It was Aug. 3, 2014, when hundreds of thousands of lives changed forever for the Yazidi people living in northern Iraq.

ISIL militants attacked and captured the city of Sinjar and surrounding areas, forcing 50,000 Yazidis to flee to nearby mountains, only to face death by starvation, dehydration and ISIL gunfire.

That month, 7,000 Yazidis were slaughtered in a genocide, while many young women and children were sold into sexual slavery.

Friday afternoon, four years after the genocide began, roughly 100 Yazidi Calgarians who fled the hardship held a demonstration in front of City Hall calling on the Canadian government’s help.

“All these people are ISIL survivors,” said Ghazi Hasso, a member of the Yazidi community who came to Canada after the attacks.

“There’s not a single person here who has not been affected by ISIL. There are many people here that have half of their family missing — their parents, children missing, husband missing, wife missing, all sort of family. These are traumatized people.

“We still have 3,000 or so (Yazidi people) in captivity in the hands of ISIL.”

Demonstrators could be seen carrying photographs of missing loved ones as they marched around City Hall chanting “stop ISIS! Save our women! Stop genocide!”

“You can imagine losing your cat or something. You would worry about it, but people have lost most of their family; you can imagine what they are going through,” Hasso said.

“There’s not a single minute that goes by where we don’t think about the family members lost and our women and children.”

The genocide continues to this day, as hundreds of thousands of Yazidi are displaced in camps and makeshift shelters in northern Iraq.

Shreen Kengo is one of the few lucky enough to escape the war-torn area.

Through a translator, she said her mother, brother and sister were captured. Her mother and sister were recently bought out of the slavery, but they are still uncertain of her brother’s fate.

“ISIS came to our areas and they attacked us because we are Yazidi — either you turn to Islam, or you will die,” she said of the threats the militant group made.

“Many, many people got killed because they refuse to become Muslim. They killed the older women, and any woman not good enough for them to be married or sold into sexual slavery were killed. They sold the young women around nine years old or younger on the market.”

Kengo said she was sold six times over 21/2 years.

“We were sold from one person to another — something you would not do to another human being,” she said.

“You were just considered property. It’s hard for me being alone here — I have no family.”

Hasso urged people who want to help to contact their member of Parliament and request they help in reuniting the Yazidi people with their families.

zlaing@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @zjlaing</s>The family of Taylor Toller, one of three people found slain on Tuesday in Calgary, says she was "a kind a beautiful soul who touched many lives."

Toller's boyfriend, Dustin Duthie, 25, has been charged with second-degree murder in her death, and is also accused of killing his mother and stepfather. All three bodies were found on Tuesday at two separate locations. Cause of death has not been made public.

Police have said little about the homicides pending the release of autopsy results.

Toller's body was found at a condo complex in Applewood Park in the city's southeast late Tuesday morning when police responded to a welfare check call.
• None Calgary man accused of killing girlfriend, then mother and stepfather 6 days later

The bodies of Shawn Boshuck and Alan Pennylegion, Duthie's mother and stepfather, were found at a house in Hidden Valley in northwest Calgary.

Duthie was arrested at one of the scenes and has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder.

"The family of Taylor Toller appreciate the thoughtful expressions of love and support from her friends and loved ones across Calgary and Alberta," said a statement released Thursday.

"She was admired and loved by her siblings, her parents, grandparents and extended family. She had a core group of very supportive friends with whom she was determined to make significant and positive contributions to her community.

"Taylor will continue on in our memory and we will continue her efforts towards community building in her name."

The family also thanked Calgary police for their compassion and asked for privacy to grieve and make memorial arrangements.

It was revealed at an initial court hearing on Wednesday that Duthie is believed to have killed Toller on July 25 and Boshuck and Pennylegion on July 31.

Pennylegion worked as a business development representative for Keurig Canada. The company issued a statement expressing its sadness and remembered Pennylegion as "tenacious, successful and dedicated."

Pennylegion was also a volunteer coach with the junior football Calgary Hilltoppers Football Association, where the president remembered him as a great mentor to the young players.

