(Photo supplied.

Update...9:45 am

The investigation continues into what sparked a devastating fire at the Parsons Landing apartment building in Timberlea late Sunday night.

Affected residents are urged to register with Emergency Social Services at Ecole McTavish at 352 Parsons Creek Drive.

However, both the municipality at the school's principal Scott Barr say they are currently not in need of any donations from the public.

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Multiple Timberlea residents have been left homeless after a massive fire ripped through an apartment building late last night.

Firefighters were called to Parsons Landing, located at 350 Parsons Creek Drive around 11:30 last night.

Adam Schedlosky with the Wood Buffalo RCMP says the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, as the ongoing investigation may last days.

Schedlosky also says there have been no reports of injuries, adding that some of the residents evacuated from nearby homes have been allowed to return.

Residents also reported hearing multiple explosions, Schedlosky says that was the result of the several vehicles catching fire and their fuel tanks and tires exploding.

(Photo supplied.

Those left homeless have been given shelter at Ecole McTavish Junior High School.

There are a total of 160 units at Parsons Landing.

Firefighters are currently battling a massive apartment fire in Timberlea.

The blaze has engulfed several units at building complex located at 350 Parsons Creek Drive.

Mix News is on the scene and has been told by RCMP that there are no reported injuries.

Evacuees of the apartments are being looked after inside Ecole McTavish High School. 

Witnesses say they heard several loud explosions and there are reports that residents felt their homes shake.

At this point there is no word on the cause or how long the fire may take to extinguish.

Mix News will provide more details as they are made available.

Fort McMurray's only safe haven  for battered women is bursting at the seams, as demand for shelter space is outpacing the centre's supply.

But the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society has drafted the blueprints for the first phase of a $50 million expansion and expect to break ground on their new affordable housing unit this Spring.

Director of Communications and Fund Development, Paul McWilliams says Unity House has struggled to meet the incredible need for their services in Fort McMurray.

"The last thing we ever want to do is have to go say 'no, there's nothing available for you', but the reality of the situation is that your limited by the space you have availible and your capacity and we want to make sure that doesn't become a barrier. Any woman, or any child or any  senior that needs our services, we need to be able to provide for them," said McWilliams.

The $28 million  first phase will see the centre for battered women expand from a mere 36 beds to nearly 130.

While the second phase, slated for construction in two years time, will add 100 beds to their shelter capacity.

Alberta's jobless rate remains the lowest in the country.

Statistics Canada says unemployment was 4.9 per cent in January, unchanged from December.

Nationally, the rate slipped slightly to 7.6 per cent, as more Canadians sought out work.

Alberta also led Canada in job creation over the past 12 months, adding 80,000 positions.

 (Syncrude tailings pond.)

Described as "world class" a new joint-approach to oil sands environmental monitoring will begin this Spring.

The Canadian and Alberta governments unveiling details on the long-awaited plan this afternoon.

It commits to a scientifically rigorous, comprehensive, integrated and transparent program, starting with increase in sampling frequency, parameters and locations.

Data from the new monitoring program will also be made public.

Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent  says the strategy will transform the regulatory landscape of northern Alberta.

"Today we are launching one of the most transparent and accountable oil sands monitoring system in the world. These scientific reports will be posted on our web page for the world to see. We challenge others in the international oil producing community to match Canada's commitment to environmental monitoring, " said Kent.    

Implementation of the monitoring program will be jointly managed by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.

Annual progress reports on implementation will be prepared for the first three years, with an external scientific peer review of the program and the end of the third year.

The plan is anticipated to cost $50 million annually.

(Participants of the Community Image Summit 2.0 ponder discussion topics. Photo courtesy of Sean McLennan of Keyano College.)

Is Fort McMurray taking the right approach to combating negative outside perceptions?

Or are we too defensive to begin with?

Those were two of the questions addressed yesterday at the Community Image Summit 2.0, hosted by Keyano College.

Ken Chapman, executive director of the Oil Sands Developers Group, helped lead the symposium.

"The world is watching us. They're watching us in terms of the business and the investment and the resource. They're watching us in terms of the environmental responsibility and the stewardship element. But now they're all going to start watching us in terms of the social element too, and the diversity of this place is outstanding, but not a story that we are telling," said Chapman.

Around 80 people from all sectors of the community attended the event.

Chapman says Fort McMurray's true story must be told with authenticity and transparency.

"This is a potential to develop a 21st century society for the planet, this is the petri dish where that grows," said Chapman.

Topics of discussion yesterday included what is Fort McMurray's icon? And should the community consider a name change?

Heavy loads will be kept off the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road for safety reasons this weekend.

The northern route will be closed to traffic over 5,000 kilograms Friday and Saturday, as the temperature is expected to rise as high as +2.

Loads under 5,000 kilos are still permitted on the route.

Motorists are reminded that cell phone coverage is very limited and are encouraged to be prepared to emergency situations.

(Northern Lights above Fort McMurray)

You can expect many sequels to the awe inspiring Northern Lights shows of last week.

Solar storms are entering  a new 11 year cycle which will have magnificent auroral light shows coming to Earth on a monthly basis for the next year or two.

Ian Mann, Canada Research Chair in Space Physics at the University of Alberta says the source of the lights can be traced  93 million miles back to the Sun.

"So the energy that's causing these beautiful displays of dancing lights originates from either strong gusts of wind, solar wind that blows out past all of the planets in the solar system, or more extreme displays of the northern lights, from large explosions on the Sun, " said Mann.

Forecasts for northern lights and other solar activity are available at the university's website,  aurorawatch.ca

As the temperature falls, preparations for Fort McMurray's Winterplay festival are heating up.

This year's line-up includes award-winning musicians, comedy acts, burlesque performances and a Multi-Cultural Expo.

Events Wood Buffalo Executive Director, David Whitelock says the festival helps locals survive sometimes brutally frigid months.

"Many people perhaps don't embrace the wonderful environment we have outside and this is a way of getting people to come out and engage themselves with the elements, to meet and greet and have fun, there's lots of family friendly events in there and with this particular Winterplay Festival being my first  I've also tried to represent the diversity of Wood Buffalo," said Whitelock.

Seasonal sporting events dominate the festival roster, with a polar bear dip, a shoot-out on the Snye,  a sno-pitch tournament and a sno-drifters poker rally.

Following the opening ceremonies on the 14th, three-time juno award winning pop-rock band Down with Webster and britain's breaking dancing crew, Champloo will be among the first to take the stage.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit MacDonaldIsland.ca

A pending announcement could change the regulatory landscape of northern Alberta.

The Federal and Provincial government are slated to unveil an oil sands monitoring strategy.

After two years of delay and months of negotiations, international outcry over industry projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline have increased the pressure on lawmakers to draft a joint-policy on the regulation of land, air, water and wildlife in our region.

While dozens of academic studies and scientific papers have long highlighted the need for a world-class, monitoring system based on reliable data, independent of industry interference.

Minister of Alberta Environment and Water, Diana McQueen and Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent will make the announcement from the University of Alberta at 1:00pm, Friday.

Mix News will keep you updated as this story evolves.

A plummet in production resulting in a steep drop off for profits at Syncrude.

Canadian Oil Sands, the company's largest stakeholder, reporting that an outage at its main hydrogen unit reduced oil sands output by millions of barrels in the fourth quarter.

Production averaged 252,000 barrels per day, compared to 316,000 bpd in 2010.

That caused earnings to fall 60 per cent from $575 million in 2010 to $232 million in the final three months of last year.

Syncrude is targeting a seven per cent increase in oil sands output this year.

A tour of cutting edge architecture in the United States is helping to put plans for a proposed expansion at MacDonald Island Park into focus.

Mac Island board members and municipal representatives toured projects designed by 360 Architecture, the firm tendered for the design of the multi-million dollar project.

Councillor Sheldon Germain says their visit to Kansas City and Columbus last week is helping officials in drafting a blue print for the local development.

"When we went down there it was really valuable because we spent two days of looking at Columbus hockey arenas, stadiums, soccer stadiums, baseball diamonds, so when we went in to do our design work really had in our mind's eye for what we're trying to create and the atmosphere were trying to create," said Germain.

The outdoor expansion would see the addition of an outdoor baseball stadium, an events stadium and room for dozens of not-for profit groups.

360 Architecture is behind dozens of leading design project's across the globe including Miami Heat's home arena and the New York Jets locker room.

Although few Fort McMurray criminals are sporting gang colours, organized crime is prevalent in our region according to a leading law enforcement official.

 Sergeant Irv Heide of Wood Buffalo branch of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team says investigators are keeping a watchful eye for increased organized crime. 

" It doesn't just affect them, there's spin off crimes, for example drug trafficking is one of the most prevalent commodities, if you will, for any organized crime group, when you have an abundance of drug users, a user is motivated by addiction, and when you have that addiction, that person is willing to commit other crimes to satisfy their needs, to get their money, to get their fix," said Heide.

Heide says most the criminal activity in Fort McMurray is driven by the demand for illicit drugs and although named gangs, such as the Hells Angels, are largely absent from Wood Buffalo, there is a contingent of organized criminals who work together to evade law enforcement.

This week the Alberta Government committed $1 million to combating gang activity, with programs targeted especially at remote municipalities and First Nations communities.

The finance company behind the construction of the now crumbling Penhorwood Condos is being added back to the list a defendants.

Reversing the decision of a Commissions judge, the Alberta Court of Appeals has deemed that MCAP can be found financially liable in a $60 million lawsuit. 

Condo Board Chair, Christine Burton says, judging by the courts decision, the lawsuit is built on a strong legal foundation.

"The court uses some very interesting language, in describing the Condo Act and it's purpose in protecting condo owners particularly those who buy condos in advance of being completed, they refer to the idea of developers who promise much and deliver little," said Burton.

Burton says she's very proud of the owners for their resilience throughout the past 11 months, adding that a couple of those involved in the litigation have recently been forced to mortgage their homes.

The financing company is not the first of the more than 20 defendants to attempt to escape litigation.

Last year the apartment's owners voted to borrow the money to tear down and rebuild the downtown condos.

Sentencing for a Fort McMurray woman accused to stealing $58,000 from a local elementary school is being delayed.

The defence requested more time to prepare a restitution plan, requested by the presiding Judge at a previous hearing.

Court was told the accused is seeking new employment or considering taking out a loan in oder to slowly repay Greeley Road Elementary School.

The fraud allegedly took place during the accused's time on the Parent Advisory Committee, but charges weren't laid until Wright was later employed within the Public District.

Facing two criminal counts fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000, Wright's sentencing is scheduled for February 15th.

Five people are facing charges after a road rage incident along the Snye.

Wood Buffalo RCMP were called to the riverbank along the Winter Trail, Monday afternoon, where they located five suspects in a stolen pick-up truck.

Prior to police arrival the driver of the stolen Ford F-150 had repeatedly rammed another vehicle, resulting in a fight which left several people injured and put three in the emergency room.

One of which, a 33 year-old man who incurred blunt force trauma and several stab wounds.

One occupant of the truck and several of those inside the vehicle attempted to evade police, all were apprehended, one with the use of Police Dog Services.

As a result of the investigation two males and three females, all from the Wood Buffalo Region have been charged:

-  37 year-old Thomas MacDonald,
-  34 year-old Jarvis Eastman,
-  23 year-old Rolanda McKay,
-  27 year-old Lori-Anne Nixon,
-  39 year-old Angela Tuccaro.

To date 40 charges have been laid on the five accused. The following are some of the offences:

-  Aggravated Assault,
-  Forcible Confinement,
-  Theft over $5000,
-  Possession of Stolen Property over $5000,
-  Assault on Police Officer with a Weapon,
-  Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle,
-  Resist Arrest,
-  Uttering Threats to Cause Death,
-  Mischief,
-  Fail to Comply with Recognizance,
-  Breach of Recognizance,
-  Obstruct Police Officer

Police say the attack was not random and that more charges may be laid.

A Fort McMurray woman is slated to be sentenced for stealing from Greeley Road School.

Lori Wright is facing charges of fraud and theft over $5,000 dollars after allegedly cheating the school out of funds while a member of the Parent Advisroy Council.

Wright was working as a fundraising volunteer when the alleged offenses occurred, but police weren't called in until much later when, after Wright had been hired by the Public School District.

Administrators have declined to comment until the case is resolved.

(Suncor's oil sands site north of Fort McMurray.)

Suncor Energy reporting a 10% spike in four quarter profits.

Canada's largest oil and gas company earned $1.4 billion in the final quarter of 2011, up from $1.3 billion in the same time frame last year.

The increase came as a result of higher crude prices.

Oil sands output averaged 326,500 barrels per day in Q4, a slight increase over 2010.

Suncor has also restarted production at three of its five fields in Libya, while its operations in Syria, remain suspended.

Imperial Oil is celebrating its second most profitable year.

The company earned nearly $ 3.4 billion in 2011, up 53 per cent from 2010.

In the fourth quarter, Imperial saw its profits soar 26 per cent year-over-year to just over one-billion dollars.

Higher crude prices and a record output at the Calgary-company's Cold Lake oil sands site contributed to the strong financial showing.

160,000 barrels a day were averaged at Cold Lake in 2011, breaking the previous high of 157,000 bpd.

Meanwhile, the oil sands Kearl project is nearly 90 per cent complete and still scheduled to start-up at 110,000 barrels per day late this year.

Following delays in gaining permits to move mega-sized modules across the United States, Imperial is taking proactive measures to transport the loads to the site north of Fort McMurray.

In December, Imperial approved an $8.9 billion expansion of Kearl.

Thanks, in part, to members of local law enforcement, hundreds of prescription pills and illicit drugs are being pulled from the streets.

An joint investigation by ALERT, involving officers from Wood Buffalo and across the province led to five arrests on Friday.

Searches of  three St.Paul homes and one vehicle resulted in the seizure of small quantities of cocaine, marihuana  hundreds of prescription pills, over $1000 in cash and disclosed stolen property,

Alberta Child and Family Services was also called in to remove a 3-year old child from one home.

The suspects ranging in age from 21 to 50, are facing a variety of charges, including trafficking and possession.

The municipality is looking to garbage as a reliable energy source.

The city's Waste to Resource Program which is slated for start-up in August, will transform 10 tones of municipal waste, daily, into a source of fuel and electricity.

Director of Environmental Services for the municipality, Kevin Scoble says the first phase is slated to get underway this August.

" We're starting small, of course, were not going to stop land filling tomorrow , but this year were proceeding with the first phase of the project, so we'll be converting a small amount of the garbage we receive into energy and we do that with some established technologies, what's unique about were doing is were coupling the technologies," said Scoble.

The pilot project will combine a low temperature gasification facility and bio diesel plant, to capture heat and electricity.

The $4 million project will eventually eliminate 80 hectares Wood Buffalo of landfills, while eradicating the more than 100 tones of waste created, daily.

A 20-year old man is dead after a collision on Highway 881, south of Anzac.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say, shortly before 10:00pm, Monday, a loaded logging truck had turned southbound onto the highway when it was rear-ended by a Pontiac Sunfire.

Both occupants of the car were transported to hospital, where the 20-year old passenger later succumbed to his injuries.

The 23-year old man behind the wheel has since been released from hospital with undisclosed injuries, while the driver of the logging truck was unharmed in the collision.

Police say preliminary reports indicate alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The name and hometown of the victim is not being released.

Alberta's Chief Medical Officer is warning that the battle has not yet been won.

Despite new statistics released yesterday showing that the number of sexually transmitted infections dropped for the first time since 2004 in 2010, rates of diseases including chlamydia still remain well above the national average.

Chlamydia rates more than doubled between 2000 and 2010, with more than 13,000 cases reported.

Women account for approximately two-thirds of chlamydia cases in Alberta. Many of those cases occurred in females under age 25.

The 2010 Annual Report on Notifiable Sexually Transmitted Infections found there were 16,298 new cases of STI in Alberta, down from a peak of 17,217 cases in 2009. The 2010 Annual Report on HIV and AIDS in Alberta shows 192 newly diagnosed cases of HIV, as compared to 219 cases in 2009 and 233 cases in 2008.

According to Dr. Andre Corriveau, northern Alberta has the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections, adding that  aboriginal Canadians and transient oil sands workers are at increased risk of contracting STI's.

(Syncrude's oil sands plant north of Fort McMurray.)

A reduction in crude production, due partly to maintenance shutdowns is lowering Canada's energy output.

Statistics Canada says a 2.5 per cent drop in oil and gas extraction was the main reason the Gross Domestic Product edged down 0.1 per cent in November.

Decreases were also recorded in wholesale trade, construction and finance and insurance.

While gains were posted in manufacturing, retail trade, accommodation and food services.

MLA Guy Boutilier is confident that his campaign as a member of the Wildrose will be successful.

With the Progressive Conservative's selecting Mike Allen as their representative in the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding Saturday, Boutilier said Allen's victory celebration will be short lived.

"The Wildrose is clearly ready to form the government and this idea that the PC's are always entitled to government is think that it really is such arrogance that people are in Fort McMurray are not going to put up with and they're going to send a message to Mike Allen and all of the PC's across Alberta," said Boutilier.

Boutilier said the Tories representatives, including Mike Allen are merely "puppets" for the party platform, and fail to speak for themselves or their constituents.

Boutilier, who has been MLA since 1997 will battle Allen in this spring's election, but for the first time will seek re-election as a member of the Wildrose.

An expert on provincial political policy says Premier Alison Redford's new approach to the provincial budget may not automatically result in cuts to government spending.

Dr. Roger Gibbins,  President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation says the new policy may increase public confidence in government departments.

"It doesn't necessarily mean any catastrophic cuts to what the government is doing but it does mean you have to figure out if the governments are in fact doing the right things, and that's a useful question to ask every once and a while," said Gibbins.

Redford announced in Fort McMurray last week that the PC Party will adopt a "zero-based budget" strategy, meaning one third of each departments, each year, will be forced to justify every line of spending.

Gibbins adds that in the past, Alberta governments have relied to much on increased revenue, while ignoring spending trends.

(Paul Strand, Kevin Nagel, Shawn Chaulk, Dale Unruh, Huskies Mascott and Wade Kolmel.)

Fort McMurray hockey fans will be hoping to break the ice with the Great One this Spring.

Keyano College announcing they be hosting Wayne Gretzky at a One on One Banquet, May 11th, providing VIP guests the opportunity to meet with the NHL legend.

Chair of the event, Shawn Chaulk who will showcase his extensive collection of Gretzy memorabilia at the banquet, says the response so far has been overwhelming.

"It's leaked out to a few people already and the response, it's staggering, I've got people you know that are calling me from Montreal and B.C., they all want tickets and 3 of the 4 of the diamond tables have sold and we haven't even announced it. We're expecting great things and we hope the community really jumps on to this because we really do feel it's going to be the best sports night Fort McMurray has ever seen," said Chaulk.

College administrators hope the event will garner half a million dollars for the Keyano Huskies Athletics Scholarship Program.

The leading point-scorer in NHL history won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during his 16 professional seasons.

(Broadcast great Peter Mansbridge speaks to media following

key note speech at Leading the North Conference.)

One of Canada's most recognizable voices is applauding last week's Leading the North Conference.

Peter Mansbridge, host of CBC's The National, was the key note speaker, concluding the three day event on Friday.

Mansbridge says the discussions that took place around the economy, industry, political policies, the environment and aboriginal issues, could have lasting impacts.

"Anytime you can put together a room full of experts and analysts and observers of situations that are challenging you as a region, it has got to be beneficial , you got to be able to take something away from that," Mansbridge told media Friday. "If you add to that brining in top government leaders to listen to your concerns, to allow them to outline what their plans are, it has got to be a good thing."

On the image of Fort McMurray, the award-winning journalist said he isn't sure our community has a bad reputation, however did say the issues around the oil sands have grown to become an international story.

In his speech, Mansbridge focused on what the definition of a Canadian is. He told several stories of Canadians he has meet around the world through his time with the CBC that answered that question.

(Mike Allen, second from left, celebrates his win in the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

PC nominee race Saturday night.

Regional Councillor Mike Allen was elected the Progressive Conservative MLA candidate for the riding of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Saturday.

Allen won on the second count after 437 votes were cast at the Quality Hotel.

"I'm overwhelmed. I'm honoured to be giving this opportunity to represent the for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. This is my community this is my home," said Allen immediately after the results were announced.

Allen defeated Fort McMurray Public School Board Chair Jeff Thompson, Nick Sanders, the Chair of the MacDonald Island Board of Directors and Andrew Highfield, a grade nine teacher at Holy Trinity High School, all of which joined Allen on stage during his victory speech.

With the win, there are now two city councillors who will run in this spring's election, as Don Scott already won the Tory nomination in the newly formed Fort McMurray-Conklin riding via acclimation.

