Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has resigned from cabinet amid speculation he will run for the vacant position of Speaker of the house. Premier Danielle Smith says she's grateful for McIver's commitment and hard work in serving Albertans. She says Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver's portfolio on an interim basis. McIver served as municipal affairs minister under two premiers and had previous experience as transportation minister, infrastructure minister and jobs minister. He was first elected to the legislative assembly in 2012 after more than a de

It will soon be difficult for defendants charged with car theft and human trafficking to get bail in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today that his government is going to tighten the Criminal Code to make it difficult for defendants charged with car theft and human trafficking to get bail. Along with this, PM Carney also said that the first meeting of his cabinet will be held tomorrow. He also reiterated that income tax cuts for the middle class will be implemented from Canada Day.

A ban on open fires will take effect in BC’s Kamloops Fire Centre area starting May 16. This means that trash piles, grass or other similar materials cannot be burned in the open. Municipalities follow the BC Wildfire Service’s restrictions but can impose different restrictions based on local conditions. Anyone found violating the open fire ban can be fined $1,150, up to $10,000 depending on the offence. If convicted in court, the fine can be up to $100,000 and a year in prison. If an open fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible can be ordered to extinguish the

A patient threatened staff members with a gun at Burnaby Hospital on Friday night, prompting the BC Hospital Employees Union to issue a warning. According to the union, the incident occurred due to a lack of security guards. Although no one was injured during the incident, the safety of the staff has become a matter of concern. The union says that along with the recruitment of doctors and nurses in the province, it is also necessary to recruit security guards. They said that such incidents have occurred in many hospitals in this area, due to which the staff is worried about their safety.

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking steps against terrorism in Pakistan. He said in a social media post that while I congratulate the countrymen, especially our armed forces, for giving a crushing defeat to the insurgents and their supporters in Pakistan. At the same time, I praise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for handling the entire situation diplomatically like a state leader. Along with this, Sukhbir Singh Badal said that I condemn some opportunistic political opponents who have never suffered the pain of war them

21 people have died after consuming poisonous liquor in Majitha area of Amritsar district in Punjab, while the condition of 9 people remains critical and they are undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Amritsar. The condition of 4 is so serious that they are not able to speak. The police have arrested 9 people so far on the charge of selling poisonous liquor. Apart from this, SHO Avtar Singh and DSP Amolak Singh of Majitha police station have been suspended. CM Mann also reached Majitha in the afternoon. He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased.

B.C.’s Pattulo Bridge is being completely closed over the long weekend. It will take effect at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 16, and will reopen at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Fraser Crossing Partners said in a notice that roadworks will be underway, which will cause the bridge to be closed. Drivers are being advised to take the Port Man or Alex Fraser Bridges during this time. The N-19 night bus route will also be rerouted, so commuters may face delays of up to half an hour. However, cyclists and pedestrians will not be affected. Officials say it will be closed for the duration of the repairs. A n

The new government of Prime Minister Mark Carney was formed in Canada on Tuesday. Governor General Mary Simon today swore in the new ministers and the ministers whose portfolios have changed at Rideau Hall. Carney's new cabinet now has 28 ministers. Of these, 13 are first-time MPs and in addition, 10 junior ministers have been made. Melanie Jolly's portfolio has been changed from Foreign Affairs to Industry Minister and Anita Anand will now be Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dominique LeBlanc has been given the responsibility of Canada-US Trade Minister. At the same time, among the ne

Emergency crews responding to an out-of-control wildfire north of Edmonton say they are getting plans ready for residents to return home. Officials from Sturgeon County have said the more than 32-square-kilometre blaze started earlier this month when an all-terrain vehicle caught fire after an apparent electrical or mechanical failure. Dozens of homes were evacuated, and the county says responders are preparing to let residents return as soon as they deem the situation safe enough to do so. Until then, residents and the general public are being reminded to stay away from the evacuati