Ontario Premier Doug Ford billed taxpayers for a flight to Orlando, Fla., last summer to attend the conference of a private-sector union that has repeatedly endorsed the Progressive Conservative Party and received millions in government funding.

The province’s travel, meal and hospitality expense disclosure list shows four individuals — Ford, along with Labour Minister David Piccini and two staffers — expensed commercial flights and hotels totalling $11,709.85 for the trip in mid-July 2025.

While Ford and Piccini listed the reason as “travelled to attend ministry-related international mission,” social media videos show the pair of politicians at the LiUNA International Leadership Conference, held between July 14 and 16 at the Walt Disney Beach Club Resort Orlando.

Ford, who was welcomed onto the main stage to chants and applause from the assembled delegates, gave a keynote address and extolled the relationship between the union and PC government, calling LiUNA a “like-minded private sector union” whose cross-border membership underscores how the U.S. and Canada can work together.

The revelation comes as Ford insists that he’s stayed true to his political penny-pinching ways.

“Maybe what you should do is look into my expenses and find out that I have zero expenses,” he told reporters last week. “The only premier in the history of this province.”

Ford’s disclosures show $1,464.10 in airfare and $1,498.09 for accommodation were billed to taxpayers, allowing the premier to travel to and stay in “Orlando, FL, United States” between July 14 and 16, 2025.

The premier’s executive assistant also travelled with him to Florida, charging $2,962.19 for the three-day round trip.

Piccini billed $2,662.18 for the flight and hotels while a Ministry of Labour staffer booked another $3,123.29 in travel and accommodation costs.

Beyond confirming that they attended the event, neither Premier Ford nor Minister Piccini answered specific questions including why it was labelled as an “international mission,” whether both politicians stayed on the resort and why it was considered a legitimate government expense.

“As was publicized, Premier Ford was invited, and travelled, to the LiUNA conference, the largest private sector union in Canada who represent over 130,000 workers in Ontario alone,” the Premier’s Office said in a statement.

The government’s critics say while the premier might have a legitimate reason for speaking at a conference, this trip is unlikely to sit well with taxpayers.

“In the court of public opinion … that doesn’t look very good,” said Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser.

“You’re going to a Disney resort, to a conference with people who you already have a very well-established relationship … It’s not actually a good use of taxpayers’ money.”

While the premier was routinely flying across the province in an OPP-owned plane or on chartered aircraft during much of 2025, this time Ford and Piccini opted for commercial airfare to attend the LiUNA conference.

Victoria Mancinelli, a representative of LiUNA’s Canadian arm, posted a picture of Ford in the terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport on social media and defended his travel choices.

“The premier flew commercial and was greeted by families throughout Pearson excited to meet him. Not on a private jet,” Mancinelli said.

In an email to Global News, Mancinelli said the invitation came from “LiUNA’s International Headquarters in Washington, D.C., at the recommendation of LiUNA International Vice President and Canadian Director Joseph Mancinelli.”

“Given the Premier’s longstanding partnership with Ontario’s skilled trades and his government’s historic investments in infrastructure, workforce development and apprenticeship training, LiUNA’s international leadership believed it was important that he address delegates from across Canada and the United States whose jobs, industries and futures are directly shaped by public policy,” Mancinelli said.

Instagram and Facebook videos of the LiUNA event, some of which tagged the Disney beach club resort as the location, show Ford being cheered on as he took the stage to address the union and underscore the relationship.

“ Ontario, under our Progressive Conservative government, we respect the value of like-minded private sector unions,” Ford told the conference.

Global News has extensively documented the history between LiUNA and the Progressive Conservative Party, from endorsements to government decisions and promises of work to come.

In 2022, months after endorsing the PC party in the general byelection, a small sliver of land owned by the executive assistant to LiUNA’s International vice-president Joe Mancinelli was removed from the Greenbelt as part of a major land swap.

In the spring of 2025, months after campaigning with Ford during the snap provincial election, Labour Minister Piccini promised LiUNA workers would build the premier’s 401 tunnel.

Later that summer, Ford deepened the party’s ties by flying to the Orlando LiUNA conference to offer a rallying cry as the country faced a trade war with the United States.