Boshuck was a well-respected nurse in the Calgary community, friends say.

Duthie is being held at the Rockyview General Hospital and is under a suicide watch, CBC News has learned.

His next court date is set for Aug. 8. He will see a forensic psychologist before that appearance to determine whether a 30-day psychological assessment should be carried out.

Autopsies are now being carried out on the victims' bodies by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.</s>The younger daughter and mother have been discharged, but have been staying at the Alberta Children's Hospital to be by Mehak's side.

Family friends have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the family.

Upinder Minhas, who worked as a consultant for software firm OpenText, was the primary earner and now the family will have to get by on the wife's income. She is an account manager at Ricoh Canada Inc., and says her employer has been supportive and understanding.

Modifications to the family's two-storey home may also be necessary so Mehak can get up and down the stairs.

Proceeds could also eventually go toward experimental therapies for Mehak, as well as toward Mehak and Jupleen's education.

"Upinder came from a very humble background. He always emphasized good education and we want that for both of his daughters," said Singh.

Singh became friends with Upinder and Jasleen Minhas shortly after he and his wife bought a house close to theirs in Calgary eight years ago.

"He was the friendliest person that I met when I came to Canada. He was like a brother to me," said Singh, who came from India a decade ago.

The gravity of the situation has just begun to set in.

"Being back in Calgary brings back some memories which are not the easiest to deal with, memories of Mehar, and many reminders of the life that they had in the home that they are in now. It's extremely challenging and overwhelming," said Singh.

"It's just unimaginable, the psychological trauma that has happened."

Singh said he was touched by the kindness of Texans when a big group of loved ones travelled there from Calgary after the crash.

The Minhas family is Sikh, but there was no house of worship nearby to accommodate funeral services. So an area Hindu temple opened its doors for them to pray.

"It was a display of solidarity which was very exceptional."

Jasleen Minhas said she is grateful the outpouring of support.

"I would just like to say thank you to everybody who's supported us and are there with us at this time," she said through tears. "It's been a very unexpected turn in my life."</s>CALGARY — Calgary city council narrowly passed a motion Monday to explore lowering the voting age in municipal elections from 18 to 16. The motion, introduced by Councillor George Chahal, calls to ask the provincial government about the pros and cons of letting younger teens vote — but the final say on any change will stay with council. The measure passed 7-6 after amendments.

Chahal said 16-year-olds are old enough to work and contribute to the city, and it’s worth considering extending them the opportunity to vote. “A lot of the decisions we make as a municipal government impact our youth, so why not get them involved in engagement?”

Rookie Calgary councillor is pushing a plan to lowering the voting age to 16 Stephen Harper to doorknock for conservatives in spring Alberta election University of Calgary political science assistant professor Jack Lucas said voter turnout in municipal elections among millennials tends to be low, and he expects the same would be true for teens younger than 18. There tends to be lower voter turnout for young people in general, he said, and it’s more pronounced at the municipal level. The voting age in Canada gradually moved from 21 to the current standard of 18, but this could signal further change, he said.

“It may be that this is the beginning of the next step in that downward trend in enfranchisement,” Lucas said. He added it’s also interesting to consider younger people’s opinions about Calgary’s possible Olympic bid — teenagers will be in their mid-20s by the 2026 Olympics, and if Calgary bids for the Games and wins, that will have an impact on their lives in the city.

Chahal said attention on young people driving political action is another factor in why voting should be an option for them, regardless of whether they pay taxes or own property in Calgary. “You notice in the U.S. — Parkland students are really the ones pushing to change policy on gun control. They’re the ones who have really stepped up,” he said. “We just need to really take a good look at this and understand the merits of doing so and make informed decisions ... 18 is just such an arbitrary age.” University of Alberta political science professor Jim Lightbody said the move doesn’t mean much. “This is pandering,” he said. “Those who are making the case for it have to have a compelling case that somehow lowering the voting age will improve the political process at city hall.” A more effective way to get more people involved in municipal politics, he said, would be to make sure political leaders’ positions are clearer and processes at city hall are more transparent. Madeline Smith is a reporter/photographer with StarMetro Calgary. Follow her on Twitter: @meksmith</s>When it comes to buying groceries, Calgarians have a lot of choice. From big-box American chains to local farmers markets, an ever-expanding multitude of entities vies for a share of the local market. Each uses its own tactics to sway shoppers who, with their mighty purchasing power, ultimately decide who wins and loses.

