Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and two city councillors say they “need answers” after an updated report from the city suggested between a $17 to $25 million increase in the estimated cost for the Southwest Transitway project.

A 2010 functional study for the project originally pegged the cost at $40 million; Friday’s report estimated it would be between $57 to $65.6 million.

Related

• Calgary mayor cancels Southwest Transitway open houses amid alleged death threat, bullyingCouncillor Brian Pincott responds to southwest transitway ‘bullying’“Although this cost escalation can be accommodated in the overall council-approved budget for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, we need answers to fully understand how such a significant change could occur,” a joint statement from Nenshi, Ward 11 councillor Brian Pincott, and Ward 13 councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart said.The statement called for a detailed explanation for the increase in cost and “a detailed understanding of the phasing and timing for this project.” They also want an update on city meetings with ATCO and the “interaction of this project with commercial and residential applications that are coming forward within the 14 Street S.W. and 90 Avenue S.W. corridors.”The Southwest Transitway project has been a controversial topic in the city. Nenshi decided to cancel all open houses in February due to what he described as a death threat against a city worker and bullying of various staff members. Calgary police subsequently investigated and determined no cause for charges.READ MORE: Nenshi cancels Southwest Transitway open houses amid alleged death threat, bullyingThe transitway project on 14 Street S.W. had already been approved and funded; construction could start this year. The meetings were meant to fine tune its design.Nenshi and the councillors suggested the difference in cost estimates signals a larger potential problem with the city’s capital budgeting process and committed to working with administration to make sure questions are answered at an April 20 Transit and Transportation Committee meeting.“We need to clearly define, now more than ever, how to better align council’s approval process so that approvals occur with greater understanding and greater cost certainty,” the statement reads.

WINNIPEG —; Global News will be giving you up-to-date news as it happens during the 41st general election in Manitoba on April 19. Here’s how we’ll keep you informed:

TV coverage

As soon as the polls close at 8 p.m. CT on April 19, Global News will take to the air to provide commercial-free election news and updates as they happen.

Related

• Campaign promise tracker for the Manitoba election
• Manitoba Tory leader defends spending one-fifth of his time in Costa Rica
• POLL: Which candidate should win the 2016 Manitoba provincial election?
• Elizabeth May in Winnipeg hoping to boost support for Manitoba’s Green PartyGlobal News at 6 anchors Heather Steele and Lauren McNabb, along with Chief Political Correspondent Tom Clark will lead our broadcast coverage from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. Global News at 10 anchor Crystal Goomansingh will report from our social media desk and National Affairs Correspondent Eric Sorenson will be reporting from our virtual set.Our panel at 680 CJOB News studios will provide analysis and commentary as the news comes in. The panel will be hosted by 680 CJOB’s Geoff Currier and made up of former NDP MLA and member of the ‘rebel five,’ Erin Selby; Progressive Conservative candidate for Tuxedo, Heather Stefanson; Manitoba Liberal Campaign Director, Corey Shefman and political analyst Royce Coop.Global News will have reporters live at campaign headquarters all around the city. Sean Leslie will be at the Progressive Conservative headquarters, Brittany Greenslade at the NDP headquarters, Talia Ricci at the Liberal’s headquarters and Adrian Cheung will be roving the city covering the need-to-know stories as they come up.On Globalnews长沙夜网We have had extensive coverage as the campaign has rolled out and you can follow along on our Decision Manitoba 2016 home page in the days leading up to April 19.On election day, we will stream our entire show with Heather Steele, Lauren Mcnabb, Tom Clark and our panel of experts live from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.We will have a live blog pulling the most up-to-date tweets from reporters live tweeting in the field, analysts, our panel and party leaders throughout the day and night.We will have extensive, live coverage of results as soon as polls close with separate stories for all 57 Manitoba ridings.Global News on social mediaFollow along with Global News on Facebook, 桑拿会所 and Instagram on election night.We will be live tweeting results as they come in, letting you know who was elected where and when. Our accounts will feature behind-the-scenes videos and pictures from campaign headquarters, the newsroom and all around the city as the votes come  in as well as sharing everything you need to know about the Manitoba election.

