FortSask

For the first time since the start of a Canadian tour highlighted by apologies for the Catholic Church's role in Indigenous residential schools, Pope Francis on Thursday acknowledged sexual abuse inflicted on "minors and vulnerable people."

Speaking at a prayer service at Quebec City's Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, Francis said the church in Canada is on a new path after being devastated by “the evil perpetrated by some of its sons and daughters.”

Agriculture Minister Nate Horner says he's pretty happy with where they ended up for the next Ag Policy Framework. 

The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture Ministers agreeing in principle on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The new program will take effect April 1, 2023 when the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership ends.

Horner says the federal government was very adamant on what they wanted to see in the policy.

We’re in for a mixed bag of weather this August Long Weekend.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says some precipitation is expected to move through the area on Friday (July 29) and provide a little bit of relief from the heat, according to meteorologist Jesse Wagar.

“We’re likely to see showers and thunderstorms start moving through the area beginning late in the day on Friday and continuing throughout the long weekend. Not a big washout or anything, but sort of sporadic showers and thunderstorms,” Wagar said.

Police believe there may be more victims in the area after a man was charged with several sexual offences.

At least six child luring and sexual assault victims have been identified following an investigation by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE). According to ICE, Imesh Ratnayake has been charged following several child luring instances in the Morinville and Edmonton areas. 

The City of Fort Saskatchewan currently has no plans to bring electric scooters to the area.

"E-scooters are not something that has come up at the City of Fort Saskatchewan to date. I certainly, as a councillor, haven't received any requests from residents," said city councillor Lisa Makin.

Visitation numbers at Elk Island National Park (EINP) are down this summer compared to last year.

According to EINP:

• May of 2021 - 67,459 visitors
• May of 2022 - 47,219 visitors
• June of 2021 - 57,588 visitors
• June of 2022 - 46,102 visitors 

“We think potentially that's just because of easing restrictions. Local visitors are starting to look elsewhere to travel and explore,” said Sarah Rymer, a communications officer with the nearby national park. 

Construction is set to begin soon on the Southfort Meadows Park Amenity project.

The park will feature a new hard surface outdoor boarded rink facility that can be used year-round. This will be the first outdoor boarded rink in the neighbourhood. To accompany the rink, washrooms, a skate change area, and a paved parking lot will be added. 

Brenex Construction will mobilise the site to begin building in about two weeks.

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP have received multiple complaints about arrows being shot around the city.

Between June 23 and July 18, arrows have been reported at James Mowat Park, Our Lady of Angels school park, a business on 99 Avenue, and two private residences.

The businesses and the homeowners had the arrows lodged into the siding of their properties. 

"RCMP wish to remind the public of the dangers of shooting arrows in public places, as well as the criminal aspects associated," police said in a release.

A number of factors are impacting the volatility in the fertilizer market.

Josh Linville, the Director of Fertilizer with StoneX Financial says a lot of what's happening with fertilizer prices is based on the global situation and is being government driven right now.

Need some relief from the heat? Here's where to go.

Residents of Fort Saskatchewan are encouraged to cool off at city facilities to escape the hot weather. On Wednesday (July 28), Environment Canada issued a heat warning due to high temperatures predicted for the coming days. With the humidity, Thursday's 31 C high will feel closer to 37 C.

The City of Fort Saskatchewan encourages people to cool off at these locations:

• Dow Centennial Centre

Open Monday to Friday: 6:00am to 9:00pm