One decisive winner – for the past 62 years – is Calgary Co-op. Formed in 1956 by local farmers, ranchers and producers, the purpose of Co-op was to pool resources in order to buy cheaper. Its first store, located in downtown Calgary, gained approximately 1,000 members in the first year.

Fast forward to today, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America, with $1.2 billion in annual sales and over 460,000 members. Its locations in Calgary and the surrounding communities of Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks and Strathmore include 24 food centres with pharmacies, 28 wine, spirits and beer locations, 30 gas bars, 24 car washes, five commercial card locks and three Home Health Care (HHC) Centres. Calgary Co-op is your local grocery store (since childhood for many), and much, much more.

The basis for this longevity? “We’re founded upon service,” says Ken Keelor, CEO of Calgary Co-op. “Some people might call it old fashioned that we help you carry your groceries out or that we offer you full-service gas at self-service prices, but in a world where a lot of businesses are reducing the amount of service you get, Calgary Co-op has always been about service in every one of our lines of business.”

Keelor knows much about the grocery business, having spent most of his career in it. Originally from India, he moved to Canada in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in physics and an MBA in marketing. After six years with Save-On-Foods in B.C., he moved to Toronto where he spent 10 years with Sobeys and three years with Rexall Pharmacies. He returned to Sobeys after it purchased Safeway, then joined Co-op as CEO in November of 2014.

His pride in Co-op’s level of service is palpable. He credits its people – Co-op’s secret ingredient, he says – with this service. “They’re outstanding,” he raves, “service is in their DNA.” Not only instrumental in day-to-day operations, these 3,850 employees also help determine Co-op’s future at twice yearly sessions conducted by store managers and attended in batches, so that all employees can provide input for Co-op’s strategy.

That Co-op’s team members are local community members is another key part of its success. “We’re created by the local communities for the local communities,” Keelor explains. “We are intimately and always will be intimately familiar with Calgarians because our team lives in these communities. We tend to understand our customer better than anybody else. When Calgary’s not doing well, we know.”

Take, for example, the past three years of recession. “Because we’re so local, we were able to see that there was some challenge ahead so we altered how we focused on our customers,” Keelor explains. “They wanted more value offerings in our stores. So, while we didn’t pull back on our services, we certainly put a dose of value into our merchandising in the stores, into the product mix in our flyers and our promotional activities.” As a result, Co-op did not make significant cuts to its workforce. “We worked through those times as a team.”

Co-op’s team members are fiercely loyal to their employer who, for the second year in a row, was named to Alberta’s Top 70 employers. “We had our service awards yesterday and had a 45-year employee,” Keelor marvels. “We had 220 employees who had 10 years each. We have one gentleman who will celebrate 50 years next year. It’s very rich.”

Today, Keelor says, Co-op is doing well given the state of the economy. “And we’re quite happy in terms of seeds we have planted for the future.” Those seeds include five new gas bars, more grocery and liquor stores, redevelopment of the Brentwood, Dalhousie, North Hill and Oakridge locations, a future cannabis business and expansion of e-commerce options.

Co-op’s grocery business, which occupies approximately 15 per cent of the Calgary market, remains focused on its key pillars. “We’re known for quality, freshness, service, local and community,” says Keelor. “We’re not known for being the cheapest price in the city, but we are known for being the greatest service-value in the city.”

Co-op customers, he continues, are more discerning, desiring local, fresh and organic products.

To meet these desires, Co-op carries hundreds of local products. Recently, it started carrying only Alberta beef. “All of our fresh beef is harvested, produced and packaged in Brooks,” Keelor says proudly. “And the response from our members has been almost immediate – a huge uptick in purchases of beef.” Other local products include Paradise Hill Farm tomatoes and the widest selection (outside of Spolumbo’s store) of Spolumbo’s sausages in Calgary.

