Bissell Centre leads Red Shoe Rock Walk to draw attention to FASD
People wearing red shoes take part in the Red Shoes Rock Walk in Edmonton on Sept. 9, 2024. (Brandon Lynch / CTV News Edmonton)
The Bissell Centre tried to catch the attention of downtown Edmontonians on Monday with a 2.2-kilometre walk through the city's centre in bright red shoes.
The group of about 75 were following in the footsteps of RJ Formanek, an Ontario man with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) who wore red shoes with the hope of starting conversations about FASD and who inspired the official awareness initiative known as the Red Shoes Rock Walk in 2013.
"With this being a bit of a stigmatized and misunderstood condition, this visibility does help spark conversation and does help increase that interest," Bissell Centre spokesperson Chris Schieman told CTV News Edmonton.
According to the government, about four per cent of Canadians – 174,000 Albertans – live with FASD, although the number is believed to be underestimated because of the stigma surrounding the condition.
Schieman added, "(The visibility does) help people know these are just more folks that are part of the community and just hoping to live with a good quality of life like anyone else."
Bissell Centre led the walk on Monday – International FASD Awareness Day – as a partner of the Alberta Fetal Alcohol Network and operator of Hope Terrace, a supportive living facility in King Edward Park meant to reduce housing barriers and provide stable housing to people with FASD.
FASD is caused when a fetus is exposed to alcohol. People with the disability may experience impacts to their memory, executive function, emotional regulation, and more.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Brandon Lynch
Edmonton Top Stories
-
-
-
-
-
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton growing in size as it approaches Florida
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton growing in size as it approaches Florida
Hurricane Milton is nearing Florida's shore but remains a Category 4 storm. Power outages have already been reported across the state, even before the hurricane makes landfall.
Pilot dies aboard Turkish Airlines flight, forcing emergency landing in New York
A Turkish Airlines jetliner headed from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the captain died on board, an airline official said.
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
'We want things to go forward': Bloc leader hints his party 'might' help end House impasse
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois says his party 'might play a role' in helping the Liberals get House of Commons business rolling again — after days of Conservative-led debate on a privilege matter — but that his assistance would come at a cost.
Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
Rare Monet returned to family more than 80 years after it was stolen by Nazis
A Claude Monet pastel painting stolen by Nazis during World War II, which vanished for decades only to show up with a Louisiana art dealer, was returned Wednesday in New Orleans to the descendants of its original owners.
Women say they were kicked off of Spirit Airlines flight for what they were wearing
Two Orange County women are speaking out after they say they were kicked off of a Spirit Airlines flight because of what they were wearing.
Man charged with human smuggling near Manitoba border crossing
A 42-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with human smuggling following an investigation near a Canada-U.S. border crossing in Manitoba.
Kremlin says Trump sent COVID tests to Russia during pandemic, denies report of Putin calls
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that the administration of former U.S. president Donald Trump had sent COVID tests to Russia but it denied reports that Trump had spoken at all to Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
Alleged stalker visited Cranston homes multiple times: Calgary police
Calgary police are appealing to the public for help as they work to identify a suspect accused of stalking and harassing the residents of two Cranston homes.
-
Province unveils compensation plan to hire, train and keep doctors in Alberta
Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced a new tentative compensation agreement for resident physicians Thursday as part of a push to recruit, train and keep more physicians in the province.
-
1 charged after several stolen cars found at Calgary auto dealership
An Airdrie resident is facing several charges after police say they were caught in possession of several stolen vehicles.
Lethbridge
-
Machete-wielding suspect who died in custody resisted arrest: ASIRT
Alberta's police watchdog says the Medicine Hat police officers who were involved in an in-custody death in August 2023 acted reasonably and with appropriate force in dealing with a suspect armed with a machete.
-
Drugs and nunchucks seized in Brocket traffic stop
Charges have been laid against a 44-year-old man following a traffic stop in Brocket, Piikani Nation RCMP said Tuesday.
