The cost of Edmonton’s summer storm season is becoming more clear, with the city saying the bill is expected to end up somwhere between $20 million and $30 million.

That is not including the most recent storm damage from Saturday night or Monday afternoon.

“I think when you look at the trees and the wind and the rain, all of these things are impacting to create some damaging circumstances for our city and how we get through that is important,” said Edmonton city manager Eddie Robar.

Robar said this is the first time in his current role that he’s seen the aftermath of a summer storm cost more than a winter one.

“We have a financial stabilization reserve, or an FSR, that we use for impacts like this at a one-time cost to the city,” Robar said.

“So we are prepared for these types of things, but certainly these all have impact to our budgets as we move forward.”

With city crews scrambling to keep up with the number of calls to deal with downed branches and damaged trees, the City of Calgary has pitched in some help.

“It’s to the credit of Edmontonians that they’ve always had our back, and it’s really important for us as Calgarians to have Edmonton’s back,” Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said on Wednesday.

The City of Calgary has sent 12 urban forestry staff, which includes landscape horticulturalists, staff trained in technical falling, forestry ground crew operations and trained labourers. Ten mobility crew members, one foreman, and three waste and recycling service staff members will also be part of the relief effort.

Equipment such as quad cabs, chainsaws, and dump trucks will also be made available.

“It’s about clearing their transportation networks,” Farkas said.

“There’s a lot of damage that’s been caused and we’re going to continue to work closely with City of Edmonton administration to understand what their needs are.”

Robar said the city is grateful for the help.

“Some of the problems we did have recently, especially with Connors Road, was a lot of limbs that were blocking drainage and things like that — trying to get that all cleaned up so that we don’t have the same problems in the future,” he said.

Edmonton will reimburse Calgary for the assistance, although Farkas said the goal right now is to help with the cleanup.

There is no expectation the upcoming city budget for Edmonton will change to account for the amount of unprecedented rainfall.

“These are one-offs that certainly have challenged our systems and our infrastructure like nothing has ever had before and we hope to balance that out in the future,” Robar said.

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

A woman who slipped while hiking in the Rockies west of Calgary did not survive the fall.

Canmore RCMP said they responded around 4 p.m. Tuesday to help Parks Canada rescue a fallen hiker near Mount Shark.

Police were advised that four people were completing a loop hike in the Kananaskis region, when one of the hikers lost their footing and fell.

A woman in her 20s is confirmed to have died, RCMP said on Wednesday, adding no further details of the incident or woman’s identity would be released.

According to Alberta Parks, the mountain in Spray Valley Provincial Park is home to a 15-km, intermediate-to-advanced looped trail system.

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

A viral video showing the arrest of a 40-year-old woman in the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers is sparking concerns among First Nations leaders and advocates, who are questioning the level of force used.

In a video shared on social media, two Saskatchewan RCMP officers could be seen forcing Rose Angus to the ground and handcuffing her, shortly after one officer punched her several times in the face and the other tased her in the back.

While Angus was being handcuffed, one officer could be seen holding her down with his knee close to her neck. Later in the video, officers tell Angus to stand up, and when she does, her face is covered in blood.

Saskatchewan RCMP say officers from the Loon Lake detachment were originally responding Monday morning at around 5 a.m. to a report of a person impaired by drugs on a street in the First Nation, located around 300 km northwest of Saskatoon.

While responding, officers found a man wanted on a warrant entering a home. Officers then arrested this man and another man after approaching the home and speaking with those inside, said the RCMP.

During the arrest of the two men, police say Angus “became confrontational” and punched two officers, before leaving the entrance area of the home.

A second video shared on social media shows this part of the encounter, with Angus descending the stairs of a home and the officers yelling at her to “get on the ground.”

The RCMP says she was then arrested outside the home and was treated by emergency responders for minor injuries.

Following the video of the arrests circulating on social media, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, along with the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, released a joint statement on Wednesday, demanding accountability and an independent investigation into the incident.

“What we witnessed in that video is unacceptable. Our women deserve to be always treated with dignity and respect,” said Chief Melvin Mooswa of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation in a press release.

“Our community deserves answers. We deserve accountability. Most importantly, our people deserve better.”

