Weekly update: Bowman runs for second mayoral term, hundreds rally for CUPE

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Happy Friday, Fort McMurray!

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• Fall Trade Show: Hundreds of vendors gather at MacDonald Island Park from Sept. 27 to 29. This includes small and local businesses, artisans, breweries, distilleries, artists, clothing, food, furniture and more. Information.
• Ukrainian Culture Day: The Fort McMurray Ukrainian Cultural Society hosts an afternoon of Ukrainian food, dance, music and crafts. All are welcome to this free event. Noon to 4 p.m., with free beginner dance workshop at 1 p.m. and a performance from the Avrora Dancers at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at St. Paul Catholic Church.
• NorthWord Magazine launces 30th issue: With the theme of metamorphosis, Fort McMurray’s literary publication celebrates 15 years during Alberta’s month-long Culture Days celebration. This issue is guest edited by Sundas Shamshad, treasurer of the Northern Canada Collective Society of Writers (NCCSW). Sept. 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort McMurray International Airport in the Level 3 Observation Area. This is a free event. Information.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: The gathering will begin at Kiyam Community Park with an opening prayer, raising of the Survivors’ flag and a brief address followed by a walk along a designated loop downtown. Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. Information.
• Fort McMurray Aurora Handbell Ringers: Fort McMurray’s only handbell choir is recruiting adults. The choir meets once a week starting in October. Whether you are a beginner or have played before, there is a spot for everyone in a club promising a great atmosphere to meet people and work together to create beautiful music. Contact the music director at 780-715-8570 for more information.
• State of the Region Tech Talk: The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) presents a talk featuring Brian Jean, Alberta’s energy and minerals minister and the UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche. Jean will discuss the vital role the oilsands plays regionally, provincially and nationally. He will also share his vision of the industry’s future and outline key regional priorities. Oct. 3 at the Royal Canadian Legion from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Information and reservations.
• Halloween Costume Sale: With Halloween approaching, Fort McMurray’s arts and theatre organizations have a collection of interesting costumes and props they’re willing to sell. Oct. 5 at King Street Theatre (9803 King Street) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information.
• Oktoberfest: Celebrate with music, pretzels and beers at the Fort McMurray Heritage Society. Family-friendly event from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Adult event 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Oct. 5. Information.
• CIBC Run for the Cure: The CIBC Run for the Cure returns to Doug Barnes Cabin. Take a 1km walk or 5km run around the beautiful Birchwood Trails while running for the Canadian Cancer Society. Information.
• Royal Tusk live at Il.ove Tattoo Music Hall: 7 p.m. on Oct. 12. Tickets.
• Council’s Excellence Awards: Nominations for outstanding people, community champions, young achievers and real-life heroes are open until Oct. 14.
• Boo’s and Brews Scavenger Hunt and Beer Tasting: Oct. 18 at the Fort McMurray Golf Club at 6 p.m. Tickets.
• The Haunting of Fort McMurray: The Wood Buffalo Food Bank promises a fright like no other with their haunted house. Rave in the Grave dance party is Oct. 26. Haunted house runs Oct 18-20, 25-27, 30. Times and tickets.
• Kenny vs. Spenny Live: In a rare instance of Fort McMurray importing a crude product, the “best friends” who became famous for torturing each other on national television bring their 20th anniversary tour to Fort McMurray. Oct. 19 at Quality Hotel Ballroom from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets.
• The Trews live at Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre: For anyone “tired of waiting,” The Trews return to Fort McMurray after concerns about lightning cancelled their outdoor show last year at Snye Point Park. Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets.
• Halloween Thriller: Fort McMurray’s biggest Halloween dance party returns to the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre on Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets.
• April Wine headlines Back to the 80s: April Wine featuring Queen tribute band Queen Flash and Guns & Roses tribute band Nightrain. Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. at Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre. Tickets.
• Brett Kissel live at Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre: Alberta country music star Brett Kissel returns to Fort McMurray for two nights. Tickets go online at the casino on Monday at 10 a.m. Shows are Nov. 15 and 16
• Wood Buffalo Regional Library hosts all-ages weekly events.
• MacDonald Island Park updates its website with upcoming events and programs.
• Wood Buffalo Volunteers has volunteer opportunities for different causes and non-profits across Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.
• Obituaries: Obituaries, memorial notices and sympathy announcements can be uploaded and read online.

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Mayor Sandy Bowman announces reelection plans for mayor

Mayor Sandy Bowman is running for a second term as mayor in next year’s election. Bowman is about to finish his first term as mayor of the RMWB, and is the first person to announce publicly his plans to be on next October’s ballot.

Bowman said in an interview he is happy with what council has accomplished during the past three years, but there are still plenty of projects and ideas he hopes to steward during a second term.

