New QEII casino south of Edmonton will promote 'living together in harmony,' Chief says
If the Chief has his way, there will be more than just gas, good food and gaming going on at a new First Nations-owned casino complex south of Edmonton.
Ground was broken on the new Bear Hills Casino and Travel Resort near Maskwacis Wednesday morning.
Louis Bull Tribe Chief Desmond Bull said it represents "prosperity" for his people and a step toward "truth and reconciliation" with everyone else.
"Under the Treaty we are supposed to be sharing the land, we're supposed to be helping each other, we're supposed to be living together in harmony," Bull explained.
"And I believe that something like this, in regards to making those collaborations, will get us to that step."
Bull said the project is already about 30 years in the making. The casino and gas station will be built first, with a hotel and event centre possible for the future.
It will be the sixth First Nations-owned casino in Alberta and the first on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, located about 60 kilometers south of the Edmonton International Airport.
"We certainly partnered with the tribe, looking at projections and revenue and location and all of the other parts of operating a casino to make sure it's going to be successful," said Kandice Machado, CEO of Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis.
The Louis Bull Tribe owns 100 per cent of the project, but Bull said he's willing to work with the other three nations of Maskwacis to make it bigger.
A rendering of the Bear Hills Casino and Travel Resort near Maskwacis, Alta.
He said a future stop on an Alberta high-speed rail connection between Edmonton and Calgary is something he'd be interested in, as well as a small airport.
"When I look to the future, I see this not only as a casino, but a hub for electric vehicles," Bull told the crowd gathered for the ceremony.
"The transition is already happening for electrical vehicles, and I honestly believe this could be that central area where people can come charge up their vehicles, spend some time, learn about our culture and maybe throw in 10 or 20 bucks in the slots."
Louis Bull plans to start construction this winter with an opening set for Christmas 2023.
On average, 30,000 vehicles travel the QEII each day, according to the province. The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs for members of the Louis Bull Tribe.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's David Ewasuk
Edmonton Top Stories
-
-
-
WEATHERWEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: 2 more days around 20 C
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING 'Deeply embarrassing for Canada's Parliament': Rota called to resign over Nazi veteran invite
Tensions flared in the House of Commons on Monday morning over opposition calls for House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to resign after apologizing to the House of Commons for inviting, recognizing and leading the chamber in a standing ovation for a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Global Affairs travel advisory to India updated to include protests, 'negative sentiments' towards Canada
Canada has updated its travel advisory for India to include warnings about protests and 'negative sentiments' towards Canadians in light of a recent breakdown in Canada-India relations.
We carry DNA from extinct cousins like Neanderthals. Science is now revealing their genetic legacy
Using the new and rapidly improving ability to piece together fragments of ancient DNA, scientists are finding that traits inherited from Neanderthals are still with us now, affecting our fertility, our immune systems, even how our bodies handled the COVID-19 virus.
Four in 10 child patients face unsafe spinal surgery wait times in Canada: report
Four out of ten child patients in Canada are facing unsafe spinal surgery wait times, which could cost the health-care system $44.6 million, according to a new report that was published Monday.
Toronto woman hospitalized overseas with botulism
A Toronto woman has been hospitalized in France with a severe case of botulism after eating improperly preserved sardines at a Bordeaux wine bar.
RCMP demolish last structure at Quebec's Roxham Road migrant crossing
The last RCMP building is coming down at Roxham Road, which became an unofficial border crossing used by more than 100,000 migrants crossing into Canada from Upstate New York to apply for asylum since 2017.
Thousands of Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh as Turkish president is set to visit Azerbaijan
Thousands of Armenians streamed out of Nagorno-Karabakh after the Azerbaijani military reclaimed full control of the breakaway region while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was set to visit Azerbaijan Monday in a show of support to its ally.