“United we stand, divided we fall,” Ford told the conference. “There’s no better example of our incredible potential as Americans and Canadians than the women and men of LiUNA.”

Months later, as the Ford government faced a scandal over the labour minister’s handling of the $2.5 billion skills development fund, Joe Mancinelli raced to the government’s defence, calling allegations of wrongdoing “absolute nonsense.”

“It’s pretty ludicrous some of the things that I’ve heard and the attacks, the unfounded attacks that have been focused and thrown at Minister Piccini and the premier,” Mancinelli told the Empire Club on Dec. 4.

“Words like corruption are words that should never be spoken in the legislature. And quite frankly, those who are speaking those are the corrupt people that are ruining this province.”

It’s unclear why Ford, in his official capacity as premier rather than PC Party leader, chose to attend the conference in person, nor has the government clarified why the trip was categorized as an “international mission.”

Just one of the government attendees offered a full purpose for the trip.

Piccini’s director of stakeholder relations said the reason for the expense was to “provide support to the Minister and the Premier at the Labourers’ International Union of North America International Leadership Summit.”

His office suggested, however, the Florida trip was a response to the trade war with the United States.

“In the face of President Trump’s tariffs and tariff threats, it has never been more important for elected leaders to engage with labour and employer partners as we embark on our $222 million plan to build the infrastructure Ontario needs for generations to come,” Piccini’s office said in a statement.

However, Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser questioned the need for the travel and suggested the trip reflects a larger change in the government’s attitude after the 2025 election.

“‘I deserve to go on a victory lap in Florida. I deserve a luxury private jet,'” Fraser said of the government’s motives. “There’s no ostensibly policy or economic reason to go to Florida that’s going to help Ontarians.”

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A group of Canadians detained overseas for allegedly being part of ISIS will “highly likely” pose a threat when they return home, warns an intelligence document obtained by Global News.

The Integrated Threat Assessment Centre report was written in June, after Iraq said it had taken custody of an unspecified number of ISIS members from Canada.

The suspects are liable to contribute to extremism once they returned to Canada, “either directly through an act of violence or indirectly by radicalizing others,” the intelligence report said.

“A potential return of Canadian extremist travellers currently in Iraqi custody would highly likely pose a violent extremist threat to Canada,” it said.

The danger posed by returning ISIS supporters was underscored on Saturday when a 21-year-old attacked Berlin’s Pride festival with a vehicle and knife.

A Polish woman died and 29 others were injured. Police killed the suspect, Abdul Ballout, a German citizen, on Sunday.

Prior to the attack, Ballout had travelled to Turkey and Lebanon in an attempt to join ISIS, authorities said.

He was detained in Lebanon and returned to Germany in November. A German court ordered him to attend a de-radicalization program.

A month before the incident, Ottawa’s threat assessment agency warned about the risks posed by Canadians in much the same situation.

Like Ballout, they are allegedly extremists who left home to join ISIS and were taken into custody in the Middle East.

Terrorism analyst Lucas Webber said the Berlin incident showed that even those who tried to join ISIS and failed could be dangerous.

“These individuals pose a long-term national security risk even without immediate involvement in violence,” said Webber, a senior threat intelligence analyst at Tech Against Terrorism.

“Their past commitment to ISIS’s cause means they carry the same latent threat as Ballout: individuals who sought out the battlefield and, regardless of outcome, retain both the ideological drive and the networks to act on it later.”

After ISIS seized a swath of Syria and declared it an Islamic caliphate, dozens of men and women left Canadian cities to join the terrorist group.

While some served in ISIS in Syria and Iraq, others like Aaron Driver and Rehab Dughmosh were stopped along the way and instead conducted attacks in Canada.

As ISIS began to collapse in 2018, U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters captured Canadians who had been part of the group.

Between 2021 and 2023, the federal government repatriated nine women who had left B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec to join ISIS, as well as their children.

A third of the women have been charged, but most others were placed on terrorism peace bonds that restrict their movement and online access.

The government has not yet repatriated any of the Canadian ISIS men caught in Syria, including self-admitted ISIS sniper Muhammad Ali of Mississauga, Ont.

