The stories that shaped us in 2018

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Hillview property owners pushed to emotional brink

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For months, property owners of the Abasand condominiums destroyed in the May 2016 wildfire were reeling from a $30,000 charge to cover a $6 million loan, arguing it was needed after management fired the former developer in August 2017.

This past fall, those same residents were asked to pay more fees, ranging between $16,500 and $19,500 more, to cover a new assessment.

The owners began to buckle under the financial strain with most considering or turning to bankruptcy, while others admitted they were thinking about suicide.

The pace of the rebuild was blasted by MLAs Tany Yao and Laila Goodridge, while MP David Yurdiga had his office review what steps the federal government could take.

The municipality, the province and the Canadian Red Cross set aside $6 million to help residents still going through costly rebuilds from the 2016 disaster, including Hillview residents.

However, many Hillview property owners fear they will never see this funding, since the Canadian Red Cross is prioritizing residents who went through the evacuation.

“As it stands right now, we are selling our possessions to buy our kids Christmas presents and take them to the dentist and buy clothes,” said Becky Benoit, a Hillview property owner who moved to Calgary when her husband lost his job in the downturn. “To believe we’re not suffering because we weren’t living in that unit at the time of the fire is beyond short sighted.”

Pipeline and oilsands uncertainty continues

It seemed like one step forward and two steps back for pipelines and the oilsands this year.

Premier Rachel Notley spent much of the first half of the year sparring with B.C. Premier John Horgan, who was campaigning against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. The match escalated with a province-wide ban on B.C. wines in Alberta, which was inspired by a similar boycott by Fort McMurray restaurateur Karen Collins.

This past summer, three judges blocked the Trans Mountain expansion just as the federal government was finalizing a $4.5-billion purchase of the existing pipeline from Kinder Morgan. The Texas-based company announced in April it would pull out of the project unless the B.C. government gives clear signs the project won’t be further obstructed.

Now, it is unknown when or if the pipeline will be built. Ottawa has asked the National Energy Board until February 2019 to file a report on extra protections for killer whales while Indigenous consultations must be redone.

Notley’s oilsands troubles continued into the fall, as a bottleneck of 35 million barrels of processed oil lowered oil prices.

In November, the province announced it would cut production by 8.7 per cent until the oil in storage had been shipped to market. Notley also announced the province would buy enough rail cars to move 120,000 barrels per day to market next year.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney called for 10 per cent government-mandated production cuts across the board to curb the oil glut.

“I believe government intervention in markets should generally be avoided, which is why I was initially opposed to the idea,” said Kenney.

“Voluntary production cuts are not sufficient to stop the bleeding.”

He also said the crude-by-rail proposal isn’t an immediate solution, a position shared by the Alberta Party.

“The premier is talking about (buying) rail cars, which is maybe a solution … a year from now,” said Alberta Party house leader Greg Clark. “They’re scrambling.”

Construction of Willow Square begins

After years of stalled starts, dropped promises, delayed timelines, changes in government, political drama and arguments on everything from location to funding, construction has started on a longterm care project at Willow Square.

In April, Premier Rachel Notley arrived in Fort McMurray for a groundbreaking ceremony on the $110-million, 144-room project.

Construction is expected to finish in the fall of 2019, with tenants moving in sometime in spring 2020.

“I am ecstatic and overjoyed,” said Iris Kirschner, who was forced to leave Fort McMurray in 2013 when her late husband, Dave, was diagnosed with a form of multiple sclerosis. “This is the right time. It would have been nice to see it built years ago, but I’m happy to see it now. I’m happy for everyone who won’t have to leave now.”

Rebuild from May 2016 wildfire continues

The two-year anniversary was marked with a gamut of emotions ranging from grief and anger to relief and acceptance.

The social services in town struggled to keep up with demands placed on them since the wildfire. Many of them were already struggling to meet public needs when global oil prices crashed in late 2014, triggering thousands of layoffs across the oilsands.

As of Nov. 30, approximately 32 per cent of buildings have been completely rebuilt and approximately 80 per cent of buildings have gotten approval for rebuilding permits.

“You know I’m never satisfied with the result, I always want more people in their homes,” said Mayor Don Scott on Nov. 5. “There’s still always going to be more work to be done.”

Leading up to the May 3 deadline, the Alberta government told the municipality they could not force insurance companies to extend their deadline for people going through disputes surrounding their rebuild.

However, on May 18, Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci announced all insurance companies would be extending claim deadlines for those affected by the wildfires.

At that time, the Insurance Bureau of Canada 97 per cent of insurance claims have been settled, with approximately 900 claims unresolved.

Dunvegan Gardens loses years-long battle against council and neighbours

In May, after more than four hours of presentations, council voted against amendments to the Land Use Bylaw.