Every year, Co-op holds a meet-the-producers event, recently rebranded as “Fresh from the West.” Taking place over four weekends in July and August, local producers and their products are showcased in stores. “It’s kind of a thrill to buy a jam when the producer of the jam is standing right there,” says Keelor.

Freshness is another attribute Co-op is loved for. “Our produce is fresh because our team puts so much TLC into it,” Keelor explains. “But another reason is it’s an upward spiral – our member/owners purchase it faster and we replenish it with other fresh stuff.” He highlights Co-op’s cheese island, with hundreds of varieties of cheeses and highly-knowledgeable team members, as well as the bakery. “I’ve never seen bakery people as passionate as they are at Calgary Co-op.”

Environmental sustainability is a priority for Calgary Co-op, which has undertaken several initiatives in its grocery stores including new coffin freezers with sliding doors, recycling programs and combined heating and power (CHP) units at its Shawnessy and West Springs locations. “It uses the waste from natural gas to heat and power the store,” Keelor explains, “and allows a 20-40 per cent reduction in usage of the grid.”

Under Keelor’s direction, Co-op pharmacies have received a recent update. New blue graphics replaced old hospital-looking white ones, new software and cash registers were installed and more comfortable chairs were added. “We’ve made it more of an oasis,” he says. “Where you feel good and we look after you.”

The Natural Choice department – adjacent to the pharmacies and where natural foods and supplements can be found – is growing. Natural Choice advisers are available in store offering advice to customers.

Co-op’s wine, spirit and beer business is also expanding, and Keelor sees much potential. “We should have many more liquor stores than we do,” he admits. “We’ve grown that business with great care and it’s been very exciting. At its heart is our wide assortment and very knowledgeable and passionate liquor employees.”

Promotional activities, including the twice-yearly “Grape Escape” where many suppliers, including private labels, are highlighted to customers, are important.

The World of Whisky, Co-op’s newest concept liquor store – located downtown in the +15 next to the Calgary Petroleum Club – has been a huge success since opening last year. “They have 700 varieties of scotches and whisky,” Keelor offers. “But it’s really the two employees in that store who make the difference. They can tell you the origins; how to drink them. It’s a very small store, but wow, for World of Whisky, it is amazing!”

Acquired some years ago, Co-op’s HHC line of business is very healthy and in fact has continued to grow every year of the recession. “It’s our most recession-proof business because it’s not about impulse purchases,” Keelor explains. “It’s people with genuine needs who want to trust who they buy from.”

A co-operative at its core (membership costs $1), Calgary Co-op members earn a rebate when they shop at any of the businesses. In February each year, the rebate is sent out in the form of shares and cheques. The total amount rebated has ranged between $31 million and $35 million the last few years. “The longer and more you shop, the larger the cheque,” Keelor smiles.

It is member/owners who make up Co-op’s nine board of directors. “If you spend $3,600 in a year you are eligible to stand for election to our board,” says Keelor. “We’re tightly governed by Calgarians and I experience it every day.” For example, he’s often challenged on how a promising business decision is also good for the community.

“We don’t exist just because we have a business but also because we have a social purpose,” he reiterates. “And our social purpose is to serve Calgarians in a responsible, trustworthy way that contributes to Calgary and the surrounding cities.”

Indeed, Calgary Co-op contributes generously to many charitable causes. The Co-op Charity Golf Classic raises between $290,000 and $300,000 every year for organizations such as the YWCA and Meals on Wheels. “We have lots of supplier participation and all of our store managers come out,” Keelor says.

Another initiative, which occurred this past February, encouraged members to spend their rebate cheques in Co-op stores in support of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter. “If you spent your cheque with us we would contribute our own funds to the women’s shelter,” Keelor explains. “And if you wanted to donate, we would match your donation too.”

