When wildfires swept across the provinces this year, Canadians from all across the country rallied to meet the challenge. The devastation impacted millions of lives, leading so many to search for ways they could contribute.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre estimates that more than 42 million acres have been consumed nationwide by at least 5,738 fires that have raged across parched landscapes. Devastation covered large areas of British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. Other provinces were affected as well, including Nova Scotia, Quebec, and parts of Ontario. The smoke from these eastern fires blanketed huge parts of Canada and the U.S., spreading both devastation and awareness of the need for assistance.
In British Columbia, one of the provinces most affected, there’s been a huge response from local businesses and organizations to meet the needs of both frontline workers and of the thousands of displaced victims of the fires.
In September, Wealth Professional Magazine reported on how Harbourfront Wealth Management and its people have mobilized to help those affected by the wildlife catastrophe. WP interviewed Chris Anderson, a senior investment advisor, senior portfolio manager, and insurance advisor at RiverRock Private Wealth Partners, a practice that is part of Harbourfront Wealth Management.
Anderson told WP: “Our practice serves a large number of clients in Yellowknife, NWT, and BC. People who have been on alert or evacuated due to the ongoing wildfires are facing serious disruptions to their lives.”
Anderson marshaled his office to reach out to clients who were affected by the fires, both at their homes in Yellowknife and in Edmonton, where many of them had sought refuge after a mandatory evacuation order.
Along with Anderson’s efforts, Danny Popescu, CEO of Harbourfront Wealth Management, stepped forward with a plan to amplify these efforts, pledging to match donations of up to $50,000 to the Harbourfront Gives Foundation’s BC and Northwest Territories Wildfires Relief & Rebuild campaign. These funds are earmarked for the Canadian Red Cross to support its essential recovery work.
Anderson was quick to make his own personal donations to Harbourfront Gives Foundation, ensuring victims would benefit from Danny Popescu’s generous matching.
Harbourfront Management’s advanced data technology turned out to be one source of comfort for clients. With all client records digitally stored, during this emergency, Harbourfront Management clients did not need to worry about essential financial documents being lost.
“Space is limited on what you can bring during an evacuation,” Anderson explained to WP. “Our clients knew they could prioritize irreplaceable items to save without worrying about paperwork.”
Anderson had a deeply personal perspective on the physical, financial and emotional damage wrought by the wildfires. Two years ago, his brother-in-law’s family lost their home in the Monty Lake fires. The recent BC wildfires at one point also threatened his own property, but it was spared.
“We cannot know the extent of the financial impact yet because the livelihoods of so many Canadians have been impacted,” he noted to WP. “Some may be in rental accommodations while still making mortgage payments on a home they cannot return to. As the smoke clears, we’re here to help guide our clients through the uncertainty and offer support.”
Harbourfront Gives Foundation recently surpassed a milestone of over $500,000 in donations raised supporting 68 charitable organizations.
For more information on Harbourfront Gives Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit the website.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
