ADAP criticism, record rainfall: The week’s top news stories

One Alberta man who’s done the math says he can and wants to work, but it’s financially impossible for him to be better off on ADAP.

These are the stories that dominated Edmontonians’ interest this week.

AISH recipient criticizes ADAP

A man with disabilities says he can and wants to work, but that he won’t be able to get ahead on the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which replaced the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) on July 1.

Separatist petition to begin verification process

A justice at the Alberta Court of Appeals has decided Elections Alberta should begin verifying a petition with some 300,000 signatures for Alberta to separate from the country.

“We think it’s a great day in Alberta for democracy,” said Jeffery Rath, a lawyer for Stay Free Alberta, on Monday when the ruling was announced.

June breaks rain record

With June’s rain total breaching 260 millimetres – the wettest June in Edmonton’s recorded history – golf courses throughout the region are dealing with flooding and oversaturation. Some have needed to close holes, while others are draining their greens.

Flooding also continued to impact roads in several areas, including 137 Avenue in northwest Edmonton, roads near Old Man Creek in Strathcona County, and Highway 21 north of Sherwood Park.

In St. Albert, people have been warned to avoid the Sturgeon River’s banks due to high water levels and low-area trail closures.

Several stores say they have sold out bug repellent because of the increase in mosquitos.

‘Get out of the way’: Poilievre to Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Thursday a plan to run a new pipeline along an existing one to the B.C. coast to get more oil to Asia. Ahead of the anticipated announcement, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carney needs to “get out of the way and permit all proposals."