RCMP continue to investigate a murder-suicide in Saskatchewan. The bodies of Latasha Gosling and three of her children were found in their mobile home in Tisdale, Sask. on April 22, 2015.

The alleged killer, Steve O’Shaughnessy, fled Tisdale to Prince Albert with their six-month-old girl where he killed himself.

The baby was found unharmed.

READ MORE: Five people, including 3 children, dead in suspected murder suicide

Related

• Man who endured murder-suicide tragedy hopes to help others
• Emotional Tisdale, Sask. vigil remembers murdered mom, 3 children
• Tisdale, Sask. tragedy sounding alarm about domestic violencePolice say the investigation into their deaths is almost complete.“Investigations such as this take an emotional toll and has a lasting impact on investigators,” said RCMP Staff. Sgt Murray Chamberlin from the major crime unit south.“We see and hear things throughout the course of investigation and are not immune to the effects a tragedy such as this has on families and communities as a whole.”READ MORE: Murdered Tisdale Sask. family being remembered as loving, caringChamberlin said any details from their investigation will not be released to the public as no criminal charges are being laid.“We recognize the public’s desire to learn the details of a tragedy,” said Chamberlin.“In this instance it is information we cannot share. Our investigators and support units have worked tirelessly to ensure all aspects of this investigation are considered and examined to their full potential.”READ MORE: Family of alleged Tisdale killer Steve O’Shaughnessy releases statementA family member later revealed that O’Shaughnessy had taken photos of the bodies and sent copies to the cellphone of Gosling’s estranged husband, the biological father of the three older children.

Drew Burko was supposed to be one of the best CIS quarterbacks in the nation in 2015. It didn’t happen. The Saskatoon product failed to protect the football as consistently as he had in years past, and subsequently lost his job as the Saskatchewan Huskies starting quarterback.

“It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster,” said Burko on Thursday.

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• CrossFit is whipping 56-year-old man into the best shape of his life
• Physical, mental training off-season focus for Team Laycock
• Inaugural Saskatchewan Rush season successful so farREAD MORE: Siemens projected to be Saskatchewan Huskies starting QBBurko will look to start fresh in 2016, and not necessarily with the Saskatchewan Huskies. Drew has signed a CFL contract with the Montreal Alouettes.“We love his pocket presence. We love the way he sits in there and actually delivers a throw,” says Montreal Alouettes Head Coach and General Manager Jim Popp. “He’s got a strong arm.”Burko will leave for Montreal on Saturday to acclimatize to his new surroundings prior to the start of Alouettes training camp on May 29. Drew is technically a rookie, but he has taken part in a pair of CFL training camps. His first camp was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013, then with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015.But this season Burko is walking into training camp with a completely different mindset.“The other camps I was just sitting there watching,” says Burko. “But this one I’m actually going to have a chance to make the team.”However if he doesn’t, Burko still has a home with the Saskatchewan Huskies.“We wish him well but we’d certainly welcome him back,” said Huskies head coach Brian Towriss. “He’s a quality quarterback and he could play a big role in what we’re doing.”Burko won’t be alone in Montreal. His Saskatchewan Huskie teammate Emmett Tims, has also signed a contract with the Alouettes.

Just one hour after dropping an air quality advisory for the Edmonton Zone, Alberta Health Services reinstated it after heavy smoke quickly drifted into the Capital Region Thursday afternoon.

Fire crews in the Edmonton area were fielding a lot of reports of smoke Thursday afternoon. Residents were calling Global News as well, reporting significant smoke in the air and asking about any local fires.

The Stony Plain Fire Department said it was also receiving a lot of calls, but said there were no fires in its jurisdiction.