Owners of Dunvegan Gardens requested the land be rezoned to allow for the operations of a commercial greenhouse, retail store and a petting zoo, as well as hold more outdoor events.

Thirty-two residents spoke in favour or against the motion at a meeting that lasted up until 2 a.m. There were also 234 written submissions given to council. Some concerns raised included traffic issues and bylaw complaints, while those in favour supported it for holding family-friendly events.

Only Councillor Phil Meagher voted in favour of the motion. Councillors Krista Balsom and Keith McGrath were absent from the meeting.

Many councillors who voted against the changes said it wouldn’t be fair to other business owners and might set a precedent of abusing the intent of the amendment.

Following the decision, the garden centre was put up for sale in June and in December it was announced that retail operations at Dunvegan Gardens would be closing by Christmas.

“If people would ask me if they should move to Fort McMurray with a business, I would say not a chance,” said owner Brad Friesen after he put the retail site for sale. “There’s a lot of business people in Fort McMurray who would echo what I just said.”

More oil companies embrace automation after laying off thousands of workers

Several companies announced plans to bring automated trucks into their oilsands mines, replacing hundreds of workers.

The year started with Suncor’s announcement that 150 automated heavy haulers would be introduced at the North steepbank Mine north of Fort McMurray. While Suncor says 100 new jobs will be created with the new vehicles, a net loss of 400 jobs will begin by 2019 as drivers are replaced with a mishmash of computers, sensors and GPS systems.

The leadership of Unifor 707-A, which represents more than 3,000 Suncor workers, called the move to automation an “attack” on workers shortly after the announcement.

“If this technology works and makes huge profits at one site, they will be bringing it into all of their sites. Other companies will copy it,” said Ken Smith, then-president of the local, in a February interview. “If they downsize the local workforce in the oilsands, they will downsize Fort McMurray.”

Following Suncor’s January announcement, Imperial announced plans to expand automation testing at Kearl. Around the same time, Canadian Natural Resources confirmed it would begin testing the technology at Horizon as well as Albian Sands.

Brian Jean resigns after losing UCP leadership race

Citing a desire to spend time with his family and rebuild his home, which was destroyed in the May 2016 wildfire, Brian Jean announced he was resigning as UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin in March.

For months, Jean’s future as a politician was subject to rumours and speculation after losing the party’s inaugural leadership race to Jason Kenney in October 2017.

“I lost my son and I lost my house, and it’s been a tough few years for my family,” he said. “Being a politician is a 24-7 job. At this stage, I need to rebuild, I need to spend time with my family, I need to spend time with my friends, I nee to get grounded again.”

Since his resignation, Jean has been commenting on political issues on social media and in columns for Postmedia. However, Jean remained silent during the byelection and nomination races that followed.

Laila Goodridge wins Fort McMurray-Conklin byelection and two nomination races

After years of volunteering on dozens of conservative campaigns, Laila Goodridge in a state of non-stop campaigning.

In July, she was elected UCP MLA for the riding, replacing Brian Jean with 67 per cent of the vote. The campaign followed an aggressive campaign that put Goodridge against municipal councillor Jane Stroud, who followed with 28.6 per cent.

Goodridge had just defeated Councillor Phil Meagher, fellow veteran campaigner Willie Hoflin and social worker Elizabeth Keating for the UCP’s nomination slot.

In October, Goodridge again fought for a place on the ballot. The 2019 provincial election will see her riding dissolved and formed into Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche.

Former Lac La Biche councillor Gail Broadbent-Ludwig and 2017 mayoral candidate Allan Grandison also put their names forward, but were defeated by Goodridge on the first ballot.

Councillor Krista Balsom refuses to resign seat after investigation

In a 6-3 decision, council asked Councillor Krista Balsom to resign her seat after a whistleblower complaint in March raised questions about her role in passing the 2018 municipal budget.

The complaint alleged Balsom, who publishes Your McMurray Magazine, had financial contracts with some agencies who had requested municipal funding during budget discussions. The complaint alleged Balsom had not excused herself when those agencies made presentations as per protocol.

Balsom indicated she was acting based on legal advice given to her by the municipality and that she would not be leaving council.

“I apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused my fellow Council members and constituents, but I believe that I will be cleared in the fullness of time,” she said in a statement two days after the meeting.

In a copy of the investigation, then-director of legal services David Leflar told the investigator he had discussions with Balsom regarding Fuse Social.

Had he known there were other potential organizations that she may be in conflict with, Leflar said his opinion would have changed.

Balsom announced she would not resign. The issue has now been taken to the Court of Queen’s Bench, where the matter will be decided next year.

Suncor, Teck and Total open Fort Hills oilsands mine

The Fort Hills oilsands mine will likely be the last opening of a major project the oilsands will see in awhile.