Some of these long-term projects include finishing flood mitigation construction, developing downtown and the waterfront, fighting for an aging in place facility, and bringing gas and electric fees in line with what people pay in other Alberta cities.

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A major victory for Bowman since he was elected to council in 2021 has been the return of a local EMS dispatch service to Fort McMurray. This ends a dispute that began when the province announced in 2020 that EMS dispatch would be run from centralized hubs in Edmonton, Calgary and Peace River.

“There’s a lot of things I still want to get done,” said Bowman. “There’s also a lot of positive things going on.

The next municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025.

Hundreds rally to support Fort McMurray education workers, school support staff

Hundreds of people rallied in Fort McMurray for an “Education Day of Action” as school staff, parents and allies in other labour groups protested crowded classrooms, understaffed schools, and low wages among educational assistants and school support staff.

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Speakers and protesters at the Fort McMurray rally were also angry the Alberta government stopped staff from striking on Sept. 17. They now have until Oct. 17 to reach a deal, or a strike will begin with 72-hour notice. No one at the rally had confidence a deal will be reached.

Tina Thurston, an EA at Ecole McTavish, said her school has classrooms with up to 42 students. Jan Hiscock, another EA at the same school, said every parent she has spoken with has sided with the workers.

“Classrooms are very crowded and a lot of children are falling through the cracks,” said Alison Johnson, an EA at Father Beauregard School. “It’s not the fault of any teacher or EA, we’ve been doing the best we can with what we have.”

Mayor Sandy Bowman offered his support to the protesters. Councillor Funky Banjoko also attended the rally.

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CUPE Local 2559 members, which represents Catholic school staff, have not received a raise since 2015 and are paid less than their public system counterparts. CUPE Local 2545, which represents public system staff, say their last wage increase was a 1.25 per cent boost in 2020.

The strike would have impacted 1,065 educational assistants, librarians, administrative and maintenance staff, and custodians. Leaders with both CUPE locals say 98.6 per cent of a combined 866 members voted in favour of striking.

Second time’s a charm as RMWB holds Northside Twin Arena groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Northside Twin Arena project showed construction has, 10 years and eight days after the first groundbreaking ceremony, started on the long-awaited project. The two ice rinks are expected to open in Abraham’s Landing in Fall 2026.

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But once built, political and recreation leaders in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo hope the $50-million, 6,420-square-metre arena will offer relief for much-demanded ice time in the community.

Each rink will have 300 seats. The building will have 10 change rooms and two referee rooms, 250 parking spots and a concession area.

Council unanimously approved resurrecting the project in July 2023 after Councillor Ken Ball proposed resuming construction on the project.

The Northside Twin Arena has a history of uncertainty and bad timing. The plan was to build a $193-million complex with a library, pool, bowling alley, fitness centre, skate park and studios. Council approved the project in July 2014 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in September.

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Council shrank the design down to the two skating rinks and a parking lot in April 2016. The project was shelved in July 2016 so council and municipal staff could focus on rebuilding after the 2016 Horse River Wildfire.

Calgary woman sets course record as winner of the Fort McMurray Marathon

A Calgary woman won the Fort McMurray Marathon by setting a course record this past weekend.

Lindsay Winter crossed the finish line with a time of 2:51:36. Serhii Stepko, who won last year’s marathon, finished this year with a time of 3:16:06. Winter was originally in Fort McMurray for work with Inter Pipeline, which is also the marathon’s main sponsor. In a brief interview after her win, Winter said it was “pretty awesome” to be the first woman to win the Fort McMurray Marathon.

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“It’s such a beautiful course,” she said, adding her victory was also a personal best. “It’s just really fun to be out here and support the community.”

This year saw 780 runners compete in the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, 3K and fun run on Sept. 22. Runners also raised $27,172.88 for 21 charities active in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo through the Run for a Reason program.

Chief Vern Janvier found not guilty of sexual assault, breach of trust

Chief Vern Janvier of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation has been found not guilty of sexual assault and breach of trust. An extortion charge was dropped by the Crown.

Janvier argued four of the sexual assault allegations against him were consensual. He denied any sexual activity or assault had happened in two other instances. The complainant cannot be identified under a publication ban.

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“I accept Mr. Janvier’s evidence that there was consensual sexual activity” with the complainant in those four incidents, said Justice Michael Kraus of the Fort McMurray Court of King’s Bench in his Sept. 20 verdict.

He called Janvier’s evidence “logical and plausible,” and found the Crown had not proven any assault had happened in the remaining two instances.

Kraus noted the complainant contradicted herself or forgot key details during the trial, a pretrial hearing and in statements to police. He also said a Crown witness contradicted her and could not confirm the complainant’s version of events.

Wood Buffalo RCMP began investigating Janvier in February 2022 after receiving a complaint about numerous sexual assaults that had started around 2007. Police charged Janvier in June 2022.

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