At a Glance - Week of July 30, 2024
Wildfire Update
Eyes of the nation were turned to Jasper National Park as an out-of-control wildfire threatened both the townsite and much of the surrounding area. Cooler temperatures and some precipitation over the past days have helped firefighters protect infrastructure and combat the wildfire complex. During a media tour given to reporters, estimates were shared that indicate about 358 of 1,113 total structures in the town of Jasper were destroyed. About 32,000 hectares of the national park have burned.
There is still no timeline for evacuee return to the town.
Recent reports have indicated that active fires in the townsite have been extinguished, but the wildfire is still expected to burn for months. Crews are working to build a buffer zone around the town, including a widening control line on Whistlers Mountain and a 12-inch high sprinkler line along the fire guard.
Food Safety Report Released – Childcare Facilities
The provincial government has accepted the report written the food safety review panel that was struck following a major E. Coli outbreak in Alberta licensed daycares in 2023. The Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel’s seven-month review generated a report that includes 12 primary recommendations and 27 sub-recommendations for the improvement of food safety in the daycare system.
According to the government release, the recommendations centre around three main themes:
fostering a culture of food safety that supports high-quality, safe and healthy learning environments for children
public policy, legislation and inspection systems for food safety
system alignment and integration
During the media availability, the premier hinted that one change that could be coming would be requiring those who deals with food to complete a Food Safe course (similar to how bartenders are required to take ProServe courses to serve alcohol).
Government Hints Public Auto Insurance Not Off the Table
In a Rick Bell interview, Minister of Finance Nate Horner indicated that exploring a public auto insurance delivery model is still a possibility to address rising insurance rates. Minister Horner indicated that the government is looking at the file from the lens of affordability, saying “I’m very hesitant to go down that path but I think the insurance companies will have to know once we take the first step then the second step would be easier so they better work with us and the rate board.”
In previous statements, the minister has indicated that the public model does come with concerns, specifically when it comes to government assuming greater risk. "We're not going to go all in for the ratepayer potentially at the expense of the taxpayer.”
Earlier this year, both Oliver Wyman and Nous Group were commissioned to complete complimentary reports to explore insurance reform options and costs. The report suggests that full coverage insurance could cost approximately $765 less per year if public auto insurance were implemented in similar ways to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Albertan Wins Gold at Olympics
An Alberta woman has made history for Canada at the Olympic Games in Paris! Christa DeGuchi, who trains out of the Lethbridge Kyodokan Judo Club, won the gold medal in Judo (57kg division). This win marks the first Olympic gold medal for any Canadian at the tournament.
She is set to compete again at the games on August 3 during the mixed teams event. She also entered the tournament as the women’s top-ranked judoka in her weight class. Deguchi was born and raised in Japan; however, her father was born in Canada which allowed her to choose to compete for Canada – a decision she made back in 2017. Her victory earned Canada its fourth medal of the summer games in France.