Other initiatives include Stuff a Bus for the food bank, Stampede breakfasts throughout the city, Seniors’ Day at Heritage Park and financial support for local community projects.

With an eye to the future, Keelor expects much more competition for Co-op, as well as plenty of opportunity to excel at what it does best. “More and more customers are becoming discerning, whereas in the past it was all about price and you could get by if you were somewhere in the middle. Now we think grocers in the middle will perish. You have to be acutely about price or acutely about the discerning customer who knows what they want.” For Co-op, this will mean offering traceable products that can be purchased through multi-channels (in store or online, for example).

The redeveloped stores (none of which will close during rebuilding) will be better integrated with local streetscapes, featuring more natural lighting, brighter colours, open and community spaces, and rooftop gardens.

Co-op’s cannabis business, still in the early stages, provides another opportunity. “A significant portion of our members are interested in buying cannabis from a safe, trusted and reliable retailer – which we are. So, we take immense pride in being able to build a brand-new business.”

With a social purpose and a solid business, Calgary Co-op’s place in the city is sure. By remaining committed to its original values while also building on them, Co-op has not only survived 62 years, it has thrived in them. It remains Calgary’s grocery store.</s>A body has been found on a rooftop in downtown Calgary, according to EMS.

Emergency crews were notified just after 8 a.m. on Friday of the body in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue S.W.
• MORE CALGARY NEWS | Mother and daughters who survived fatal family crash in Texas back in Calgary to start long, painful recovery
• MORE CALGARY NEWS | German tourist shot in head while driving family west of Calgary
• Read more articles by CBC Calgary, like us on Facebook for updates, and subscribe to our CBC Calgary newsletter for the day's news at a glance​</s>Calgary, Alberta – The Calgary Airport Authority (the Authority) is excited to launch its expanded music program, welcoming guests to Calgary with musical performances from local artists throughout the airport. Working with Calgary-based music organizations, Calgary Folk Fest, Calgary International Blues Festival and the Honens International Piano Competition, YYC Calgary International Airport is showcasing the city’s diverse talent to a global audience.

Starting July 16, musicians will be entertaining guests of YYC Calgary International Airport throughout the domestic and international terminals and the LINK Passenger Shuttle stations to enhance guest experiences. This addition to the airport atmosphere will provide guests with a unique opportunity to discover the musical talent found right here in Calgary.

“We are dedicated to providing guests with memorable experiences at the airport that reflect our city and region,” said Bob Sartor, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “Working with local organizations to launch the in-terminal music program provides us with the opportunity to showcase Calgary’s talent to the world.”

The airport-based music program aligns with the Authority’s newly-announced strategic direction, North Star; a vision focusing on elevating guest experiences through creating effortless and memorable airport experiences that reflect Calgary’s legendary hospitality and the region’s natural beauty.

“By placing our guests at the heart of everything we do, we are striving to captivate visitors to return to the Calgary region,” says Michael Hayward, Vice-President of Marketing and Guest Experience of The Calgary Airport Authority. “Our promise is to create elevated experiences for our guests, and our music program will leave a lasting memory on visitors through YYC for many years to come.”

Kicking off the airport performances are Amelie Patterson, Mariel Buckley and Tory Rosso with the Calgary Folk Fest.

Video assets of the performance and interview clips with Michael Hayward are available upon request.

About the Calgary Airport Authority

 The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. The Calgary Airport Authority is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport and Springbank Airport (YBW). YYC is an important economic engine for the city, region and province, welcoming 16.3 million passengers in 2017, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating billions of GDP per annum in economic activity.</s>CALGARY — A girl who was gravely injured in a Texas highway crash last month that killed her brother, father and grandmother has returned home to Calgary, where she faces a long and difficult recovery.

Mehak Minhas, 10, was flown from Lubbock, Texas, to the Alberta Children’s Hospital on Wednesday. A spinal injury has left her unable to feel or move her legs, and she also fractured her left leg and right arm.

“We are definitely hoping for a good outcome. However, we were told by doctor’s team it is going to be a very long and challenging pathway to recovery. Her injury was quite significant,” said Gurpreet Singh, a close family friend.

