Alberta wildfire evacuees start to retun to their homes

   Canada column for Sunday, June 5/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The first group of emotionally drained residents returned to see what’s left of their homes after the devastating wildfires in Alberta.

   But, many people who lost their homes to the fires might never return to Fort McMurray after 2,400 houses and businesses were destroyed – about 10 percent of the city.

   Last month’s wildfires abruptly changed direction and made a direct hit on the city in the heart of Alberta’s oil-producing region.

   Authorities are planning the return to the city in stages as more than 80,000 people had to flee when the flames and smoke approached.

   The return started last Wednesday for people who lived in areas that were mostly spared by the fires.

   “These are the points of light in the midst of some very, very hard days,” Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said.

   She welcomed home the first group returning and thanked the crews who worked to get the city running again.

   The Canadian Red Cross has begun allocating the $125 million raised so far to assist with the recovery efforts – money that is to be matched by the federal government and partially by Alberta.

   ---

Canada's economic growth hampered by oil prices, fires in Alberta

   Canada column for Sunday, May 29/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The oil price shock has been compounded by this month’s devastating Alberta wildfires to hurt Canada’s economic growth.

   The Bank of Canada said the fires that destroyed sections of Fort McMurray, forcing about 80,000 to flee and with the loss of 2,400 houses and businesses, are exacting a toll on the economy.

   In the oil-rich province, the flames forced several oilsands operations to close and sent workers fleeing.

   The central bank said the impact of the fires will cut 1.25 percent off Gross Domestic Product growth in the second quarter.

   Even so, the bank kept its key interest rate steady at 0.5 percent, expecting better days ahead.

   In its assessment, the bank said Canada’s economy is expected to rebound in the third quarter as oil production resumes along with rebuilding after the fires.

   The economy continues making a “structural adjustment” to lower world oil prices, the bank noted.

   Retail sales figures for March along with manufacturing and wholesale numbers were lower.

   Statistics Canada said the annual pace of inflation rose to 1.7 percent last month, up from 1.3 percent in March.

   ---

Senators cleared in long-running Canadian Senate expenses scandal

   Canada column for Sunday, May 22/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The long-standing Senate expenses scandal is winding down with a former senator being cleared of fraud and breach of trust while a second senator won’t be arrested.

   Charges were dropped against Mac Harb, who retired three years ago, over housing expenses that were called inappropriate.

   Mounties decided that criminal charges were not warranted after a “thorough investigation” of Sen. Pamela Wallin’s travel claims, said assistant commissioner Gilles Michaud.

   “It has been a very long three years and I’m glad this nightmare is over,” Wallin said.

   She repaid $150,000 in expenses, blaming a “lynch mob” mentality in the Senate, and will consult with her lawyer about possible legal action.

   Prosecutors said Harb will not face a criminal trial because there isn’t a reasonable expectation of a conviction.

   He repaid $231,000 in housing expenses that were under investigation.

   This follows Sen. Mike Duffy being cleared of 31 charges of defrauding the Canadian government last month during a 62-day trial.

   Only one case remains, with Patrick Brazeau facing fraud and breach of trust charges.

   ---

Canadian government to aid in rebuilding fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alberta

   Canada column for Sunday, May 15/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged support in the rebuilding effort for those affected in wildfire-devastated Fort McMurray, Alberta.

   The massive wildfire, nicknamed “the beast,” roared into the oil-producing city, destroying neighborhoods and forcing 94,000 people to flee on short notice.

   It burned through 2,400 houses and businesses and the deaths of two people in a car crash as they fled the city were blamed on the wildfire.

   The Liberal government has formed a special cabinet committee to co-ordinate Fort McMurray aid and reconstruction efforts, Trudeau said during a visit on Friday.

   As well, the government is “fast tracking” claims for unemployment insurance by displaced workers.

   The Alberta government is giving residents and families immediate emergency financial support and the Red Cross has started distributing the $87 million donated so far and matched by the government.

   Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee said it isn’t yet known when people can return as workers are restoring power, inspecting properties and working to repair the hospital.

   The fire, which now covers about 10,000 square miles, has moved away from the city and is expected to burn in forested areas for several more weeks.

   ---

Wildfire "beast" drives thousands from Alberta city

   Canada column for Sunday, May 8/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   A wildfire of epic proportions has now driven almost all 80,000 residents from the oilfields’ capital of Fort McMurray, Alberta as much of the community has gone up in flames.

   Spawned by high winds, scorching heat and low humidity, the fire changed course and took aim at the city, causing residents to flee in a mass exodus that included huge convoys by road and some evacuations by air.

   Police and the military were escorting a procession of 1,500 vehicles carrying evacuees stranded at oilfield camps north of the city to safer ground.

   Heavy smoke was hampering their travel that was continuing this weekend to the Edmonton area, about 270 miles to the south.

   “The beast is still up, it’s surrounding the city and we’re here doing our very best for you,” regional fire chief Darby Allen said in assessing the situation.

    Thousands of houses and buildings have been destroyed and Premier Rachel Notley said she cannot speculate on when it might be safe for residents to return to the city.

   The Red Cross has raised $11 million and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government will match the donations to help those displaced.

   The Alberta government is also matching donations up to $2 million.

   “We will weather this storm together and together we will rebuild,” Trudeau said.

Canadian oil and gas industry still facing "dire times"

   Canada column for Sunday, May 1/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canada, the largest supplier of oil to the United States, still faces grim predictions for a financial comeback in its hard-hit oil and gas sector.

   “These are dire times for the Canadian oilfield service, supply and manufacturing sector, with no indicators for positive change in the near future,” said Mark Salkeld, ceo of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada.

   Due to low crude oil prices, the association predicts drilling activity will be 36-percent lower than what it anticipated six months ago.

   The Conference Board of Canada said the country’s oil and gas industry should remain in the red for a second year but pre-tax losses shouldn’t be as severe with a return to profitability next year.

   The board predicts oil producers will collectively lose more than $3 billion this year compared with a record $7 billion loss last year.

   As well, the economic think tank said the natural gas extraction industry should lose $1 billion this year, down from $1.1-billion in 2015.

   ---

Duffy found not guilty; Niagara Falls turns purple

   Canada column for Sunday, April 24/16

Niagara Falls turned purple to honor the Queen and Prince. (Parks Canada photo)

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   Mike Duffy is back at work as a senator after a three-year expulsion now that he was cleared of 31 charges of defrauding the Canadian government.

   Judge Charles Vaillancourt, in a four-hour verdict, had harsh words for former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office and its conduct over the expenses scandal involving Duffy, 69.

   The ruling after a 62-day trial took issue with the prosecution’s contention that the former TV broadcaster had deliberately defrauded taxpayers by submitting claims for disputed housing, office and travel expenses.

   Vaillancourt was extremely critical that Harper’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, gave Duffy $90,000 to repay his living expenses to try to defuse the controversy.

   “The political, covert, relentless, unfolding of events is mind boggling and shocking,” Vaillancourt said, acquitting Duffy of all counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.

   Lawyer Donald Bayne said that Duffy has been subjected to “more public humiliation than probably any Canadian in history.”

   Senator Patrick Brazeau faces a fraud and breach of trust trial this year while senator Pamela Wallin’s expenses continue to be examined by the police. Seven other senators are being asked to repay a total of $528,000 in disputed expenses.

   ---

   Canada’s Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario turned a regal purple Thursday night to honor Queen Elizabeth on her 90th birthday – and, perhaps to pay tribute to Prince.

   Many people said it also honored the “Purple Rain” singer who died at his home in Minnesota at age 57.

   Toronto played a big part in the life of Prince as in the early-to-mid 2000s, he lived in the city's Bridle Path neighborhood.

   At the time, he was married to Manuela Testolini, who was born in Toronto.

   Prince performed two of his last sold-out shows at Toronto’s Sony Center last month.