Aaron Thomas, a former police officer with 17 years of service with The Blood Tribe Police Service in Alberta, says there were many things that upset him while watching the video of the arrest and agrees with the leaders.

“The punches to the face, the close fist strikes to the face were excessive, as well as the tasers, especially when you have two men dealing with a female,” Thomas said.

“Once you have control and handcuffs, there’s no reason to be escalating, yelling at people and swearing at the detainee or the arrestee.”

In a statement Tuesday, the RCMP say they conducted an initial review of the incident, which included watching the body camera footage and are determining the use of force “to be reasonable.”

“Body-worn camera footage is evidence and will be presented as part of court proceedings,” the statement said.

In an update Wednesday, RCMP say they are escalating the incident to the province’s police watchdog, known as the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), for investigation, despite saying the day before they would not, given the “non-serious nature” of Angus’ injuries.

Global News has requested to see the RCMP body camera footage, but was told to contact SIRT.

In a statement to Global News, SIRT confirmed it is investigating the incident and has no further information to report at this time.

Alongside Angus, police say they arrested a 30-year-old man from Edmonton and a 28-year-old man from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, both for outstanding warrants.

Angus now faces six charges, including two counts of assaulting a police officer, two counts of resisting a police officer, one count of obstructing a police officer and one count of possessing cocaine.

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

Tom Cretain says that since Global News started airing his story after he lost his HandyDART service of 28 years, he has been getting lots of calls, but hasn’t made much progress.

Cretain has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a special wheelchair.

He said he has now received calls from TransLink’s CEO and the company that runs HandyDART, Transdev.

“Before I spoke to Global News, nobody would talk to me above the people who get to the phones,” Cretain said.

But he’s not feeling that optimistic, he said.

“It’s kind of up and down. One minute they seem engaging; the next minute they are not,” Cretain added.

In an updated statement on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson from TransLink said, “Cretain’s mobility device exceeds the operating specifications of the vehicles and securement equipment currently available through HandyDART and its contracted wheelchair-accessible taxi services.”

The organization said that it has arranged for a mobility expert to meet with Cretain later this week and that person will assess his mobility and transportation needs and help identify “safe and appropriate options for the short to medium term, including whether an independent transportation provider or another arrangement can safely meet his needs.”

TransLink said that in the longer term, they are looking at possible changes to HandyDART vehicles, equipment or operating practices that could safely accommodate Cretain’s mobility device.

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

City councils across the country are grappling with how to deal with and regulate proposed AI data centres.

Council in Hamilton, Ont., recently rejected a proposed one-year moratorium on pausing data centre development. And now, Saskatoon is the latest city to weigh the pros and cons of the energy-intensive facilities.

Like many Canadian cities, Saskatoon is considering whether large AI data centres have a place. Saskatoon city councillor Scott Ford wants administration to do the legwork before any projects are pursued.

“People are looking at the pros and cons of data centres and we’re feeling that will eventually hit Saskatoon,” said Ford.

City administration will look at everything from potential economic benefits to demands on water and electricity. Ford’s motion comes as the province gets attention from companies wanting to build them. It also comes with protests from people who don’t want them.

Jason Aebig with the Chamber of Commerce understands the concerns, but he also hopes the city doesn’t lose sight of the potential economic opportunities, with data centres quickly becoming integrated into our economy.

“Because I don’t think there is jurisdiction in North America that cannot afford to look at this kind of infrastructure,” said Aebig.

And the debate is playing out elsewhere in the province. Construction is well underway on Bell Canada’s AI data centre in the RM of Sherwood after the project drew protests.

In Moose Jaw, a proposed AI data centre at the former Valley View centre site has faced significant opposition.

Jeff Deagle helped organize a petition against that project. He says people are concerned about environmental impacts.

“I think more people are becoming more aware of it, and more people are willing to voice their concerns about it,” said Deagle.

The provincial government says it is not opposed to AI data centres but the Valley View project will not move forward without an approved power allocation.

The technology industry sees Saskatchewan as a place with the resources to power the next generation of AI, and communities are now asking what these projects will mean for people who live here.

Council’s motion calls for those questions to be answered before the city develops a strategy to attract or support major data centres, and the debate within council and beyond is likely just beginning.

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

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be without one of their most important pieces on the offensive line when they face the BC Lions on Thursday.

