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AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Alberta court pauses referendum petition process tied to separation effort

An Alberta court has ordered a temporary halt to key steps in a citizen-led petition campaign seeking to advance a referendum on the province separating from Canada. In a written decision released Friday, Justice Shaina Leonard said petition organizers may continue collecting signatures. However, Elections Alberta is barred from verifying those signatures or forwarding the matter to Premier Danielle Smith’s government while the case is under review. According to the court decision, the pause follows a legal challenge filed by several First Nations. Their lawyers argue that Alberta’s citize
AlbertaApr 10, 2026

Calgary Stampede chuckwagon tarp auction raises record $6.1M ahead of 2026 festival

The Calgary Stampede’s annual chuckwagon tarp auction generated a record $6.1 million in sponsorship bids, according to event organizers, marking a significant increase of about $2 million from the previous year. The funds secure advertising partnerships for 27 drivers competing in the Rangeland Derby, one of the festival’s signature events. This year’s Calgary Stampede is scheduled to begin July 3. The highest bid reached $550,000, placed by Bar L5 Ranch for driver Rae Croteau Jr., organizers said following the Thursday evening auction. The annual auction allows corporate sponsors, many
AlbertaApr 10, 2026

Alberta nurses union calls for weapons screening, more officers after hospital stabbing

The president of the United Nurses of Alberta says weapons screening systems and more protective services officers are urgently needed in Alberta hospitals, citing what she describes as near-daily threats of violence against frontline staff. Heather Smith made the call following a stabbing last week in the emergency department at Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital. According to hospital officials, a 42-year-old man was treated for life-threatening injuries after the incident. In a statement after the attack, Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones said the province is work
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Edmonton man charged with human trafficking offences involving five women, police say

Police in Edmonton say a 47-year-old man is facing multiple human trafficking-related charges following an investigation involving five women. According to a release from ALERT Edmonton’s Human Trafficking unit, Jonathan Allard was arrested March 26 and is charged with 26 Criminal Code offences, including trafficking in persons, forcible confinement and assault. Investigators say the case began in June after one of the alleged victims contacted police seeking help. She told officers she had been recruited through social media to move to Edmonton, where she was allegedly forced into the sex t
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Alberta defence lawyers call for probe into Edmonton police chief over manslaughter case comments

A group representing criminal defence lawyers in Alberta is calling for an independent investigation into Warren Driechel and the Edmonton Police Service’s top lawyer, Megan Hankowich, over public comments tied to a recent manslaughter case. The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says the statements may warrant a third-party review to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred. The group is asking Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery to direct the province’s Police Review Commission to assess whether there are grounds for charges, including intimidation or obstruction of justice. Ac
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

First Nation chief challenges Alberta separation petition in court, citing treaty rights

The chief of a First Nation seeking a court injunction against a citizen-led petition on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada says legal action was necessary to defend treaty rights. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation said the constitutional challenge targets the province’s citizen-initiated referendum process, which he argues could affect First Nations without proper consultation. According to statements made at the start of the hearing, Sunshine said the case is about ensuring treaty obligations are upheld. A court hearing began Tuesday and is expected to include a
AlbertaApr 07, 2026

Late-season Alberta clipper to bring snow across Prairies, Environment Canada says

Environment Canada says a late-season Alberta clipper is expected to bring snowfall to parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba through Tuesday and into Wednesday. According to an Environment Canada weather statement, heavy snow is forecast in Alberta from Peace River toward Cold Lake, as well as between Banff and Jasper, beginning overnight and continuing into Wednesday morning. In Saskatchewan, the agency says snowfall is expected to develop across central regions of the province on Tuesday and persist into Wednesday. Manitoba is expected to see some of the highest accumulations, with 15
first-nation-seeks-court-injunction-to-halt-alberta-separation-petition
FeaturedApr 07, 2026

