Families of slain EPS officers to receive $100K from provincial heroes' fund
The families of two Edmonton Police Service officers killed in the line of duty this week will receive $100,000 from Alberta's provincial fund for first responders, the premier says.
Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement during her Corus radio program Saturday, saying the grieving families of constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan will receive funds from the Alberta Heroes' Fund.
"Const. Brett Ryan and Const. Travis Jordan are both young men with young families, and so one of the things that we have to support families is our Heroes’ Fund," Smith said on Your Province, Your Premier.
"So the families will get $100,000 each to be able to help with the costs associated with having to deal with this horrible tragedy," she added.
Along with the payment, the families will be further supported by donations from a GoFundMe page that the Edmonton Police Foundation established. As of Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser has reached nearly $240,000.
The Heroes' Fund was established in 2020 and provides one-time, tax-free gifts to grieving families of police officers, paramedics, firefighters, sheriffs and provincial correction officers killed during active duty.
Each year, the province commits $1.5 million to the fund.
"It’s very rare when we lose an officer. It was a really rough week for everybody," Smith said. "It was a really rough week for everybody as we watched this tragedy unfold."
During the show, the premier stated a regimental funeral would take place in the coming weeks. Hours afterwards, she retracted that information in a statement posted to social media.
"This morning I shared information on the regimental funerals for Constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan," the statement read. "The details of the funerals are not fully confirmed and finalized at the moment.
"I would ask that the public wait for the [Edmonton Police Service] to provide the date and full details," the premier added.
In a statement to CTV News Edmonton, police said the funeral arrangements are still being finalized.
"This is premature," said Scott Pattison, EPS spokesperson. "We will let media and the public know once [funeral] plans for Constables Ryan and Jordan have been finalized."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.