The others were residents of Edmonton, Windsor and Montreal, as well as a Briton who has never lived in Canada but obtained citizenship through his father.

A sixth Canadian, Mohammed Khalifa, was taken out of Syria by the United States in 2021, flown to Washington, D.C., and imprisoned for life.

Sheryl Saperia, a consultant who advises on security matters, said German authorities appeared to have incorrectly assessed the threat Ballout posed.

“The question that Germany answered wrongly, and that Canada now faces, is: on what evidence do we conclude that someone who set out to join ISIS no longer intends to act on it?”

“The Canadians detained in Iraq got much further than he did,” said Saperia, CEO of Pearl Strategic Counsel and former head of an advocacy group for terror victims.

“They arrived, they lived under ISIS rule, and at least one fought for the group and publicly called for attacks here,” she said.

“Before anyone is repatriated, Ottawa should be able to say what admissible evidence exists to support terrorism charges in a Canadian court, and what the plan is if that evidence is insufficient.”

Two Canadians who had joined ISIS were convicted of terrorism offences last year, including the first woman to be successfully prosecuted after returning from Syria.

But some remain in the Middle East and are trying to come back to Canada, including a Montreal man who was imprisoned in Turkey.

In Iraq, the Supreme Judicial Council said in February it was holding almost 6,000 ISIS members from 61 countries, including Canada.

The statement did name them, but said they had been transferred to Iraq from Syrian prisons and would face investigations and trials.

“Iraqi authorities announced plans as of February 2026 to investigate and prosecute all guilty individuals within a six month period,” the Canadian intelligence report said.

“Canadian authorities are actively monitoring the situation.”

Phil Gurski, a former Canadian Security Intelligence Service analyst, said extremists who are returning from abroad pose a higher threat.

That’s because of “the experience they have, the people they met and the anger they are returning to the country with,” he said in an interview.

Despite being all but wiped out in Syria in 2019, ISIS has survived amid what CSIS calls an “increasingly permissive” environment.

The Middle East conflict that began with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel has fuelled what CSIS calls religiously motivated violent extremism.

In its 2025 annual report, CSIS said it had launched seven “priority investigations involving mobilization to violence” motivated by the conflict.

Global News reported last week that Canada had disrupted four “violent extremist plots against Jewish targets” since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. All were related to ISIS.

ISIS “remains the most significant threat to Western interests, with its enduring objective to seize territory to establish a caliphate,” it said.

The evolving situation in the Middle East could “expedite timelines associated with” the return of ISIS members to Canada, CSIS wrote.

The CSIS report agreed that some of them “would likely pose national security and public safety risks” unless Canada took “sufficient mitigation measures.”

Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Organizations that support asylum seekers in Montreal say they are preparing for a potential increase in demand after the United States ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 300,000 Haitians.

Advocates warn the change leaves many Haitians vulnerable to detention or deportation despite ongoing violence and instability in their home country.

“Now 350,000 people are officially non-status or illegal, so it’s going to be a fair game for ICE and Haitians are gonna be the first ones targeted,” said Frantz André of the Action Committee for People Without Status.

TPS, which had allowed Haitians to live and work legally in the U.S. on a temporary basis, officially expired Monday. The measure also affected approximately 6,000 Syrians.

Immigration and refugee lawyer Fedora Mathieu called the decision “inhumane,” pointing to the security crisis in Haiti, where gang violence has displaced thousands and left many residents living in fear.

“They have to flee because otherwise, if they are at the wrong place, at the wrong time, they’re gonna get killed,” Mathieu said.

Community groups in Montreal believe some Haitians who lose protected status in the U.S. may try to come to Canada to avoid deportation. However, legal barriers remain.

Under the Safe Third Country Agreement, most refugee claimants who arrive at the Canada-U.S. border must seek asylum in the first country where they arrived. Exceptions exist for some groups, including unaccompanied minors and people with close family members in Canada.

Mathieu said recent federal legislation has further limited options for people crossing irregularly and later making refugee claims.

Advocates nevertheless fear some Haitians may still attempt to enter Canada through unofficial routes, creating opportunities for human smugglers.

“Yes. They’re asking thousands of dollars. However, stopping two groups, there will be 10 more because there is a huge demand,” André said.