UN rights experts decry war crimes by Russia in Ukraine and look into genocide allegations
Independent UN-backed human rights experts said Monday they have turned up continued evidence of war crimes committed by Russian forces in their war against Ukraine, including torture -- some of it with such "brutality" that it led to death -- and rape of women aged up to 83 years old.
Prioritize disadvantaged people for primary care and screening access, report says
A group of Canadian doctors, nurses and other health-care providers has issued recommendations on how to make health care more equitable for disadvantaged people.
Calgary
-
Death of man in Pineridge home investigated by Calgary police
Calgary police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in the community of Pineridge on Sunday.
-
Central Alberta man arrested in connection with stolen vehicle, break-and-enter: RCMP
A 34-year-old man from Linden, Alta., is facing several charges in connection with a number of break-and-enters and thefts in Kneehill County.
-
Cougar caught on camera in southwest Calgary
A southwest Calgary resident is raising the alarm after he snapped a photo of a cougar within city limits.
Saskatoon
-
'Extremely alarming': Frustrations mount in Sask. village as residents protest 'QAnon queen'
Residents of a small village in southwestern Saskatchewan took to their trucks on Sunday to protest their town’s newest resident — a woman who claims to have legal standing as ‘queen’ of Canada.
-
Sask. study could improve search for unmarked graves at Indian Residential School sites
Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan are hoping to use an historic Saskatoon cemetery to test techniques that could one day help identify unmarked graves at residential school sites.
-
Saskatoon SPCA's Puptoberfest has tails wagging
Against a backdrop of golden autumn leaves on one of the last warm weekends of the season, dog enthusiasts and their four-legged companions gathered at Puptoberfest, a canine celebration hosted by the Saskatoon SPCA.
Regina
-
A time capsule will commemorate the first season of Regina's renewed Wascana Pool
The City of Regina hosted a time capsule burial ceremony on Monday to commemorate the first season of the renewed Wascana Pool.
-
Ryan Getzlaf, Hayley Wickenheiser headline 2023 Sask. Sports Hall of Fame class
The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (SSHF) inducted seven new members at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina on Saturday night.
-
'We don't forget': Saskatchewan recognizes National Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day
Rows upon rows of uniformed officers marched down Albert Street in Regina to recognize National Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day.
Atlantic
-
Four in 10 child patients face unsafe spinal surgery wait times in Canada: report
Four out of ten child patients in Canada are facing unsafe spinal surgery wait times, which could cost the health-care system $44.6 million, according to a new report that was published Monday.
-
RCMP investigate fatal crash in Plympton, N.S.
Digby RCMP are investigating a single-vehicle crash that took the life of one person in Plympton, N.S.
-
'Renews my hope in humanity': Overwhelming support for 110 displaced tenants after Fredericton fire
There's been tremendous support for the 110 people displaced in a apartment fire in Fredericton, with members of the community donating clothes and opening their doors.
Toronto
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Charges dropped against construction company in Barrie, Ont. crash that killed 6 young adults
Charges against the company accused of criminal negligence in connection with an August 2022 collision that claimed the lives of six young adults in Barrie have been dropped.
-
3.4M people affected by Ontario pregnancy and newborn care registry data breach
An Ontario government agency that manages data about pregnancy and newborn children in the province says the personal health information of about 3.4 million people was impacted by a data breach.
-
PHOTOS
PHOTOS Stunning show of northern lights captured across Ontario last night
Stargazers in Ontario got quite the show as the northern lights illuminated the skies overnight Sunday.
Montreal
-
RCMP demolish last structure at Quebec's Roxham Road migrant crossing
The last RCMP building is coming down at Roxham Road, which became an unofficial border crossing used by more than 100,000 migrants crossing into Canada from Upstate New York to apply for asylum since 2017.
-
'Show us the money!': N.L. premier says open to hydro deal if Quebec pays up
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said he is open to negotiations with Quebec as long as he is "shown the money."