"This is still one community, Wood Buffalo, Donny and I work very closely on council, we work well together, our goals and objectives are the same," said Allen.

In order to win a seat at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, the 49-year old owner of Campbell's Music must now defeat current and long-time MLA Guy Boutilier.

"I'm ready, I'm looking forward to it. I look forward to the debate, my focus is going to be on what we are going to be able to provide to the region.

Members of the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Progressive Conservative Association will elect the man they hope to send to Edmonton tonight.

Voting is being held in the race to select a PC MLA candidate for this spring’s election.

Four locals are vying for a chance at campaigning against current MLA Guy Boutilier: Municipal Councillor Mike Allen, Fort McMurray Public School Board Chair, Jeff Thompson, MacDonald Island Park Board Chair Nick Sanders and  Holy Trinity High School teacher Andrew Highfield.

The candidates will give formal presentations to voters and a candidate will likely be chosen by around 10:00 pm.

The Leading the North Conference will leave a lasting impact on Fort McMurray.

In the wake of the inaugural conference which saw hundreds of delegates converge on Fort McMurray, Media Coordinator Ross Jacobs says he's already envisioning the next edition of the forum slated for 2014.

"You know we're kind of running around talking with delegates and going what are we going to do next, I think that's the exciting part and we got two years now to figure it out, we'll take six months here and figure out the things we did well and the things we need to work on from this conference and then from there we'll move on to the challenges of having a new relevant conference in 2014," said Ross Friday night.

The three-day conference saw industry executives, leading economists, and media pundits address issues ranging from transportation, aboriginal issues to the future of Alberta's energy market.

Premier Alison Redford also used the stage to formally announce that the province will adopt a new "zero-based budgeting" approach.

Banff National Park will soon be where the buffalo roam.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent announcing this week that the wildlife reserve will begin drafting a plan to re-introduce herds of wild bison.

Bill Hunt, Resource Conservation Manager says, before the beasts are welcomed to the Park, administrators and government officials will first consult residents, First Nations and Canadians at large for their input on the initiative. "If and when the bison leave the park and we will see how best can we manage that, if there's any issue with the current bison ranching or bison farming community in Alberta, what are their concerns, concerns with outlying ranchers and farmers to spur for regular crops, concerns with adjacent communities, whether there is concerns for public safety or that sort of thing,"

Hunt says they will likely start with the introduction of less than 50 animals, allowing for close regulation as the population slowly grows.

Keyano College is looking into developing a new ice rink along with a heritage or culture centre.

The Campus Redevelopment Committee brought forth the proposal at this morning's Board of Governors meeting.

However, Board Member Andy Carter says there is still a lot of work to be done before a blueprint is designed.

"It's very conceptual at this point and were looking at studying the business case to understand the value to region for it, conceptually its a two ice sheet arrangement with the potential for cultural and heritage type centre associated with it as well," said Carter.

School administrators are reporting a 6 per cent increase in student enrollment this semester.

A secret government document reveals Ottawa's stance on the media and environmental groups.

Federal correspondence, released under Access to Information Legislation, lists the press, the bio diesel industry, environmental and aboriginal groups as "adversaries" to Alberta's oil sands.

While, energy companies, Environment Canada and industry associations are listed as "allies" for the industry.

The Pan-European Oil Sands Advocacy Strategy, penned in March 2011, was uncovered by Greenpeace Canada this week.

The campaign was launched in response the European Union's proposed Fuel Quality Directive which would label oil sands crude as dirty and more environmentally harmful than the conventional variety.

A Fort McMurray man is facing charges after being busted trying to smuggle drugs into Canada.

27-year old Umar Ahmed was arrested last Thursday at the Calgary Airport after the Canadian Border Services Agency seized nearly 30 kilograms of khat.

The 250 bundles were found in two checked bags during a secondary examination after the suspect arrived from the United Kingdom.

Ahmed is due in Calgary court in March.

(Premier Redford explains her new budget strategy unveiled in Fort McMurray Thursday.)

Premier Alison Redford is taking an unprecedented approach to Alberta's budget.

Following her speech at the Leading the North Conference Thursday night, Redford relayed that the Tories will introduce a "zero-based budgeting" strategy.

"Where over a three year period, every department, so one-third of departments every year, will have to go back and build their budget from a zero base," Redford told local media.

The approach means each department must examine all programs and ensure they are achieving the highest possible outcome.

Redford says the move will result in more effective government spending.

She would not say whether or not the strategy would be implemented in time for the Feb. 9 budget, but says "plans are well underway".

A group of men will brave the cold in support of the Centre of Hope.

Ken Krahn and his teams will ride 440 kilometres on their quads from Fort McMurray to Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories as part of the 6th annual Ride For Hope.

"We decided we should do something because alot of their people have to sleep outside, so we figured if we did something that would be in the cold, people might we were nuts for doing it, but we're going from a warm place to a warm place, so it's just raise awareness of what these people are going through," said Krahn.

Krahn says this years goal is to raise $22,000 to help support the city's homeless.

Donations can be made at the Franklin Avenue facility or online at fbcfm.net.

Diversification of the economy is often just a pipe dream for policy makers.

That according to leading economist with the Alberta Treasury Board, Todd Hirsch who joined a Leading the North Conference debate over Canada's energy market this morning.

Hirsch says, instead of focusing on pipelines for oil sands expansion, industry and the Alberta government should be guarding against the natural declines in the economy.

"We've done very well in the boom and bust, obviously we enjoyed the booms more, but diversification of a province is very hard challenging to do, we've tried different ways in the past, not very successfully and we have to ask our selves is diversification for diversification's sake really something we should be emphasising, " said Hirsch.

Hirsch also argued that the Northern Gateway Pipeline shouldn't be a hill to die on for Alberta, as the national debate over the contentious Enbridge project is pitting Canadians against Canadians.

Fort McMurray-Conklin's NDP candidate says he opposes projects like the Keystone XL and Northern Gateway Pipelines.

Paul Pomerleau, an electrician, who splits his time between a home in Abasand and Beaumont, Alberta says if approved, the multi-billion dollars projects would be shipping more than fuel away from the province.

" I'm not  for the pipeline going to the States or the pipeline going China. I think we should be refining it in Alberta, providing jobs for our local people and sending these refined products down the pipeline," said Pomerleau.

Paul Pomerleau, says while he hasn't even ran in an election, he has helped both provincial and federal candidates during their campaigns.

He says a formal announcement on his candidacy is pending.

It's unclear if a heated exchange between Fort McMurray seniors and the province will reverse the re-location of the long-term care centre.

More than 100 residents congregated at the Golden Years Society to confront a trio of provincial ministers over the decision to re-locate the $51 million facility to Parsons Creek.

Minister of Seniors , George Vanderburg acknowledges he made a mistake by failing to consult with seniors, but says the province was always leaning towards the uptown location.

Vanderburg says its clear that all those in attendance wanted to see construction at Willow Square, not uptown Parsons Creek and the decision will be reviewed.

The province had announced last week they'd be breaking ground on the 100-bed facility this Fall.

While seniors say the remote location will fracture their tight-knit community, the province holds the centre will provide world-class care, with room for future expansion.

With great wealth comes great responsibility.

That was the central message behind Ian Hill's message to a crowd of hundreds at at the kick-off reception for the 2012 Leading the North Conference, hosted at MacDonald Island Park last night.

The award winning volunteer CEO of "Let Them Be Kids" and Executive Director of The Changing Point told Mix News the rich resources of our diverse community, provides each resident the opportunity to effect positive change.

"There's people coming here from all over the world. Certainly on the front page of many newspapers, this region is being discussed. With all that good fortune comes tremendous responsibility, not only to generate prosperity but to create a sense of community and leave a long term legacy."

Meanwhile Deputy Mayor Mike Allen says the forum will likely lead to a change in perception, "I don't know if it's even just stats or economic development as much as seeing that there is a desire for us to have sustainable and responsible development. Some of the announcements made tonight about our Zero Waste Program, those are things that are going to be surprising to other people that had perhaps a different opinion about what Wood Buffalo was all about."

Today's talks range from Alberta and the global economy to diversifying Canada's energy market.

Alberta Cabinet Ministers will also hold a round-table discussion prior to a banquet hosted by Premier Alison Redford.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper expected to pitch Canada as a stable economy worth investing in.

The PM will deliver a key note speech to the over 2,500 delegates attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Harper will likely tout Canada as a good trade partner, and there are some reports he may also address the European fuel quality directive, which labels oil sands crude as more harmful to the environment than conventional sources of fuel.

RCMP are seeking the public's assistance in solving an armed robbery in Timberlea.

Investigators say between 2:30am and 3:30 am on January 15th, a taxi driver picked up to male customers for a fare from the Timerlea Esso on Millenium Drive to Archibald Close.

But before arriving, the men brandished knives and asked the driver to give them anything of value.

The suspects stole 300-dollars in cash and a cell phone before fleeing the scene on foot towards St. Martha's School.

The assailants are described as white males, one was wearing black and red checkered pajama pants and a grey hoodie.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

The driver was uninjured in the attack.

"It's time to build the thing, it's time to stop delaying and build it. I think government has got two main responsibilities in a situation like this, one is to consult, one is to listen and one is to the due diligence and study these sites properly. The second is to make a decision, if we have to take some heat to take that decision, our intent is to deliver the best quality of life for the most possible residents," said Johnson.

Johnson says the province, thinking it would be the fastest option for construction announced the Willow Square location in July, before realizing land ownership, zoning issues and a downtown flood plane would complicate the process.

Johnson and Parliamentary Assistant to Health and Wellness Naresh Bhardwaj, toured the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre earlier this morning.

They are here as part of a Tory Cabinet Tour.

(Suncor's Pond 1 was the first oil sands tailings pond to be reclaimed. Photo courtesy of Suncor Energy Inc.)

A handful of Canadian corporations with direct ties to the oil sands are among the world's most sustainable.

In its 8th annual edition of the list, the Toronto-based Corporate Knights Magazine, ranked Suncor Energy the 48th of the world's top 100 sustainable firms, and number one in Canada.

Next was Enbridge, the company behind the Northern Gateway Pipeline at 71, while EnCana Corp. ranked 76th.

Nexen, another oil sands operator came in at number 89.

Companies are judged on areas including efficiency in energy and water use and worker safety.

However, the publication admits that the methodology used results in major emitters coming off as sustainable if they generate a lot of profit compared to the impact.

To view the list, visit, http://www.corporateknights.ca/report/8th-annual-global-100.

The weight limit once again increasing on the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road.

Loads of up to 35,000 kilograms are now permitted on the northern route.

The municipality also says the Firebag and Richardson bridges are now closed, advising that motorists must now use the ice bridges instead, keeping their speed at five kilometres per hour when crossing.

For up to date info, you can call the Winter Road Hotline at 1-866-743-6111.

Construction on a new mixed-use development in Eagle Ridge is slated to start this spring.

Municipal Council approving a land use bylaw amendment last night, paving the way for NORR Architects and Planners to break ground on the 4.54 acre site, located at the corner of Loutit Road and Eagle Ridge boulevard.

East Village at Eagle Ridge will see the construction of 336 residential units, alongside 45,500 square feet of commercial space.

NORR's Bruce MacKenzie says interest is already there.

"We've got the typical fast food type tenants , we have, our client would like to perhaps set up his own restaurant/bar on the site but he's also entertaining a few other restaurant/bar folks. Also daycare, yoga studio, medical and dental," said MacKenzie.

The buildings would be built to a maximum six stories, and will offer surface and underground parking.

Anti-oil sands activists aren't the only ones benefitting from the wealth of  American billionaires.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver made international headlines for claiming that foreign organizations were hijacking the Northern Gateway Pipeline regulatory process, by funding environmental groups.

But an examination of tax records by the Canadian Press shows that Ottawa has received donations from the same groups they've put under fire.

According to the Canadian Press, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation which provided $750,000 dollars to the David Suzuki Foundation also donated a staggering $40 million to Ottawa's International Development Research Centre.

While the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation gave $695,000 to the World Wildlife Fund Canada and $300,000 to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

A Fort McMurray man will spend five years behind bars for a string of robberies across the region.

20-year old Jesse Allen Shaver plead guilty to three 'break and enter' counts and was ordered to pay $820 in restitution, during a court appearance, Monday.

Shaver was arrested by Wood Buffalo RCMP in April of 2011 after a downtown hotel, a Gregoire hotel and local liquor store were robbed a knife point during a three day stretch last April.

Shaver was given credit for time served and will spend another  51 months in prison.

The municipality increasing the load limit on the La Loche Winter Trail.

38,000 kilograms can now safely travel the route, linking Wood Buffalo to Saskatchewan.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution as you may encounter logging trucks.

There is also ongoing maintenance and rough and bumpy sections.

(Drugs and cash seized during a record heroin bust last week. Photo courtesy of ALERT.)

The Alberta Law Enforcement response Team has released photos of last week's record heroin bust.

Investigators seized around $18,000 worth of the drug, along with over $14,000 in OxyContin tablets, marijuana, illegal cigarettes and cash.

30-year old Denny Brown and 28-year old Andrew Shearing both face numerous charges.

A new development in Eagle Ridge could help ease the critical demand for housing and commercial space.

The proposed East Village development would see the addition of retail shops, lounges, restaurants, convenience stores and a gas station.

The two-phases would include over 45,000 square feet of commercial space, as well as 336 residential units.

Prior to construction, the developer Norr Architects, must reeceive re-zoning approval from council.

A public hearing on the bylaw amendment gets underway tonight at 6:00 pm.

The Alberta Government must do more to cash in on Asia's thirst for oil.

Researchers at the University of Alberta's China Institute, say the country's demand for crude will soon outpace American consumption.

With a new report suggesting China's oil consumption in 2015 will be significantly higher than previous forecasts, of 10.5 million barrels per day.

Analysts are calling on the province to push for approval of projects such as the Northern Gateway Pipeline, in order to increase export capacity and industry revenues.

This as federal regulatory hearings into the Enbridge project move from BC to Edmonton today.

Fort McMurray is being erased from the list of communities slated to host a provincial review of politicians pay cheques.

Honourable John Major is conducting public meetings across the province as part of a review of MLA salaries and compensation benefits.

The province tells Mix News, no Fort McMurray residents had signed up  to speak at  tomorrow's hearing and its been cancelled indefinitely.

Those still seeking to provide feedback can file their submission online, by visiting mlacompensationreview-Alberta.ca.

Results of the review will be made public and presented to the government after its conclusion on February 24th.

Two men are facing charges after $18,000 worth of heroin was seized by RCMP in downtown Fort McMurray.

30-year old Denny Brown and 28-year old Andrew Shearing are both facing two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and one count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of illegal cigarettes.

Sergeant Irv Heide of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team says its unusual for local police to recover the extremely addictive drug, calling it the most significant heroin seizure in the city's history.        

A search of the suspects vehicle and apartment, investigators recovered 181 individually packaged points of heroin and 147 OxyContin tablets, one ounce of marihuana, over 200 illegal cigarettes and $4,400.

In total, over $30,000 worth of drugs were taken off Fort McMurray streets.

Both suspects have been released on bail.

The province is admitting they failed in their consultation with seniors over the re-location of the continuing care centre.

In a statement, Minister of Seniors, George Vanderburg is acknowledging government officials "definitely could have done a better job of communicating with residents" before changing the prospective site to Parsons Creek.

At an information session last week, Alberta Infrastructure planners put some of the blame for the decision on the municipality, saying their plans for a one-level residential style facility, didn't match the city's vision for a multi-level building, including commercial space and low income housing.

The city is refusing to comment on the claims.

Seniors will meet with a trio of provincial Ministers at the Golden Years Society, Thursday afternoon.

Despite widespread opposition, the $31 million construction phase is slated to get underway this Fall.

A Saskatchewan man is facing additional charges stemming from a collision that claimed the life of an Edmonton woman.

36-year old Darcy Lemaigre is charged with killing 49-year old pilot vehicle operator Linda Tremblay.

Police say she was struck by an oncoming vehicle while directing traffic around 1 am on January 14, on Highway 881 south of Anzac.

On top of charges including impaired driving causing death, Lemaigre was charged today with manslaughter and possession of stolen property.

The accused has been remanded in custody and is scheduled back before a judge on February 6th.

A funeral for the mother of four was held Saturday in Spruce Grove.

Danielle Smith is Alberta's most popular political leader.

That according to a new poll commissioned by the National Post.

Conducted by Forum Research, the January 17th survey of nearly 1,100 Albertans, showed the Wildrose leader had 40 per cent support, compared to Premier Alison Redford's 39 per cent.

It also suggests that the Wildrose is poised to form Official Opposition, based on 29 per cent support for the party, up 6 per cent from December.

The poll had margin of error of plus or minus 3%, 19 times out of 20.

A Fort McMurray man is due in Ontario court today, stemming from a high speed snowmobile chase.

On Saturday, police in Peterborough tried to stop a sled driven by an adult with a child on the back, because neither were wearing helmets.

The snowmobile then sped off reaching speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour, with police in pursuit.

The driver then stopped and fled, leaving a five-year old behind.

25-year old Scott McKenzie was later arrested inside a trailer after a fight with police, involving pepperspray.

McKenzie is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, escape by flight, failing to stop for police, resisting arrest, driving while prohibited, driving a motorized snow vehicle without insurance and without a helmet.

A varied team of experts are pouring over the results of study on the region's Jackpine forests which only occurs every six years.

The TEEM program, led by the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association saw scientists analyse soil, trunk cores, branches, roots and lichens as well as the scope of species contained in each of the 23 chosen plots.

Executive Director Dr. Kevin Percy says the complete emissions results are expected until mid-Summer, but Alberta Sustainable Resources gained some fast insight in their research.

"Overall tree health, their preliminary conclusions any way are that the conditions of the trees on our 23 plots, which extend actually into Saskatchewan and about 130 kilometres west of Fort McMurray north and south, the preliminary conclusion is that apart from one or two plots, the tree condition actually for Jackpine is considered to be in a very healthy state," said Percy.

The WBEA's Winter report to community is available online at www.wbea.org.

The Fort McMurray Food Bank is continuing to see an increase in clientele year over year.

Executive Director Arianna Johnson says in 2011, the number of patrons increased by over 2 per cent compared to the previous year.

"So we did see an increase of about 10.6 per cent, so it was greater than 2010, from 2009 to 2010 we saw about a nine per cent increase, so we do continue to year after year increase our need," said Johnson.

Johnson says the number of kids under the age of 18 using the Food Bank declined by 14 per cent, however the number of single adult males using the facility is on the rise.

Alberta's Premier will take centre stage at the upcoming Leading the North Conference.

Alison Redford will be among fellow politicians, industry advocates, renowned authors and media notorieties speaking at a three day conference in Fort McMurray next week.

Event Spokesperson, Ross Jacobs says the Premier's attendance will elevate the status of the forum, which is aimed at dispelling misconceptions about theregion.

"Give the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo some more cheerleaders and some more stake holders and leaders out in the community, so if these people come see what we're doing in northern Alberta, see what we're doing in Wood Buffalo, they may go back out into their community with a balanced view point, that helps us sort of fight some of the things we fight from a negative aspect on a day to day basis," said Jacobs.

Redford will be joined by her cabinet team, Amanda Lang and Peter Mansbridge of the CBC, Patrick Moore co-founder of Greenpeace and Tewanee Joseph of the Four Host First Nations.

To register, visit www.leadingthenorth.ca.

Motorists driving along Powder drive by Holy Trinity High School are being advised of a new pedestrian signal.

The signal will be in flashing mode for the next two weeks and fully operational by the first week of February.

Motorists are reminded that in flashing mode, yielding to pedestrians is required.

Canada's largest union of energy workers supports the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, feels that U.S President Barack Obama's decision to turn down the Alberta to Texas oil sands pipeline, is the right one for Canada.

Roland LeFort is President of CEP Local 707 in Fort McMurray, and says they can't support a pipeline until Ottawa develops a national energy strategy.

"Part of that strategy includes, for example, a commitment to energy security for Canadians. That we should put aside 20 years of known reserves to ensure Candains are not left in the cold before we decide that we are going to be exporting oil, especially now with the Tar Sands, because that's where the focus is," said LeFort.

CEP has long opposed the $7 billion TransCanada proposal due to the potential loss of tens of thousands of existing or potential jobs in the Canadian oil upgrading and refining sector.

CEP represents roughly 4,000 local oil sands workers.

Engineers say a discrepancy between the municipality's vision for downtown, and provincial plans are party to blame for the re-location of the long-term care centre to Parsons Creek.

The city, reportedly wanted a multi-level building, including commercial space and low-income housing, to match their City Centre Area Re-Development Plan, constructed at Willow Square, conflicting with the province's goal to build a one-level accessible unit.