Legal experts argue Canada should take additional measures to protect people affected by the end of TPS. Julia Sande, a lawyer with Amnesty International, said Ottawa should withdraw from the Safe Third Country Agreement.

“Canada is violating the rights of people by sending them back to the States, knowing there’s a real risk,” Sande said.

Some advocates are also calling on the federal government to create a special program for Haitians leaving the United States, noting that many have lived there for years and are skilled workers.

They argue Canada has a responsibility to provide protection to those facing the prospect of being returned to Haiti amid the country’s ongoing crisis.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The opening of the 2026 BC Summer Games brought more than athletic competition to Kelowna. It also delivered a welcome boost to local businesses as thousands of athletes, families and spectators descended on the city for the four-day event.

For restaurants such as Kelly O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Restaurant, the influx of visitors translated into a busy weekend.

“It means everything to us … We all depend on it,” said Angel Dutchak, one of the restaurant’s managers. “We’ve definitely been feeling the impact of having the games in town. We’ve seen quite a few parents . We’ve seen some athletes going in.”

The games, last hosted in Kelowna 18 years ago, welcomed approximately 2,600 athletes from across British Columbia.

Organizers say that number was only part of the story as competitors were accompanied by family members and supporters.

“Most of these athletes have a trail of family members who will come here to cheer them on, so you could probably quadruple that number,” said Devin Rubadeau, president of the 2026 BC Summer Games.

Rubadeau said based on previous Summer Games, the economic impact would likely be more than $2 million.

Beyond the immediate economic benefits, organizers believe the event could leave a lasting tourism legacy.

“I think that the ongoing continuing impact of people having experienced our community and then wanting to come back over and over again. How many people came here for the very first Summer Games and said, ‘Hey, you know what? I think our summer plans from now on include Kelowna,'” Rubadeau said. “That’s a big deal.”

The event was widely viewed as a success, with hundreds of volunteers helping make the games possible.

However, the opening day was not without challenges.

Smoke from wildfires burning outside the Okanagan drifted into Kelowna, creating some of the worst air quality in the world and raising concerns about whether events would be affected.

“At the stadium, it’s really bad … hopefully they don’t cancel it,” Dennis Marchant, one of the athletes’ parents, had said on opening day.

Smoke forced some changes to the opening ceremonies, but conditions improved by Friday and the competition proceeded as planned.

While the 2026 BC Summer Games have wrapped up, the Okanagan won’t have to wait long before welcoming the event back to the region.

“The next Summer Games two years from now will be in Penticton,” Rubadeau said.

Planning for the 2028 games is expected to begin soon.

 

 

 

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The president of Unite Here Local 40 is refusing to answer questions about controversial tactics to filibuster Vancouver city council meetings.

“I’m taking those concerns seriously,” was all president Zailda Chan would say about what happened last week.

During a public hearing on July 22, several callers opposing a Vancouver urban planning proposal acknowledged to council that they were not local and some were from California.

The next day, a union spokesperson acknowledged that they reached out to U.S. supporters.

On the heels of this controversy, at Monday’s public hearing about a different development, some speakers scheduled on the phone did not show up.

They are believed to be the same out-of-town callers from last week.

Coun. Peter Meiszner said out-of-town callers can prevent people who actually live in the city from weighing in on a topic.

“It’s super frustrating not just for councillors, but I think especially for Vancouver residents who have waited hours to be able to call in and give their feedback on, you know, proposals that actually impact their lives,” he told Global News.

The Unite Here Local 40 union represents hotel, food service and airport workers.

Members have spoken out before against a floating hotel and other developments, saying Vancouver has an affordability crisis.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Organize your office, clear your mind, and make space for productivity. The right home office essentials are an investment that pays you back every day through greater comfort and focus. Whether you’re looking for a complete upgrade, or a few accessories to take your work from home routine to the next level, consider this your desk-side edit: the home office finds from Moleskine, Article, Flexispot and more that are worth making room for.