“We are aware of the heavy smoke in the air,” the fire chief said in a Facebook post. “We currently do not have any active fires in the area. The changes in the atmosphere are bringing smoke from the Alberta wildfires. Please continue to be vigilant watching for fires.

“If you see flames from a wildland fire, contact 911. If you have health concerns contact Alberta Health Services and close your windows and stay inside.”

Smoke from Fort McMurray drifting south, May 19, 2016.

Nancy Carlson, Global News

A thick haze of smoke hangs over Edmonton’s skyline on Thursday, May 19, 2016.

Nancy Carlson/ Global News

Smoke from Fort McMurray drifting south, May 19, 2016.

Nancy Carlson, Global News

Smoke from Fort McMurray drifting south, May 19, 2016.

Smoke from Fort McMurray drifting south, May 19, 2016.

Smoke from Fort McMurray drifting south, May 19, 2016.

Smoke in Edmonton drifting in from the northern Alberta wildfires, May 19, 2016.

Wes Rosa, Global News

“We had northeasterly winds for most of the day here and what that actually did is it moved a bunch of the smoke from the Fort McMurray fires into Edmonton which around four o’clock, started to reduce some visibility and give bad AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) readings for the city of Edmonton,” Eldon Albrecht, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said.

“It moved into the Cold Lake area early this morning and later this afternoon it moved right into us.”

AQHI in Edmonton is currently a 10/10 (or VERY bad). Take precautions to limit outdoor exposure. Eyes currently burning. #yegwx #ymmfire

— Margeaux Morin (@MargeauxMorin) May 20, 2016

Albrecht added that he expects the smoke to clear out sometime overnight as precipitation is expected and winds are expected to come predominantly from the west on Friday.

An air quality advisory was also issued in the AHS North Zone for Bonnyville, St. Paul, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, Smoky Lake and Elk Point.

Air quality is expected to be variable across much of the Edmonton Zone over the coming days, & potentially, weeks. https://t.co/nrRsTh2D4z

— AHS_YEGZone (@AHS_YEGZone) May 19, 2016

Related

• Fort McMurray wildfire nearly as big as PEI, crosses Saskatchewan border
• Alberta fire ban and off-highway vehicle restrictions eased ahead of long weekendLate Thursday afternoon, a post appeared on the Edmonton and District Soccer Association’s Facebook page to say all of its Thursday evening games were being cancelled because of the change in air quality.The Edmonton Amateur Baseball Association said it will be up to each team to determine whether to play Thursday. Due to the air quality, some Rookie teams have cancelled their games. The Edmonton Minor Soccer Association is also having individual referees make the call on the fields.After issuing an air quality advisory for the Edmonton Zone May 12, AHS lifted that advisory Thursday before reinstating it shortly after.Alberta Environment had the air quality health index at a Level 7 as of 4 p.m. Thursday.Edmonton Fire Rescue Services was also receiving numerous calls about the smoke. It was sending out crews to confirm there were no fires in the Edmonton area. A spokesperson for the EFRS said the smoke was blowing in from outside the city, specifically from the Whitecourt and Fox Creek areas.

After the recent introduction of three demerit points to Alberta’s legislation, distracted driving has dropped for the first time in five years, but only slightly.

Since the legislation was first introduced in 2011, the number of distracted driving tickets increased annually. Staff Sgt. Paul Stacey attributes this phenomenon to the increase in cell phone usage. The fine increased in 2015 (from $172 to $287 currently). Stacey says it made no difference.

