Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

heat wave

'Heartless': Edmonton's removal of two public water fountains during heat wave harmful, says advocate

'Heartless': Edmonton's removal of two public water fountains during heat wave harmful, says advocate

Two recently-installed public water stations Downtown have been quietly and suddenly disconnected, a move one advocate called a “heartless” decision by the city amid temperatures so hot it prompted a heat warning in Edmonton this past weekend. The City of Edmonton in May announced plans to install up to 20 temporary bottle-filling stations attached to fire hydrants this summer so the public can have access to safe drinking water and avoid dehydration. There were 17 locations with six in or around Downtown as of mid-June. Postmedia visited the six stations previously announced in the city’s core and found two disconnected by Monday — the station next to Bissell Centre West at 96 Street and 105A Avenue, and outside Stanley A. Milner Library at 100 Street and 102 Avenue. Four other stations in the core were still working.

Heat wave: Montreal distributing water bottles, extending splash pad access

Heat wave: Montreal distributing water bottles, extending splash pad access

The city is also handing out bottled water to a dozen community groups to be distributed in public spaces and will supply those who work with the unhoused with enough bottles to last for three days.

Kultureland organizer says music festival burdened by series of setbacks

Kultureland organizer says music festival burdened by series of setbacks

Meanwhile, attendees at Kingston Music Festival in North York, Ont., posted videos over the weekend of concertgoers rushing toward the stage after pushing down the fence separating general admission and VIP sections. Some attendees complained of a lack of water at the venue in the midst of a heat wave. Representatives for Kingston Music Festival did not respond to requests for comment.

Water needed to keep Vernon’s vulnerable safe during heat wave

Water needed to keep Vernon’s vulnerable safe during heat wave

Help is needed to keep citizens cool as temperatures soar towards 40 degrees Celsius this week. The Upper Room Mission and Turning Points Collaborative Society are looking for donations of water to keep people hydrated. “This rising heat is so dangerous,” said the Outreach Team with Turning Points, which provides water and refillable bottles to those in need.

Lack of working water fountains a symptom of Toronto's 'bad management,' advocate says

Lack of working water fountains a symptom of Toronto's 'bad management,' advocate says

Despite an early start to summer weather, the City of Toronto revealed it has some 245 water fountains that aren't turned on, something an urban planning advocate says spells a bigger problem for those who rely on public amenities. Mayor John Tory revealed Tuesday only 60 per cent of the city's 700 public water fountains were up and running during recent record-breaking heat spells.

Mustard Seed sounds urgent call for bottled water amid scorching heat

Mustard Seed sounds urgent call for bottled water amid scorching heat

The Mustard Seed is putting out an urgent request for bottled water at its Western Canada shelters, including here in Kamloops. In a news release, the agency says the hot weather has exacerbated the need. Clients require water to stay hydrated and cool during the heat wave.

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