Councillor Kendrick Cardinal charged with impaired driving, fleeing peace officer

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Councillor Kendrick Cardinal has been charged with impaired driving, exceeding the legal alcohol limit while operating a vehicle and fleeing from a peace officer.

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Wood Buffalo RCMP and a court check confirm Cardinal was arrested on Aug. 30. Police would not comment on the details of Cardinal’s arrest because RCMP. Cardinal did not answer requests for comment.

However, Fort Chipewyan residents say Cardinal was arrested shortly after he appeared at a local protest against the opening of a liquor store.

A video posted by Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro of the Mikisew Cree First Nation to his Facebook page shows him outside the Fort Chipewyan office of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). He is joined by elders and community members from the Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation, of which Cardinal is also president, and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

Shortly after Tuccaro begins speaking, Cardinal arrives driving a quad with an unidentified person on the back.

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Much of what Cardinal yells at the crowd is not clear in the video, but he can be heard yelling “what about freedom of choice?” and “look at you, can’t even fucking… freedom of choice!” He drives away as one person yells back “go home!”

This is not Cardinal’s first legal issue since he was elected to RMWB council in October 2021. Cardinal was charged with assault on May 14, 2021 after an assault was reported to police seven days earlier. On April 3, 2022, Cardinal was charged with driving a vehicle while unauthorized.

The assault charge was dropped in October 2022 after Cardinal completed therapy every two weeks for a year in Fort McMurray. Cardinal also said he and the complainant had resolved the issue. The driving charge was also dropped after Cardinal completed a driving course.

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A video of Cardinal taking a swing at someone was widely shared on Facebook and Instagram last May, although no charges were filed after the incident. Cardinal is seen yelling “bring it on or fuck off!” while a man and woman are heard telling Cardinal to leave their property. The video ends when Cardinal lunges at someone.

An RMWB spokesperson said the organization cannot comment on Cardinal’s recent charges because the matter is now before the courts.

MCFN protests liquor store approval

Tuccaro argues it is irresponsible for the RMWB to approve a permit for the liquor store in Fort Chipewyan. Other elders and community members join him and share similar concerns. For years, community leaders have argued Fort Chipewyan faces a serious crisis of addictions, suicides and mental health issues.

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A March 2023 inquiry into a 2015 suicide of a teenage girl agreed with local leaders that Fort Chipewyan has “tragically understaffed” health, policing and educational systems, while existing social programs are making few impacts in the community.

MCFN partnered with Wood Buffalo RCMP and passed a banishment law against people found to be selling drugs one month before the inquiry.

A municipal spokesperson confirmed a permit for a liquor store has been approved, but also acknowledged the concerns made by MCFN and some Fort Chipewyan residents.

All residents of the Fort Chipewyan area were told of the application, going beyond the standard practice of contacting addresses within 100 metres of a proposed development. Engagement and feedback periods were also broadened and extended.

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The proposal was not popular with everyone, but the permit was approved when it was found it did not go against any regulations or policies. The business, however, will be restricted to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A municipal spokesperson said the development officer is must follow the regulations and planning policies of the Municipal Governance Act and the Land-Use Bylaw. Residents were told details of the RMWB’s appeal process.

“We acknowledge and respect the community’s right to peacefully assemble and express their views. We remain in contact with MCFN and community leadership regarding this development permit,” said a statement from the RMWB.

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vmcdermott@postmedia.com

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