COOL OLD HIPSTERS
BACK TO WORK The Red Deer Rebels veteran players register this morning for a training camp that will run more than a week
Trekkers teach a master class in how to extend your celebrity brand
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SPORTS — PAGE B4
Red Deer Advocate WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26, 2015
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FIRE IN RIVERSIDE INDUSTRIAL PARK
LOCAL ECONOMY
Diversity key to enduring slide BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF The pain from low oil prices has been felt in Red Deer, but diversity may help the city weather the economic storm. Reg Warkentin, Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce policy coordinator, said in an email that the slump in oil prices is starting to have a ripple effect in the local economy, extending beyond energy sector businesses. “With sub $50 oil, drilling activity is half of what it was a year ago, and major construction projects have been put on hold and even shelved indefinitely,” writes Warkentin. “We’ve heard about a number of businesses making layoffs to get to the point where they can keep themselves afloat, maintain core operations, but still be prepared for when activity picks up.” However, Warkentin pointed to diversity as a factor in how the city will handle the economic situation. “A number of businesses have been looking to diversify their revenue sources, like the oilfield manufacturers who are starting to sell more products abroad to places such as the Middle East, where activity remains strong.” The most recent unemployment statistics indicate Alberta had a six per cent unemployment rate as of July. That’s the same as B.C. and lower than Ontario, which is at 6.4 per cent. According to Statistics Canada, Red Deer’s unemployment was 7.3 per cent, above the provincial average, in July. The jobless rate has increased significantly from 2014, when it was 2.8 per cent in the same month. “Our little economy is a little more diversified than we give it credit for,” said Warkentin. “There are a number of major projects underway, such as the Nova expansion, infrastructure projects like new schools and roadways and assisted living facilities. Construction of new homes remains strong, too.”
Please see ECONOMY on Page A2
Photo courtesy of Facebook
This photo shows a structure fire from Tuesday night at 4630 61 St. in the Riverside Industrial Area. Police had adjacent streets blocked off as firefighters battled the blaze.
Money laundering, fraud charges laid against Calgary man BY THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — The co-founder of an Alberta oil and gas company has been accused of defrauding the firm of nearly $5 million. Police allege that between September 2007 and November 2011 the suspect created three shell companies that were set up to defraud his Calgary employer. They say the companies were used to create fictitious invoices for supplies and services that were not genuine transactions. “The individual that was charged was in a position of authority in the company, so anything he did within that company wasn’t really questioned,” Staff Sgt. Kristie Verheul of the Calgary police’s economic crimes unit said Tuesday. “The invoices ranged from $8,000 on
‘THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS CHARGED WAS IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY IN THE COMPANY, SO ANYTHING HE DID WITHIN THAT COMPANY WASN’T REALLY QUESTIONED.’ — STAFF SGT. KRISTIE VERHEUL ECONOMIC CRIMES UNIT
one invoice to over $100,000 on other invoices. There were multiple invoices, approximately 91 invoices. None of the services were actually rendered.” The suspect was fired from the company, which police have declined to name, in 2011. Verheul said the firm became suspicious and conducted its own internal investigation and then contacted police in 2013.
“They completed an internal investigation which included a forensic audit of all of the accounting — every single receipt and invoice that came through that company. “They confirmed that suspicious activity and actually went through civil proceedings first, which is very common in these situations to regain some of the money, and then came to the Calgary Police Service to deal with the criminal allegations.” Verheul said the company was successful in recouping some of the losses. But she was unable to say how much it was able to get back. Ian W. Fisher, 53, is charged with fraud over $5,000 and money laundering. Police say no further charges will be laid and no other suspects are involved.
Please see FRAUD on Page A2
School supplies program running on empty BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF The SOS has gone out for more backpacks and school supplies for Tools for School. The program, operated by Central Alberta Women’s Outreach and United Way of Central Alberta, collects and distributes school supplies to families in need across Central Alberta who have children in kindergarten to Grade 12. Darcy Ouelett, fund development officer with Women’s Outreach, said as of Tuesday the program only had about 250 backpacks filled with supplies left to hand out. “Everything we have is packed so we probably have enough for another 300 kids, then we’re out of supplies,” Ouelett said. “We are actually as of now out of empty backpacks.” He said the demand is higher this
WEATHER Smoke. High 23. Low 11.
FORECAST ON A2
summer with just over 1,000 backpacks given out so far compared to about 650 at this time last year. “We’ve seen some stuff get packed and it’s right outside the door an hour later.” Tools For School operates all year and almost 1,600 backpacks were handed out last year. He said 90 per cent are given in preparation for September and typically the busiest time is over the next three weeks. “We have reached out to everybody. Basically we need help. Unfortunately, this is the nature of the economic times for us. Demand is up and donations are down.” He said the cost of going back to school is similar to Christmas for families. “If someone has four children, that’s $400, that’s half of somebody’s rent sometimes.”
Please see SUPPLIES on Page A2
INDEX Four sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . B1-B3 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5,C2 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . D1-D3 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D4 Entertainment . . . . . . .C45,C6 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4-B6
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Darcy Ouellet, fund development officer with the Outreach Centre in Red Deer, fills the a Tools For School backpack Tuesday. Demand is definitely up this year and donations are way down, says Ouellet.
Senior police officer found guilty of charges The most senior police officer charged over mass arrests made during the Toronto G20 summit was found guilty of three offences. Story on PAGE A5
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