Gary Exner was among roughly 40 residents to attend an Alberta Infrastructure information session this morning.

Exner says the municipality is taking a laissez-faire approach to the long-awaited facility, saying concerns over the remote location need to be heard.

"When you engage some of the councillors, they're all saying it wasn't any of their decision or that kind of thing. I was involved in municipal government back in British Columbia and I think it is up to Mayor and councilors to be advocating for what they really believe for they public, and  to shy away, I really have a difficulty with that kind of an attitude," said Exner.

While, local senior, Dave McNelly, questioned the knowledge of decision makers in Edmonton, after one planner failed identify Highway 63 on the map.

"I think if you don't know where the highway is, what kind of input have you got on the benefits of that location over the location downtown," said McNelly.

A flood plane at Willow Square and the fact that Muncipal and the Federal government both own stakes in the land,  were also blamed for making the downtown project a costly and unattractive option.

The 100-bed, $31 million facility is slated for construction in Parsons Creek this Fall.

The municipality has yet to respond to requests for comment.

(Ethical Oil author Ezra Levant speaks to attendees following Thursday's speech at Keyano College.)

Well known for the term "Ethical Oil", Ezra Levant is now pushing for "oil sands pride".

The controversial author and industry advocate delivered a speech to hundreds of people at Keyano College last night.

"Canadians, especially those in Fort McMurray should hold their head high and should not accept the kind of defamation of this town that is so wide spread. I'm hoping that some of the arguments and facts that I put out today that the folks here will remember some and deploy them and push back and not just meekly say, oh yes you're right, we're so flawed," Levant said following his address.

Levant also reiterated what was written in his 2010 book "Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada's Oil Sands", which went on to win the 2011 National Business Book Award.

Criticizing countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia and Venezuela for their poor human rights and environmental records, referring to their crude as "conflict" or "blood oil".

Levant also said that during a recent trip to Banff to interview celebrities, 10 of 12 of the Hollywood types choose Canada when asked whether they'd fill their vehicle with oil sands derived fuel, or gas from Saudi Arabia, something he called "encouraging".

A technical briefing on Fort McMurray's long term care centre will be hosted by the province this morning.

Described as a talk on the "nuts and bolts" of the project  and not wider policy decisions, it's open to the public starting at 11:00 am at the Stonebridge Hotel.

The Alberta Government says the briefing is the "first of several" prior to a visit to Fort McMurray by the ministers of Seniors, Infrastructure and Health next Thursday.

The Wildrose Party is confirming their candidate for the Fort McMurray-Conklin riding.

Doug Faulker tells Mix News he's ready for his race against confirmed Tory candidate Don Scott, in the newly formed southern riding of Wood Buffalo.

Faulkner served two terms as mayor, from 1997 to 2004, following two terms as a councillor.

The former Syncrude employee also ran in the 2004 federal election as a Liberal, following a 2000 bid as a Progressive Conservative, before the controversy over the continuing care centre inspired his return to the political stage.

Faulkner says he believes Wildrose leader Danielle Smith and the party itself has something great to offer, adding that the PCs have ignored the needs of the community for too long.

Meanwhile, four Tory candidates are vying for the nod in the northern Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding, councillor Mike Allen, Teacher Andrew Highfield  Public School Board Jeff Thompson and MacDonald Island Park Board Chair Nick Sanders.

Baseball may not be on the minds of many in Fort McMurray this time of year, but its front and centre for a group hoping to bring the city its first professional sports team.

The ownership group hoping to secure the city's first ever professional sports franchise provided a community update today at the franchise's future home.

President of Westpro Productions and the team's owner, Craig Tkachuk says the plan still rests on approval and construction of the stadium at MacDonald Island Park but until then, the group is seeking public feedback.

" When you develop something thats as symbolic as a professional sports team that represents the community, the community needs to be apart of that and we want to make sure we embrace that and establish those dialogues," said Tkachuk.

Tkachuk reiterated that he hopes to field a North American Baseball League team in the summer of 2013.

Pro-oil sands author Ezra Levant will take centre stage at Keyano College tonight.

In 2010 Levant published a book titled "Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada's Oil Sands" promoting the resource while slamming countries including Saudi Arabia for their poor human rights and environmental records.

" So it's basically us and the bad guys, and so what I would to say to the critics of the oil sands, is fine, you let me know when we invent that miracle fuel of the future, but until then your real grown-up, real world choice is oil sands oil versus conflict oil, and that's an easy choice for me," said Levant.

Levant criticises other countries often sources for their rich oil resources, such as Saudi Arabia , due to their poor human rights and environmental records.

The book was the winner of the 2011 National Business Book Award.

As the temperature drops dangerously low, Centre of Hope Board Member, Laurence Moman wants to prevent another name from being put on their memorial wall.

Moman says plagues inside their centre honour the more than 30 past clients who have died over the past eight years living on the streets, not only in Fort McMurray but in cities across the country.

 Moman was alarmed to learn that some of the centre's clients are still spending their days on the streets without the proper apparel.

"The biggest thing you can do is to learn is that the homeless, they're people, they're part of our society and we have to help society and we need to look after the less fortunate. We're in Fort McMurray to make money, well let's share some of that money with people that don't have the same opportunities that you and I have," said Moman.

The Franklin Avenue Centre is currently in need of items, including new or gently used men and women's winter jackets, boots, socks, long thermal underwear, mitts, hats and scarves.

The Centre has experienced at 30 per cent increase in demand this year, with 22,000 visits to the centre in 2011.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating a botched home invasion.

Police were dispatched to a town house complex shortly after midnight Wednesday where two or more men are believed to have broken in.

Two residents were confronted by the suspects while others occupants of the building were able to escape during the incident.

The suspects fled the scene shortly after, empty-handed.

No injuries are being reported.

Police did not indicate where the residence was, nor did they provide any descriptions of the suspects.

The Alberta Government is reversing its decision to cancel a meeting with Fort McMurray seniors.

Two days after receiving an email notifying her the province would not meet with elderly residents concerned about the re-location of the long-term care centre, Joan Furber of the Golden Years Society says she's received word otherwise.

The meeting is now scheduled for January 26th at 2:00pm at the Golden Years Society.

Furber calls the meeting a move in the right direction.

"The main message that seniors want to get out is that they want to be on this side of the bridge, close to the hospital ,close to all the other senior buildings, their Rotary House, Legion Manner, they want to be on this side of the bridge and they want to convey this to the government," said Furber.

Many elderly residents were outraged the meeting had been cancelled, without notice, due to so called scheduling conflicts.

Seniors want answers from Infrastructure Minister Jeff Johnson as to why the 100-bed facility was moved from downtown to Parsons Creek, without consultation.

A controversial oil sands advocate says the US Government's decision to turn down the Keystone XL pipeline, was strictly political.

Ezra Levant, who will be speaking at Keyano Theatre tonight ,says President Barack Obama rejected the $7 billion project to please environmentalists.

"He needs to raise alot of money and Hollywood is once place where he gets alot of it and also he needs campaign workers, and by saying no to this pipeline he's probably going get 30 million bucks more out of his Hollywood friends and the  people who were losers out of this decision are construction workers in states like Nebraska who weren't going to vote Democrat anyway," said Levant.

Calgary-based TransCanada says it will re-apply for a permit to build the Alberta to Texas oil sands link, using a revised route, saying that until constructed, the United States will continue to import millions of barrels of 'conflict' oil from the Middle East, and other foreign nations.

Both Alberta Premier Alison Redford and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have expressed their disappointment over the project's denial.

With lows expected in the minus double digits for at least the next few days, the Centre of Hope is appealing for donations.

The organization wants to help provide Fort McMurray's homeless population with warm clothes.

They currently need items including new or gently used men and women's winter jackets, boots, socks, long thermal underwear, mitts, hats and scarves.

Donations can be dropped off at the Centre on Franklin Avenue.

A Fort McMurray woman stands accused of defrauding the Greely Road Elementary School, out of thousands of dollars.

The accusedis facing two criminal counts, fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000, after allegedly expropriating funds from the local school.

Mix News has learned Wright was working as a fundraising volunteer for the Parent Advisory Committee, when the alleged offenses occurred, but that a police investigation wasn't conducted until well after she resigned, and was hired on, with the district.

After a brief court appearance yesterday, the suspect's case has been delayed until later this month.

The Public School Board has declined comment until the issue is resolved.

Alberta's Premier is extremely disappointed with the rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Alison Redford is reacting to President Barack Obama's denial of the current TransCanada proposal this afternoon.

"On behalf of Albertans, I think I need to say that we are disappointed in that, we believe this an important project for Alberta, we believe this is important for Alberta's economy and Canada's economy. We've also been very clear that we believe that it presents tremendous opportunity for the United States, ultimately, at the end of the day this will be a decision that's made in the United States," said Redford.

Redford argues the decision will mean  America will continue to import the same volume of oil, but from jurisdictions with much weaker environmental and democratic policies.

While TransCanada, the company behind the contentious pipeline is announcing that after four years of now failed regulatory proceedings, they will re-apply for permit approval.

The pipeline was expected to create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic revenue, but opponents feared the multi-billion dollars project would contaminate the environment and increase green house gas emissions.

A local travel agency says a brutal cold snap is making for a big boost in business.

International Travel Services has seen an 8 per cent increase in demand this week, as Fort McMurray residents seek out an escape from the frigid temperatures.

"Usually clients plan to travel in January, February, March and April, but when the temperatures drops below 40 it makes them think, 'wow, I need to go right away'" said Manager and owner of the local agency, Ujeer Ahmed.

Ahmed says booking your trip well in advance can help you find reduced rates, a cheaper flight and faster travel connections, suggesting that the Dominican Republic and Mexico are currently the best bet for inexpensive, all-inclusive travel options.

It's your chance to join the ranks of Girls Inc, a local not-for-profit organization aimed empowering young Fort McMurray females.

The organization offers dozens of youth programs, including self-defense classes, summer camps, science field trips and career symposiums.

Executive Director, Anne Dort-Maclean says all are welcome to attend their Annual General Meeting tonight.

"We do use a lot of volunteers to help with program delivery. The girls love when a guest speaker comes in and speaks about their experiences. Or if people are interested in volunteering on a governance level, we want them to come out, " said Dort-Maclean.

The meeting gets underway at their Franklin Avenue office at 5:30 pm.

Anyone involved in local sports is invited to a trio of open houses next week.

Hosted by the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games Host Society, the meetings are aimed at gaining ideas on how to maximize local athletic participation in a few years times.

Games Administrator Sally Lockhart says anyone from coaches to parents to volunteers, are welcome.

"There's probably common elements that will come through from this open house that each sport organization will bring up, and then we'll work out how to overcome those common elements and work out a process of improving that. And that's probably the biggest aspect is being able to work as a large group of like-minded individuals," said Lockhart.

Sports featured at the Games include gymnastics, baseball, soccer, golf and wrestling, and the Host Society wants to give all young athletes the opportunity to compete.

The open houses take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday at MacDonald Island Park.

For more information,contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Keystone XL Pipeline is being rejected.

President Barack Obama issuing a statement denying the current TransCanada proposal based on recommendations from the U.S. State Department.

Adding that regulators currently do not have enough information to assess whether the project serves the national interest, due to a revised route through Nebraska.

However, the Alberta company is free to re-apply for permit approval.

Obama put the blame for the rejection on a Reblican Bill which attempted to rush a decision on the environmentally senstiive proejct, with a legislated deadline of Febrary 21st.

The pipeline was expected to create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in eceniomic revenue, but opponents feared the Alberta to Texas link would contaminate the environment and increase green house gas emissions.

The 2,700 hundred kilometre pipeline, pegged at $7 billion, would have carried over 800,000 barrels of oil sands crude from Alberta, across six states, to refineries in the Gulf Coast.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford isn't happy with the decision, "I am extremely disappointed with today's decision by the State Department to reject the Keystone XL pipeline application. We believe the project provides the United States with energy security and thousands of job opportunities," Redford said in a statement.

Meanwhile, TransCanada says it will re-apply for a permit to construct the pipeline.

The Alberta Government has cancelled a planned meeting with Fort McMurray seniors.

Joan Furber, second vice president of the Golden Years Society telling Mix News a meeting had been scheduled for the morning on Jan. 25th.

Until she received an email from the province last night.

"Saying that sorry but they can't, because of conflict in scheduling, they can't come on the 25th. So I emailed him back and I asked does that mean the ministers don't want to meet with the seniors? And pretty much that's what they said, they're schedule is too busy and that there isn't a slot for us."

Seniors have been anxiously waiting to meet with ministers to hear directly why a decision was made to move the long term care centre from downtown to Parsons Creek, without their input.

Furber is now appealing to other local groups who are meeting with the province later this month to share their time with the seniors.

She also questions why there is a Minister of Seniors if he (George VanderBurg) can't come and meet with seniors.

Meanwhile, Alberta Infrastructure spokesperson Cam Traynor says they offered alternatives, "We've offered to have a Department Information Session with seniors up there and that was declined by seniors, instead they would like to meet directly with ministers."

Media outlets across the United States are reporting the Keystone XL Pipeline will be rejected.

President Barack Obama is reportedly set to deny the current proposal due to delays within the U.S. State Department, as officials work to re-route the TransCanada project away from an environmentally sensitive region of Nebraska.

A Republican bill, passed in Congress late last year included a clause that would have required approval of the Alberta to Texas pipeline by February 21st.

But reports allege that regulators won't be able to complete a review of the new pipeline route prior to  the legislated deadline.

Mix News will keep you updated as this story evolves.

(Keystone Pipeline construction in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of TransCanada Corporation.)

In an attempt to clarify concerns over pipeline risks, a branch of the American government will put oil sands crude under the microscope.

According to Reuters, an American regulator will probe whether pipelines carrying petroleum from Alberta's oil deposits are at a greater risk for spills than those carrying conventional crude.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is expect to release results of the study in July 2013.

Pipeline opponents argue that oil sands crude is more corrosive, and therefore more dangerous for transport than conventional crude.

However, a non-scientific study, conducted by the province last year, holds there is no difference in chemical make-up.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is firing back at MacLean's Magazine.

Spokesperson Brendan Proce has written the publication, claiming its 2011 National Crime Rankings, don't paint an accurate portrait of criminal activity in the region.

Proce says the city's latest census shows there are over 115,000 people living in the RMWB, including those residing in work camps.

And that because MacLean's used a population figure of roughly half that provided from Statistics Canada, Wood Buffalo's crime rate, shot up.

The magazine ranked Wood Buffalo as Canada's 8th most dangerous city last year.

A Fort McMurray teenager accused of murdering a 31-year old woman inside her Timberlea home last November will be back in court next month.

The accused remains in custody in Edmonton and appeared in a Fort McMurray courtroom this afternoon via closed circuit TV.

Pending an exchange of information between police, the crown and defense, the accused may be prepared to enter a plea on February 7th.

The 16-year old, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is facing more than a dozen charges, including the attempted murder of a child, sexual assault on a minor, tampering with human remains and theft.

Frigid temperatures will likely keep their grip on Fort McMurray for the remainder of the week.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Dan Kulak says although Northern Alberta was spared for months, Arctic air has finally made its way to our region.

"We do have another weather system that's well up into the Artic islands, well north of Alberta and that weather system has winds that are going counter-clockwise around it. On the south side of the system, if you think about the counter-clockwise motion, the winds are coming from the West and all this cold air is coming down from the North, and that wraps into Northern Alberta," said Kulak.

Kulak says the mild outset of this Winter was unusual, but it's unclear where the thermometer will rest beyond this week.

Those working outside during a wind chill warning are advised to bundle up, and limit their direct exposure to the elements as much as possible.

Charities across Wood Buffalo are being encouraged to seek out municipal funding.

The city is offering up more than $200,000 worth of community grants for eligible not-for profit organizations.

To qualify, programs must offer prevention, increase volunteerism, improve accountability or encourage community development, without offering direct financial assistances to an individual or family or duplicate services already in place.

Applications, which must be submitted by January 23rd, are available on the municipal website.

Administrators are being asked to make an appointment prior to submitting their application.

More information, email  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Northern Gateway Pipeline is being called an affront to the public interests and energy security of Canadians.

In a report published this week, former senior federal government geologist Ken Hughes says the Enbridge project would require oil sands production to expand by 33 percentage points above current industry projections just to meet the daily demand of the pipeline.

Hughes argues that a dependence on increasingly scant foreign crude sources in Eastern Canada is reason enough to reject the shipping route to Asia.

Also highlighted in the report is the absence of a Federal Energy policy which Hughes says points to a lack of credible scientific research on the environmental ramifications of the 1200 kilometre route.

If approved, the $5.5 billion oil sands link would transport 525,000 barrels of bitumen per day from Alberta to the West Coast of British Columbia.

Albertans continue to use electricity at record rates.

For the second time in as many days a new all-time high in electricity demand was hit Monday, when the province used 10,609 megawatts, breaking the record of 10,315 MW set Sunday night.

The Alberta Electric System Operator says the current cold front, combined with overall provincial growth in demand for electricity, are contributing factors.

Alberta's demand grew 2.6 percent in 2011m thanks in part to oil sands expansion.

You can help ease the demand by running appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers after 7:00 pm and turning off unnecessary lights.

A Fort McMurray teen accused of murder, sexual assault, theft and a long list of other charges is slated to appear in court this afternoon.

The teen, who can't be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested after a 31-year old woman was discovered dead, a child  seriously injured inside a Timberlea apartment on November 26th.

In a separate incident, the teen is accused of sexual interference against a child after allegedly breaking into another apartment just days later.

The 16-year old remains in custody in Edmonton and is expected to make an appearance via closed-circuit TV.

(Municipal Councillor and now PC MLA candidate for Fort McMurray-Conklin. Photo courtesy of RMWB.)

With no competition coming forward, Wood Buffalo Councillor Don Scott wins the PC nomination for Fort McMurray-Conklin.

The local lawyer received the official word after the party's nomination window closed at six o'clock last night.

Scott says the work starts now, as he looks to engage and excite residents about standing up and having a voice at the government table.

He'll campaign on a platform focusing on accessible publicly funded healthcare, safer and healthier communities and a strong, environmentally responsible economy.

Meanwhile, a vote will be held on Jan. 28 to elect a candidate to represent the Tories in the northern Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding.

RMWB Councillor Mike Allen, Public School Board Chair Jeff Thompson, MacDonald Island Park Board Chair Nick Sanders, and grade nine teacher Andrew Highfield have all put their names forward.

A cold snap is driving up the demand for electricity.

Alberta set a new record during the 6 o'clock hour, Sunday night, using 10,315  mega watts, topping the previous all-time high of 10,236 mega watts set in December 2009.

The Alberta Electric System Operator says a cold snap, reduced daylight hours and a naturally growing demand are all considered factors.

Residents are asked to help ease the demand by running appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers after 7:00 pm and turning off unnecessary lights.

Leaders from Nunavut to New Brunswick will be debating the future of health care in Canada.

A two-day,Council of the Federation summit getting underway in Victoria, will see Premiers work together to reform patient care in light of a recent announcement from the Harper Government.

Ottawa will be scaling back Federal health care transfers, increasing them by 6 per cent, annually until 2016, after which their stature will be tied only the economic growth of each province.

And in a departure from the past, the funding will have no strings attached, leaving the premiers to grapple with setting health care standards and priorities within their own jurisdictions.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford has said she's satisfied with the move, as provincial governments will be given the power to set their own health care agenda.

Larger cargo can now take the La Loche Winter Trail, linking Wood Buffalo to the Saskatchewan border.

The municipality is more than doubling the load limit to 25,000 kilograms.

However, motorists using the link, are advised to proceed with caution as portions of the road remain bumpy and cell phone service is unreliable.

Road maintenance continues and motorists are advised to prepare for emergency situations, as patrols are limited.

A local councillor and PC MLA nominee candidate is denying that he and others had any role in the province's decision, to re-locate the long term care centre.

Mike Allen says he was notified by seniors earlier this month, that they had been told he, Mayor Melissa Blake, and fellow Tory MLA hopeful Don Scott, had lobbied the province.

"Now I also have a text conversation from our MLA, Guy Boutilier, accusing me of speaking with ministers at the last Premier's Dinner and influencing the decision to move to Parsons Creek. I deny that, I denied it to him, and I challenged him to bring his sources forward," Allen told Mix News.

Allen says the allegations prompted local seniors to request a statement from all PC MLA contenders, on the centre.

Letters that he, Scott and Jeff Thompson have made public.

Falling to ground, a wounded Wood Buffalo RCMP officer was still able to fire her gun.

The Mountie had been hit in the abdomen by a bullet fired by a 24-year old man inside the MacDonald Place apartment building, last March.

