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AlbertaSep 18, 2026

Former Alberta MLA Drew Barnes Announces New Federal Party, Alberta Now

Former Alberta Conservative MLA Drew Barnes has announced plans to establish a new federal political party called Alberta Now, aimed at representing Alberta’s interests in Ottawa. Barnes says many Albertans feel they are not receiving adequate representation in Ottawa. The party would operate in a model similar to the Bloc Québécois and plans to field candidates only in Alberta’s 37 federal ridings. According to Barnes, Alberta Now will focus on smaller government, lower taxes, greater choice in government programs, more provincial autonomy and increased provincial control over areas su
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CanadaSep 18, 2026

Canada-India FTA Talks Gain Momentum as Maninder Sidhu Meets Piyush Goyal

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu met with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai on Friday to discuss ongoing negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. The meeting comes at an important stage as Canada and India aim to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year. According to Sidhu and Goyal, both sides reiterated their commitment to finalizing the agreement as soon as possible. The proposed deal is expected to create new opportunities for businesses in both countries in
IndiaSep 18, 2026

Jaggi Johal Granted Bail by Delhi High Court

British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, alias Jaggi Johal, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with seven separate UAPA cases related to targeted killings in Punjab’s Jalandhar and Ludhiana districts. A bench comprising Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order. The High Court had rejected Johal’s bail plea in 2024. The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme Court, which directed the High Court to reconsider the case. Following the fresh hearing, the Delhi High Court granted him bail. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in Punjab in 2017 and h
poilievre-avoids-media-questions-after-conservative-caucus-meeting
CanadaSep 18, 2026

Poilievre avoids media questions after Conservative caucus meeting

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre avoided questions from reporters as the party’s two-day federal caucus meeting wrapped up in Penticton, B.C., ahead of Parliament’s fall session. Poilievre addressed Conservative MPs for about 20 minutes during the retreat. Media were allowed to cover the speech, but he did not take questions or participate in additional photo opportunities during the gathering. He left the meeting without speaking to reporters as Conservative MPs concluded discussions aimed at setting the party’s priorities before Parliament resumes. The meeting came amid reports of
CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
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BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
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BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
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BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre

Just In

AlbertaSep 21, 2026

Alberta Temporarily Changes Voter List Rules After Privacy Breach

Alberta’s government has temporarily changed the rules governing the province’s voter lists following a privacy breach. Under the new policy, the official voter lists provided to political parties will contain only the number of voters in each voting area and municipality. Previously, the lists included registered voters’ names, home addresses, phone numbers and other personal information. Elections Alberta shared the lists with political parties, MLAs and candidates for purposes such as election campaigning and fundraising. The changes follow the public release of a database containing
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BCSep 21, 2026

80-Year-Old Cyclist Killed in Chilliwack Hit-and-Run

An 80-year-old woman riding a bicycle was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Chilliwack on Saturday evening. According to Chilliwack RCMP, the incident occurred around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Portage Avenue and Woodbine Street, where a vehicle struck the cyclist before fleeing the scene. First responders found the woman in critical condition, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later identified and seized the suspect vehicle, described as a dark red Chevrolet Silverado crew cab truck. The driver was arrested but has since been released pending further investigation. RCMP s
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AlbertaSep 21, 2026

UCP Riding Group Calls for Leadership Review of Danielle Smith

A UCP constituency group in Alberta’s Highwood riding has called for a leadership review of Premier Danielle Smith amid growing tensions over the province’s upcoming separation referendum. The dispute comes ahead of the October 19 referendum on whether Alberta should remain part of Canada. Smith has clearly stated that she supports a united Canada with a more autonomous Alberta and is campaigning for the province to remain in Canada. Her position has angered separatist groups. Alberta Prosperity Project leader Mitch Sylvester and other separatist figures have accused Smith of dividing the
BCSep 21, 2026

Six Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Vancouver’s Granville Bridge

Six people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on Vancouver’s Granville Street Bridge Sunday evening. Police said the collision happened at around 5 p.m. and involved a tow truck, a TransLink bus and two cars. Dashcam footage shared on social media appears to show a flatbed truck crossing the median and travelling in the wrong direction before the crash. Of the six people taken to hospital, one suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while the other five sustained minor injuries. The Granville Street Bridge reopened to traffic at around 10:30 p.m. Police continue to investigate
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BCSep 21, 2026

BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay Resigns Amid Internal Party Turmoil

BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay Resigns Amid Internal Party Turmoil BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned from her position amid growing internal divisions and opposition within the party, less than four months after taking over as leader. In a statement posted on social media, Findlay acknowledged that the party’s energy was being spent on internal disputes instead of challenging the governing NDP. She said she made the decision in the interest of the province. Following her resignation, the party’s board of directors appointed MLA Lorne Doerkson as interim le