coming for the Edmonton comic expo or even the Calgary expo, it might be a fun little side trip and see part of Alberta.”
Alberta’s tourism minister likes the idea.
“It’s not surprising that Wolverine’s hometown is Fort McMurray — they are both tough as nails. The people of the Wood Buffalo region have inspired us with the same indomitable spirit and almost superhuman ability to recover from adversity, that they share with their alter ego,” said Ricardo Miranda.
“I look forward to the community’s decision on the project.”
The campaign came as a surprise to Fort McMurray’s mayor.
“Nobody has told me about a Wolverine statue until now. I thought I’d heard about everything,” said Mayor Don Scott.
“My council colleagues, would be pretty keen on seeing exactly what the plan is. There’s a lot of rules … about what’s on roadways and where things are placed, so I’d have to see the overall plan before I could really comment on it.”
Singh acknowledges getting the statue completed could take a while and he would still need permission from Marvel to display Wolverine.
Neither actor Hugh Jackman, who plays the Wolverine character in the X-Men movies, nor representatives from Marvel responded to a request for comment.
An attempt to have a statue of the comic character Deadpool in Regina last year failed. The character, played by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, claimed to be from the Saskatchewan capital during the movie.
[youtube]moX2zKC5JBg[/youtube]
http://indiegogo.com/projects/let-s-build-a-wolverine-statue-in-fort-mcmurray-art-comics
HOW ABOUT IT, BUB: Wolverine fans hoping for a statue in Fort McMurray | Toronto Sun
Walmart fined $20K for selling contaminated food after Fort McMurray wildfire
Canadian Press
Published:
October 1, 2018
Updated:
October 1, 2018 3:11 PM EDT
Walmart Canada has been ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 for selling contaminated food after the 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta.Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press / Files
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Walmart Canada has been ordered to pay a $20,000 fine for selling contaminated food after a devastating wildfire in northern Alberta two years ago.
Some of the charges against Walmart included failing to dispose of food items — including candy, potato chips, beans and condiments — after the Fort McMurray fire in May 2016.
An agreed statement of facts presented in Fort McMurray provincial court shows there were originally 174 charges, but that number was reduced to 10.
Walmart Canada and loss prevention manager Darren Kenyon were each fined $2,000 per offence.
In a statement, Walmart Canada spokesman Rob Nichol says the company didn’t adequately carry out an order from Alberta Health Services.
The health authority said food exposed to wildfires could be damaged by unsafe temperatures, smoke, ash, soot, fire retardants, water and loss of power.
Nichol says Walmart has learned from the experience and will be better able to respond in future crises.
“Food safety and the safety of our customers is our top priority,” said the statement released Monday. “As part of our commitment, Walmart has recently made a donation to the Red Cross to support ongoing disaster preparedness, relief and recovery operations.”
Nichol says the $130,000 donation to the Fort McMurray Red Cross was made Sept. 20.
Crown prosecutor Ivan Bernardo said he believes the fines will deter other operators from committing a similar offence.
The huge fire forced more than 80,000 people to flee the city. Residents were not allowed to return to the damaged community until June.
http://torontosun.com/news/national...ontaminated-food-after-fort-mcmurray-wildfire
Canadian Press
Published:
October 1, 2018
Updated:
October 1, 2018 3:11 PM EDT
Walmart Canada has been ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 for selling contaminated food after the 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta.Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press / Files
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Walmart Canada has been ordered to pay a $20,000 fine for selling contaminated food after a devastating wildfire in northern Alberta two years ago.
Some of the charges against Walmart included failing to dispose of food items — including candy, potato chips, beans and condiments — after the Fort McMurray fire in May 2016.
An agreed statement of facts presented in Fort McMurray provincial court shows there were originally 174 charges, but that number was reduced to 10.
Walmart Canada and loss prevention manager Darren Kenyon were each fined $2,000 per offence.
In a statement, Walmart Canada spokesman Rob Nichol says the company didn’t adequately carry out an order from Alberta Health Services.
The health authority said food exposed to wildfires could be damaged by unsafe temperatures, smoke, ash, soot, fire retardants, water and loss of power.
Nichol says Walmart has learned from the experience and will be better able to respond in future crises.
“Food safety and the safety of our customers is our top priority,” said the statement released Monday. “As part of our commitment, Walmart has recently made a donation to the Red Cross to support ongoing disaster preparedness, relief and recovery operations.”
Nichol says the $130,000 donation to the Fort McMurray Red Cross was made Sept. 20.
Crown prosecutor Ivan Bernardo said he believes the fines will deter other operators from committing a similar offence.
The huge fire forced more than 80,000 people to flee the city. Residents were not allowed to return to the damaged community until June.
http://torontosun.com/news/national...ontaminated-food-after-fort-mcmurray-wildfire