Her male partner, who had a bullet strike the radio on his belt also fired a shot at the suspect, who later died.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team says both officers were justified in their actions, and acted in self defense.

As Mix News reported last week, the victim has been identified Ahmad Abdallah.

The already crowded race for PC MLA nomination in the riding of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo is getting another name.

Andrew Highfield, a grade nine teacher at Holy Trinity High School announcing today he's seeking the nod, making him the fourth candidate.

In a statement, Highfield says he has been an active PC party member for more than a decade.

Adding that his platform is focused on properly funded education and health care, safer roads and communities, maintaining and building a strong economy and affordable housing.

The Tory nomination window in both ridings closes tonight at 6:00 pm.

So far Mike Allen, Jeff Thompson and Nick Sanders have also filed nomination papers.

One person is dead following a collision on Highway 881.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say they responded to a crash approximately 15 kilometres south of Anzac, early Saturday morning.

Police say a pilot vehicle operator had stepped out of her truck to conduct traffic as part of a wideload escort, when an oncoming pick-up slammed into the vehicle, and the victim.

The-49 year old Edmonton woman was pronounced dead on scene.

While 36 year-old Darcy Lemaigre of Saskatchewan was treated and released from hospital before being charged with numerous offenses, including Impaired Driving Causing Death.

The victim's name is not being released.

A new party president is being announced by the Federal Liberal Party.

Mike Crawley beat out former deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps and two others to assume the position as top executive Sunday afternoon.

The party also voted in favour of legalizing marijuana, against severing ties with the monarchy, and in favour of a preferential balloting system.

Pembina Pipeline Corporation purchasing Provident Energy for $3.2 billion.

Announced this morning, the deal creates a combined company with market capitalization of $7.9 billion, and total enterprise value of $10 billion, making it one of the largest publicly traded energy infrastructure companies in Canada.

Pembina operates three oil sands pipelines.

Enbridge's safety record, south of the border, provides some insight into the environmental risks of the Northern Gateway Pipeline.

The company's own data shows, that from 2004 to 2008, 32,000 barrels of crude was spilled from its liquid pipelines, in the United States, with 175 leaks recorded in less than a decade.

Meaning that, on average, the Northern Gateway would be responsible for more than 1,000 barrels of spilled oil sands crude every year.

Enbridge will be busy defending its safety record in the coming weeks, as 18 months of public hearings on the multi-billion dollar project enter their second week.

If approved, the $5.5 billion project would transport over 500,000 barrels of crude, daily, from Alberta to the West Coast of British Columbia.

The communities of Conklin, Janvier and Gregoire Lake Estates are coping with higher costs and slower speed due to sluggish internet connections.

Ward Four Councillor Jane Stroud says she is currently in talks with Telus, hoping the provider will install high-speed internet in the rural regions.

"They explained the equipment costs quite a bit, and their concern is how many people they would get signed up, however I'm just hoping that will consider looking at  these communities and giving them the advantage that everyone else in the regional municipality has," said Stroud.

Stroud says there is currently approximately 800 residents without access to high-speed internet.

The internet is all a flutter with a twitter announcement from Minister of Democratic Reform, Tim Uppal.

The surging popularity of social media has the Harper Government changing its stance on elections information, ending a ban that made posting early campaign results before the polls closed illegal across the country.

In light of sites such as Twitter and Facebook, Uppal says the laws, have become out of place and unenforceable.

The rules were introduced in 1938 to prevent western voters from knowing the results of the election in the east before they cast their ballots.

As the Keystone XL hits a regulatory snag, the Republican Party is trying to take the reins of approval from  Barack Obama.

According to Reuters, North Dakota's Senator John Hoeven is drafting contingency bill that would see Congress approve the TransCanada Pipeline, with or without the green-light from the American President.

If Obama rejects the $7 billion proposal on the legislated deadline of February 21st, the Senate will consider legislation that would force construction of the controversial oil sands link to begin.

The Alberta to Texas link is being re-routed away from an environmentally sensitive region of Nebraska and Obama has said a verdict will be put on hold until after the 2013 Presidential election.

An investigation has concluded that local police were justified in shooting and killing a man in a downtown apartment.

According to iNews 880, who obtained an internal message sent from the the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team to RCMP, 24-year old Ahmad Abdallah died during a shootout with two Mounties in the MacDonald Place Apartments, last March.

A female officer was hit in the abdomen, while a bullet also struck a radio in her male partner's waist belt. The female member remains off duty.

In the memo, ASIRT Assistant Commissioner Marianne Ryan called Abdallah's death "regrettable", but offered admiration and personal thanks to all officers who responded to the call.

ASIRT Director Cliff Purvis concluded that police actions were justified as self defence.

(Photo courtesy of Twitter.)

A former Wood Buffalo Mayor and Councillor is now seeking nomination as a Wildrose MLA.

As Mix News reported last night, Doug Faulkner has filed his papers in the southern riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin. Faulkner served two terms as mayor, from 1997 to 2004, following two terms as a councillor.

He says he choose the Wildrose because he believes leader Danielle Smith and the party has something great to offer.

"After a sabbatical away from politics and observing how the Provincial Government has treated Fort McMurray, I must become involved again."

Adding that the PCs have ignored the needs of the community for too long, "To see a government in place that listens, finally listens and acts upon their promises. We have such growing stress levels in this community, levels of concern that aren't being addressed."

Faulkner also ran in the 2004 federal election as a Liberal, following a failed 2000 bid as a Progressive Conservative.

His application is expected to be finalized early next week. So far only Municipal Councillor and local lawyer Don Scott is running in the same riding. Scott is seeking PC nomination.

It's unclear when the writ will be dropped for the provincial election.

Premier Alison Redford is refusing to reveal the date of her pending announcement, but assures Albertans that budget deliberations will be completed before the race gets underway.

"I have said that we would have a throne speech, we would bring the budget forward, we would have a Spring session of the Legislature and then we would go to the polls, I've been very clear and I've never changed my position on that," said Redford.

This, as the provincial government announces the Spring sitting of the Legislature will start February 7th, fueling speculation that the election will get underway early in March.

Under the new Redford-government Elections Act, polling stations must be open by the end of April.

Finning Canada is hoping their guilty plea provides closure for the family of an employee killed at Suncor's Millenium site.

The operator will pay $275,000 in fines after pleading guilty to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in a Sherwood Park courtroom today

40-year old mechanic, Kevin Grocutt was crushed to death by Caterpillar heavy-haul truck on at the Suncor Millenium site in July, 2008.

Through creative sentencing, much of Finning's fine will be allocated to provincial workplace training initiatives.

While company officials tell Mix News Finning has modified and improved training practices in an attempt to prevent another tragedy.

A trial date is being set for a Fort McMurray man facing several child pornography charges.

44 year-old Stephen Deighton is accused of photographing and filming children at five Alberta pools, including MacDonald Island Park.

Deighton has plead not guilty to 13 charges including making and possessing child pornography and voyeurism.

A joint investigation by Wood Buffalo RCMP and Alberta's Internet Child Exploitation Unit was launched in March after a camera containing suspicious images was turned over to police.

No victims have been identified as the majority of the photos do not include the child's face.

The trial begins December 17th.

(Nick Sanders announced Thursday he is seeking PC

MLA nomination.)

MacDonald Island Park's board chair is taking a leap into politics.

Nick Sanders announcing today that he is seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination for the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding.

Sanders says his bid for MLA is aimed at engaging the community.

"I think we all have to start somewhere and I thought this was a good opportunity to try and get this community a little bit more politicly motivated and I see this as an opportunity to take on that challenge."

Sanders is the third Tory hopeful to announce his nomination in the northern riding, joining councillor Mike Allen and Public School Board Chair, Jeff Thompson.

Tory hopeful, Jeff Thompson is the latest provincial candidate to voice his concerns over  a lack of consultation  in the re-location of the continuing care centre.

Thompson, who has put his name forward in the northern riding of Wood Buffalo, is suggesting the province should construct to facilities, as the population of municipality is projected to double.

The Chair of Public School Board says a 100-bed centre should first be constructed at downtown Willow Square, in close proximity to existing health and seniors services.

Late last year, the Alberta Government announced the long-awaited centre would be moved from its planned location near the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre to uptown Parsons Creek.

Municipal crews continue to tackle the piling snow in Fort McMurray neighbourhoods.

Snow removal is currently underway in parts of downtown and Timberlea, and will expand to other neighbourhoods in the coming days.

Depending on weather and operational needs, the plan is to clear the streets of Abasand and Greyling Terrance starting Sunday, followed by Waterways and Wood Buffalo.

Electronic message boards will be set up in each subdivision seven days prior to snow removal, while traditional road signs and orange cones will give residents two days advance warning to park their vehicles elsewhere.

Those parking in the street during snow plow operations will be towed and fined $120.

"Abasand - scheduled to start January 15
"Beaconhill - scheduled to start January 22
"Dickinsfield - scheduled to start January 20
"Downtown - snow removal started on January 9
"Grayling Terrace - scheduled to start January 15
"Prairie Creek - scheduled to start January 24
"Thickwood - scheduled to start January 23
"Timberlea - snow removal started on January 9
"Waterways - scheduled to start January 17
"Wood Buffalo - scheduled to start January 18

The Northern Gateway Pipeline, once touted as faster domestic alternative to the Keystone XL Pipeline is now embroiled in likely years of regulatory hurdles.

Ken Chapman of the Oil Sands Developers Group says projections the Enbridge project would be approved with ease were misinformed, arguing that those concerned that a lack of export capacity could see oil sands projects shelved, should look east.

"Ontario, Quebec and Eastern Canada get much of their oil from offshore, and we've got pipelines going out there that we could be reversing and supplying the rest of Canada...We should be using more of own domestic sources in eastern Canada as well as going out to the west, " said Chapman.

And while much of the economic gain from the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline would be felt in British Columbia, Chapman says the oil sands are set to benefit from emerging markets in Asia.

"The economic spin-off is one element the other element is the need for market access and diversification of market, that in a larger sense is important to the oil sands development from an Alberta perspective," said Chapman.

More than 4,000 people are slated to testify at 18 months of public hearings on the Alberta to B.C. oil sands link, which got underway in Kitimat, Tuesday.

Finning Canada is due in court today, stemming from the death of an employee.

40-year old mechanic Kevin Grocutt was crushed to death at the Suncor Millenium mine in 2008, while attempting to tow a heavy hauler for repairs.

The company is expected to enter a plea in Sherwood Park Provincial Court, after being charged in 2010 with four violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Finning could not be reached for comment, but issued a statement after the incident, calling Grocutt's death tragic.

A leading real estate brokerage says the strong demand for housing in Fort McMurray, will continue throughout 2012.

The Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast was released today, calling the local market, "balanced".

In the fourth quarter of 2011, standard two-storey homes sold on average for $710,000, detached bungalows for $620,000 and the average purchase price of a standard condo, was $380,000.

Marian Barry, broker and owner of Royal LePage True North Realty credits continued job creation and growing migration levels for the strong demand in Fort McMurray, something she expects will continue this year.

After months of public consultation, the province is releasing its syllabus for the future of education in Alberta.

The Redford government has identified 10 priority areas as it works to re-draft the Education Act, a document which informs classrooms from kindergarten through to high school graduation.

Among the top goals,  increasing access to post-secondary training, reviewing provincial achievement tests, improving collaboration on the construction of new schools and reducing travel time for students.

The initiatives were borne out of dozens of provincial public hearings, including one hosted in Fort McMurray last December.

To view the document in full visit, http://www.alberta.ca//acn/201201/31784C87E013F-07B2-09FF-E745E76F1B9DFC1F.html

Albertans can expect a Spring election.

President of the the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party, Bill Smith says, Premier Alison Redford's decision to resume the Legislature in early February is spurring the party into action.

"Well, as I said, we've got to get all our candidates nominated, that's our first challenge and once we've got that done we've got to take them all to school so to speak and teach the new ones how to campaign and hopefully the veterans will be able to help them out to assemble all their teams of volunteers, there's a lot of work to be done but we're working towards that goal," said Smith.

Smith says, under the new fixed elections periods, voters can expect the provincial race to get underway by March or April

While opposition parties say the uncertainty provided by the new Elections Act puts them at an unfair disadvantage, Smith says semi-fixed election dates has evened the political playing field.

Enbridge could have a tougher time convincing opponents of the Northern Gateway pipeline, that the project is safe.

On the same day that a federal panel began hearing from public feedback on the proposed Alberta to British Columbia oil sands link, the company reported that it was investigating a small natural gas leak in the vicinity of its Stingray pipeline, off the coast of Louisiana.

Over 4,000 people have signed up to speak during the 18 months of hearings into the $5.5 billion project.

A false twitter account is creating a flurry of political rumours in Fort McMurray.

An anncounment was made this afternoon that municipal councillor Sheldon Germain would run as MLA in Wood Buffalo.

The Fort McMurray native and Holy Trinity High School Vice Principal says there is no truth in the online statements.

"I believe that these attacks have been partisan based and are just trying to use my name to help them gain an advantage , whoever made the account, I'd like to have a frank and open conversation with and whoever made the account I would hope would apologize for it and do the right thing." said Germain.

Germain says he's never been interested in provincial politics and he is more than satisfied to continue in his role as councillor, school administrator and father.

And although Germaine is dismayed by the online statements, he was pleasantly surprised by the public response as he was flooded with flattering phone calls this afternoon.

A Fort McMurray man accused on photographing children at swimming pools across Alberta, is slated to appear in local court today.

44-year old Stephen Deighton faces 13 charges including making and possessing child pornography, and voyeurism.

An investigation was launched last March after a camera containing suspicious images was turned over to police.

MacDonald Island Park was one of five pools identified in the investigation.

Temple Real Estate Investment Trust is adding to its chain of Fort McMurray hotels.

The company announcing that its acquiring the Radisson Hotel and Suites for $25.1 million.

Temple says it will also undertake a $2.7 million renovation to the hotel guest rooms, lobby and corridors.

Opened in 2003, the Gregoire hotel has134 guestrooms

A second Wood Buffalo Councilor who is also seeking MLA nomination for the Alberta PC Party is speaking out against an Alberta Government decision to move the planned long term care centre to Parsons Creek.

Mike Allen, who has put his name forward in the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding followed council colleague Don Scott this afternoon in releasing a statement saying he is "very disappointed to learn that the LTCC site was changed without consulting the seniors of this community or incorporating their views."

Allen says the seniors he has spoken to have said that whether or not the facility is built at Willow Square, seniors believe "it MUST be built in the lower townsite."

Seniors have expressed concerns around the Parsons Creek site due to transportation issues, access to 24-hour health care, and the fact that most already reside in downtown accomodations.

A Wood Buffalo Councillor is calling on the very government he hopes to join to suspend the re-location of the long term care centre.

Don Scott issued a statement this afternoon saying he is concernced about the Alberta Government's recent decision to move the site of the 100-bed facility from Willow Square downtown to Parsons Creek.

"The decision appears to have been made without sufficient consultation in the community, particularly with seniors," said Scott, who is seeking the PC MLA nod for the new riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin.

Scott said he visited the third and fourth floors of the hospital and the Rotary House in December where he says "encountered universal opposition to the Parsons Creek location".

Scott adds that as a councillor, he was not involved or consulted with respect to either location decision.

Last week close to 20 seniors stormed a government press conference scheduled to include Infrastructure Minister Jeff Johnson, who announced the re-location, demanding answers as to why they were not included in where the long-awaited centre would go.

They were told that ministers would meet with them on January 26th.

Suncor is confirming that a small aircraft slid off the runway at Firebag Aerodrome this afternoon.

Suncor Spokesperson, Dany Laferriere says none of the 44 passengers and crew members aboard the CRJ plane were injured.

The craft apparently lost control shortly before 2:00 pm.

The plane appears to be in working order, with no apparent damage.

Due to inclement weather, all flights at the aerodrome have been cancelled until further notice.

An internal investigation will be conducted, although the weather at the time of the incident was poor.

MacDonald Island Park is inviting residents to persevere their memories.

The facility unveiling its MI Legacy Wall today, a visual and interactive display allowing visitors to upload their photos to a series of screens.

Don Scott of McMurray Law Office, helped fund the wall, saying he has always loved historic photos, thanks to his father being a photographer.

You can visit www.macdonaldisland.ca to upload your digital photos, then search for and display them on the eight hi-def screens installed in the facility.

Aside from the touch screens and monitors, the wall also includes a photographic time line of Fort McMurray and Mac Island, dating back to 1872.

Roads conditions in the region are deterioating this evening.

That according to Wood Buffalo RCMP, who are issuing a warning to motorists, urging travellers to stay at home if possible.

If you do need to use the icy roadways, drivers are advised to avoid tailgating, proceed slowly, and drive with extreme caution.

All roadways remain open at this time, Mix News will keep you notified of any changes.

Teck Resources will put up $435 million to buy its oil sands partner SilverBirch Energy Corp.

The deal will pay $8.50 for each SilverBirch share plus one share of a new company, to be called SilverWillow Energy Corp.

The new company will hold all of SilverBirch's existing assets except the Frontier and Equinox oil ands projects, which are already partly owned by Teck.

Pending regulatory approval, the project is expected to eventually produce 277,000 barrels of bitumen per day.

The La Loche Winter Trail, linking Wood Buffalo to the Saskatchewan border opens today at noon.

The is a maximum load limit of 10,000 kilograms, and motorists are advised to drive with caution, as there is no road patrol, limited cell phone service, and logging trucks also travelling the route.

Road maintenance will also be ongoing and sections of the trail remain rough and bumpy.

The case of a Fort McMurray man accused of fatally stabbing a 27-year old in a downtown fight will be adjourned until next month.

A slender and sombre 42 -year old Stacey Ketch appeared via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, with more than a dozen friends and family in attendance.

RCMP allege the 42-year old stabbed the male victim during an altercation involving several individuals near the corner of Main Street and Franklin Avenue December 29th.

Pending an exchange of evidence between the crown and defence, Ketch will appear in court again February 8th

"Nominations are encouraged from across Alberta, we want as many nominations as we can possibly get, some of the categories for this year include individuals within Fort McMurray, businesses, community organizations , there's a police category, media, youth leadership and police community collaborations all within Fort McMurray," said Mears.

Deadline for nominations is at noon February 10th.

For more information on the ACPA's visit  www.crimeprevention.alberta.ca

"If you have a country that is an ethical producer of oil but directly implicates another government, not just a company but another government that is very unethical in its extraction, where does that leave us, It raises an interesting question, kind of a hypothetical conundrum," said Anders.

Anders says, among all foreign operators in the oil patch, China has the worst human rights reputation.

And as the oil sands see an influx of international operators, the province needs to work to maintain consistent safety regulations and transparent financial transactions.

As Fort McMurray roadways become slippery and congested with snow, Wood Buffalo RCMP are issuing a warning and are encouraging  motorists to adjust their driving habits.

Corporal Adam Schedlosky says motorists must maintain a speed limit that corresponds with road conditions.

"During the winter months, road conditions can change quickly and often, we want to make sure that people drive to the conditions that they're being presented with at that time, although the posted speed limit may say 50 or 70 or 100 kilometres per hour depending upon where your driving, that's the maximum posted speed limit and that's prescribed given ideal driving road conditions," said Schedlosky.

Police encourage preperation, saying that winter tires, a cell phone and survival kit could keep you safe in case of a roadside emergency.

Those who who speed during inclement  weather could face a $172.00  fine, while those who drive without due care and attention could be fined $402.

Highway closures in poor weather are a neccessary inconvenience, according to the province.

Alberta Transportation closed Highway 63 and 881 for several hours on Thursday due to pelting snow and freezing rain, stranding travellers and stalling motorists.

Spokesperson, Trent Bancraz says the government wants to take responsibility for the safety of  provincial roadways.

"Sometimes mother nature just overpowers you, you get a situation like we had the other day with freezing rain, nobody can really control that, but what we can control is at least trying to keep things as safe as possible for people, and we realize it causes inconvenience , but I think public safety is a higher priority," said Bancraz..

Bancraz says the province will close any Alberta highway on the advice of police, road maintenance crews or department staff.

$240 million is spent each year on highway maintenance across Alberta.

In a continued effort to ease congestion on local roads and improve our environmental footprint, a free online carpool service is hitting the road in Fort McMurray.

Residents can visit www.carpool.ca and register to receive a list of potential ride sharing partners.

"You can go to our website and for free you register and enter information about where you live and where you work and the times that you live and work and whether or not your a smoker or a non-smoker and a number of other criteria. The system will provide you with a list of names of people that are also interested in carpooling that match the criteria you have put into the system," said Anne Marie Thornton, Executive Director of the site.