 

Start with the essentials and get all your must-have office tools in this premium pack. Staplers, tape dispensers, scissors, stapler removers, clips, and paper clips included.[/product_listing]

 

Ditch the sticky pads. This desktop glass whiteboard gives you a glass writing surface with five built-in storage compartments to keep pens, markers, and other desk essentials organized. Its compact enough to also hold a phone or tablet and can even double as a keyboard stand.[/product_listing]

 

Keep your cables, chargers, earbuds, hard drives, and other tech accessories neatly organized with this compact cable organizer bag. Made from waterproof, durable fabric, it features multiple pockets and elastic straps to prevent tangles and scratches.[/product_listing]

 

If you work long hours and want to maximize on space, this ergonomic chair is a dream come true. With adjustable lumbar support, a supportive headrest, and a plush foam seat, it’s designed to keep you comfortable through marathon work sessions. Bonus: the foldable design lets you tuck it away when you need to reclaim your space.[/product_listing]

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5 Pcs 0.5mm Japanese Black Ink Pens – $14.99

25 PCS Plastic Clear Drawer Organizer – $24.29

Memory Foam Ergonomic Mouse Pad Set

 

Upgrade your pint-sized mousepads to a mat that protects your entire working space from scratches, spills, stains, and scuffs. It spaciously accommodates your keyboard, laptop, and mouse while doubling as a mouse pad that’s easy to wipe clean.[/product_listing]

 

The Moleskine classic notebook with a soft cover features 240 ruled pages with a durable black cover and elastic closure, making it ideal for journaling, note-taking, or creative writing. Beloved by students, travelers, and bullet journalists – it’s the portable notebook that’s perfect for everyday use or ideas on the go.[/product_listing]

 

Create the Scandi-inspired home office of your dreams with the Torme L-Shape Desk Set, featuring a sleek smoked oak finish, generous open storage, and soft-close drawers with hidden pulls that make your workspace stylish and functional.[/product_listing]

 

If you spend long hours at your desk, this memory foam footrest helps elevate your feet and support a more comfortable sitting position while reducing pressure on your legs and back.[/product_listing]

 

Designed with retractable blades for opening envelopes, packages, and more, these cloud-shaped mini box cutters are super handy to keep in your pencil case, bag, or desk drawer for quick cutting tasks whenever you need them.[/product_listing]

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Aesthetic Daily Planner – $12.99

4 Tiers Stackable Desk Organizer – $38.00

Cute Keyboard Retro Round Keycap – $49.99

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Not all of us have the need—or the budget—to build the perfect 10- to 15-piece summer capsule wardrobe from scratch. Chances are, you already own a few warm-weather staples you love: a go-to pair of high-waisted denim, an effortless striped linen set for cottage weekends or chic leather sandals that look straight off a Céline runway. The key to mastering summer style in 2026 isn’t starting over—it’s investing in versatile, elevated pieces that refresh what’s already in your closet. From breezy basics at Aritzia to luxe-looking essentials from Quince and timeless staples from Simons, these wardrobe heroes will help you create your best-dressed summer yet.

Clean Cut Cotton

It almost sounds too basic, but a few fresh white tees, both classic and detailed – are almost a mandatory refresh necessity. And, let’s face it. The need for new white tees exists because of one word: salsa. I appreciate the cap sleeves and the loose-but-flattering fit, here. [/product_listing]

 

A black Henley should not just be viewed as a base layer for après. Tuck this into faded denim or parachute pants on a summer evening (with those Santorini sandals!) – and keep it crisp by never letting it hit the dryer.[/product_listing]

 

I like the elegant detailing on this stretch twill shirt. Choose a bottom that is un-fussy and let this be your hero piece. [/product_listing]

 

Simons has such an excellent selection of both basic and elevated when it comes to the white tee. Case in point: this well-priced classic.[/product_listing]

 

The Midi

The tan, midi skirt is like the Carrera marble countertop of the wardrobe world for me. A classic but also so easily adaptable to anything that’s trending. I also love how it tones so gorgeously with citrus orange, powder pink, denim blue – anything. To me this tie-belted skirt just says I live in Italy now. And I dig it paired with a slimline loafer. [/product_listing]

 

This Fluid Poplin Dress reads like a midi skirt and a tucked-in tube, but it’s really just a one-and-done. Many colour ways available, this version is classic light birch and black.[/product_listing]

 

You may also like:

