Work on reconciliation part of LitFest summer reading list
June 27, 2016. In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation, a collection of essays edited by Edmonton’s former Historian Laureate Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, was one of four titles announced last week for Edmonton! LitFest. Canada’s only non-fiction literary
festival’s summer reading list comprises works by Canadian authors. “We want Edmontonians to devour these books over the summer ⎼ at the lake, the campsite or in the hammock on sunny days ⎼ and then join us in October. Come meet the authors, ask questions and delve deep into each book at the festival,” said Fawnda Mitrush, LitFest executive director. In addition to literary discussion with some of Canada’s best non-fiction authors, LitFest will feature art, theatre, music and dance performances, and a culinary event during the 10-day festival, Oct. 13-23.
Fine money from CNRL will pay for air study in Fort McKay
June 27, 2016. Money garnered through fines levied against Canadian Natural Resources Limited will be directed to researchers from the University of Calgary to study the toxicological effects of chemicals measured in the air in and around Fort MacKay. CNRL has been penalized $500,000 under Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act for incidents at its Horizon facility, which occurred in 2010 and 2012. Of that money, $425,000 will go to the U of C study. On May 28, 2010, the Horizon plant’s sulfur recovery unit failed and hydrogen sulfide escaped at both ground level and through a flare stack. CNRL was penalized $350,000. On Aug. 2, 2012, the plant’s sulfur recovery unit failed and an unknown quantity of hydrogen sulfide gas escaped through a flare stack, which failed to fully combust the hydrogen sulfide gas, a contravention of the plant’s approval. A fine of $150,000 was levied.
New animal shelter, adoption services in Grande Prairie region
June 27, 2016. The Grande Prairie Regional Animal Care Facility begins operations Monday. The newly created facility ensures the continuation of safe and humane animal shelter, care and adoptions, following the May 31 closure of the Grande Prairie and District SPCA due to financial instability. Existing staff from the Grande Prairie Regional Animal Pound will now deliver pound, adoption and animal shelter services out of the existing building and garage. The GPSPCA had some of the highest adoption fees in Alberta. To make adoption more affordable, the rates will be significantly reduced.