The general manager of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has received global recognition for his leadership during last year’s wildfire that threatened the landmark mountain resort. Garrett Turta was named Hotelier of the Year by Historic Hotels Worldwide, an international organization that recognizes excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. The group described the award as its highest individual honour. Turta said he was shocked to learn he had been selected. He was overseeing operations in late July 2024 when the wildfire advanced toward the property. As about 2,500 guests and staff

Premier Danielle Smith says her government has no current plans to change Alberta’s recall legislation, even as two petitions to remove sitting United Conservative Party members have been approved by Elections Alberta. Speaking to reporters, Smith said she is concerned that some recall efforts may be politically motivated rather than genuine attempts to hold elected officials accountable. She suggested the process may be used to undermine her government rather than serve its intended democratic purpose. The premier confirmed that no legislative amendments are being considered “at the momen

The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal from the owners of a British Columbia ostrich farm challenging a federal order to destroy hundreds of their birds following an avian flu outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) directed the cull on December 31, 2024, after detecting the virus on the property near Edgewood in B.C.’s southern Interior. The farm owners sought to overturn the order, arguing that the surviving ostriches showed no symptoms of infection and should not be euthanized. Federal officials maintained that even apparently healthy birds can carry and tr

The fate of more than 300 ostriches in British Columbia’s southern Interior could be decided within days, as the Supreme Court of Canada prepares to rule on whether it will hear a final appeal from Universal Ostrich Farms. The Edgewood-based operation has spent nearly a year fighting a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) order to cull its flock following an avian influenza outbreak last December. The farm has already lost two earlier legal battles in Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. In September, the Supreme Court temporarily halted the cull while it considered whether to he

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has reportedly received a death threat from gangster Harvinder Singh Rinda, believed to be operating from Pakistan. Sources say the threat surfaced following Warring’s remarks about former Union home minister Buta Singh. According to police officials, the message warned Warring to stay away from political campaigning until November 11 – the date of polling for the Tarn Taran assembly by-election. A similar threat was also received by Congress leader Rajvir Singh Bhullar. Police have registered a case and enhanced security arrangements

A heated exchange took place in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today during the hearing of former minister Bikram Singh Majithia’s bail petition. The Punjab Advocate General, appearing for the state government, sought two days’ time to file a response, but the court made it clear that the matter would be heard the same day. Majithia’s counsel argued that since the charge sheet has already been filed, there was no justification for the government to continue opposing bail. The defence pointed out that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed an investigation report in a related NDPS mat

A west Edmonton home that police say was the source of frequent criminal activity has been shut down by Alberta Sheriffs following months of neighbourhood complaints and more than 40 police visits. The province confirmed Thursday that the residence at 15812 110A Avenue Northwest has been closed for 90 days, until February 3, 2026, under Alberta’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act. All occupants, including the property owner, have been ordered to leave while the building is boarded up, fenced and secured. Officials say residents in the area had long reported suspicious behaviour

Richmond RCMP say 15 people were arrested during a single-day operation aimed at curbing retail theft in the city’s downtown core. The targeted enforcement took place on October 18 as part of the detachment’s ongoing “Boost and Bust” initiative. Police say most of those arrested were from outside the Richmond area, and one person was taken into custody twice at separate locations. Two of the suspects were youth. Officers recovered more than $5,000 worth of stolen goods during the operation. The “Boost and Bust” initiative is partly funded by the provincial Community Safety and Targ

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Vardev Singh Mann, widely known as Noni Mann, has been arrested in connection with a violent clash that broke out last year during the nomination process for panchayat elections in Jalalabad, Fazilka district. The incident took place outside the office of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer. Police said Mann, who has previously contested twice for the Punjab Assembly from the Guru Har Sahai constituency on an SAD ticket, was taken into custody from the Sangrur area on Wednesday morning. Jalalabad City Station House Officer Angrej Kumar confirmed the arr