Alberta is seeing a significant rise in influenza cases well before the official flu season begins. As of October 11, the province had recorded 366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, compared with just 42 during the same period last year. Hospitalizations have also increased, with nearly 300 Albertans hospitalized due to influenza since August. Among them, 26 patients, including two young children, have required intensive care. Five people have died from influenza since August, including four in the Calgary zone. Flu vaccines became available to the general public on October 19. So far, approxima

At least four Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli strikes and shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. According to Gaza health officials, two people were killed in an attack on a car in Gaza City. A Palestinian cyclist was killed in an attack in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, while a woman died in gunfire near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incidents. Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by rearming and carrying out attacks. Hamas has rejected the allegations, accusing Israel of undermining the

Air Canada has announced plans to gradually discontinue several U.S. routes, including all direct flights to South Carolina, citing declining passenger demand and rising operating costs. Starting in 2027, the airline will cancel services on five routes, including flights from Vancouver to Nashville and Raleigh-Durham, as well as Toronto Pearson to Charleston. The decision is expected to affect Canadian “snowbirds” who travel to South Carolina during the winter months. The Toronto–Charleston route was the only direct flight connecting Canada to the city. Air Canada said it is adjusting it

Nearly 70% of Vancouver voters supported banning the open use of drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces, according to a non-binding question included alongside the municipal election ballot. Meanwhile, 68% supported urging the provincial government to build a secure medical facility with more than 100 beds at the site of the former St. Paul’s Hospital for patients struggling with severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Both questions were added to the ballot at the request of former Mayor Ken Sim. However, newly elected Mayor Pete Fry describ

A majority of voters across Alberta supported remaining in Canada in the recent referendum. However, two provincial ridings showed majority support for moving forward with the process toward a second referendum on separation. According to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, only two of the province’s 87 electoral districts recorded majority support for advancing the process. In Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, located north of Calgary, 51.1 per cent of voters supported the move, while 50.5 per cent in Central Peace-Notley in northwestern Alberta backed further steps toward another

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says the city has allocated $23 million to prepare industrial land for development, making it easier for builders to establish infrastructure and get projects up and running faster. The initiative is expected to attract new investment, create jobs and increase tax revenue. Under the program, the city will spend $9 million in 2029 and $14 million in 2030. The funding will support 10 of the 33 industrial projects, with an additional $6.7 million in tax revenue expected beginning in 2030. Knack said economic development is one of the four key priorities of the city's e

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has issued a 15-day ultimatum to Cleveland-Cliffs, the U.S. parent company of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco, demanding that it reinstate approximately 500 laid-off workers or face legal action. The federal government says Cleveland-Cliffs agreed not to carry out layoffs in Canada until 2029 when it acquired Stelco in 2024. However, the company has defended the job cuts by citing tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian steel. Joly has warned that the government could take the matter to court, potentially forcing Cleveland-Cliffs t

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed astronaut Jeremy Hansen as the government’s special adviser on space, as Canada looks to expand its space partnerships with Europe amid growing tensions with the United States. Hansen made history in April by becoming the first Canadian to travel farther into space than any other Canadian during NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. In his new role, he will advise Carney and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on Canada’s space strategy. Hansen expressed his excitement on social media, saying he looks forward to working with the governme

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has denied allegations of interfering in U.S. elections, saying it has become clear that Canada’s relationship with the United States has changed forever. Ford stressed that regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections or who occupies the White House in the future, relations between the two countries will never return to what they once were. He said Canada must prepare accordingly. A fact sheet released by the U.S. Assembly on Wednesday alleged that Ford had specifically urged Prime Minister Mark Carney in August 2026 to impose retaliatory tariff