NEWS
metronews.ca Thursday, February 14, 2013
03
Municipal development
Plan to reduce light pollution advanced
ROBSON FLETCHER/METRO
Canmore cook
Alberta chef’s startling death at culinary contest being investigated An aspiring chef from Canmore, Alta., has died after competing at an event in Kelowna, B.C. The coroner’s office confirms 23-year-old Fabien Driquert died Sunday after taking part in the Canadian Culinary Championships. The death of the young father is not considered suspicious, but the coroner says an investigation is continuing. Driquert was one of two sous chefs with the team led by chef Eden Hrabec from the Crazyweed Kitchen in Canmore. In an interview prior to the championships, Hrabec described Driquert as a great cook. THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Stephan family is seen in this undated photo. The youngest member, 19-month-old Ezekiel, became sick in early 2012 and later died. His parents, David and Collet, were charged Wednesday with failing to provide the necessities of life. FACEBOOK.COM
We didn’t fail our son, the health system did: Parents Failure to provide necessities of life. Couple charged in death of their toddler JEREMY NOLAIS
jeremy.nolais@metronews.ca
Alberta parents accused of neglecting their son who became sick and later died have been “blindsided” by charges announced Wednesday and say it was actually the health system that failed their child. According to father David Stephan, 19-month-old Ezekiel Stephan became sick in February 2012 with what they believed to be a non-severe case of croup, a common illness among young children that sees the vocal chords swell, creating some breathing diffi-
culty and a harsh cough. David said he and wife Collet Stephan kept a close eye on their toddler for about a week and the symptoms appeared to subside. But after awaking from a nap around 8 p.m. the night of March 13, 2012, Ezekiel’s condition took a drastic turn for the worse. “Within 45 minutes he just stopped breathing,” David said. The Stephans claim they phoned 911 and an ambulance was dispatched from Cardston, about a 30-minute drive from their home. The family rushed to their vehicle and took off towards the town, meeting the ambulance on the highway approximately 40 minutes later. David said he’s since learned a free ambulance was on standby in the Village of Glenwood, less than 10 kilometres from his home. “The paramedics we did
NEWS
Aldermen unanimously approved a proposal to cut down on light pollution at a committee meeting Wednesday. “This is really about wasted light and stopping light from just being splashed around everywhere, hoping that some of it actually gets to where we want it to be,” said Ald. Brian Pincott, who brought forward the idea last year. The move would see the city’s Municipal Development Plan altered to call for reducing “light spill” by “minimizing the intensity of light sources and directing light only to where it is needed.” The change still needs approval by city council as a whole, and is set for a vote on April 8.
Alberta Health Services issued a statement on the situation
• “This is a sad event, and our hearts go out to those involved,” the email statement read. • “Given that the parents have been charged by RCMP and this is an ongoing police and legal matter, it’s not appropriate for AHS to comment at this time.”
meet didn’t even have the right intubator for a child,” he said. Ezekiel was rushed to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, but died five days later. On Wednesday, RCMP charged David and Collet with failing to provide the necessities of life. “A young child cannot provide for themselves,” said RCMP Cpl. Darrin Turnbull referring to such things as medical attention. David said the charges only add further anguish for his family, adding they will be left
to wonder forever if the closer paramedics could have made a difference in saving their child. He also questioned Wednesday why Alberta Children and Youth services would allow him and his wife to keep their older son Ezra if they really were such poor parents. “Everybody that knows us is absolutely flabbergasted.... It’s outlandish,” he said. “We are a happy, loving family unit.” The Stephans are scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on May 23.
The only thing more attractive than a Sabal home is the price Now building in Mahogany, Copperfield, Riversong and Reunion.
the uncommonly stylish homebuilder 12009 Sabal Metro Calgary-sectional banner.indd 1
sabalhomes.com
12-12-19 9:48 AM