Related

• Cell phone jammer that could stop you from distracted drivingOkanagan residents react to harsher distracted driving penalties“We honestly didn’t see too much of a difference with the fines going up, but so far this year in 2016, with the introduction of the demerit system, we’re down just a little bit in the amount of tickets we’ve written. It’s early but we’re still down a little over 200 tickets from the same time last year,” Stacey said.This time last year there were 2,212 distracted driving tickets issued compared to the 1,934 issued in 2016 to date. Though not drastic, the decrease has Stacey optimistic for the future.“I’m hopeful, let’s put it that way…We’ve written less tickets and, anecdotally, I’m hearing from my officers that they aren’t seeing quite as much of it. That’s inspiring for me. And personally I haven’t seen as much either, but we still see some and we still are doing the enforcement,” Stacey added.Take Our PollThere’s little way of knowing how many crashes are directly the result of distracted driving. It requires drivers to self-disclose whether or not they were distracted at the time of the crash, which is rare. But Stacey said he does expect that roads are getting better.“Would I say the roads are a bit safer? I hope so.  And I hope the trend continues, I really do.”Kevin Smith’s truck was written off when his vehicle hit a driver he alleges was distracted who went through a red light on Country Hills last January. He echoes Stacey’s sentiment.“It happens so quick and people don’t understand. It only takes a split second.”Witnesses told police they saw the 17-year-old driver that went through a red light texting before the accident. Kevin Smith’s truck was totaled.Smith suffered from broken ribs, whiplash, and extensive soft tissue injuries after the crash. He deals with pain and soreness on a daily basis.The impact from the collision extends further into his life as well, as he owns a fitness studio and is a personal trainer who is expected to keep up with his clients. He also has two young and playful children at home. He says despite this lasting effect, he knows that he is lucky to have survived the crash.“I know I’m lucky. Pain will subside, the discomfort will subside. But I’m lucky that I’m still walking, playing, and here for my family,” Smith said.READ MORE: Cell phone jammer that could stop you from distracted driving Stacey likens the adjustment to distracted driving legislation to seatbelt legislation and  suggests it may take some time.“When that [legislation] came in in the 80s almost nobody wore their seatbelt and there was a lot of resistance to that legislation. Now a whole generation or two later, we’re seeing a 95 per cent compliance rate with seatbelt usage.”This week is the RCMP’s road safety week. They’re launching an online campaign called “Leave the Phone Alone” and are asking Canadians to commit publicly, with an online pledge, to avoid all distractions while driving.Editor’s note: Global News was contacted by someone who claims to be the other driver in the case referenced above. While he admitted to making an unsafe left turn, he denies being distracted.

VAUDREUIL-DORION – People in Vaudreuil-Dorion are rallying around 81-year-old Peder Mortensen, who’s being threatened with eviction.

Mortensen has lived in his hand-built house in the community for more than 60 years.