All-star Jarell Broxton will miss their week nine matchup as he wasn’t quite ready after leaving their last game according to head coach Mike O’Shea. But Broxton shouldn’t be out for very long as he was only placed on the one-game injured list as opposed to the six-gamer due to a knee injury after just practicing on Tuesday.

QB Zach Collaros will miss the fourth straight game but all the other regulars who were questionable are listed on their active roster, including Stanley Bryant (knee), Nic Demski (ankle), Brady Oliveira (knee), and Nick Hallett (knee).

With Broxton sidelined, Micah Vanterpool will appear in his first game of the season to start at right tackle. The 27-year-old has played in eight games in the blue and gold over the last two seasons. He’s made six career starts including three at the tackle position. O’Shea sounded very confident in Broxton’s replacement.

“He is, once again, very athletic,” O’Shea told reports on Wednesday. “He’s certainly demonstrated some good focus. And he’s ready to go.”

With Collaros still out, Dru Brown will get a fourth straight start at QB. He’s trying to shake off last week’s disastrous performance that saw him throw four interceptions in the loss to the Calgary Stampeders. For Brown, the short turnaround between games is perfect as he looks for a bounce back effort.

“Anytime you kind of lay an egg, the best thing to do is just get back out there,” Brown said. “You can say what you want about the rest, and this, that and the third, but for sure mentally, and just being able to get back out there and go play football again, it’s a blessing.”

Turnovers are becoming a serious concern for the Bombers again this season after coughing up the football six times last week alone. After giving up the second most turnovers in the CFL in 2025, the Bombers once again rank second last in turnovers with 16 through just seven games. O’Shea said that’s on him as the head coach.

“Some of those I’m responsible for, too,” he said. “I need to do a better job of coaching on the field in practice. I think that’s where it starts and ends.”

The Bombers made just two changes to their active roster. In addition to Vanterpool coming in for Broxton, linebacker Jaiden Woodbey comes off the six-game injured list after missing all but the first game with a calf injury. Defensive back Matthew Jackson goes back to the practice roster after taking a bad unnecessary roughness penalty in his CFL debut last week.

Rookie quarterback Kaidon Salter will make his first career CFL start for the West Division’s last place Lions who have just one win in six games this season.

Kickoff on Thursday is at 7:30 p.m. at Princess Auto Stadium.

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

Metal thieves seem to have found a new target of opportunity — the high-quality copper cables from electric vehicle charging stations.

Early on Tuesday morning, the chargers at the Port Moody Recreation Centre were hit.

“They were alerted by sensors in the area that went off, alerting them of the cables being cut,” Const. Sam Zacharias with the Port Moody Police Department said.

“Upon our arrival, there were no suspects on scene.”

Six BC Hydro fast chargers were damaged and BC Hydro says it is believed the thieves are targeting the copper inside them.

“Thieves gain a little bit of money from the copper,” Susie Rieder, a spokesperson with BC Hydro, said.

“It’s about 170 to 200 dollars, but you know, customers do face disruptions.”

BC Hydro says fast chargers are a more appealing target becuase their cables contain more copper than the Level 2 cables that are commonly used at homes and in some public charging stations.

“They know what they’re doing, they know what they want, they’re using tools and they’re basically making off very quickly,” Zacharias said.

However, getting a charger back online is not as quick.

BC Hydro says it aims to have damaged stations back in service within 24 hours, but the repairs are costly.

The organization said that since October, there have been 44 fast charger cable thefts at 22 sites across B.C., with the cost to fix them adding up to about $1 million.

BC Hydro says it is bolstering security measures to help deter thieves.

“We’ve put in 22 additional cameras, enhanced lighting, (and) we’ve put in about 100 of these protective cable shields at some locations that will prevent the thefts,” Rieder said.

Zacharias added that they rely on the community to be their eyes and ears and prevent incidents like this from happening.

Investigators are now canvassing the area for surveillance video and asking anyone with information to come forward.

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

The City of Vancouver has selected a group led by Vancouver real estate developer Zack Ross as its preferred partner to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion franchise.

Ross, president of Vancouver real estate developer Cape Group, leads The Show Vancouver, a group formed to bring an MLB team to the city.

The group’s proposal is centred on a new ballpark and mixed-use development, although no site has been announced. Nor has the group disclosed the estimated cost of the project, its projected economic impact or how the project would be financed.