Essie Nail Polish in Bordeaux – $9.86

Cherry Bag Charm – $120

Mejuri Aurora Lab Grown Sapphire Eternity Ring – $198

 

Elasticized waist, perfectly flowy and washes (on cold) like a dream. The Europena skirt also looks divine with its matching vest (also $60). [/product_listing]

 

The Garnish

Details, details. They really are the thing that takes your look over the top. Whether it’s a chunky turquoise ring, the perfect cloche hat or a short stack of gold anklets – the add-ons, especially in summer, are truly the frosting on the cake. You know what they say, you can’t have a perfect steak without a little sizzle. This bestseller is packable and ponytail-friendly – but my vibe would actually be a super messy topknot and a short, neon orange mani to go with. [/product_listing]

 

I wear these Art Heart button earrings from Canadian accessories designer Jenny Bird almost every day – and they are the coolest. Not too heavy, one hundred percent charming and all about the love! [/product_listing]

 

As much as I am a loyalist to my classic Cuban fedora, this Sunbeam raffia mini-brim hat is another silhouette I’m really into for this summer. [/product_listing]

 

I’m obsessed with the seersucker striping on this market bag that doubles as a beach tote–need I say more?[/product_listing]

 

Frost that cake! Meet: The Double Amalfi anklet. [/product_listing]

 

You may also like:

Brim Straw Panama Hat – $35.99

Shark ChillPill, The only 3-in-1 personal cooling system – $480.00

Kobo Libra Colour – $259.99 

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Montreal Pride says it is increasing security measures for its upcoming Pride celebrations following the deadly attack at Berlin Pride that left one person dead and 29 others injured.

Organizers say safety is an “absolute priority” and that nearly 10 per cent of the festival’s overall budget is dedicated to security, prevention and well-being measures.

Among the additional precautions, concrete barriers will be installed along Sainte-Catherine Street in the Village, including near bike paths, to help prevent vehicles from accessing pedestrian areas.

Events taking place at Olympic Park will be held within a secured site where attendees must pass through metal detectors before entering. Organizers noted the venue has an experienced security team accustomed to handling large-scale events.

In a statement, Fierté Montréal (Montreal Pride) expressed solidarity with those affected by the Berlin attack, condemned the violence and called for unity in protecting safe spaces for LGBTQ2S+ communities.

“Our absolute priority is to ensure a welcoming, safe and caring environment for everyone who participates in our activities,” the organization said.

Fierté Montréal is also working closely with Montreal police.

The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) said it is monitoring any situation that could affect local Pride events and will maintain a proactive approach throughout the festivities.

Police said they will adapt operations as needed and are prepared to respond to any incident that may arise.

Some Montreal residents in The Village told Global News the attack has heightened concerns about safety at large public gatherings.

“It comes to mind because you just never know what could possibly happen,” one person said. “There is a little bit of concern.”

Others said they trust the security measures being put in place but will remain vigilant during the celebrations.

Montreal Pride festivities begin Friday and will conclude with the Pride Parade along René-Lévesque Boulevard on Aug. 9.

 

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The city of Chestermere, which is located about 20 kilometres east of Calgary, said water levels on Chestermere Lake were returning to normal on Monday after the water flow was temporarily shut off due to an oil spill.

The lake, which is close to three square kilometres in size, was originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the 1880s for agricultural use.

It is currently operated by the Western Irrigation District, which controls the water entering and leaving Chestermere Lake.

On Friday, the Irrigation District stopped the flow of water into the lake following reports of an oil spill that had occurred upstream in southeast Calgary.

The Calgary Fire Department was called in and investigators traced the spill to a large container used to store motor oil and hydraulic oil at a commercial business in the 3500 block of 78 Avenue Southeast.

From there, it appears to have entered the Western Headworks Canal, which runs from the Bow River at Harvie Passage into the Chestermere Lake reservoir.

However, when investigators arrived, oil was floating on the surface of the canal. Calgary Fire Department Information Officer Alex Kwan said a vacuum truck was called in to clean up the area.

In a statement, the provincial government said about 1,200 litres were spilled as a result of a storage tank failure and the operator of the facility is covering all costs of the cleanup.