Six members of the Minhas family were on a two-week vacation when their minivan and an 18-wheeler collided northwest of Amarillo early on July 14.

Mehak was airlifted to hospital in critical condition. Her eight-year-old sister Jupleen fractured her collarbone. Their mother Jasleen had broken ribs that punctured her lung cavity and suffered extensive bruising.

Singh, a pediatrician in Calgary, has been helping the surviving trio navigate their new day-to-day reality as they grieve their loved ones.

He said it’s too soon to say how much mobility Mehak may regain.

She has begun seeing a physiotherapist and occupational therapist, but intensive rehabilitation will have to wait until her broken limbs heal.

The younger daughter and mother have been discharged, but have been staying at the Alberta Children’s Hospital to be by Mehak’s side.

Family friends have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the family.

Upinder Minhas, who worked as a consultant for software firm OpenText, was the primary earner and now the family will have to get by on the wife’s income. She is an account manager at Ricoh Canada Inc., and says her employer has been supportive and understanding.

Modifications to the family’s two-storey home may also be necessary so Mehak can get up and down the stairs.

Proceeds could also eventually go toward experimental therapies for Mehak, as well as toward Mehak and Jupleen’s education.

“Upinder came from a very humble background. He always emphasized good education and we want that for both of his daughters,” said Singh.

Singh became friends with Upinder and Jasleen Minhas shortly after he and his wife bought a house close to theirs in Calgary eight years ago.

“He was the friendliest person that I met when I came to Canada. He was like a brother to me,” said Singh, who came from India a decade ago.

The gravity of the situation has just begun to set in.

“Being back in Calgary brings back some memories which are not the easiest to deal with, memories of Mehar, and many reminders of the life that they had in the home that they are in now. It’s extremely challenging and overwhelming,” said Singh.

“It’s just unimaginable, the psychological trauma that has happened.”

Singh said he was touched by the kindness of Texans when a big group of loved ones travelled there from Calgary after the crash.

The Minhas family is Sikh, but there was no house of worship nearby to accommodate funeral services. So an area Hindu temple opened its doors for them to pray.

“It was a display of solidarity which was very exceptional.”

Jasleen Minhas said she is grateful the outpouring of support.

“I would just like to say thank you to everybody who’s supported us and are there with us at this time,” she said through tears. “It’s been a very unexpected turn in my life.”</s>One of the province’s top prosecutors is calling it quits after three decades of putting bad guys behind bars.

Crown lawyer Jonathan Hak will be leaving the Calgary prosecution office effective Nov. 15, to pursue a law teaching career full-time. Hak, one of the most respected prosecutors in the province, will continue instructing in the areas of technology law and expert evidence, something he’s been doing on a part-time basis for years.

“I’ve got teaching contracts in five different countries right now,” said Hak, owner of a Masters of Law from Cambridge University.

Hak will be instructing individuals in the legal community in Canada, the U.S., Britain, Singapore and Hong Kong. The organization he works for is negotiating a contract in Kenya as well.

While he has prosecuted some of the most high-profile cases in Calgary, his most memorable one came early in his career. That was the prosecution of Ryan Love, who was charge and ultimately convicted of the second-degree murder of Banff cab driver Lucie Turmel.

Turmel, 23, was murdered on May 17, 1990, in a botched robbery. The case was the first time in Alberta an entire prosecution was based solely on genetic evidence, Hak said.

“I knew it then that this will be the most remarkable case in my career,” said Hak, who prosecuted Love with Crown lawyer Harold Hagglund. “It was the first case in Alberta where the only evidence … against the defendant was DNA evidence.”

He and Hagglund had to go to Ottawa to be specifically trained in the area of DNA technology, which was an emerging science at the time.

“It was the first murder case where DNA was it,” Hak said.

While he has prosecuted numerous homicides and cases involving motor vehicle deaths, two others also stand out.

Daniel Tschetter was convicted of five counts of manslaughter in connection with the deaths of a Calgary couple and three young children after he rammed his cement truck into the back of their car.

