News Update #5 – July 17, 2025 Rising Cost of Living, Osoyoos Wildfire, Grieg Seafood Exit, Batten Disease Funding

A comprehensive daily news digest covering multiple significant events across Canada. Key updates include a wildfire sparked by a lawnmower in Osoyoos, preparations for wildfire smoke threats at the National Bank Open, complications in the Jasper wildfire response, growth of the Wanuskewin bison herd, a global carbon capture event in Regina, historical sexual assault charges in Calgary, a spike in e-scooter hospitalizations, reconsideration of Batten disease funding in B.C., restrictions on diabetes drugs for weight loss, measles wastewater testing in Alberta, a road rage shooting sentencing in Nanaimo, a workplace explosion in Calgary, a distraction theft in Waterloo, a pedestrian collision in Windsor, Grieg Seafood's exit from Canada, Couche-Tard withdrawing a major bid, rising cost of living and debt in Canada, and diminishing playoff hopes for the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

1. 1 2013: Historical sexual assault case in Calgary occurred.
2. 2 February 2023: Nanaimo road rage incident.
3. 3 2023: Semaglutide (Ozempic) sales restricted in B.C.
4. 4 Late 2024: Victim reported historical sexual assault case in Calgary.
5. 5 2019: Wanuskewin bison herd reintroduction began with 11 bison.
6. 6 Thursday (July 17, 2025): Osoyoos wildfire sparked, Calgary workplace explosion, Waterloo distraction theft.
7. 7 Currently: Wanuskewin bison herd grown to over 50.
8. 8 Currently: E-scooter hospitalizations increased 32% year-over-year.
9. 9 Currently: Alberta has surpassed the entire United States in lab-confirmed measles cases.
10. 10 Currently: Average unsecured debt for individuals jumped 30% in two years.
11. 11 Currently: Almost 45% of visitors to Manitoba Harvest food bank have a job.
12. 12 Currently: Saskatchewan Rattlers season record is 4-13.
13. 13 2029: Impending shutdown of B.C.'s open net-pen salmon farms.

• Wildfire damage to a home and vehicles in Osoyoos.
• National Bank Open organizers preparing contingency plans for wildfire smoke.
• Alberta government involvement complicated Jasper wildfire response.
• Positive ecological impact and biodiversity increase from Wanuskewin bison herd growth.
• Global collaboration on carbon capture technologies at University of Regina event.
• Charges laid in a historical sexual assault case in Calgary.
• 32% year-over-year increase in e-scooter related hospitalizations across Canada.
• BC Premier David Eby reconsidering Batten disease treatment funding for Charleigh Pollock.
• Restrictions on sales of Type 2 diabetes drugs for weight loss in B.C. to preserve supply.
• Exploration of wastewater testing for measles in Alberta facing funding shortages.
• Reza Rahiman sentenced to five-and-a-half years for Nanaimo road rage shooting.
• Man sustained life-threatening injuries in Calgary workplace explosion.
• Jewelry stolen in Waterloo distraction theft.
• Two women hospitalized, one with life-threatening injuries, in Windsor pedestrian collision.
• Grieg Seafood exits Canada in a billion-dollar deal with Cermaq, influenced by B.C. salmon farm shutdown.
• Couche-Tard withdraws US$46 billion bid for Seven & i Holdings, shares jump 8%.
• Canadians increasingly struggling with rising cost of living and debt, leading to greater credit card reliance and increased food bank use.
• Saskatchewan Rattlers' playoff hopes diminish after loss to Calgary Surge.