-
Laval mayor dissatisfied with Quebec government aid on gun violence
"Too little, too late" was how Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer described Quebec's response to gun violence. Boyer made the strong criticisms in front of the media and Public Security Minister François Bonnardel, who had just announced the investment of $20 million to help the municipality.
Ottawa
-
Boy, 3, dies after falling from Ottawa high-rise
A small memorial of stuffed animals and signs sits outside a Donald Street apartment building, where a three-year-old boy died after falling more than 16 storeys on Sunday.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING 'Deeply embarrassing for Canada's Parliament': Rota called to resign over Nazi veteran invite
Tensions flared in the House of Commons on Monday morning over opposition calls for House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to resign after apologizing to the House of Commons for inviting, recognizing and leading the chamber in a standing ovation for a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
-
House Speaker Anthony Rota apologizes after inviting man who fought for Nazis to Parliament
Several Jewish advocacy organizations condemned members of Parliament on Sunday for giving a standing ovation to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Kitchener
-
'I will never stop': Joshua Bennett's mother still seeking answers on two-year anniversary of his murder
Felisha Bennett is holding onto hope that someone will come forward with information on the murder of her 18-year-old son, Joshua Bennett, who was found dead on a Kitchener trail in 2021.
-
Reports of assault with conductive energy weapon in University District leads to arrest
Waterloo regional police have arrested a man after reports of an assault with a conductive energy weapon in the University District Saturday afternoon.
-
Waterloo regional police say they’re 'pleased' following homecoming weekend
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) says they are pleased the majority of people who celebrated homecoming over the weekend did so safely and responsibly.
Northern Ontario
-
Highway 11 closed from North Bay to Marten River
A crash on Highway 11 early Monday morning has closed the road in both directions from North Bay to Marten River, police say.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Toronto man, 20, charged in Timmins apartment shooting, other suspects still at large
A 20-year-old Toronto man is charged with two counts of attempted murder in Timmins after a shooting at a Sixth Avenue apartment Sunday, police say.
-
Wildfire in Pointe au Baril area being held
A wildfire that began beside railway tracks in the Pointe au Baril area Sunday afternoon is being held.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg crash leaves one dead, three injured
A single-car crash in Winnipeg on Sunday night has left one person dead and three others in the hospital
-
Attacks ramp up as parties continue campaigning for Oct. 3 Manitoba election
Manitoba's party leaders stepped up their attacks over the weekend in a bid to gain momentum heading into the final full week of the provincial election campaign.
-
'Everyone deserves to be who they are': Rally for Trans Youth in Winnipeg responds to anti-LGBTQ2S+ protests
Thousands gathered at the Manitoba Legislature Sunday in a massive show of support for Winnipeg's LGBTQ2S+ community.
Vancouver
-
Strong winds expected to batter Metro Vancouver Monday
A special weather statement is in effect for Metro Vancouver due to a fall storm expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain, and residents are being warned to brace for falling branches and potential power outages.
-
BC Ferries cancels sailings due to 'adverse weather'
Four sailings between Metro Vancouver and Victoria were cancelled Monday morning due to 'adverse weather conditions,' according to BC Ferries.
-
'A hero remembered never dies': Memorial honouring fallen police officers held in Victoria
Emotions were raw as hundreds gathered at the B.C. Legislature Sunday afternoon to honour the police officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Vancouver Island
-
Thousands without power, wind warnings remain on Vancouver Island
More than 2,600 BC Hydro customers were without power Monday morning as a fall storm brought heavy winds and rains to the region.
-
Wind warning upgraded for Vancouver Island, B.C. coast as 'significant fall storm' approaches
Wind warnings have been issued for most of Vancouver Island and coastal B.C. as a “significant fall storm” is expected to arrive Sunday night.
-
'A hero remembered never dies': Memorial honouring fallen police officers held in Victoria
Emotions were raw as hundreds gathered at the B.C. Legislature Sunday afternoon to honour the police officers who were killed in the line of duty.