Another was Raymond Yellowknee, whom Hak prosecuted in Slave Lake on four charges of impaired driving causing death. Hak successfully had Yellowknee declared a dangerous offender, the only individual to garner such a tag for driving offences. While the trial judge declined to hand Yellowknee an indeterminate sentence, he did order the offender to serve a 20½-year term.

But for Hak, the most memorable part of his prosecutorial career has been dealing with the loved ones left behind.

“I’ve always made it my point to never let the victims be forgotten,” he said.

Hak will remain in Calgary, at least for now, but could soon be splitting his time between Alberta and Holland. His wife, Amy, a forensic scientist, is currently teaching at the International Criminal Court at the Hague, a position which could be extended to a full-time job later this year.

His loss will clearly be felt in the legal community, said veteran members of the criminal bar.

“He’s an excellent lawyer,” defence counsel Alain Hepner said. “We fought it out in court all the time. We were colleagues and we became friends.

“Any member of the public whose family member was a victim would want someone like Jonathan prosecuting.”

Lawyer Kim Ross had nothing but praise for Hak.

“I think it’s going to have a profound effect on the Crown’s office,” Ross said of Hak leaving.

“I think it’s a big loss to the whole community.”</s>They also ask if Calgary should deal with an organisation which has "taken a soft stance against Russia" on doping.

Moran was officially unveiled as the bid's chief executive during an event on Tuesday (July 31) at the Canada Olympic Park, which was built for the last time Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988.

Moran is currently President of Calgary Economic Development and will take a leave of absence from that role when she officially begins her new role on August 13.

It remains uncertain whether the bid will make it to the start line.

First, there is a meeting of Calgary City Council on September 13 to discuss whether they should continue supporting it.

If it survives that, an even greater hurdle remains in the way of Calgary on November 13 when a plebiscite is due to be held asking local citizens "are you for or are you against Calgary hosting the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games?"

NoCalgaryOlympics, the local group set-up to oppose their city's bid, are expected to lobby hard to persuade citizens to vote against it and have already contacted Moran.

"Congratulations on your new role with Calgary2026," they wrote in their letter signed Members of NoCalgaryOlympics

"We’re pleased to welcome you to the conversation.

"Our growing group of Calgarians is eager to hear answers to questions about which we are extremely concerned."

NoCalgaryOlympics add in their letter: "As someone who also loves Calgary, we are confident you share these concerns and will give them due consideration."

The costs of paying for the Games, budgeted last year at CAD$4.6 billion (£2.7 billion/$3.5 billion/€3.1 billion), are a major concern.

"Will you ensure that the citizens of Calgary are not solely responsible for cost overruns, honouring principle #5 approved by City Council on July 31st, 2017 that states: 5.

"'If the IOC wants financial guarantees from the host city, such guarantees must be provided by someone other than the city or be at a level deemed acceptable to the city?'" NoCalgaryOlympics wrote in their letter.

They also want Moran to investigate whether Calgary should align itself with the Olympic Movement following recent controversies.

"Do you have concern for the City of Calgary signing a contractual relationship with the International Olympic Committee?" Moran is asked in the letter.

"How are you evaluating the reputational risk of doing business with an entity that has taken a soft stance against Russia, against doping, and has a history of ethical black marks through its bidding and business processes?"

NoCalgaryOlympics also question whether Moran is best serving the city by leaving her role at Calgary Economic Development, which works to get businesses to invest in the city.

"Is now the time to take your attention away from the objective of diversifying and strengthening Calgary’s economy and onto a three-week event that will not have meaningful impact on downtown office vacancy or permanent, high-paying jobs?" they write to Moran.

"Our Calgary Council has agreed that they will not pursue an Olympic bid if the risks or costs are to great.

"We hope that you make the same commitment as you evaluate a potential bid."
Yazidi demonstrators at Calgary City Hall in Calgary, Alberta call for the Canadian government to help with efforts to reunite family members in Canada who fled the genocide perpetrated by ISIL in 2014 with those still living in Iraq.