Suncor is about a year away from a decision on its next project, while Teck’s proposed Frontier project is still seeking regulatory approval.

A decade in the making, Fort Hills achieved oil production in January and held its grand opening in September.

It will produce close to 194,000 barrels per day through a process lowering the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional oilsands extraction.

Suncor CEO Steve Williams, who announced his retirement in November, called the project the “new face of oilsands,” with new technologies reducing the carbon footprint of each oilsands barrel to around that of the average barrel produced in North America.

“We can compete now with the best in the world,” he said. “When you take that long-termview, you’re ensuring a better future for those who follow.”

Report finds police botched Amber Tuccaro’s murder investigation

A report into the disappearance and murder of a woman from the Mikisew Cree First Nation found the investigation “was deficient.”

Amber Tuccaro was last seen alive at a motel in Nisku on Aug. 18, 2010 after flying to Edmonton from Fort McMurray with her 14-month-old son Jacob and a female friend a day earlier.

Police said that between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. that night, the 20-year-old got into a vehicle with an unknown man to travel to Edmonton.

Tuccaro’s skull was found in rural Leduc County on Sept. 1, 2012, nearly two years later.

The family filed a complaint with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP in 2014 and earlier this month finally received a 120-page report.

What was supposed to take 12 to 18 months took close to four years.

The report found that “various members” of the investigation were either not properly trained or did not adhere to their training.” It also found some members “did not comply with procedures and guidelines.”

It also noted a month passed before any investigation into her disappearance began and it took four months before officers conducted any interviews. Her removal from a missing persons database was also an “erroneous decision,” the report found.

“We now have the report and now know that my sister’s case was mishandled from the outset,” said Paul Tuccaro. “We have something in black and white saying what we’ve been saying all along, that what should have been done wasn’t done.”

RMWB comes to terms with its past over Moccasin Flats

The municipality came to grips with the role the former City of Fort McMurray government played in the destruction of an Indigenous community along the Snye.

Until 1981, Moccasin Flats was a settlement for Métis, Cree and Dene families during the warmer months after spending winter on traplines.

Starting in 1975, the city government of the day evicted residents to make way for housing developments, with little compensation.

A report released in September from McMurray Métis found that for many former residents, poverty and addictions followed.

The municipality also began working with Indigenous communities to determine next best steps for reconciliation.

“The first part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is truth,” said Mayor Don Scott in a July interview. “I think it’s the right thing to do to address this issue and bring it out into the open.”

Thousands come to Wood Buffalo as region hosts sporting events

After two years of planning, Wood Buffalo hosted the 2018 Alberta Winter Games in February.

The region was host to more than 1,900 athletes competing in 20 different sports, along with 492 coaches and chaperones. Competitions took place at 10 different venues, including Saprae Creek, Anzac and Fort McKay.

For a time, the destruction of the May 2016 wildfire put the future of the games in doubt. But less than two months after Fort McMurray reopened, council voted to continue with planning.

“We went through some challenges,” said Mayor Don Scott after the games. “There’s no doubt this is an opportunity to move beyond the challenges and really show people everything we can do here.”

Shell Place would go on to host more sporting events.

In the summer, Fort McMurray hosted the 2018 Baseball Canada U18 National Championships, a four-day tournament that saw teams from across Canada compete at Shell Place and Ross Hennigar Park.

This was the second national baseball tournament to be held in Fort McMurray in the past three years and the region will once again host the Baseball Canada Cup in 2020.

The year ended with the the 2018 Football Alberta Bowl, a two-day championship series for the best in Alberta’s high school football.

Fort McMurray represented at the Olympics

Three Fort McMurray athletes made their way to Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics in February.

Brooke Voigt, a snowboarder who competed in big air and slopestyle, placed 17 and 21, respectively, representing Canada on the International stage. Voigt was an alternate at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Fort McMurray-born Shannon-Ogbani Abeda competed in Alpine Skiing slalom and giant slalom. Although he placed 61st In the giant slalom, he became Eritrea’s first athlete to represent the nation at a Winter Olympics.

Returning to the Olympics for a second time was Graeme Killick as part of the Canadian cross-country skiing team. He placed ninth in the 4×10 km relay, 27th in the 50 km mass start, 38 in the 15 km and 45 in the skiathalon.

Monarchs become National Champions

For the second time in three years, the Fort McMurray Monarchs became the National Champions of the Canadian Major Football League.

After dominating an undefeated regular season and playoff run, the Monarchs narrowly defeated the defending champions the GTA All-Stars 25-24.

Despite having won the National Championships in 2016, the team lost to the Calgary Gators in the Alberta finals last year, but managed to reclaim the title in 2018.

“What a finish,” said head coach Jesse Maddox, who also played offence in the game. “When it mattered, we took care of business and we got it done.”