Ross said in a statement that Vancouver “is one of the great cities in the world, and we deserve a Major League Baseball team.”

Mayor Ken Sim launched an expression-of-interest process this spring seeking a qualified ownership group with the financial capacity and experience to advance an MLB bid.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told Sportsnet in October that another Canadian city in the league could work, when he was asked about adding a team in Vancouver.

The league has not announced plans to expand, although Manfred has previously said he hopes MLB will grow from 30 to 32 teams before his planned retirement in 2029.

The city said council had directed staff to enter a memorandum of understanding with The Show Vancouver to establish the collaboration framework, “including due diligence for potential ballpark sites.”

“TSV will be responsible for all costs and financial risks associated with preparing and advancing its MLB bid,” the city said.

It added that the city would collaborate with TSV as it explored a potential expansion bid, and any future project agreements, including site selection and land-use decisions, would be subject to council approval.

BC Place Stadium hosted several Major League Baseball exhibition series between 1984 and 1994, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Montreal Expos.

However, a $500-million renovation completed in 2011, including a centre-hung scoreboard and cable-supported retractable roof, eliminated the stadium’s ability to host baseball.

The Show Vancouver is partnering with BRS Sports, a sports marketing and analytics company, whose principals include former NHL executive Jac Sperling, sports venue consultant Tim Romani and Denver real estate executive Ray Baker.

The group said it has retained ballpark architecture firm Populous, project management firm CAA Icon and architecture and design firm Gensler to help develop the proposal.

The group’s announcement included endorsements from Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president Bridgitte Anderson and former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt.

Vancouver is currently home to the Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays’ single-A affiliate, which plays at the 6,500-seat Nat Bailey Stadium.

“MLB in Vancouver will showcase our city’s global character to the world,” said Ross. “But first and foremost, this is a community asset, and we will always act as its steward.”

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Animal rescue advocates are honouring a volunteer who died while helping dogs and are calling on all levels of government to address what they describe as dog overpopulation in Manitoba.

Several groups are expected to gather at the Manitoba legislature Wednesday, including Project Artemis Advocates Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Humane Society and K9 Advocacy Manitoba.

Their gathering follows the death of 37-year-old Amanda Nobiss at Sandy Bay Ojibwe First Nation, her body was found July 17. Nobiss, a Winnipeg woman, was in the area on behalf of K9 Advocacy Manitoba. She was picking up puppies when she was attacked by dogs, according to police.

Kristy Zamonsky, the director of the animal protection and rescue group Project Artemis Animal Advocates, spoke with Global News Wednesday morning.

“The rally that’s happening is in honour of Amanda. She was (a) canine advocate volunteer for a number of years,” Zamonsky said.

“I didn’t know (Nobiss) as well as many other people today, but I did know her. And I think in rescue, you don’t even really need to know them because you’re all working for the same collaborative end.”

The rally will call on local, provincial and federal governments to step in and provide funds to manage stray dog overpopulation, she said.

This overpopulation issue is not new to Manitoba. Two years ago, 45 animal welfare groups signed a letter to the Manitoba government declaring a state of emergency after six northern and remote communities announced they would cull dogs who were involved in attacks in a two-month span in 2024.

“It can’t be on the rescues’ shoulders anymore. It can’t be on volunteers to change a systematic issue. There (are) dog maulings happening on the reserves, and then the response is the dog cullings, and we don’t want those anymore,” Zamonsky continued.

She said rescue groups need funding from all levels of government to continue their efforts, including spay and neuter clinics.

“It’s the rescues that are on the reserves. It’s the rescues that are providing the spay and neuter clinics and they’re doing it out of their own pockets, and they can’t do it anymore,” Zamonsky said.

Speaking before the rally, Winnipeg Humane Society CEO Christina Von Schindler described Nobiss’ death as a “tragedy.”

“We have to look for hope. This can’t happen again. The on-the-ground rescue organizations and the communities have been pleading for more resources. There has been warnings the tragedy would occur,” she said.

“If anything, (it) brings home the serious and harsh reality of conditions in isolated communities.”

Von Schindler said all levels of government, rescue groups and Indigenous communities should collaborate to determine exactly what that solution will look like.