-
Southern Alberta metal shop fined over death of worker
A metal fabrication company west of Medicine Hat has been fined by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) following a workplace fatality in 2023.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon homelessness rally proposes tent city as 'emergency action to keep people safe'
Dozens of people gathered at Saskatoon city hall Tuesday to voice their concerns about the growing issue of homelessness in our city, and to offer their own solutions.
-
Saskatoon police investigating after 3 men assaulted with hammers, golf club
Police are investigating three separate incidents involving assaults with a hammer and golf club on Tuesday night in Saskatoon.
-
Sask. consumer watchdog investigating local company selling luxury vacation condos
The province’s consumer watchdog is investigating a Saskatoon company selling luxury vacation condos in Mexico.
Regina
-
Regina man convicted in three murders to receive new trial on two
Saskatchewan's highest court has granted Dillon Whitehawk an appeal and a new trial has been ordered for the 2019 deaths of Jordan Denton and Keenan Toto.
-
Sask NDP touring Yorkton area with plans to end rural ER disruptions
The Saskatchewan New Democrats are touring the Parkland region, vowing to end rural emergency room disruptions if they form government this fall.
-
Those wishing to run in Regina's civic, school board elections have until 4 p.m. to submit paperwork
Those who are interested in running for mayor, city council or school board in Regina's upcoming civic election have until 4 p.m. this afternoon to submit their paperwork.
Vancouver
-
Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo lauds B.C. Green Party in leadup to election
American actor and environmental activist Mark Ruffalo is weighing in on British Columbia politics, lauding the B.C. Green Party's stance on fossil fuels ahead of the Oct. 19 election.
-
'Wired' after election debate, NDP's Eby says he'll focus on relaying improvements
British Columbia New Democrat Leader David Eby says he was "wired" and had trouble falling asleep after the televised election debate, adding that he would see his performance as successful if those watching at home felt he was focused on their priorities.
-
Police appeal for information after break-in at Abbotsford home
Two men broke into a home in Abbotsford in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but police believe the residents were not the "intended targets."
Vancouver Island
-
Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo lauds B.C. Green Party in leadup to election
American actor and environmental activist Mark Ruffalo is weighing in on British Columbia politics, lauding the B.C. Green Party's stance on fossil fuels ahead of the Oct. 19 election.
-
'Wired' after election debate, NDP's Eby says he'll focus on relaying improvements
British Columbia New Democrat Leader David Eby says he was "wired" and had trouble falling asleep after the televised election debate, adding that he would see his performance as successful if those watching at home felt he was focused on their priorities.
-
B.C. protester who praised Hamas allowed to attend rallies again
A B.C. woman who was recorded praising Hamas as 'heroic and brave' can return to protest rallies, authorities confirmed this week.
Toronto
-
'I should have been there': Toronto mayor says she regrets not being at Oct. 7 vigil
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is expressing regret for not attending a massive vigil held earlier this week where the city’s Jewish community commemorated one year since the October 7 terrorist attack. But her explanation isn’t adding up, event organizers say.
-
Hurricane Milton: Some Florida-bound flights cancelled in Toronto
Hurricane Milton is about to hit Florida and Toronto Pearson International Airport says several flights to the state have been cancelled as a result.
-
Man charged with first-degree murder after father found dead in Toronto
A 36-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after his elderly father was found dead at his home in Toronto.
Montreal
-
Old Montreal fire: another building owned by same landlord shot at overnight
Three young people aged 17, 19 and 20 were arrested after shots were fired late on Tuesday near Old Montreal.
-
Official languages report questions enrolment cap on Quebec English CEGEPs
Canada's official languages commissioner is expressing concern over Quebec's decision to cap the number of students who can enrol in the province's English-language junior colleges.
-
Seven teens arrested in Saint-Leonard in connection with organized crime
Police arrested seven teens aged 14 to 17 in Saint-Leonard last Thursday in connection with organized crime. Police tied the group of teens to robberies, arson, extortion, and gun violence.
Atlantic
-
Police investigating missing funds from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s riding association
Premier Tim Houston said he was notified on Monday morning that funds had been allegedly stolen from the Pictou East Riding Association.