Related

• Vaudreuil resident heartbroken over city’s plan to demolish his home
• Elderly Montrealer takes eviction fight to rental board
• Montreal senior who faced home eviction can stay for another year: Quebec Rental BoardREAD MORE: Vaudreuil resident heartbroken over city’s plan to demolish his homeNow, the mayor is calling it a fire hazard and insists he has to go.Global News’ request for access to the documents outlining the problems with Mortensen’s house was denied.Without a doubt, the 81 year-old’s home is quite unique.“I’ve been living here for so long, it can’t be such a bad house,” Mortensen said.He’s got bags full of leaves hanging in his yard, which he says reduce sound.He also has homemade insulation: a retractable window covered in tin foil.“I’m not able to tell how long I’m going to live – I’m 81 – but I’m going to hang on as long as I can,” Mortensen said.Some would consider his home odd, but the retired engineer says everything has a reason for being there.His neighbours say they know and love him for that.“I’ve been in this community for 40 years and I remember seeing Peder ride his bicycle around all over town,” said Jamie Nicholls, a former MP for Vaudreuil-Dorion.“He was really a symbol of sustainability for our community.”After Global News reported that the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion is seeking an injunction to demolish his home – citing fire hazards – the neighbours rallied behind Mortensen.WATCH: Vaudreuil tries to evict senior“I was shocked, he’s been living here since the 60s all through,” said Ed Schiller, who has been Mortensen’s neighbour since 1971.Thursday morning, they started a petition and plan to bring it to the mayor once it reaches 2,000 signatures.By 5 p.m. the same day, they had collected 373 signatures.“We’ll do whatever we have to do make sure we’ll make him happy,” said Charlie Berkovitz, a neighbour across the street.Nicholls is also crowdfunding to build Mortensen a sustainable house. if need be.READ MORE: Montreal senior who faced home eviction can stay for another year: Quebec Rental Board“It was important for me because he has lived so frugally, so simply, so light on the Earth, that perhaps we should recognize that fact,” he said.Guy Pilon, Vaudreuil-Dorion’s mayor, said pressure from the community doesn’t change things.“I don’t think people would let an animal live in a place like that,” Pilon said.“I wouldn’t let an 82 year-old man live on that.”The mayor said he’s received one phone call so far and a couple of Facebook messages – one all the way from Alberta – speaking out in support of Mortensen.He insisted people simply aren’t aware of the danger Mortensen is, in as he showed Global News pictures of the interior of the home, which included piles of pasta and juice boxes.READ MORE: Elderly Montrealer takes eviction fight to rental boardRegardless, Pilon said he’s open to finding a solution.But he insists keeping Mortensen’s home as is is not an option.Sylvan Schneider, a real estate lawyer, said it is a tricky situation.“An old man shouldn’t be kicked out of his home and the city has their rights in order to ensure the safety of the municipality,” he said.Schneider pointed out the city is within the law, but wondered if there could be a different approach.“I think sitting down and both parties amicably resolving this matter would be, in my opinion, the best interest for the resolution of both parties involved,” he said.The city says it’s arranging a meeting with Mortensen for next week.

Advocates for medical marijuana left a Municipal Licensing and Standards Committee meeting at Toronto city hall frustrated on Thursday, after debate on a possible framework for licensing dispensaries was deferred until the end of June.

“We have been stonewalled by city hall to give any input on solutions to this problem,” said Marko Ivancicevic of the Cannabis Friendly Business Association.

Councillor Jim Karygiannis tried to challenge chair Cesar Palacio and allow the medical marijuana advocates to speak, but his request was denied.

“This is an issue that’s affecting a lot of our vets, a lot of our first responders,” said Karygiannis.

“These people need this medicine.”

Giorgio Taverniti, owner of Frank’s Pizza House, wrote a hand-written letter stating his support of Nature’s Touch Dispensary, which sits several doors down from his restaurant. But councillors never heard of his support due to the deferral.

“My mom has been diagnosed with stage four cancer. I suffer from glaucoma, and my sister also suffers from cancer,” he told Global News, adding that ingesting edible marijuana has given his ailing mother her appetite back.

“Today’s she’s in the hospital getting some treatment. At this point you’re willing to try anything out there and this is an option we have.”

READ MORE: Toronto mayor calls for urgent action on ‘Wild West of medical marijuana distribution’

Canada’s federal government promised to introduce legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by next spring, but until then it’s still considered an illegal substance for recreational purposes.

The city began cracking down on Wednesday by sending letters to landlords of buildings where dispensaries were operating. They warned that the buildings were running afoul of zoning by-laws and that they must come into compliance by Saturday.

It’s expected many will shut their doors until the law is more clearly defined, but other say they’re digging in their heels.

“If they fine us we’ll take them to court,” said Brandy Zurborg, co-owner of Queens of Cannabis.

“This is a human rights issue.”

Daniel Montlouis, owner of Nature’s Touch Dispensary, says around seven dispensaries are considering launching a class action lawsuit against the city.

“It would be on the basis of, basically we’re in the dark, we don’t know what to do,” he said. “We need  some kind of direction.”

Advocates fear cracking down on dispensaries will push patients underground.

“Do we want to have these people in compromising scenarios where they are forced into a back alley to consume and purchase and run the risk of getting robbed?” said Ivancicevic.

READ MORE: Canada’s move to legalize marijuana violates international law, experts say

But others maintain it’s the sheer number of dispensaries in Toronto, now believed to be over 100, that is posing a threat to the public.