The program is funded by the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, Alberta Health Services, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Keyano College, Oil Sands Developers Group and the Fort McMurray Construction Association.

A new poll suggests nearly half of British Columbians support the controversial Northern Gateway Pipeline.

The Ipsos Reid Poll, commissioned by Enbridge, suggests 48 per cent of residents are in favour of $5.5 billion dollar project, 32 per cent are opposed, while 20 per cent were undecided.

The pipeline would carry 525,000 barrels of crude per day from Alberta to Kitimat, on BC's West Coast.

Federal hearings on the project begin next week.

Ten Alberta Tory constituencies are under investigation for alleged illegal contributions.

President of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta Bill Smith confirming a probe by Elections Alberta is underway.

Telling Mix News he has asked all remaining ridings, to take a look at their books for evidence of misappropriation, "What we're saying is if these things are in fact occuring, we want to ensure they aren't and do whatever we can to prevent them. In terms of what the opposition says, again I go back and say we've got thousands of volunteers helping us out, and sometimes people make mistakes."

The party's finances are being reviewed for evidence they solicited or accepted illegal political contributions, from organizations such as municipalities.

The PC's refuse to reveal which ridings are under investigation.

The national unemployment rate is edging up despite an increase in jobs to close out 2011.

Statistics Canada reporting that after two months of declines, 18,000 jobs were created in December.

But because more people were also seeking work, unemployment rose to 7.5 per cent.

Overall, Canada added 199,000 jobs last year.

And while there was little change in employment figures in Canada last month, the province added 99-thousand jobs over the year, entirely full-time positions.

Alberta's unemployment rate stands at 4.9 per cent.

Keyano College is hosting an information session tonight for a new program it says will attract unparalleled demand.

The FINNTech Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma allows those interested in working in the oil sands the chance to earn all four years of their apprenticeship technical training, in just 20 months.

Designed by Keyano and Finning Canada, the course aims to address the shortfall of heavy equipment technicians  in our region.

The info session runs from 6:00pm  to 8:00pm inside the Elements Meeting Room.

The weight limit permitted on the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road is increasing.

The municipality announcing today that vehicles as heavy as 10,000 kilograms are now allowed to take the northern route.

The speed limit remains 50 kilometres per hour and extreme caution is still advised as road maintenance continues.

There are also no gas stations along the link and cell phone coverage is very limited.

Nexen is calling a $1 million contribution to Father Patrick Mercredi an investment in their future workforce.

The funding from the regional oil sands operator will help to facilitate programming at school's state of the art, Science and Technology Centre.

Catholic School Board Superintendent , Kim Jenkins says by expanding educational opportunities , the programs aim to fill a gap in the workforce.

Kids who come out of high school and try a year of university, and thats not for them and then they bounce around for 7 or 8 years, and the average age of a technologist in this province who enters a program is 27, so we were calling it the lost ten years, so our goal here is to, first of all, open the eyes of students  in terms of the opportunities ," said Jenkins.

The multi-million dollar facility which opened its doors in September, offers high school students training in engineering, Industrial technologies, robotics and hydraulics.

Five major players in Alberta's oil sands are revealing their stake in the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.

Cenovus, MEG Energy, Nexen, Suncor and Total E&P have all filed shipping and financing statements with the National Energy Board.

Signalling their support for the Enbridge project, without publicly saying how much they'll pay.

The 5.5 billion dollar oil sands link would carry 525,000 barrels of crude per day from Alberta to Kitimat, BC.

The announcement comes as Federal review hearings are scheduled to start next week.

4,000 people have signed up to speak.

Highway 63 and Highway 881 south of Fort McMurray are both closed this morning.

RCMP say the roads have been shutdown due to freezing rain and extremely icy conditions.

Mix News will keep you updated.

A leading economic think tank proposes that full exploitation of oil sands wealth would leave some of the poorest countries in world agriculturally devastated.

A Centre for Global Development report points to scientific consensus, attributing climate change to mounting green house gas emissions.

Report author, Dr. David Wheeler says  political decisions made in the largely untapped Alberta oil sands have mortal stakes when they accelerate  the creation of massive fossil fuel deposits.

"Since were already rich, we can't argue that we need these resources to enhance our income as desperately as some poorer countries might, so collectively we need to take stalk and make decisions about getting this problem under control as quickly as we can, because there are many good,  people , who work in honest jobs, that rely on these resources for their livelihood," said Wheeler.

Wheeler says an outright industry expansion would leave climates in continents such as Africa especially vunerable,  pushing down food production by 5.6 per cent across the globe.

An engineer turned whistle blower is sounding the alarm over the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline.

Mike Klink, of Indiana, lost his job working with Beck Tel Corp on the first Keystone pipeline after voicing his concerns over shoddy workmanship, faulty foundations and steel materials which reportedly fractured under the weight of welding work.

Klink tells Mix News the faults were considered anomalies by upper management and his complaints fell on deaf ears.

"When it's brand new, there shouldn't be any problems, you should have checked and double checked, there's no reason that you're being paid to do something and not have a quality project. If you were building a house for anyone of those individuals at TransCanada or anywhere else, they would be the first to complain," said Klink.

The qualified engineer was the only worker, out of roughly 90 employees to be let go, the day before a Federal Safety inspection, more than two years ago.

Klink says, in the absence of stringent regulations, TransCanada will continue to make the same mistakes in the future.

Another member of the Municipal Government is taking the leap into provincial politics.

Mike Allen announcing this afternoon that he'll seek the Progressive Conservative nomination for the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding.

" We have to be sitting at the table to let people know what is happening in Wood Buffalo, right now we have alot of decisions that are being made by Ministers and MLA's with good intentions, but they're from all over the province, and they don't understand the region as strongly as people who live here and work here," said Allen.

Allen will be running against fellow PC hopeful and Public School Board Chair Jeff Thompson.

And if successful, will campaign in next spring's election against current MLA Guy Boutilier, who will seek re-election for the first time as a member of the Wildrose.

Government is teaming with industry to enhance transportation in the oil sands region.

The formation of the new Athabasca Oil Sands Area Transportation Coordinating Committee was announced today.

Alberta's Transportation Minister Ray Danyluk explains the role of the advisory body.

This about the movement of goods, but it's still about people, it is about roads and the congestion and how do we move economically, how do move product, commodities," said Danyluk.

The committee will facilitate improved planning, design, financing and construction of roads, highways, rail and air transportation and will provide the provincial government with recommendations.

A murder case continues to make its way through the courts.

A 16-year old Fort McMurray boy appeared in local court via CCTV Tuesday afternoon, charged with killing a 31-year old woman and injuring a child inside an apartment on Powder Drive on November 26, 2011.

The teen, who cannot be named, also faces a long list of other crimes, including sexual offenses against a child and break and enter.

He currently remains in custody in Edmonton, and is due to appear back in court January 17th.

Billions of dollars in oil sands revenue rides on the approval of Northern Gateway Pipeline.

A report, drafted by Wood MacKenzie for the Alberta government, says that producers would lose $72 billion over nine years if the Enbridge project is rejected.

And while those in the oil patch would see their bottom line suffer, the Alberta government would also lose out on millions in offshore revenue royalties.

18 months of hearings on the Alberta to B.C. link begin next week.

The environmental review panel, charged with assessing the risks of the proposal , will allow time for 4,000 stakeholders to testify at the hearings, pushing back a final decision on the project until mid 2013.

Charges are being laid following a fatal pedestrian collision in Janvier last month.

Russell Hill is facing one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, one count of criminal negligence causing death

The 44-year old was allegedly behind the wheel of a truck that struck a 58-year old woman along the main road in the Fort Chipewyan Prairie First Nations, a week before Christmas.

The accused is due in court for the first time on the 23rd.

A Fort McMurray family is in mourning after the New Year's day death of their son

22-year old Jason Lebedynski was killed in a four-vehicle collision near Mariana Lake Saturday afternoon.

A mother and son were also seriously injured in the crash.

The woman remains at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, while the boy remains in the care of the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton.

Lebedynski's mother, Annie Lelievre tells Mix News the accident should serve as a catalyst for improvements on Highway 63 and that poor road conditions were to blame for the crash.

A funeral will be held at the St. Johns Church on Saturday, with a public viewing at 10:00am, a memorial service at 2:00pm

A new ad campaign is being launched to highlight foreign funds paid to Canadian anti-oil sands groups.

EthicalOil.org, the website behind the Chiquita banana boycott, says foreign billionaires and their lobbyists are backing groups like Environmental Defence, Corporate Ethics and Ecojustice.

Also appearing in newspapers in northern B.C, the ads coincide with the start of federal government hearings into the Northern Gateway Pipeline next week.

Ethical Oil says Canadians will be shocked to learn that anti-oil sands lobby groups opposing the project have taken millions of dollars from foreign special interests.

A Chinese energy giant is taking full ownership of an oil sands project.

Athabasca Oil Sands is selling its remaining 40 per cent stake in the MacKay River project to a subsidiary of PetroChina for $680 million dollars.

The SAGD project is expected to come online in 2014.

The sale saves Athabasca around 190 million dollars in capital spending this year.

Athabasca says it "believes the long-term prospects of the company are enhanced by deploying its capital and resources into its other development projects."

A 22-year old Fort McMurray man is dead following a four-vehicle crash on Highway 63 Saturday.

Police responded to the collision around an hour south of the city near Mariana Lake around 3:00 pm that afternoon, and closed the road for several hours.

They say the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre with serious injuries.

An investigation continues, but RCMP say poor road conditions, due to snowfall, contributed to the collision. 

The name of the victim has not been released.

A Fort McMurray man has been charged with murder in the city's fourth homicide of 2011.

Wood Buffalo RCMP confirmed Monday afternoon that the 27-year old male victim died in hospital from stab wounds suffered during an altercation downtown around 7:00 pm Thursday December 29, 2011.

Police were called to Main Street near the corner of Franklin Avenue where a group of several individuals were involved in a fight.

42-year old Stacey Ketch has also been charged with Aggravated Assault, Assault with a weapon and Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.

The accused remains in custody awaiting his first court appearance, scheduled for January 9, 2012.

More than two thirds of Canada's population is in favour of assisted suicide.

A recent survey conducted by Forum Research across Canada found that a strong majority are in favor of making physician-assisted suicide legal in the country for the terminally ill.

The report found that support among residents living in Quebec was the strongest at 81 per cent.

Followed by British Columbia at 65 per cent and Ontario and Prairie provinces at 60 per cent.

An American business mogul is calling President Barack Obama's decision to delay the Keystone XL Pipeline outrageous and dumb.

For Donald Trump, the economic benefits of the Alberta to Texas oil sands link outweigh the environmental risks.

Trump told the Calgary Herald,  Canada is lucky to have strong leadership, arguing that denying a project that would reportedly create 200,000 jobs is foolish.

Adding that the pipeline is a national security must for our neighbors to the south.

The Alberta to Texas link is being re-routed away from an environmentally sensitive region in Nebraska and has been put on hold until after the 2013 Presidential election.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say they're investigating a suspicious death.

Police were called to a fight between several individuals on Main Street near the corner of Franklin Avenue shortly before 7:00 pm last night.

A 27-year old male was rushed to hospital with undisclosed injuries, where he later died.

A cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy is scheduled for January 2, 2012.

A 42-year old male is currently in custody, but no charges have been laid.

Police have not released the name of the victim and are asking anyone with information to call 780-788-4000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Even with a below average amount of snow accumulating, it can still make navigating local roads tricky, luckily help is on its way.

The municipality announcing that snow removal will begin on residential streets next week.

Electronic message boards will be set up in each subdivision a week prior to snow removal, followed by specific street signs warning of no parking, 48 hours in advance, with clearing beginning within 72 hours of that.

During snow removal any vehicles parked on the street will be ticketed and towed to a nearby street

New safety regulations around child car seats will come into effect January 1, 2012.

The updated rules will align with those enforced in the United States and include a new testing requirement using a three-point seatbelt to secure car seats in vehicles and introduce dynamic testing requirements for booster seats.

Parents are advised to always be aware of the guidelines for child seats and ensure their child is in a seat appropriate for his or her size, and that it is installed and used properly.

A third case of misread results is prompting the province launch an examination of diagnostic imaging and pathology testing.

Health Minister Fred Horne announcing yesterday that the inquiry comes after Alberta Health Services revealed it's reviewing the cases of 34 patients who had their CT scans misinterpreted by a radiologist at Drumheller Hospital.

Though it is not clear how many of the patients require a change in treatment.

Earlier this month, dozens of pathology tests conducted at the Royal Alexandra Hospital were reviewed, and 15 patients who had been told they were cancer-free, were found to have the disease.

Specific details about the the scope of the examination will be released in the coming weeks.

Ethical Oil is refusing to quash its call for a Chiquita Banana boycott.

The pro-industry group is launching a radio campaign encouraging consumers to continue avoiding the brand.

The ads claim that the fruit producer has flip-flopped on its environmental policies and set the impossible goal of avoiding oil sands derived fuel, which accounts for 97 per cent of Canada's oil reserves.

The call to action was prompted by a Chiquita policy, asking its trucking companies to avoid oil sands derived fuel whenever possible.

The producer has since clarified its position on oil sands derived fuel, saying their initiative to reduce their consumption of the product was merely part of larger scheme to minimize their environmental footprint.

With a labour shortage looming, the Federal and Alberta governments are looking to Fort McMurray's older generation.

Under the 'Targeted Initiative for Older Workers', the two governments provided $ 400,000 for the Fort McMurray Employment Services project.

Alberta Human Services spokesperson Jennifer Dagsvik says it will help 70 unemployed workers enhance their employability skills, so they can return to the job.

"We want to make sure that we reach out to these people because we know we're going to need labour access, labour abilities in the future," said Dagsvik.

The funding comes from the 'Targeted Initiative for Older Workers', a cost-shared program that since 2006 has helped over 16-thousand unemployed workers between 55 and 64 across the country.

Secret government documents point to a federal frustration over the Northern Gateway Pipeline.

Natural Resources Minster, Joe Oliver is telling the Edmonton Journal, Ottawa is growing concerned over excessive delays, in light of correspondence, revealed under access to information legislation.

The documents shows that, as of September, federal lawmakers believed final hearings on the Enbridge project would be complete by mid 2012.

However, the environmental review panel, charged with assessing the risks of the multi-billion dollar project are pushing back their deadline by at least a year, releasing a hearing schedule that will allow more than 4-thousand stakeholders time to testify.

The proposed oil sands link would carry 525, 000 barrels of crude per day from Alberta to Kitimat.

Once suffering from blindness, paralysis and chronic nausea, a year later, and a Fort McMurray man says he is healthy and looking forward to returning to work.

Shane Wambolt was forced to cover the cost of a procedure to remove a cyst from his brain, conducted in Los Angeles last November.

The 26-year old father says his family enjoyed the best Christmas ever, despite a discouraging letter from the province.

"Just the generosity of people with donations and dropping presents off at our doorstep for our son, it's an overwhelming feeling, words can't describe the thankfulness," said Wambolt.

Wambolt received a letter from the Health Minister, Fred Horne on December 23rd, telling him the province won't be intervening in his case.

Local MLA Guy Boutilier accompanied Wambolt during a meeting with Premier Alison Redford last month, during which she assured him Wambolt's demands for a third coverage review would be met.

Extremely low ridership is forcing the municipality to scale back its transit services.

Effective January 2nd, city bus service will end at 11:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 9:00 pm on Sundays

Currently the last bus leaves City Hall at 11:45 during the week.

A long list of new and revised routes has also been announced including more direct service between Timberlea and Thickwood with stops at Eagle Ridge Boulevard and Powder Drive offered via the A and B Mainline Express.

Transit users will also have access to 15-minute service from downtown to MacDonald Island Park between 6:45 am and 11:00 pm.

For more information call dispatch at 743-4157

Athabasca Oil Sands Corp. announcing this morning that it's received full regulatory approval for the MacKay River project.

The 150,000 barrel per day SAGD site is a joint venture with PetroChina, with Athabasca owning a 40 per cent stake.

Earlier this year Athabasca Oil Sands sold 60 per cent of its MacKay River and Dover projects to the Chinese Energy company.

Construction on the 35,000 bpd Phase 1 is scheduled to begin next month with start-up expected in 2014.

Athabasca plans to spend $187 million on the operation next year.

Traffic is moving again south of Fort McMurray following a collision last night.

Although no details have been released by RCMP, AMA reported that Highway 63 was closed in both directions for several hours at Grassland.

The road was reopened around 11:00 pm, according to AMA's official Twitter account.

A blaze which incinerated much of Slave Lake to the ground is among the most severe weather events of the year.

 Environment Canada rankings of the top ten weather stories for 2011 calls the May event shocking, saying perfect breeding conditions fanned the flames faster than anyone forecasted.

A bone-dry forest, and 100 kilometre winds saw the fire rage across the community, creating its own dry lightning and thunder.

More than 400 buildings were incinerated in 1000 degree heat, making it the second most costly-insured damage disaster in Canadian history.

Also listed , the historic floods in the West and Quebec, a network tropical storms on east coast and record low artic sea ice cover.

From academic to activists, TEDX conferences are a forum for innovation and inspiration.

A Technology Entertainment and Design event slated to take place in Fort McMurray in March will provide influential community members the opportunity to find a voice on the international stage.

Communications Director, Michelle Landsiedel says the event will be streamed and archived online, allowing followers around the world a glimpse of the city's most influential players.

"The foundation of Ted is really, ideas worth sharing, so its a global platform for really thought provoking conversations, ideas, having speakers come together and give the talk of their lives," said Landsiedel.

The internationally-renowned conferences have showcased a range of topics including technological advancements, medical breakthroughs , unusual research and cultural lectures.

The selection board is still seeking residents who can showcase the city's diversity and ingenuity.

Tiny plants could be the answer to one of the oil sands largest environmental obstacles, tailings ponds.

Researchers at the University of Calgary have isolated microbes that, over thousands of years, have learned to feed off and purify bitumen toxins.

Microbiologist Dr. Howard Ceri says, once the growth of these bio films is accelerated, tailings slurry could be transformed into drinkable water.

"(Take the bio films) from the tailings ponds and the areas where bitumen is found and put them together in a way that they can efficiently and effectively carry out the degradation reaction, just as simply and as quickly as our water treatment plants do for our sewage," said Ceri.

Ceri says his team will be building small scale models of the bio-reactors that could one day make tailings ponds a thing of the past.

Their peer-reviewed report will be published next month.

A new man will sit around the Board of Governors table at Keyano College.

Andrew Carter, a Fort McMurray resident since 1980, is announced as the newest member of the board.

Fort the past two years Carter has been a Board Member for the Fort McMurray Historical Society.

He also currently serves as the Manager of Tailings Operations at Shell Albian Sands.

"They walked us through some conceptual proposals of how we might integrate things like the northern lights and the Boreal forrest and the concept of northern Canada, today was more about themes but it was a great first step," said Reid.

Reid says, public consultation will begin in January with the proposed blue prints going to council in May or June.

"I think there needs to be more studies, as I mentioned there are studies already published in the National Academy of Sciences journal that suggest that there are higher concentrations of certain contaminants downstream of oil sands developments versus upstream, what that means for residents downstream is unknown but there needs to be additional studies, there certainly needs to be a foundational monitoring system in place to help up understand those impacts," said Grant.

Released under access to information to legislation this week, the report highlights the need for a viable environmental monitoring system in the region, in light of the industry's growing footprint.

The Canadian housing market is coming out on top this year.

A TD Economics Report says, despite a slump in recent months, prices gained by an estimated 7.5 per cent, while sales increased by 2.2 per cent nationwide.

The average Canadian home is overvalued by 10 per cent, with prices appreciating by 7.5 per cent this year.

However, the New Year doesn't look quite as rosy.

Analysts project the first half of 2012 will be marked by confidence snapping events in Europe, global financial turbulence and sluggish economic growth.

The treatment process of Fort McKay's drinking water is showing positive results.

In November, the community had resorted to distributing bottled water to residents due to an increase of  tri-halo-methanes and halo-acetic acids.

Manager of Water Treatment and Underground Services for the Municipality, Shane Hogan says  all residuals for the tri-halo-methanes are below the legal limit of 0.1.

Caused by an influx of organic matter into the Ells River, prolonged exposure to the chemicals, has been linked to cancer and birth defects.

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

The holiday season means more travel in and out of the country and Alberta Health Services is reminding residents to be aware of creepy crawly's while on vacation.

Adult bedbugs are wingless, oval, flat, reddish brown insects that feed on human blood.

AHS says, while travelling, inspect your hotel room and furniture for live insects or evidence of bedbugs.

The bug is typically found in covers and mattresses.

Owners of the Penhorwood Condos will likely trigger the wrecking ball come February.