The City of Chestermere said in a social media post that based on cleanup and containment efforts, it appears the oil spill did not reach the lake.

However, while the inflow of water to Chestermere Lake was temporarily shut down, water was allowed to continue to flow out of the lake, which temporarily lowered the water level.

The canal system returned to operation on Saturday afternoon and the Irrigation District, which is leading the investigation, said lake levels were expected to return to normal on Monday.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Another day, another storm.

Three waves of heavy rainfall doused the region Monday afternoon as a line of storm cells swept northeast across central Alberta.

Environment Canada said its meteorologists were tracking a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, loonie- to ping pong ball-size hail and very heavy rain.

The first wave hit at 1 p.m. over south Edmonton and was moving northeast at 20-30 km/h. The second and third waves swept through over the ensuing hour and a half, dropping enough rain to turn roads into rivers and lakes.

Just across the river from the downtown core, a major interchange was shut down due to massive flooding that left the area one big lake.

The interchange of Connors Road, Scona Road and 98 Avenue was closed where the roads intersect to cross the Low Level and James MacDonald bridges.

Flooding was also spotted at the nearby Muttart Conservatory, which the City of Edmonton said would be closed on Tuesday due access being cut off because of the flooded roads.

The city said it hoped to reopen on Wednesday, at which point day camps and other programs will resume.

Reports of flooding came in from across Edmonton: streets underwater in Belgravia and the University of Alberta area, as well as in newer neighbourhoods like The Alces in the far southeast.

Transit was also impacted after a tree fell on the Valley Line southeast tracks in the Strathearn area, halting the line between the Holyrood and Muttart stops.

The Edmonton Transit Service said bus replacement was running between Bonnie Doon and downtown; however, it was going slowly due to the shut down of the Connors Road interchange in the river valley.

The city said at 4 p.m. the Valley Line replacement bus service and Route 500X were on detour and experiencing major delays. The city said it was working on finding an alternative option as soon as possible.

Buildings also flooded.

The Santas Anonymous depot had water backing up into its warehouse in northeast Edmonton both over the weekend and during Monday’s storm.

At 1:30 p.m., Service Canada updated its website to say the passport office at Canada Place in downtown Edmonton was closed due to flooding and water damage. No other details were available as of publishing.

Unprecedented summer of rain

Edmonton has experienced unprecedented rainfall this summer, the city said on Monday.

According to Environment Canada, the city has received a combined 511 millimetres of rain over June and July, which the city said is the highest volume since 1953.

Before Monday, 239.8mm of rain had fallen in Edmonton so far in July. It comes after a record-breaking amount of rain fell in June — over 260 mm — breaking a 112-year-old record.

The rainfall total for Monday afternoon’s storm is not yet known.

The typical monthly average in summer is between 70 and 80 millimetres, with an average annual rainfall of 423 millimetres.

The nearly two months of several storms a week have left the groundwater table so saturated that more runoff than normal is making its way into the stormwater system — which is struggling to keep up.

Last week, city-owned utility provider EPCOR said the region needs a lengthy stretch of dry weather to allow its stormwater system to recover.

Recent flooding has affected major routes, including underpasses on Yellowhead Trail and Whitemud Drive, and led to sinkholes popping up around the city.

Monday’s rainfall is the latest in what has been a month of nearly back-to-back severe thunderstorms, including one on Saturday night that dropped 30 millimetres of rain in about an hour.

That storm shut down Whitemud Drive yet again in west Edmonton, where excess rainwater turned the freeway into a lake under the 170 Street overpass.

Yellowhead Trail, Groat Road and Connors Road also flooded that night.

About 31,000 concert-goers attending the Post Malone show at Commonwealth Stadium were forced to take refuge in the concourse after fierce winds and sideways rain forced the concert to end early. Full refunds were given to all Saturday ticket holders.

The city said between Saturday evening and Monday morning, crews responded to 341 reports of broken, hanging and downed trees or branches and that work continues. Since July 1, crews have responded to 2,256 storm-related issues, including fallen trees and branches.

Edmonton Fire Rescue handled 252 calls for support from firefighters between 5 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Saturday’s storm also forced the closure of Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton, where Parks Canada said downed trees and flooding presented a danger to guests.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.