Alberta RCMP say they have arrested and charged a Calgary man who, it was later determined, had been the focus of a ``catch a predator'' sting operation hatched by a group of youngsters. Mounties say the situation came to light in Airdrie on Monday night when a 12-year-old boy was abducted in a car only to escape at a stoplight and call police. The suspect, a 37-year-old, refused to stop for police and was later arrested at a Calgary residence. Subsequently, police said they learned the suspect had been targeted by at least seven youths in a ``catch a predator'' scheme. The you

The Manitoba government has signed a 30-million-dollar contract with the Canadian Red Cross for evacuee support and other services related to this year's wildfires. The recently disclosed contract is the first glimpse into the cost of this year's wildfire season, which provincial officials say is the most severe in at least 30 years. Finance Minister Adrien Sala (SAH'-lah) says it's still too early to estimate a final cost, and the government is committed to supporting people who need help. The Red Cross contract alone is worth more than half of the 50-million dollars the N-D-P gover

Alberta's government says it will cover the costof COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers in a partial policy reversal. It comes two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for COVID-19 shots this fall. Public health experts and health-care unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace. Premier Danielle Smith has said the aim of the new policy is to prevent wastage, after some $135 million was spent on unused doses. The government hasn't finalized how much other Alb

More than 100 young cricketers and young children eager to learn the ropes of the game gathered at West Newton Community Park in Surrey this past Saturday during a free one-day cricket clinic. The occasion was special as former England international cricketer Liam Plunkett was present to provide training to these cricket learners. He was accompanied by South African-American cricketer Corné Dry, as well as international player of the Canadian women's cricket team Mannat Hundal. The Young Wickets program in Canada was launched by TD Bank with the aim of contributing to the growth of the game

WestJet says some personal data including information about travel documents such as passports was stolen in a cyberattack earlier this year, but credit and debit card numbers as well as user passwords were not compromised. In a note to customers, WestJet says the personal information taken varies from person to person but may include name, date of birth, eΓÇæmail address, mailing address, phone number, gender and recent travel booking history including travel booking numbers. It says the stolen data may also include information about the travel documents used by passengers when

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canadians, including British Columbians, want a new oil pipeline and Premier David Eby can't be allowed as one man to block the project. Poilievre says the country can't wait for complete agreement on the idea, calling it a "basic fact" that a new pipeline is needed. Eby has repeatedly said there's no point discussing or supporting a pipeline that is being pushed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and others, until there is a proponent for such a project. Poilievre, speaking in Calgary, says that's a "chicken and egg problem," because the reason there's

Police have identified the remains of a Calgary man who disappeared 2 1/2 years ago and are investigating his death as a homicide. The remains were discovered in May 2024 at an undisclosed location outside Calgary. Robert Stanley Mainland was last seen in January 2023 at a 7-Eleven convenience store. He was 65 at the time of his disappearance and had lived in the same northeast Calgary neighbourhood for over 40 years. Police say they believe Mainland was the victim of foul play. They're asking members of the public to come forward with information to help with the investigation.

One person was seriously injured after a small plane crashed on a private airstrip in central Alberta. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the two-seater was flying Tuesday from Wetaskiwin to Linden, a town about 100 kilometres northeast of Calgary. The agency says the plane was approaching the rural airstrip when its fixed landing gear hit a fence and flipped. RCMP say two 82-year-old men were on board. They say one was airlifted to hospital in serious condition and the other was taken by ground ambulance with minor injuries. The safety board did not send investiga

A potential referendum question on separating from Canada has been referred to a judge to confirm it doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to whether people agree with Alberta becoming its own country. Alberta's chief electoral officer says provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The question was submitted earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre with the Alberta Prosperity Project, which has been touring the province to promote inde