Board Chair Christine Burton says defendants have be given until the end of February to gather evidence despite fears legal wrangling would delay demolition.

"We're going to give them a drop-dead date of February 29th to do whatever it is they feel needs to be done and to challenge any of our assumptions about re-building or demolishing, so it will be up to them to take any actions they deem necessary, but we had to set a date so we can move forward with plans to rebuild," said Burton.

In November, 77 per cent of condo owners voted in favour of tearing down the defunct apartments.

Burton says there are still some challenges regarding finding a builder and financing the construction of new units.

More than 300 people were left without a home in March after the condo's were deemed unsafe,  spurring a $60 million lawsuit against more than a dozen defendants, including the municipality.

Government officials say the oil sands are putting the health of downstream communities at risk.

A secret report by Environment Canada, revealed under Access to Information legislation say the absence of a credible water monitoring program ignores elevated levels of pollution in the Athabasca River.

The presentation says the increased presence of hydrocarbons are threatening to contaminate habitat and poison wildlife downstream of industry development.

Environment Canada's position on the region's environmental stewardship is a far cry from that of the Prime Minister.

Stephen Harper says the industry is being unfairly targeted by international restrictions, their environmental effect wildly exaggerated by anti-oil sands activists.

A leading environmental monitoring organization in Fort McMurray is pushing for more research on land reclamation and water use.

The Cumulative Environmental Management Association is releasing a detailed report on the progress of its widespread analysis on land-use, biodiversity and habitat in the oil sands.

Researchers say unpredictable water withdrawals performed during bitumen extraction threaten to dry-out critical wetlands and extinguish fish stocks.

Adding that a lack of diversity in the soil on reclaimed lands hinders the growth of natural plants and discourages the return of pre-existing wildlife.

Formed in partnership with industry stakeholders more than a decade ago the organization says, with the industry footprint expanding, scientific research is becoming increasingly critical.

One Wildrose Party provincial hopeful is looking uproot the Progressive Conservative party from Fort McMurray.

Keith McGrath  is considering seeking provincial nomination in the region's southern riding of Wood Buffalo-Conklin.

The Catholic School Board Trustee says a delay in the construction of continuing care centre is yet another example of neglect by Progressive Conservative Party.

McGrath says his campaign will focus on health care, education and infrastructure with a mandate to twin Highway 63.

"I think it's time for a change, I think we've gone through several issues over the years and Fort McMurray just keeps getting neglected and we're always behind in infrastructure, simply because we don't get the proper funding," said McGrath.

Conservative Don Scott will take the plunge into provincial politics in the newly formed southern Wood Buffalo riding.

While, Tory hopeful Jeff Thompson will campaign against Wildrose candidate and current MLA, Guy Boutilier in the northern district.

The case of a 16 year old boy accused of murdering a 31-year old Fort McMurray woman will be adjourned until the New Year.

The suspect appeared in a downtown courtroom for the first time Tuesday, via teleconference from the Edmonton Youth Corrections Centre.

The dark-haired young man, looked up only briefly before bowing his head, while it took the presiding judge several minutes to read the dozens of charges before him.

The accused was arrested on suspicion of killing the young woman, and attempting to kill a child in her care at a Powder Drive apartment on November 26th.

The suspect also stands accused of entering a Timberlea home this month and sexually touching a young child, as well as charges ranging from petty theft to tampering with human remains.

The suspect's identity and victim's names were revealed during the court proceedings but the majority of evidence is subject to a publication ban.

The accused will appear in court again January 3rd.

The Wood Buffalo region will be a conservative stronghold after the next provincial election.

That, according to Tory candidate Don Scott whose campaign will run in tandem with Fort McMurray Public School District board Chair Jeff Thompson.

 "I think its time for change, I believe that we need a positive voice in the region. We need someone who is not focused on the past and has to work with grievances," said Scott.

Tory Jeff Thompson is slated to run against Wildrose candidate, and current MLA Guy Boutilier who says the Conservative Party has become stagnant.

" I believe that clearly , that a Wildrose government is government that will have free votes in the Legislature , in my judgement that is a clearly the best example of a better Alberta," said Boutilier.

Thompson, who announced his nomination last night, says his campaign will focus on improving infrastructure, education and provincial relations.

"To ensure that we have the appropriate health services in this community and that we have the schools for the children that are being born here, again, continuing to work on those programs that the residents of Wood Buffalo desire," said Thompson.

The upcoming provincial election will be the first time voters in our region will vote in separate ridings.

A 58 year-old woman is dead after a collision in Janvier this weekend.

The woman was standing near a stationary vehicle when she was struck by a pick up truck along the main road in the Fort Chipewyan Prairie First Nations.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Constable Christina Wilkins says charges are pending but alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

"Right now the investigation is still ongoing, there's still a number of steps that need to be undertaken at this point, right now we have identified the 44 year-old male as the driver of the suspect vehicle, however I can't release any further information in regards to the investigation at this point," said Wilkins.

The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of family.

Once the warmth of the holidays subsides, hundreds of Fort McMurray residents are left with renewed sadness at the loss of a loved one.

Some other Solutions, Executive Director, Karen Gooden says grief counsellors in Fort McMurray often see as much as  a 10 per cent influx in calls and clients in January.

"This year was a particularly bad year for a lot of people passing away, deaths and things like that, At our support groups I know a lot of people are facing their first Christmas without somebody at the table," said Gooden.

Gooden says those experiencing grief can find solace in their programs, including specialized support groups, a crisis hotline and individual therapy.

For more information visit www.someothersolutions.ca.

A 58-year old woman is dead after a collision in Janvier this weekend.

The woman was standing near a stationary vehicle when she was struck by a pick up truck along the main road in the Fort Chipewyan Prairie First Nations.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charges are pending against the 44-year old male driver but police say alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The deceased's name is being withheld pending notification of family

This one may be tough to tuck under the tree.

The Quality Group of Companies donating a five-ton digger/boom truck to Keyano College.

It's the third large truck the local company has provided to the institution in the past eight months, totalling over $215,000.

Keyano's Facilities Department will use one truck for campus maintenance and service work, while the others can be incorporated into future boom truck safety courses and expanded training opportunities.

The donation was made through the college's Equipped for the Future initiative, which has seen over $2.5 million worth of equipment donated or loaned in just two years.

Political pressure may result in accelerated approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The U.S Senate has approved budget legislation that contains a Republican provision intended to force American President Barack Obama to approve the $7 billion project within two months.

Previously, the President said a verdict would not come until 2013, following next November's election.

The legislation does however allows obama to decide not to green light the pipeline if it is "not in the national interest."

Meanwhile, TransCanada has announced plans to add an additional 80 kilometres of pipeline, to extend deliveries to refineries to Houston, which would increase capacity to 830,000 barrels per day.

A 16-year old Fort McMurray boy has been charged with murdering a 31-year old Fort McMurray female found dead inside an apartment in Timberlea on November 26, 2011.

Police are not releasing the identity of the teen, who last Saturday, was arrested in connection to a break and enter in Timberlea. He was released following a bail hearing on Tuesday and placed on numerous conditions.

Then, on Thursday Wood Buffalo RCMP arrested and charged the teen in connection to the killing.

At around 8:15 am on November 26, 2011, Wood Buffalo RCMP responded to a collision on Loutit Road between Grouse Way and Magpie Street where a Dodge Avenger had hit several parked vehicles and was found abandoned with the engine still running.

Police determined the vehicle was registered to the woman found murdered in an apartment on Powder Drive.

A child, who's age or gender has not been released was also found and flown to an Edmonton-area hospital. The child is recovering and has since been released to family.

On December 10, shortly before 4:00 am, Wood Buffalo RCMP were called to a Fort McMurray residence regarding a break and enter in progress. Members attended the scene and discovered the suspect had fled the area.

The investigation revealed that a male entered the occupied Timberlea area residence earlier in the night and allegedly sexually assault a child.

The suspect was charged with several offences including Break and Enter with the intent to commit sexual assault, as well as Sexual Interference. No physical injuries were sustained by anyone in the residence.

The Wood Buffalo RCMP is reminding you to be aware of thieves while leaving you car running.

Winter months are in full swing so keeping your vehicle warm during a quick stop or before travels is considered a smart idea.

However, Constable Christina Wilkins says motorists are putting themselves at risk of having valuables stolen while doing so.

"By leaving your vehicle running, your not only opening yourself up to theft from the vehicle but theft of the vehicle , if you think about it usually if you leave a vehicle running there's keys in it, how many people have other keys besides the vehicle key on that key ring, so your looking at a whole other set of problems." said Wilkins.

In December 2010, RCMP responded to 46 complaints of stolen vehicles and 26 additional complaints regarding items stolen from motor vehicles.

Despite catching many people off guard in announcing a switch in location for a long-term care centre, Alberta's Infrastructure Minister Jeff Johnson says, Parson's Creek was always a potential location.

"There was a significant amount of lobbying done by various groups as to where this thing should be located. That kind of culminated with a decision being made in July to put it down in Willow Square. Now, we've run into some challenges with that site, and I would say that site was not the favourite in terms of the original studies that were done, Parson's Creek was the favourite," Johnson said in an interview Thursday.

Johnson says the site will meet all the needs of seniors including access to health care and room to expand.

Adding that Fort McMurray will be involved in the design phase.

Meanwhile, a local seniors advocacy group has written Premier Alison Redford opposing the relocation.

Alberta Energy reporting a record year in revenue from land sales.

For the first time in provincial history, Alberta has exceeded the $3 billion mark, thanks to a renewed confidence in the oil patch.

Energy Minster Ted Morton says the technology being deployed to access deep resource pools will translate into well-paying jobs, keep rural communities strong and contribute decades of royalty revenue to help fund health care, education and other programs.

The Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club is bursting at the seems with new toys, crafts and sports equipment .

Over 300 individual donations and nearly $11,000 was collected during the 2nd Annual Telus Critters Care Christmas Campaign.

The Club's Executive Director Howard Rensler says he can't thank Fort McMurray enough.

"The true heros of this piece are the individual donators and people who came by to donate a toy or craft or some money, it's truly a remarkable thing, this is my first Christmas in Fort McMurray and I can tell you the outpouring of good will, good cheer and what is commonly understood as Christmas spirit is remarkable," said Howard.

The campaign also had Ashley and James of the Mix Morning Show broadcast live from the club for 29 straight hours.

(Suspect vehicle in early morning assault)

Local police are investigating after a 27-year old Fort McMurray man was attacked on the side of the road.

RCMP say they responded to the hospital around 2:40 Monday morning, where the victim was being treated for serious injuries to his head and face.

They says two men got out of their truck on Beacon Hill Drive 20 minutes earlier, where an altercation ensued.

The suspects, described as caucasian, both wearing dark clothes, struck the victim several times with unknown weapons then fled in a dark coloured, 4-door pick-up truck.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000 or Crime Stoppers.

Pipelines could pump $131 billion into Canada's economy.

A study published today by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, says greater access to new and existing international refining markets, could add billions to nation's GDP between 2016 and 2030, and result in $27 billion in federal, provincial and municipal tax revenue.

The study says while all of Canada would reap the benefits, Alberta is in a position to gain the most

The municipality is allowing you an extra half-hour of freedom on your morning commute.

Effective this morning, the restrictions on the bus only lane of Confederation Way have been eased from 5:30 to 8 am, to 5:45 to 7:45 am.

The adjustment was made following public feedback, transit coordination meetings, and bus lane traffic pattern monitoring.

Also, vehicles with nine or more passengers are now permitted to use the lane, down from 15.

Meanwhile, the Municipality also hoping to reduce the impact of minor collisions and breakdowns with new Emergency Roadside Assistance.

From 5:00 to 9:00 am and again between 3:00 and 8:00 pm two tow trucks will be stationed on the Athabasca River Bridge, while another will be deployed north of the intersection of Confederation Way and Highway 63.

If your vehicle won't start and can't be moved under its own power, the trucks will tow you to a safe location at no expense.

Handpicked by its employees, six local charities are receiving a share of $50,000 in donations, from Syncrude.

Kidsforever will receive half the funds, with the money used to buy much needed equipment for two local youths, struggling with diabetes.

Five other not-for-profit groups will each receive $5,000: Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Centre of Hope, the Fort McMurray Chinese Canadian Cultural Society, the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Society and the Fort McMurray SPCA

One person is dead following a motor vehicle collision on Highway 63 shortly after noon today.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say they responded to a crash approximately 30 minutes south of Fort McMurray near the Hangingstone Campground.

RCMP confirm that  a pickup truck and a passenger car were the two vehicles involved in the collision, and one of the occupants was pronounced dead on the scene.

Traiffic is open intermittently but is reduced to one lane in both directions as police continue to investigate.

Further details will be provided once they are known.

One person is dead following a motor vehicle collision on Highway 63 shortly after noon today.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say they responded to a crash approximately 30 minutes south of Fort McMurray near the Hangingstone Campground around 12:15 pm.

Emergency crews confirm that two vehicles were involved in the collision, and that one of the occupants was pronounced dead on the scene.

Motorists traveling in the area are being advised to expect delays and that traffic is being re-routed as police continue to investigate.

Further details will be released when known.

Once nearly impossible to find, vacant apartments are now more common in Fort McMurray.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, our regions vacancy rate rose to 9.4 per cent in October, compared to 5.5 per cent the same month in 2010.

The biggest difference reported in three or more bedroom apartments, where the vacancy rate shot from 1.7 per cent last year to nearly 16 per cent this October.

Fort McMurray also remains the most expensive place to rent in Alberta.

A Republican bill to fast track a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline could backfire.

The U.S. State Department says, congressional interference would prevent administration from meeting environmental laws that govern the approval process.

Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that requires approval of the pipeline within 60 days.

In November the Obama administration delayed a decision on the project, which would carry oil sands crude to Texas, until after next November's presidential election.

(Suncor Engery Director of Communications Tracey Wolsey, RRRibbit the Frog and Mayor Melissa Blake pose with Capital Award of Exellece)

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is being recognized for its outstanding recycling efforts.

The municipality along with Suncor Energy have been awarded the Capital Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators for their ongoing commitment to recycling in our community.

Mayor Melissa Blake says waste diversion remains a priority in Fort McMurray.

"What we've seen is a major increase in our participation in terms of the drop off bins that have existed throughout the urban centre as well as some rural communities, moving to the curb side recycling though is going to increase that participation even more but the recognition comes from the International Association of Business Communicators, it is a notable organization that really evaluates communications and how well we've received those marks," said Blake.

Suncor and the RMWB have agreed to extented their recycling partnership to March 31st 2012.

As if we needed another reminder, the latest stats show Wood Buffalo is still home to Alberta's highest rental rates.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation the average cost ranges from $1,400 a month for a bachelor pad, to nearly $2,300 for a three plus bedroom home.

Compared to the Alberta average, which varies from $700 to $950 a month.

But, on the bright side, rental rates did dip $145 dollars in October, compared to the same month last year.

Budgets and bus-lanes highlight the agenda for tonight's final council meeting of 2011.

Next year's $376 million Operating, and $377 million Capital Budgets will be voted on.

The budget proposes no tax increase, other than new construction growth and focuses on sustainability.

Meanwhile, the Fort McMurray Potter's Guild will go before council asking to delay the expansion of food services at the Casman Centre.

The non-profit group, established in the 1980s says a proposal in the 2012 Capital Budget to construct a restaurant and lounge at the Oil Barons hockey arena will require the guild to relocate.

Adding that there was a lack of communication, resulting in a lack of adequate solutuions for the group.

Council will also vote to allow vehicles with nine or more passengers, including the driver to use the bus-only lane on Confederation Way during the restricted hours of 5:30 to 8 am.

A Fort McMurray connection to a massive country-wide investigation into organized crime.

Toronto Police say 67 warrants were simultaneously executed in cities including Toronto, London, Calgary and Surrey early this morning, involving more than 900 police officers.

A joint-forces investigation, dubbed Project Marvel, began in Ontario in May, eventaully spreading to jurisdictions in Western Canada, including Fort McMurray and Edmonton.

According to Toronto Police, "The investigation involved criminal organization offences, attempt murder, firearms trafficking/importation, drug trafficking, robbery, shootings, prostitution and other criminal offences."

The Federal government is banning Muslim women from covering their face while being sworn in as Canadian citizens.

The announcement was made today by Immigration Minister, Jason Kenny, barring women from wearing any face-covering garment, such as a burkah, while reciting the oath of citizenship.

President of Fort McMurray's Islamic Society, Mohamad Aboushadi says the ban undermines the Muslim faith.

"How can they say its a cultural belief , it is within our religion, its embedded in our religion, when somebody comes and says its a cultural belief its just hurting our feelings, half of the Muslims around the world believe its not optional and its a must and they have the full right to wear it," said Aboushadi.

The decision was made following a series of complaints from MP's and citizenship court judges, stating that its difficult to tell whether people with their face covered are actually reciting the oath.

The Centre of Hope is celebrating a successful first week of a new campaign.

Around  $2,800 was raised for the "Sub Zero Challenge", a new initiative aimed at collecting $25,000 to provide warm clothing to Fort McMurray's homeless population this winter.

The Centre says it costs around $50 to keep someone warm during the cool months.

You can donate online at www.subzerochallenge.ca, at the Centre of Hope itself, either Boston Pizza location or the firehall on Gregoire Drive, until March 1, 2012.

Significant funding injections into Canadian health care is doing little to accelerate wait times.

That according to the Fraser Institute, who says the median wait time for surgery or other therapeutic treatment was 19 weeks this year, the longest since the think-tank began measuring in 1993.

The report measures total wait times from referral to elective treatment.

Alberta recorded the fourth shortest total wait time at 21.1 weeks, while Ontario led the nation at 14.3.

The oil sands industry is cutting its contributions to environmental research.

The Cumulative Environmental Management Association announcing this morning that the Oil Sands Developers Group will contribute $5 million towards its $9.6 million 2012 work plan, a 15 per cent decrease from last year.

CEMA says with continued expansion of both mining and in-situ operations, many of its stakeholders feel further research on how industry impacts the air, land and water, is required.

"CEMA's world class research is widely referenced in government regulations and policies as well as in industry's applications to provincial and federal agencies. With this reduction some of the future research will be deferred or eliminated," stated Glen Semenchuk, CEMA Executive Director, in a news release.

Normally the majority of CEMA's funding comes from operators, but this year, that figure is falling to just over half.

Leaving the organization to seek additional money from individual companies, other levels of government and non-government groups.

Local police reporting another armed robbery.

RCMP say a female was robbed at gunpoint Friday night around 9:15 at the Thickwood Scotia Bank, while she was depositing $2,200  from her work place.

The male suspect was wearing a black face covering, gloves, white T-Shirt and black leather jacket.

The female was not hurt and police are asking anyone with information to call 788-4000 or Crime Stoppers.

This was the fourth reported armed or attempted armed robbery in Fort McMurray since November.

"The Harper government had the opportunity to prove they were serious about protecting Albertas water and to show that they were serious about addressing a growing climate crisis, what they proved is that they aren't serious about addressing either of them and they've added to the problem, they've approved a new open pitched mine that will add over 1.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere," said Hudema.

The 221 square kilometre mine is expected to yield more than 875 million barrels of bitumen over its two decade lifespan.

Fort McMurray’s long-term care facility is moving from downtown, to uptown.

The province announcing this afternoon that construction on the 100-bed centre will begin next fall in Parsons Creek.

In July it was revealed that the long-awaited facility would be built at Willow Square, across from the hospital.

A move that resulted in relocating residents of the Wood Buffalo Housing apartments to other homes.

A Request for Qualifications has been issued for the 20-acre site, which Infrastructure Minister Jeff Johnson says, will see seniors live adjacent a new community health centre and other amenities, while providing room to grow if required.

“The time is right to move as quickly as possible on this priority project so that we can address the need for more affordable seniors’ accommodations in Fort McMurray,” added George VanderBurg, Minister of Seniors, in a news release. “The Parsons Creek location is best suited to meet the needs of residents, by providing them with a safe and secure home that will meet their changing accommodation and service needs.”

“As everyone knows the PC government said no to our seniors two years ago after kicking their elected representative out of caucus.  After months of pressuring the government, both myself and the Wildrose are pleased that the government is moving forward on the project and hope, for the sake of seniors, that they don’t break another promise.  It is pivotal that they break ground as soon as possible to give patients access to the long-term care beds they desperately need,” said Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier in a statement sent by the Wildrose Party.

Originally scheduled to open in the fall of 2013, the facility is now anticipated to be move-in ready, the following spring.

The Fort McMurray Airport is preparing to fly passengers directly into the United States.

In their year-end report, the Airport Authority says they'll work to improve the current Air Terminal Building in 2012, in the event Canadian Customers grants Port of Entry status.