-
Former CTV Atlantic employee bracing for Hurricane Milton from his Clearwater home
Former CTV Atlantic employee Eric Bungay who now works for a CBS affiliate in Tampa Bay is bracing for Hurricane Milton's arrival.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton growing in size as it approaches Florida
Hurricane Milton is nearing Florida's shore but remains a Category 4 storm. Power outages have already been reported across the state, even before the hurricane makes landfall.
Winnipeg
-
Man charged with human smuggling near Manitoba border crossing
A 42-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with human smuggling following an investigation near a Canada-U.S. border crossing in Manitoba.
-
Winnipeg landlord facing $9K in penalties over mass eviction
A Winnipeg landlord is facing $9,000 in penalties following a mass eviction at a Winnipeg apartment block this summer.
-
WFPS proposing changes to how vacant building fires are billed to property owners
The mayor's inner circle is set to discuss possible changes to a bylaw that currently sees the landlords of vacant buildings billed for the entire cost of firefighting efforts when a blaze breaks out at their property.
Ottawa
-
Mathieu Fleury no longer Cornwall's chief admin officer
The City of Cornwall says it has “parted ways” with Mathieu Fleury as the city's chief administrative officer, though the details of his departure are unclear.
-
Here's what it’s like to commute by transit from Barrhaven
As the LRT's new north-south line prepares to open, many Barrhaven transit users will still have to use buses and transfer to commute downtown.
-
'Life-threatening': Former Ottawa resident braces for Hurricane Milton in Florida
As one of the most powerful hurricanes threatens to make landfall in Tampa Bay, residents brace for the impact.
Northern Ontario
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton growing in size as it approaches Florida
Hurricane Milton is nearing Florida's shore but remains a Category 4 storm. Power outages have already been reported across the state, even before the hurricane makes landfall.
-
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
-
International mining conference underway in Sudbury
An annual international mining conference is underway in Greater Sudbury, Ont., marking the first time the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Conference of Mining Regions and Cities has been held in North America.
Barrie
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Barrie man found not guilty in 1994 death of Katherine Janeiro
The jury reached a verdict on Wednesday in the 1994 Katherine Janeiro murder case, finding her former boyfriend, Bruce Ellis, not guilty.
-
One person critically injured after being shot during armed robbery at gas station: OPP
Provincial police are investigating reports of an armed robbery in Amaranth Township that sent one person to the hospital in critical condition.
-
Suspect arrested in rash of Barrie convenience store thefts
Police arrested a man they say is responsible for a rash of robberies at convenience stores in Barrie over the last 10 months.
Kitchener
-
Person struck by GO train in Kitchener has died, police confirm
One person was struck by a GO train, near the Kitchener station, on Wednesday morning.
-
One person airlifted to hospital, 77-year-old charged in Puslinch crash
At around 3:30 p.m., emergency services and an Ornge air ambulance responded to a report of a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Gore Road and Wellington Road 35.
-
15-year-old charged for alleged violent theft involving woman, 3 children
According to police, staff had been watching a woman and three children – estimated to be between 10 and 15 years of age – as they made their way around the store placing more than $1,000 in product into a cart.
London
-
'How many lives we need to continue losing?': Son of fatal crash victim calling for intersection changes in Thamesford
This latest crash was the second fatal and third serious accident at this intersection in the past couple of months - when asked, locals said that the intersection is 'kind of blind.'
-
Province adds 80 spaces at the Ontario Police College: priority for smaller forces
The province is boosting enrollment in Basic Constable Training at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer by 80 recruits per year.
-
'Chris is not the only one': Widow of London firefighter applauds funding to track cancer cases
The widow of a London firefighter who died from cancer is applauding a federal commitment to study its prevalence.
Windsor
-
Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
-
One arrest made in child exploitation investigation: WPS
The Windsor Police Service (WPS) has arrested one suspect in connection to a child exploitation investigation.
-
Ontario launches review following Ford criticism of children's aid societies
Ontario launched a review of the province's 37 non-Indigenous children's aid societies Wednesday after Premier Doug Ford suggested they are being financially mismanaged, but the unions representing CAS workers say it is a mere 'smokescreen.'