“It is time for a unified front towards a sustainable solution and services to these communities, who are underserved, and to the animals, and the people that love them,” she continued.

“The significant challenge we face in Manitoba is a lot of our isolated communities fall under federal jurisdiction, whereas availability of services is actually provincial to deliver. So, until all voices are at the table getting coordinated, really important issues and entire communities keep getting lost.”

The Manitoba government responded to a Global News interview request with a statement addressing the rally’s calls for change.

“The province recognizes that free-roaming and feral dogs can create risks when they compete for limited resources, spread diseases that can affect people and other animals, or display aggressive behaviour,” it said, adding that Manitoba’s chief veterinary officer supports community work to manage stray animal populations.

“The province acknowledges that animal control is the responsibility of municipalities and individual communities. Local governments determine whether to establish and enforce animal control bylaws based on their community’s needs.”

Its statement acknowledged that “animal control is particularly challenging in northern and remote communities.” The spokesperson said the government “is working to support community-led approaches under the Northern and Remote Veterinary Care Initiative.”

Last year, Manitoba committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to supporting animal rescue groups, according to a government news release from May 16, 2025. It said it would spend $400,000 over four years on community-led work to better animals’ health and position rural, remote communities to manage dog overpopulation.

Global News reached out to the chief of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and the federal government’s Indigenous Services Canada. No comments were received by the time of publication.

A post-mortem examination of Nobiss’ remains indicated she died of “injuries consistent with a dog attack,” according to the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS).

“(Nobiss) had planned to pick up several puppies from a local resident. It is believed that Amanda came to the residence alone when the occupant was not home, and came into contact with the occupant’s dogs, who were protective and aggressive,” according to a MFNPS news release.

“Arrangements were made with the band to destroy two male dogs.”

Police said K9 Advocacy rescued a female dog, along with several puppies.

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

One of B.C.’s largest forestry companies is moving its head offices to the United States.

Interfor will be moving its headquarters from Burnaby to the outskirts of Atlanta, Ga., according to a memo sent by chief executive Ian Fillinger, which has been viewed by the Financial Post.

Jock Finlayson, the chief economist for the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), which is the largest construction industry association in Canada and based in B.C., told Global News that Interfor is one of the foundational businesses in B.C.’s forest industry.

“They have reduced their footprint here kind of incrementally over time,” Finalyson said.

“Most of the assets of the business are in the United States now, which I think sort of helps to explain the move that they’ve announced this morning.”

But Finalyson said that Interfor’s announcement is a sign of how the overall forest products sector, which at one point was B.C.’s largest goods-producing industry and the number one source of export earnings, has fallen on hard times.

In May, B.C. Premier David Eby said he was frustrated that help for the province’s softwood lumber industry was not included in the federal government’s $1.5-billion relief package for tariff-hit industries.

Eby said in November that he was confident the federal government understood the importance of the logging industry to communities both large and small across the province.

In December, Domtar closed a pulp mill in Crofton on Vancouver Island, laying off 350 people.

A few weeks ago, Canfor announced it is shutting down a pulp mill in Prince George.

The company announced the closure of the Northwood Pulp Mill, saying it would result in the loss of 300 jobs.

“B.C. has really lost our competitive position as a lumber and forest products producing jurisdiction generally, certainly in the North American context,” Finlayson said.

“And it’s been underway for probably at least 15 years. It’s really accelerated under the current B.C. government, in my view, because they have not prioritized the maintenance of a commercially successful forest product sector.

“Most of our forest resource in B.C. is on Crown land. Therefore, the government is sort of in control. They’re the landlord, they’re the regulator. And the conditions that they’ve established for the industry are very unfavourable for both new investment and even current operations.”

Finlayson added that this may not be the last big company based in B.C. that ends up relocating its physical office.

He said the additional U.S. softwood lumber tariffs and the declining fibre supply in B.C. have also affected the industry.

“Where the government’s role has come, I think, is they’ve created what is probably the most difficult and costly regulatory climate for logging and wood products manufacturing, maybe anywhere in the world, but certainly anywhere in North America,” Finalyson added.

“We have a lot of trees. We shouldn’t really be that high-cost of a producer, right? When you fly over B.C., we’re not short of fibre, but we’re short of competitively accessible fibre that the government can manage in an efficient manner.”

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