The airport is currently undergoing a massive $198 million expansion, highlighted by the construction of a new terminal, which will eventually accommodate 1.5 million passengers annually.

Built in the 1980's, the current terminal was meant to serve 235,000 passengers a year, but rapid growth has resulted in the airport accommodating over 750,000.

Plans are also in place to construct a hotel next to the airport.

Rural residents struggling to make ends meet in remote hamlets across Wood Buffalo may benefit from a new outreach program.

Fort McMurray Food Bank Executive Director Arianna Johnson says she's seeking corporate funding for a mobile pantry initiative, which could get underway in the New Year.

"We're going to run a six-month pilot where we will once a month ho out to one of the rural areas and we will do appointments in the rural areas. Lots of times the people from Conklin, Janvier, Anzac and Fort McKay, places like that, they have transportation issues," said Johnson.

Those issues can led to missed appointments as the Fort McMurray Food Bank serves its clients through scheduled times for privacy reasons.

Pending the required funding, the outreach may start in 2012.

Keyano College is hoping a Kinesiology Conference will attract new students to its campus.

Today's event will feature presentations from current students on topics around Keyano's Bachelor of Physical Education degree to yoga, and nutrition.

The free conference also includes a fitness competition.

Around 100 grade 11 and 12 students are expected to attend.

The window to receive your influenza immunization is closing.

Alberta Health Services says the flu shot clinic at MacDonald Island Park will end Saturday at 4:00 pm, and will not reopen.

However, Supervisor of Public Health, Jennifer Splaine says, residents can still get vaccinated, "After December 10th, however though we will have a public health nurse in our office on Thickwood Boulevard, next to Tim Hortons, available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm to offer drop in influenza vaccine."

More than 400,000 Albertans have been vaccinated this year.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are seeking two people of interest in the case of the Beck brothers murders.

Police say two young men, Hayan Mohamad and Huran Mohamad could possibly shed light on the case.

Investigators say the whereabouts of the pair both between 20 and 25 years old, is unknown, adding that they may be related to one another.

While police say they are re-visiting an earlier call of complaint , made on June 26th, of two groups fighting  that evening in Borealis Park, between 10:15 and 10:30.

The first altercation was called in as 8 males fighting, described as a group of white males versus a group of black males, near the Haxton centre only an hour before the brothers were found dead nearby.

Police are exploring if there is a link between the double homicide and the altercation in the downtown park that night

17-year-old twins, James and William Beck were stabbed to death by an undetermined weapon on June 26th.

Although the area was heavily canvassed at the time police are asking anyone with information, or may have witnessed the events in question to come forward.

The number of new homes being built in Wood Buffalo is on the rise, slightly.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, foundations were poured for 122 units in November, compared to 58 in the same month last year.

The biggest difference came in multi-family units where work began on 79 homes last month compared to zero last year.

Between January and November, total housing starts are up 0.4 per cent to 714 units.

Ottawa is approving a multi-billion dollar oil sands project northwest of Fort McMurray.

Natural Resources Minister, Joe Oliver is announcing construction can begin on the Joslyn North Mine.

Proposed six years ago, the Total E & P development, could mean $9 billion in new capital investment and hundreds of jobs in the region.

The mining operation will cover 70 square kilometres and reach a production rate of 100,000 barrels per day.

While developers promise 500 hectares of conservation lands, smaller tailings ponds and less river water demand.

The Josyln lease covers more than 221 square kilometres of boreal forest and is expected to yield more than 875 million barrels of bitumen over the next two decades.

The list of high profile Alberta MLAs who won't seek re-election is growing.

Several media outlets reporting that Finance Minister Ron Liepert told the PC Caucus behind closed doors Wednesday, that he won't run in the next provincial election.

On Tuesday, Sherwood Park MLA Iris Evans announced she'll quit politics when her term ends.

Vermillion-Lloydminster MLA Lloyd Snelgrove's name will also be left off the next ballot.

Both were former ministers under Premier Ed Stelmach.

Tougher penalties on impaired drivers will save lives on Alberta's roadways.

That according to Executive Director of MADD Canada, Andrew Murie who is applauding the introduction of new legislation that punishes repeat offenders and imposes suspensions on drivers with blood alcohol levels above 0.05.

"Our members know these type of legislative changes work, a lot of them have been personally impacted in alcohol related crashes and want to make sure  other families don't have to go through the pain and loss that they've gone through, especially this time of year when that empty chair or empty chairs around the holiday season," said Murie.

Under the Redford Bill passed this week, drivers with blood alcohol levels between 0.05 and 0.08 will face immediate suspension and the temporary seizure of their vehicle.

While those above that threshold will lose their licence until their case is resolved in court.

Constable Christina Wilkins says Wood Buffalo RCMP investigated 1023 impaired driving allegations in 2009, falling roughly 10 per cent to 920 cases last year.

A trend, Wilkins says, she hopes to see continue.

A Community-led health assessment in Fort McKay is moving forward unabated.

That according to  Health Minister Fred Horne who answered concerns about the progress of the assessment in the Alberta Legislature yesterday.

Adding that, in light of increased rates of suicide and addictions among First Nations in Canada, the study will delve into the mental health risks of residents.

"I believe the intention of the exercise is to cover as broad subset of the health sector as possible, the factors that the Honourable Member raises are important factors in the analysis of any health issue and I have every confidence, as I said, that this review will address them," said Horne.

The province agreed to provide the funding and resources necessary for the study in September.

Concerns about communities downstream of the oil sands were first raised in 2006 after a provincial study found increased cancer rates among residents in Fort Chipewyan.

Oil sands production from the Christina Lake project is expected to lead a 21 per cent increase in output for Cenovus next year.

The Calgary-based company says it projects total oil production average of 163,000 barrels per day in 2012.

Crude production at the Christina Lake SAG-D site is anticipated to more than double to between 26,000 and 29,000 barrels per day.

Cenovus also plans to spend between $3.1 and $3.4 billion on capital projects next year, 23 per cent more than in 2011.

A new border deal is expected to ease trade and travel restrictions with our neighbors to the South.

The Canadian and American governments are revealing a new trade policy which will allow low-risk residents to undergo pre-screening, reducing traffic snarl-ups and delays at border terminals.

While expanding trusted shipping programs, allowing manufacturers and established businesses to take entry-inspections from the border to the warehouse.

The deal will also to harmonize shipping and security regulations among the two governments.

According to Ottawa nearly 40 million trips are made  to the U.S. every year with $1.6 billion in goods and services crossing the border every day.

The Federal government says border delays have cost the Canadian economy an estimated $16 billion.

A month later and police are still on the hunt for a man, suspected of stealing from the downtown Rona.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say on November 7th, shortly before 1o'clock in the afternoon a man between 40 and 50 years old walk out of the store without paying for an air compressor.

The suspect was identified in surveillance footage and investigators are asking anyone with information to call RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

The municipality is easing enforcement on a controversial taxi bylaw.

Sun Taxi Manager Ronald MacNeill tells Mix News a moratorium has been placed on the outlaw of magnetic mounts used to secure roof lights, until the cab bylaws can be updated.

"I don't think they researched it enough and it's pretty much the industry norm now. 57 companies across the country are using them. They're used in the States, they're used in Europe, they're used it Africa, it's become the norm," MacNeill said.

The RMWB previously insisted all roof lights be secured by bolts, which local companies argued was not written in the regulations, and also voided the lease on their fleet vehicles.

MacNeill adds that the new bylaw may include having cameras installed in cabs.

He also says he supports the municipality increasing inspections on taxis to ensure public safety and maintain a professional appearance.

The future of education in Alberta is being put in the hands of students.

A community consultation takes place in Fort McMurray today, where the province has invited youth, along with their parents and teachers to participate in a series of discussions.

Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk says some adults were sceptical of him asking for student input, "They'll tell you they want more lunch and more recess and less school," Lukaszuk said during a teleconference with local media yesterday.

"Well, it's not true, the opposite is the case. They are actually asking for more programming and more technology. Because that's what they understand, that's how they communicate, that's how they like to learn."

Lukaszuk says the current School Act was passed in 1988, and the the new Education Act, which will be introduced in the Alberta Legislature next Spring, will meet the needs of today's student.

Today's forum runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Sawridge.

GE announcing the opening of a new office in Fort McMurray Tuesday, but you won't find microwaves or dishwashers.

The company says the Oil Sands Support Centre, located off Highway 63, will serve its oil sands customers, primarily with chemical and equipment solutions for water and process needs.

GE has been actively involved with oil sands operators for over 15 years.

The company says its patented produced water evaporation technology is the only process proven capable of recycling 98 percent or more of de-oiled produced water.

A provincial election may be months away, but political hopefuls in our region are already racing towards the finish line.

Wildrose MLA Guy Boutilier is announcing he will run in his old riding of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, running in tandem with Tory hopeful, Don Scott's campaign in the new riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin.

Boutilier tells Mix News, he looks forward to serving his constituents for a fifth term in the Alberta Legislature.

"We're very optimistic that we can have two Wildrose seats because we are hopeful that we can form a government and we will continue to represent what an MLA's job is, and that is not to toe a party line, such as the PC's have done over the many of years," said Boutilier.

Boutilier was expelled from the Tory caucus in 2009, after criticising the province for failure to deliver a long-promised long term care facility to our region.

Help support the Fort McMurray Food Bank without leaving the comfort of your computer chair.

Kraft Canada is launching the second phase of an online campaign aimed at supporting front-line agencies during the holidays, when their services are often in the highest demand.

By signing your name at kraftassists.ca, the company will donate one dollar to the charitable organization.

And each week, the agency with the most contributions will receive an additional $1000 in funding.

You can sign your name once a day, every day.

From food to shopping 'tis the season of overindulgence, and with the holidays upon us, police want to ensure that residents, get home safely.

Wood Buffalo RCMP say impaired driving is the focus of their monthly blitz, as law enforcement agencies across the province increase check stops and traffic enforcement.

Constable Christina Wilkins says, with the number of alternatives, drinking and driving is not an option.

"You can either designate someone is sober who will be driver, can take a taxi or another form of public transportation, if you're going someplace, maybe plan ahead to leave your vehicle overnight, sometimes when you go to certain events shuttle services are provided," said Wilkins.

In December 2009, local Mounties were called to investigate 89 cases of impaired driving, that number fell to 79 last year.

Reacting to a deepening debt crisis in Europe, the Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate steady.

Governor Mark Carney is announcing today that the rate will hold at one per cent, as global financial markets have deteriorated.

The central bank says recent economic indicators in Canada suggest that growth in the second half of this year, is slightly stronger than the Bank projected in October.

Ottawa's withdrawal from Kyoto will spell environmental disaster and political turmoil for Canada.

That according to Greenpeace Energy and Climate Campaigner, Mike Hudema as Environment Minister Peter Kent confirms the Federal government will not re-commit to the international strategy, which would run from 2013 to 2017.

Hudema says as the oil sands grow, so will the volume of environmental pollution caused by the industry.

"It's definitely a large source of the problem, by 2020 the tar sands could emit as much green house gas emissions into the air as all the cars in Canada combined, and and then some, and it's a very worrisome problem and one of the reason the Canadian government has refused to take action, "said Hudema.

Hudema says Canada is setting a bad example on the world stage and its criticism could kill the contract

191 countries have signed the agreement, with goals of reducing emissions by 6 per cent below 1990 levels.

Canada is the first country to annul the contract, citing the exclusion of heavily industrialized countries such Brazil and India

One Alberta mountie is recovering at home after being shot during a stand off south west of Edmonton.

The Red Deer officer was released from hospital this morning after being hit by gunfire near Breton on Sunday.

While his colleague, a 30-year veteran of the force, is still being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Police were called to the home Saturday evening by a man who had reported he had been shot.

After 17 and half hours of negotiations, a male and a female inside the home were arrested just before 11 o'clock last night.

Economic optimism may be let down by a lack of skilled workers.

According to a new survey by PWC, half of Canadian manufacturers say they'll look to add employees next year,but 45 per cent say the lack of qualified workers, is a significant barrier to their growth.

With a lack of tradespeople entering the country is leaving the mining, energy and aerospace sectors struggling to fill jobs including engineers and HV-AC technicians.

Which in return, makes it even harder for their manufacturers to attract skilled workers.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating after an armed robbery in Thickwood last night.

Police say, shortly before 9 o'clock, two masked men carrying firearms entered the Spirits Uptown Liquor Outlet, demanding money.

The men escaped through the back door with $500 in cash before fleeing on foot.

Both suspects are roughly 5'6'' tall, dressed in dark clothing and gloves.

No one was injured in the incident.

A single armed suspect robbed the same Thickwood Boulevard store of $1,000 in cash late this September.

An Alberta foster care supervisor is facing charges related to child pornography.

Daniel Quiring Stoesz has been charged with possesion and making available child porn, after members of Alberta's Internet Child Exploitation unit received a tip from FBI in Connecticut.

The 62-was resident of Lac La Biche was arrested last Thursday.

Stoesz is employed by the Alberta Government's Ministry of Human Services, as a Foster Care Supervisor, he is due back in court today.

Promoting the province as a responsible energy producer is top of the agenda for Alberta's Minister of Environment and Water.

Diana McQueen has joined the Canadian delegation at the United Nation's 17th annual climate change conference in Durban, South Africa.

McQueen will discuss how Alberta operates North America’s first emissions reduction program, as well as the province's $2 billion investment in carbon capture and storage.

Meanwhile, Canada's future involvement in Kyoto remains cloudy, as federal Environment Minister Peter Kent has hinted that we have withdraw from the international agreement to cut emissions.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating whether a hit and run is related to a homicide in Timberlea.

Police say they responded to collision on Loutit Road between Grouse Way and Magpie Street in Eagle Ridge around 8:15 Saturday morning, where a silver Dodge Avenger was found abandoned, with the engine still running.

It had hit number of park cars, and police believe the driver fled the scene.

The vehicle was registered to the 31-year old woman, later found murdered in an apartment building on Powder Drive.

A child, also seriously injured in the attack, has since been released from Edmonton-area hospital.

RCMP estimate the collision to have taken place sometime between 7:45 and 8:15 am.

Even though the area has been heavily canvassed police are still asking that anyone who may have been witness to the collision or even in the area during that time to come forward.

A 38-year old man from Lethbridge is dead after a head-on collision north of Fort McMurray.

Wood Buffalo RCMP responded to the call shortly after 2:30 this morning.

Where a mini van and a dump truck, pulling a trailer, had collided on an access road near Syncrude's Aurora oil sands mine.

The driver of the mini-van was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 28 year old male behind the wheel of the dump truck sustained minor injuries.

Police say no charges have been laid as the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Fort McMurray Progressive Conservative's are keeping a familiar face at the helm of the region's new riding.

The president of the existing Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo PC Association, Iris Kirschner, was elected as president of the new Fort McMurray-Conklin riding at the party's AGM last night.

"I think everybody's just really excited that the election is in the air, we don't know it's going to happen. But now we've had our founding meetings, it's been something we've been talking about for a year and now it's happening," said Kirschner.

Meanwhile, Jim Moore will take the helm of the existing Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding.

Current Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier has said he plans to seek reelection, but the Wildrose Party is not releasing in which of the two ridings.

Earlier this week Municipal Councillor Don Scott announced he's seeking PC nomination for Fort McMurray-Conklin.

Fort McMurray could be home to a new sports arena in a few short years.

An information session on the City Centre Area Redevelopment Plan last night, highlighted the catalyst projects that could be developed once the plan is approved by council.

Lead Development Advisor Ron Taylor believes our community's support will see swift improvements, "From what we're seeing in the initial response to this plan, I think we're going to see some of the infrastructure work continuing through the next year or two. I think we're going to see investment in the civic centre, the arena projects of this nature happening. But I can see some construction starting next summer and certainly in 2013 we'll be underway with significant construction."

Taylor also highlighted a series of catalyst projects, which include a multi purpose sports arena, waterfront development and a civic centre.

Meanwhile, Municipal Public Services Advisor Carol Theberge calls the plan "aggressive".

Fort McMurray Composite High School is doing its part to help fight prostate cancer.

Hundreds gathered in the school gymnasium to watch faculty members and students have their head and mustache shaved, to mark the end of Movember.

Interact Club advisor Sheldon Dahl says he is amazed at how many students were willing to participate,

"It started as just the mustache thing but some of the students unable to grow a mustache, they wanted to participate too, we'd done head shaves in the past so we just kind of put the two together and I think it worked really well, we raised probably around $4,000 once we tally it all up," said Dahl.

More than $90 million in support of prostate cancer research was raised worldwide in the month of November.

Shell Canada says it's disappointed, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation has decided to sue them.

The aboriginal group says it's been forced to take legal action after Shell failed to live up to the agreements of community contracts signed in 2003 and 2006.

Including, refusing to fund a community-run environmental monitoring program.

John Broadhurst, Vice President Development, Heavy Oil, told Mix News in an email that Shell has worked closely wit the ACFN to resolve their concerns, including more than 600 engagements in the past five years.

The ACFN is seeking 1.5 million dollars, saying the operator has 20 days to respond.

After failing to win the mayor's chair in the 2010 municipal election, John Vyboh may take another shot at the Alberta Legislature.

The former Wood Buffalo councillor and mayoral candidate told Mix News he intends to participate in the next provincial election, but hasn't decided in what capacity.

"I don't think I've ever made it a secret that I'm not a huge fan of the Conservative Party, so basically , I'm looking at the Wildrose Party as a potential government that I think could do well in the province, and in some way, shape or form, perhaps playing a part withing that party," said Vyboh.

In 2001 Vyboh ran for MLA as a member of the Alberta Liberal Party, losing out to current Fort McMurray-Athabasca MLA Guy Boutilier.

A meat-eating reptile, hidden deep in the dirt for more than 100-million years will remain buried for a few months longer.

A team of scientists from the Royal Tyrell Museum have been examining the nearly complete plesiosaur unearthed at the Syncrude mine just over two weeks ago.

But Syncrude Spokesperson Cheryl Robb says the Winter weather is impeding their efforts to extract the creature.

" The dirt in which the fossil is encased has been removed from the mine face, the Royal Tyrell has asked Syncrude to store it for the Winter and then in the Spring the Royal tyrell is going to come back and try and remove more of the dirt from around the fossil before they transport it," said Robb.

The long-necked reptile used its plate-sized fins to navigate the ocean that once covered prehistoric Fort McMurray.

There have now been 10 different fossils found on Syncrude property.

A replica of one of a similar, plesiosaur fossil, also unearthed at Syncrude, is on display at the Oil sands Discovery Centre.

Credited with helping transform Suncor from an oil sands pioneer into Canada's largest energy company, chief executive officer Rick George will step down in May.

The company announcing that chief operating officer Steve Williams, has already taken over as president, and will succeed George as CEO at the Suncor AGM.

Chairman John Ferguson said in a statement that they deeply appreciate his commitment to Suncor, and the industry, as well as his contributions to Alberta and Canada, while George said that he thinks the time for this transition is right.

The municipality is making U-turn in its defence of the sudden enforcement of taxi bylaws.

First touted as tool for improving professionalism in the cab industry, regulations that require roof lights we secured with bolts instead of magnets, are now being chalked up to a safety issue.

Fighting the regulations, industry leaders point to the fact the mechanisms are still used in the municipal fleet.

RMWB Communications Advisor Brendan Proce says occasional use of magnetic mounts on construction vehicles doesn't pose the same safety risk as use in the cab industry.

"There's no double standard, the fact is these things aren't safe, if you throw a magnet light up on your roof and your driving down the highway, there can be reflection issues, there can be safety issues, and if your just using it to cordon off an area, its a completely different matter," said Proce.

This five cab companies petition for the resignation of Henk Van Waas, chief municipal regulator for the industry, who in a meeting, allegely told drivers to "Go back where they came from", if they didn't want to follow municipal regulations.

Many drivers in Fort McMurray were shocked to be suspended from their jobs under regulations they didn't know existed, but Proce says a portion of the bylaw that requires vehicle alterations to be approved by taxi regulators, infers the controversial requirements.

Van Wass is refusing to comment on the alleged comment or the decision to increase enforcement.

Hoping to make the jump from municipal to provincial politics won't necessarily mean a local councillor loses his seat.

Don Scott announced yesterday that he's seeking the PC nomination for the new riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin.

Mayor Melissa Blake says once an election is called, Scott will be asked to take a temporary leave of absence.

"If the election occurs 18 months before the next election, that would cause the bi-election process here in the city, so ultimately this projected next election should happen probably next Fall which takes it outside of that, so council at that point would have the option," said Blake.

Blake says she fully supports Scott's decision, but his presence will be sorely missed on council if he's elected as MLA.