First Nation seeks court injunction to halt Alberta separation petition

An Alberta First Nation is in court Tuesday seeking an injunction to stop a citizen-led petition campaign advocating for the province to leave Canada. The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has filed an application in the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton, asking a judge to suspend the campaign while legal questions over treaty rights are addressed. According to the court filing, the First Nation argues that any move toward Alberta’s separation from Canada would require the consent of First Nations under existing treaties. The application alleges that the governments of Alberta and Canada, along wi
lethbridge-police-seek-suspect-driver-in-hit-and-run-investigation
AlbertaApr 06, 2026

Lethbridge police seek suspect driver in hit-and-run investigation

Lethbridge Police Service says it is seeking the public’s help to identify a driver involved in a hit-and-run that damaged a parked vehicle. According to a police release, the incident occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on March 24 in the 900 block of 18 Street North. Investigators say a vehicle struck a parked white SUV and left the scene without stopping. Police confirmed the SUV sustained significant damage. No injuries have been reported. Based on debris recovered at the scene, officers have identified the suspect vehicle as a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. The investigation remains ongoing.

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death-toll-from-venezuela-earthquakes-rises-to-589-as-international-rescue-efforts-intensify
WorldJun 26, 2026

Death Toll from Venezuela Earthquakes Rises to 589 as International Rescue Efforts Intensify

International rescue teams have ramped up search operations for people trapped under the rubble following two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on Wednesday. Authorities say the death toll has risen to 589, while nearly 3,000 people have been injured. Several countries across the Americas, including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba and the United States, along with the United Nations, have continued to send rescue teams and humanitarian aid to assist with relief efforts. Venezuela's Health Minister, Carlos Alvarado, said the country's hospitals
b-c-premier-david-eby-cuts-china-trade-trip-short-amid-pipeline-debate
BCJun 26, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby cuts China trade trip short amid pipeline debate

British Columbia Premier David Eby has shortened his trade mission to China from a week-long visit to just three days. The trip was originally scheduled to run from June 27 to July 3. The decision comes as Alberta is expected to formally apply for federal approval of a new oil pipeline on July 1. Eby has consistently opposed the proposed pipeline project. However, speaking to reporters on Thursday, Eby said the shortened trip has nothing to do with the pipeline issue. He explained that B.C. has a pending memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the federal government, and Ottawa has asked him to
calgary-police-officer-suspended-with-pay-after-assault-charge-tied-to-2025-arrest
AlbertaJun 26, 2026

Calgary police officer suspended with pay after assault charge tied to 2025 arrest

A Calgary Police Service officer has been suspended with pay after being charged with assault in connection with an arrest that took place in May 2025. In a news release issued Friday, the service said a complainant alleged that an officer used excessive force during the arrest by "striking them multiple times with a closed fist." Police identified the accused officer as Const. Imran Khan, who faces one count of assault. The service said Khan's employment status is under review and confirmed he has been a member of the Calgary Police Service for six years. The allegation has not been proven in
CanadaJun 26, 2026

CBSA issues dozens of removal orders in GTA amid extortion-related immigration investigations

The Canada Border Services Agency says it has issued removal orders against dozens of people in the Greater Toronto Area following immigration investigations into individuals with possible links to extortion-related activities. According to the CBSA, the investigations began in August last year in the Pacific and Prairie regions and were expanded to the Greater Toronto Area in November. The agency said the initiative was carried out with support from local police services, intelligence agencies and public tips. The CBSA said nearly 200 immigration investigations were launched in the Toronto ar
new-charges-laid-against-two-men-in-surrey-extortion-and-shooting-case
BCJun 25, 2026

New Charges Laid Against Two Men in Surrey Extortion and Shooting Case

Surrey Police have laid additional charges against 20-year-old Harshdeep Singh and 21-year-old Hanspreet Singh in connection with an extortion and shooting investigation. The new charges include discharging a firearm and possessing a loaded weapon. The two men were arrested on January 26 shortly after shots were fired at a home near 129 Street and 84 Avenue in Surrey. Officers conducting patrols under the Surrey Police Service's Project Assurance program spotted and stopped a suspicious vehicle in the area and arrested the two suspects. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a loaded ha