Calgary marks two weeks of water restrictions, aiming for pipe fix July 5
CALGARY (CP) – It has been two weeks since a massive water pipe ruptured in Calgary, leaving residents under restrictions.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Wednesday also marked the fourth day in a row Calgarians have successfully used less water than the city produces, avoiding the risk of the taps going dry.
“We have enough of an emergency supply to fight fires and act as backup if needed in hospitals and care facilities,” Gondek said at a media briefing.
She said Calgarians have saved the equivalent of 600 Olympic swimming pools full of water since the pipe broke on June 5.
Meanwhile, Gondek is sticking to opening day of the Stampede as a best-case scenario for the full resumption of water services in the city.
But Gondek warns that unforeseen problems could delay repairs to a catastrophic water main break that has forced citywide use restrictions for more than two weeks.
Gondek says the Stampede rodeo and fair, which starts July 5, is still in talks with neighbouring communities about trucking in water for both crowds and animals at the event.
Heat wave still grips Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes
(CP) – A heat wave that’s washed over eastern Canada is sticking around for a little while still.
Southern Ontario, southern Quebec and much of the Maritimes have seen temperatures hovering around 30 to 35 degrees Celsius.
At times, it feels like it’s 40 degrees with the humidex.
Environment Canada is calling for Toronto and Ottawa to be hovering around the 30-degree mark on Thursday and Friday.
Quebec’s health department recommends spending at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned space.
Most of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI, as well as central and eastern Newfoundland, are also under a heat warning.
WestJet mechanics union takes strike off the table
(CP) – The threat of strike action by unionized mechanics at WestJet has been dropped after both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table.
An overnight statement says the air carrier appeared before the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to discuss arbitration options with its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Tech Ops employees.
CIRB officials say more information is needed from both sides before deciding whether arbitration is the best way to reach a first-time collective bargaining agreement.
In the meantime, both parties have jointly agreed to return to the bargaining table and continue working towards a resolution.
Rachel Notley leaving behind an Alberta NDP that’s still ready to run
By: Lisa Johnson
EDMONTON (CP) – Cheryl Oates learned that she needed to lace up a good pair of running shoes to keep up with Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley.
“When I think about her turning me into a runner, despite the fact that I didn’t want to be runner, it’s an interesting parallel to her politics,” says Oates, who was head of communications when Notley was premier.
“Given the chance, she will either wear you down or convince you.”
On Saturday afternoon, the party will be Notley’s crew no more. It’s set to announce a new leader.
Oates, once a journalist hard-wired to be non-partisan and apolitical, says she changed when she started working for Notley. And others did too.
“Rachel taught me: what are we fighting for, and why are we fighting for it?”
As former chief sues Assembly of First Nations, minister says Ottawa won’t weigh in
By: Alessia Passafiume
OTTAWA (CP) – The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations says Ottawa’s role is not to govern the internal accountability of the Assembly of First Nations, as its former chief launches a lawsuit against the advocacy group.
Gary Anandasangaree said in an interview Thursday that the AFN is a trusted, “valued partner” for the federal government, and he wouldn’t weigh in on the legal case.
RoseAnne Archibald, who was ousted from the post as national chief last July, is suing the Assembly of First Nations and its executive for defamation and breach of contract.
In a statement of claim filed this month, Archibald alleged the Assembly of First Nations and its executive engaged in a “number of illegal and unlawful steps” against her, including suspending her as national chief.
After her election, Archibald called for the advocacy body to hire a forensic accounting firm to review its books.
The suit alleges the executive — which includes current national Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak — then “embarked on a campaign to sideline her and ultimately oust her as national chief.”