Meanwhile, a former Tory MLA says a Scott picked the wrong party.

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo representative Guy Boutilier says the PC's have broken several promises to Fort McMurray.

"Not even breaking ground on a long term care facility, plus our Highway 63 that  absolutely has not seen any twin paving for the last four years, we're being treated like second rate citizens in Fort McMurray, and clearly he will need a lot of luck in defending the Ed Stelmach and Alison Redford governments ," said Boutilier.

According to Scott, there is no effective voice for Fort McMurray in the Alberta Legislature.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are confirming that Saturday's suspicious death was indeed a homicide, after an autopsy was conducted in Edmonton yesterday.

A 31-year old Fort McMurray woman was murdered in Timberlea this weekend. While a child, also injured in the attack, was airlifted to an Edmonton-area hospital, where staff say the child's condition has since improved to stable.

Police are not divulging the victim's names, in order to protect the child's identity and shield the minor from further harm. The specifics of the case will also be kept confidential until further notice.

At this early stage in the investigation, police say all avenues are being explored, including the possibility that the victims and the perpetrator were known to one another.

Police responded to a call at an undisclosed location in Timberlea, shortly after 8:00 am on Saturday.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation has launched a lawsuit against Shell, saying the oil sands company isn't living up to funding obligations.

Chief Allen Adam says the two sides signed social economic agreements in 2003 and 2006, as part of Shell's approval to operate on traditional territory.

"Basically, Shell failed to honour on some of the commitments that were signed, agreed upon, so we continued to asking for the funding based on the programs they had to initiate and they kept on saying no," said Allen.

Allen says one of the areas Shell is refusing to fund is the construction of a community-based environmental monitoring program.

Shell has 20 days to respond to the 1.5 million dollar lawsuit.

According to a leading Canadian neurologist, Albertans, already facing costly medical bills, are getting burned before they even enter the hospital.

Editor in Chief of the Canadian Medical Association Journal Rajendra Kale is calling on care providers to abolish parking fees, saying they put added strain on ailing residents and their families.

But Penny Rae with Capital Management, Alberta Health Services Parking authority says  front line service funding would suffer if parking fees were abolished.

Parking is an ancillary service, and so its not funded at all by the government, so to construct parkades and to operate them, we don't get any funding, so if you look at this year were projecting costs of $60 million for parking  and a revenue of $55 million, so were by no means making a lot of money, our aim is to cover our costs," said Rae.

Rae says on a case-by-case basis, those facing financial hardship, can apply for free parking passes.

A Fort McMurray man who is accused of illicitly photographing children is slated to appear in court today.

The 44-year old allegedly filmed children at swimming pools across Alberta, including MacDonald Island Park.

Stephen Deighton faces 13 charges including making and possessing child porn, and voyeurism.

A joint investigation by Wood Buffalo RCMP and Alberta's Internet Child Exploitation Unit was launched in March, after a camera containing suspicious images was turned over to police.

Some of the photos and videos appear to have been taken in family change rooms and included children in various stages of undress, others were taken in the pool area and underwater.

No victims have been identified as the majority of the photos do not include the child's face.

Legal wrangling by the defence could stall the demolition of the Penhorwood Apartments.

Owners evacuated from the downtown condos are involved in a $60 million lawsuit against more than 20 parties, after an inspectors report deemed the buildings unsafe in March.

Despite a consensus to tear down and rebuild Condo Board Chair, Christine Burton says it will be up to their lawyers to trigger the wrecking ball.

"We're under a an obligation under the lawsuit to mitigate any potential losses or further damage to the buildings, so we're looking at all those particular factors right now to make sure  that we keep the buildings in as best  possible shape as we can until the decision to demolish or move forward on some other strategy is made," said Burton.

Burton says a team of their engineers will be on site this week, inspecting the shifting foundations and assessing how to maintain the crumbling condos over the Winter.

It will cost more than $30 million to rebuild.

Organic chemicals are slowly being flushed from Fort McKay's drinking water.

Manager of Water Treatment and Underground Services for the Municipality, Shane Hogan says after a concerning spike this Summer trihalo methanes and haloacetic acids levels are coming down.

"The numbers that were getting in our sample results are continuously decreasing and right now were currently  approximately 60 per cent of what the limit is, and the limit is 0.1 so were approximately 0.06 and those  numbers are reflected across the five samples that were taking," said Hogan.

Despite the improvement in water quality, residents continue to drink bottled water.

Community Health Director, Dr. John O'Connor told Mix News last month, the organic chemicals had been present for years not months, as indicated by the municipality.

Hogan responded, admitting contamination had occurred before, but arguing that Federal regulations don't come into effect at the Fort McKay Municipal Water treatment plant until next year.

Prolonged exposure to the organic chemicals, caused by chlorination, have been linked to cancer and birth defects.

Increased water testing and modified treatment will continue until further notice.

A rookie councillor is hoping to make the jump into provincial politics.

Don Scott announcned this afternoon that he will seek the Progressive Conservative nomination in the newly formed riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin.

Scott told Mix News, his limited experience in politics won't affect his campaign.

"Alot of people have no experience before they take another step in the levels, so I've got a year of experience, I've ran for various boards, I'm on the United Way, I'm a bencher with the Law Society of Alberta, I've been in municipal council for a year, I have the experience of running a business, so I believe my background is well suited for running for MLA," said Scott.

Scott says his decision was cemented following a meeting with Premier Alison Redford.

Scott is the first person to seek nomination in the riding, which includes Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, Abasand, Beacon Hill and Waterways.

Scott says, currently, there is no effective voice for our region at the provincial level.

One of Fort McMurray's oldest high school's could be getting a make over.

The Fort McMurray Public School District announcing yesterday that they are hoping to garner enough funds to modernize and expand the 25-year old Westwood Community High School.

Superintendent Dennis Parsons says the funding process could take up to three years.

As school administrators lobby for industry partners, residents are being invited to share their opinions on our education system.

Our Children Our Future: Getting It Right, is a series of forums led by Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk.

Fort McMurray Public School District Chair, Jeff Thompson says the interaction session is a chance for parents and teachers to make a difference.

"That interaction with the Minister is going to be very important , because it really is speaking to the future of education, Bill 18 has not been completely passed yet so the Minister is using this opportunity of engagement with school board trustees and staff to interact with us on the bill and what should be in that piece of legislation," said Thompson.

The forum takes place December 7th from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at the Sawridge Hotel.

A 30-year veteran of the cab industry is looking to put the brakes on what he calls bullying in bylaw enforcement.

Owner of Sun Taxi, Ron MacNiell says regulations that require overhead lights be secured with bolts are being discriminately enforced, as magnet mounts are still widely used on muncipal vehicles.

"They've been playing games with us for the last couple years, but it's just getting worse and worse. The relationship between City Hall and bylaw and the taxi industry is just starting to get out of control, they're making up rules as they go, they're interpreting what the bylaw actually means and it's making it tough on everybody, " said MacNiell.

MacNiell says four of his drivers have been suspended and he's been forced to cancel an order on a dozen new rental vehicles due to increased enforcement of the unwritten regulations.

Cab companies are fighting the sudden enforced regulations that require overhead lights be secured with bolts, something MacNiell says forces drivers to butcher their brand new cars.

The Fort McMurray SPCA says its been told by police that a well organized team of criminals are likely responsible for a recent theft.

Executive Director Katherine Stevenson says the SPCA, which has been the victim of theft in the past, is already incurring above average costs due to overcrowding.

"It's just really disheartening, we try so hard to make every dollar stretch around here and so those recyclables are very important, they're one the the largest fundraisers we have for the shelter, so to see someone come in here and steal from us and the animals, its just despicable, " said Stevenson.

Sometime last Thursday the thieves cut through a pair of fences and stole at least $2 thousand worth of donated cans and bottles.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating after a man brandishing a gun attempted to rob a Gregoire Restaurant.

Last night at approximately 11:30, after closing time, a masked suspect emerged from the MacDonalds bathroom, repeatedly pointed a firearm at the nearby employees, and then fled on foot, empty handed.

The gun man is described as male with dark skin tone, dressed all in black at the time of the crime.

No one was injured in the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Wood Buffalo RCMP reporting a distributing case of sexual assault involving a child.

Police say a 31-year old man was arrested in Thickwood last Tuesday for sexually assaulting a six year-old girl.

An investigation revealed that the attack was not random, as the victim and the accused knew each other.

A search warrant was also executed at the home of Denis Labillois, where child pornography was discovered.

Charged with Sexual Assault, Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Interference, the accused remains in police custody.

Keyano College is looking to attract young minds with the addition of a few new programs.

The academic council announced Friday that, Entrepreneurship Development, Project Management and Human Resources Management programs have all been added to their curriculum .

Board of Governors Chair, John Wilson says, the latest additions are way of showcasing post secondary opportunities in our city,

"We're working with the school boards very closely to try and keep more of our kids from K to 12 staying in this community, taking some of these programs that will respond to the needs in the region and keep the work force here in Fort McMurray, as opposed to letting them go elsewhere," said Wilson.

Wilson also says, a new Sustainability and Green Management program will allow students to work with the municipality on their Zero Waste project.

Fort McMurray residents are in full Christmas spirit.

Hundreds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the jolliest man on earth at the annual Santa Claus Parade on Franklin Avenue last night.

Mix news took to the streets to ask locals their thoughts on the parade.

Local Nikki Price says she and her family took full advantage of the days activities,

"We saw the light show and it was very neat, my favourite part of the parade would be meeting Santa Claus that's for sure and we went to Heritage Park for the Old Christmas Festival and that was wonderful," said Price.

The choreographed light's on the trees at Doug MacRae Park will remain on display throughout the holiday season.

The Fort McMurray SPCA is short around $2,000 after several bags of bottles and cans, were stolen.

Sometime Thursday night, thieves cut two fences and gained access to the shelter's locked outdoor compound, where the recyclables are stored.

The SPCA says it relies heavily on the donations to cover operating costs.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating what they're calling a "suspicious" death.

Few details have been released, with Constable Christina Wilkins stating in press release that police were called to investigate a suspicious death in Timberlea, shortly after 8:00 am on Saturday, November 26.

Police say in order to protect the integrity of the on-going investigation, no other information is being released.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Keyano College is reporting an increase in enrollment at their new campus in Fort Chipewyan.

Since officially opening its doors in September, student population has doubled.

President and CEO Dr. Kevin Nagel says students are definitely showcasing a desire to learn.

"I really think that the Fort Chip campus is a great example of post secondary's specific involvement in rural development, the facilities that we had in Fort Chip weren't the best facilities possible so I think that this is just an indicator that if you provide adequate facilities for folks to come in and learn that the will is there," said Nagel.

There are currently 50 students pursuing a post secondary education at the new campus, enrollment is expected to increase to 70 students by 2013.

New hope for those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

The Canadian Institute of Health Research is moving ahead with research on the controversial Zamboni treatment, saying they are ready to accept applications for clinical trails

While an observational study underway in Alberta may help doctors clarify a possible link between MS and Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency .

The government has been under pressure to fund the surgery, also known as liberation therapy, which holds that blocked veins in the head trigger MS symptoms.

Dangerous traces of the oil sands may be making their way downstream to the North.

That according to new research by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation which highlights the need for a world-class water monitoring system in our region.

The report says run-off from bitumen extraction is highly toxic and threatens to contaminate water sources in the Northwest Territories, arguing that governments there don't have enough power or information to rest assured their tributaries are safe from industry contaminants.

Analysts call water monitoring systems in our region defective and scientifically incomplete, pointing to dozens of fish riddled with cancer, disease and deformities, pulled from the Athabasca River in 2010.

The Federal and Provincial governments are being urged to improve industry regulation and give Northern territories more power to protect the water they drink.

Negative outside perceptions and skyrocketing housing costs mat be contributing to a looming labour shortage in the oil sands.

That's according to ATB Financial Senior Economist Todd Hirsch,"It's a vibrant city, it's a wonderful city, beautiful natural setting that;s up here. I don't know if enough people really have that maybe perception yet of Fort McMurray, in that sense they may be reluctant to come up to Fort McMurray. Maybe there are some issues surrounding housing to, people do have the understanding it's very expensive to live in Fort McMurray, and as a result that might not be as willing to come up."

Hirsch also says Alberta will continue to lead the Canadian economy if oil prices remain stable.

He predicts a barrel of crude to remain in the $80-$100 barrel a range area, a figure he says will serve the province well.

(A brand new Chevy Volt, one of our city's first electric cars can now be

rented at Driving Force.)

In a community built on oil, it's a flashy vehicle fueled by electricity, that's turning heads.

Driving Force has added one of Fort McMurray's first electric vehicles to it's rental fleet.

Business Development Manager Jon Tupper says the Chevrolet Volt can travel up to 80 kilometres on it's battery alone, and coupled with a gas powered generator, can travel a total of 610 kilometres.

"I couldn't think of a better place to test an electric vehicle, not only Canada's but North America's oil capital, but also a city with a climate which can a little bit intense sometimes, if the Chevy Volt can work here, it can work anywhere," said Tupper.

Tupper says cost averages out to about two-cents per kilometre.

A man first arrested in Fort McMurray and now facing murder charges, will appear in an Edmonton courtroom today.

25-year old Justin Caldwell Somers is facing second degree murder charges after the death of 59-year old Barry Raymond Stewart at the Edmonton Remand Centre in May.

Caldwell was in the holding cell awaiting trail on a mischief charge, after failing to follow his bail conditions.

Stewart was there only because he chose not to pay $110 in fines for trespassing and jaywalking, and would have been released within 24 hours.

Sources say Stewart died after being stomped repeatedly in the head.

Children in Africa will benefit from the generosity of the Fort McMurray community.

Proceeds from the over $17,000 raised at Fair Trade Market, last night, will see the construction of a school in Sierra Leone.

Event Coordinator, Grade 11 student, Emilie Maine says nearly 500 people turned out for the Holy Trinity event.

"This is going to move us leaps and bounds ahead, because I know right now we have thousands of dollars that will be going to this school, just from this market, so we're hoping by Christmas we'll have our fundraising goal, which we thought was unachievable," said Maine.

Once construction of the school is complete this Summer, students will begin fundrasing for a well and other critical services needed in the African community.

It's a chance for Fort McMurray's homeless population to prepare for a long cold Winter on the streets.

The city's first Homeless Connect event, took place today at the Nistawoyou Friendship Centre on Manning Avenue.

Douglas Whitton attended the drop-in clinic and told Mix News this time of year is lonely for those living on the streets.

"Just missing your family and people that care about you, it's just hard to connect, finding the time to connect and applying yourself to do that is about the hardest thing, especially with the holiday season coming now, it's really nice what their doing today, they had a table with Christmas cards so I grabbed a bunch for my friends and family," said Whitton.

Homeless Connect, the first clinic of its kind in our city offered flu shots, STI testing, meals, winter clothes, housing and mental health outreach.

Organizers plan to host a second installment in the Spring.

More than 400 cab drivers across Wood Buffalo are bearing the brunt of a few bad apples.

Sun Taxi Manager, Penny Skinner says several drivers have been suspended due to the sudden enforcement of regulations that require overhead lights to be secured with bolts instead of magnets.

The city says many of the region's taxi drivers have permanent gigs elsewhere, come here for a quick buck and break the rules.

But Skinner says, most drivers are just trying to feed their families.

"There are a lot of drivers that come from elsewhere, maybe their families are from elsewhere but they're here to earn a living. How many people live at camp and around the Municipality of Wood Buffalo and they come here to earn a buck and they go home to their family, they send their money back home, I don't think that the taxi industry is different than any other industry," said Skinner.

Skinner says drilling holes through a vehicles roof voids the lease and calls for costly installation.

The municipality says it will work with cab drivers as it reviews the bylaws in the coming months.

(Donald Henderson, Curator of Dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum holds a

model of a plesiosaur. A 115 million year old fossil of the marine reptile was

discovered at Syncrude on November 14, 2011.)

A team of scientists from the Royal Tyrrell Museum are currently working to extract a fossil discovered at Syncrude.

The nearly complete plesiosaur was unearthed by heavy equipment operator Maggy Horvath last Monday.

"The plesiosaurs are exceptional for this part of the world, it's a big deal, that's why there's four of us up here, we loaded up our truck with all our gear, we brought our jack hammer and various sorts of tools to try and do a proper job, it's worth the effort to try and do a proper job, they're so rare and so valuable," said Henderson.

The long-necked, meat-eating, marine reptile lived in the water that covered Fort McMurray more than 110 million years ago and would have been commonplace during the mesozoic period.

Different plesiosaur species have been unearthed in oceans across the globe, the latest in the United Kingdom in 2004.

There have now been 10 different fossils found on Syncrude property.

An investigation is ongoing after a young woman was struck by a vehicle in downtown Fort McMurray.

RCMP say a 19-year old female, dressed all in black, was crossing the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Haineault Street around 6:30 Wednesday morning, when a pick-up went to make a turn, hitting the victim.

She was treated and released from hospital.

The 18-year old male driver was not hurt.

Police said today it is too early to tell if charges will be laid or not.

Local motorists are being reminded of the tragedies that can occur due to unsafe or impaired driving.

Safe Community Wood Buffalo held a memorial at MacDonald Island Park yesterday, honoring those who lost their lives, or have been impacted by a motor vehicle collision.

Melanie Murrin nearly lost her life due to an impaired driver and tells says she has yet to get past the horrific incident, "I became extremely anxious after my accident and I'm still anxious when I drive now."

"It's effected my on an everyday basis. It effects my children, my husband, my parents, it's effected absolutely everything in my life. People don't realize the impact that it has when someone is injured in a motor vehicle accident ," Murrin told Mix News at Wednesday's National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims event at MacDonald Island Park.

Murrin says she is now speaking out about her story in hopes of preventing others from being killed or injured on local roads.

Syncrude's second largest stakeholder says the reliability of existing operations should be improved, before any expansion.

Imperial Oil confirming to several media outlets Wednesday that it doesn't think a planned multi-billion dollar expansion will go ahead before 2020.

The joint venture announced in February 2010, plans to increase capacity from 350,000 barrels per day, to 600,000 bpd by 2020.

Meanwhile, there is no word on when one of Syncrude's two cokers, which went offline on Tuesday, will be restarted.

Imperial Oil holds a 25% stake in Syncrude

Alberta leads all North American in standard of living.

That's according to Canadian think-tank, the Fraser Institute, who in a recent report found our province is the most economically free jurisdiction in Canada and the United States.

Which, the study says, results in greater prosperity, and opportunities.

Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador rounded out the top three provinces, but ranked in the 30's overall.

Five year later and the case of two oil sands workers killed at the nearby Horizon site is still working its way through the courts.

Sinopec Shanghai will face charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act after the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that the chinese company can be prosecuted.

The ruling also determined the Crown can apply to hold a Criminal trail if the defendant fails to show up in court.

The men were killed in April, 2007 when a storage tank collapsed at the Canadian Natural Resources Horizon Project, 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

The state-owned chinese company is slated to go to trail in October of next year.

A Fort McMurray father seeking reimbursement for a life-saving brain surgery is feeling more hopeful after a meeting with the Premier.

Shane Wambolt, a 26-year old oil sands worker was forced to pay $240 thousand after a procedure, performed in the United States, was deemed 'elective" by the province.

Wambolt says he should be reimbursed.

"I'm not looking for any kind of special treatment at all, I'm looking at what any other Albertan would do in my situation, and would any Albertan want in my situation, and that is to be able to watch their son grow up, he was only six months old at the time I had my surgery," said Wambolt.

Wambolt was introduced into the Legislature by Fort McMurray Athabasca MLA Guy Boutilier today, where they met with Alison Redford and called for a third review by the Superboard's out-of-country care committee.

Prior to removal of the cyst, Wambolt was bed-ridden with excruciating headaches, chronic pain, vision loss and tremors.

Nearly 100,000 barrels of bitumen per day are expected to be lost due to an unplanned disruption at Syncrude.

The company announced that Coker 8-1 is undergoing repairs following a process upset.

It remains unclear as to what may have caused the disruption and investigation is ongoing.

The temporary set back is not expected to effect yearly production of 105 to 107 million barrels in 2011, according to Canadian Oil Sands, Syncrude's largest stakeholder.

The province is looking to empower landowners.

Bill 23 was among five Tory bills introduced into the Legislature this week, and provides property owners full access to compensation, if their land is expropriated by the province.

Infrastructure Minister, Jeff Johnson says the proposed legislation merely provides clarification to existing laws.

"It ensures that land owners are notified, they're consulted and fairly compensated for their land when we need to acquire it for these major projects, now there are many good aspects to the existing legislation but we heard clearly from Albertans over the last couple years that it can be better, and it needs to be better," said Johnson.