“The source of marijuana going into dispensaries is all illegal and there is no testing,” said Adam Saperia of GrowWise Health, a website providing information on medical cannabis to doctors and patients.

The issue will return to committee on June 27, but some worry many dispensaries will have closed their doors by that time.

Handwritten letter supporting medical marijuana dispensaries.

REGINA – Thirty-one days. That’s how long the “Colonialism No More” camp has been set up in front of Regina’s Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) office.

Related

• Regina INAC office reopens as protestors continue camping outside
• Regina INAC protest continuesThe protesters first gathered in response to the suicide crisis at Attawapiskat on April 18. At that time, the INAC office closed, and a fence was put up around the property. The fence wasn’t up for long, and INAC reopened their doors on April 28.The two sides have been meeting.In a statement INAC says: “Our officials have met with the protesters four times since the protest began. We continue to communicate with them to discuss their issues and concerns. For more information on which issues the demonstrators have shared, we encourage media contact them directly.”“We’re suffering, we’re poor, and all these thing. We just need to find out where we are as a people,” Darren Maxie, one of the protestors, said.The campers say there are very few services for off-reserve First Nations people, something they want to change.However, they say they’re hitting a bureaucratic wall when trying to get information from INAC.“It’s really difficult to sift through all their information and to find what’s really going on First Nations,” Colonialism No More organizer Robyn Pitiwanakwat said.Pitiwanakwat adds she’s familiar with government bureaucracy, but has never seen anything like INAC.Questions remain about some issues, new information is out about poverty.The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released a study on poverty rates among First Nations youth. In figures from 2011 they found 69 per cent of youth on reserves live in poverty.That number drops in urban centres, but Indigenous youth are still more likely to live in poverty.In Regina 41 per cent of Indigenous youth live in poverty, and in Saskatoon it’s 39 per cent. Non-Indigenous youth have a poverty rate around 12 per cent.The only city with a higher poverty rate is Winnipeg at 42 per cent.“It’s heartbreaking, seeing that during the boom years of Saskatchewan that poverty rates for First Nations people in Saskatchewan have gone up,” Pitiwanakwat said.“I don’t think it’s because we want to live in that life. We want to change, we want to grow, we want to get an education, we want to become functional parts of society,” Maxi said.The protesters say their camp will stay until they see concrete action on improved service for off-reserve First Nations people.

The accusations Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “elbowed” of NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau and manhandled Conservative whip Gordon Brown not only caused a stir in the House of Commons, it also caused the collective internet to overheat as well.

Tuesday’s incident on Parliament Hill immediately started trending on 桑拿会所 with the hashtag #elbowgate.

READ MORE: What caused ‘Elbowgate’ and why it was an unnecessary kerfuffle

The ultimate debate being considered by 桑拿会所 users was whether the situation was being blown out of proportion.

(Please take a moment to vote in our poll below and lave us a comment to let us know how you feel about #elbowgate.)

The #Trudeau thing today proves one thing – the NDP has been taking lessons on FIFA player dives. 

— Leyton Collins (@DocLeyts) May 19, 2016

Wow, I’m seeing a lot of feminist victim blaming a female after being elbowed by their prince-queen Justin Trudeau. #elbowgate

— ConsPundit (@ConsPundit) May 19, 2016

Just watched the #elbowgate video. Really? If only people could fake so much outrage over domestic violence, we might actually get somewhere

— Andrew Saunders (@ASaunders87) May 19, 2016

The simple FACT is, if ANY manager grabbed a colleague like Trudeau did today, they would be severely reprimanded. #BecauseIts2016 #cdnpoli

— Politics In Memes (@politicsinmemes) May 19, 2016

FOR REFERENCE: THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY BEING “MANHANDLED” #ElbowGate #Trudeau pic.twittekaRJFPdsDu

— The Annoying Peasant (@FakeStuartB) May 19, 2016

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