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AlbertaDec 31, 2025

Water main break in northwest Calgary strands drivers, prompts new water restrictions

Calgary residents are facing renewed water restrictions after a major water main break overnight flooded a busy northwest interchange, trapping vehicles and forcing emergency rescues. The rupture occurred near the intersection of 16th Avenue NW and Sarcee Trail, close to Canada Olympic Park, an area that serves as a key commuter route. Fire crews were called in to rescue 13 people from vehicles surrounded by freezing water as the break sent water rushing across the roadway. Police closed the interchange, and city officials say the road will remain shut while crews assess damage and begin repai
rcmp-union-challenges-alberta-panel-report-advocating-mountie-replacement
AlbertaDec 30, 2025

RCMP union challenges Alberta panel report advocating Mountie replacement

The head of the national RCMP union is criticizing a provincial panel report that recommends Alberta continue efforts to replace the Mounties with a provincial police force. Brian Sauve, president of the National Police Federation, described the Alberta Next panel’s report as “misleading,” saying it relies on outdated references and misinterpreted federal policies to support its conclusions. He added the panel appears to be reviving a proposal that Albertans have already rejected in past consultations. The Alberta Next Panel, established and chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, was tasked
smith-says-alberta-health-overhaul-groundwork-finished-results-to-be-tested-in-2026
AlbertaDec 30, 2025

Smith says Alberta health overhaul groundwork finished, results to be tested in 2026

Premier Danielle Smith says 2025 marked a turning point for Alberta’s sweeping health-care overhaul, with the legal framework for the province’s new system now firmly in place. She says the coming year will be focused on showing Albertans whether the changes deliver measurable improvements. Smith said her government believes the restructuring will lead to better patient outcomes after years of strain on the health system. Alberta is in the process of replacing Alberta Health Services as a single province-wide provider with four separate organizations responsible for acute care, primary car
man-charged-with-second-degree-murder-after-couple-killed-on-rural-northern-alberta-road
AlbertaDec 29, 2025

Man charged with second-degree murder after couple killed on rural northern Alberta road

RCMP in northern Alberta have charged a 42-year-old man with two counts of second-degree murder following a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of a married couple on a rural road near Grande Prairie. Police say officers were called early Saturday to reports of an active shooting near the intersection of Range Road 35 and Township Road 730, north of Grande Prairie. When officers arrived, they found David Lagace, 54, and his wife Michelle Lagace, 44, dead beside their vehicle. Investigators identified Curtis Phillip Halladay as the suspect later that day. RCMP say Halladay was known to the co
three-new-alberta-recall-petitions-target-mlas-as-total-climbs-to-26
AlbertaDec 23, 2025

Three new Alberta recall petitions target MLAs as total climbs to 26

Elections Alberta has approved three additional recall petitions against sitting members of the provincial legislature, bringing the total number of active recall efforts across the province to 26. The latest petitions target two United Conservative Party backbenchers, Ron Wiebe and Justin Wright, along with Opposition New Democrat MLA Peggy Wright, who serves as the party’s labour critic. With the new approvals, 24 of the 26 active petitions are aimed at UCP politicians, representing more than half of Premier Danielle Smith’s 47-member caucus. Petitioners seeking the removal of Wiebe and
alberta-election-agency-approves-proposed-separation-referendum-question
AlbertaDec 23, 2025

Alberta election agency approves proposed separation referendum question

Alberta’s election authority has approved a proposed referendum question that would ask voters whether the province should separate from Canada and become an independent country. Elections Alberta confirmed the question meets the technical requirements under provincial legislation. The wording asks voters whether they agree that Alberta should cease to be part of Canada in order to become an independent state. The application was submitted by the Alberta Prosperity Project, an organization that advocates for increased provincial autonomy and independence. The group now has until early Januar
AlbertaDec 19, 2025

Alberta plans 2026 pilot to raise speed limits on select rural highways

The Alberta government says it will move ahead in 2026 with a pilot project that would increase speed limits to 120 kilometres per hour on certain rural divided highways across the province. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the decision follows public feedback gathered through an online survey earlier this fall, when the province asked Albertans whether speed limits should be raised on divided highways. According to the government, about 59,000 people responded, with 68 per cent expressing support for higher limits. Currently, many rural divided highways in Alberta are capped at 110
elections-alberta-approves-citizen-recall-petition-for-justice-minister-mickey-amery
AlbertaDec 17, 2025

Elections Alberta approves citizen recall petition for Justice Minister Mickey Amery

Elections Alberta has authorized a citizen-initiated recall petition targeting Justice Minister Mickey Amery in the Calgary-Cross riding. The move allows constituents to formally petition for his removal from office. The petition claims Amery has been unresponsive to local concerns and supports policies viewed by some constituents as harmful. Amery, a member of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus, said he remains focused on serving the people of his riding. Amery emphasized that recall legislation is intended for cases of serious ethical violations rather than dis
AlbertaDec 17, 2025

AIMCo board names Ray Gilmour as permanent chief executive

The board of directors of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation has confirmed Ray Gilmour as the organization’s new chief executive officer, formalizing a role he has held on an interim basis for the past year. AIMCo oversees more than $179 billion in assets, managing pension and investment funds on behalf of public sector workers and government entities across Alberta. Its portfolio includes retirement savings for teachers, health care workers and other public employees, making its leadership decisions significant for thousands of Albertans. Gilmour stepped into the interim CEO role

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surrey-medical-school-welcomes-first-class-as-b-c-expands-family-doctor-training
BCAug 05, 2026

SFU Medical School Welcomes First 48 Students to Address B.C.'s Doctor Shortage

Simon Fraser University's new medical school in Surrey, B.C., has officially welcomed its first class of 48 students, marking a major milestone in the province's efforts to tackle the ongoing shortage of family doctors and primary care providers. The inaugural group began orientation on Wednesday and will follow an accelerated, year-round medical program that allows students to earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in three years instead of the traditional four. The first graduates are expected to begin residency training as early as 2029. B.C. Premier David Eby described the new school as
BCAug 05, 2026

Vancouver home sales fall nearly 10% in July, erasing June gains

Home sales across the Vancouver region slowed again in July, falling nearly 10 per cent from a year earlier and wiping out the gains recorded in June. According to Greater Vancouver Realtors, a total of 2,061 residential properties were sold last month, down 9.8 per cent compared with July 2025. Sales were also 18.6 per cent below the region's 10-year seasonal average. Andrew Lis, Chief Economist and Vice-President of Data Analytics at Greater Vancouver Realtors, said the real estate market has followed a pattern of "one step forward and one step back" over the past several years, with the Jun
indian-origin-hiker-missing-on-vancouver-island-massive-search-operation-underway
CanadaAug 05, 2026

Indian-origin hiker missing on Vancouver Island, massive search operation underway

An Indian-origin man has gone missing while hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, prompting an extensive search operation involving helicopters, search dogs and specialized rescue teams. According to RCMP, 25-year-old Keshav Jindal was last seen hiking on Mount Albert Edward on the afternoon of Aug. 3. He has not been seen or heard from since. RCMP said Jindal is approximately 5-foot-7 in height. Comox Valley Search and Rescue spokesperson Paul Berry said Jindal was hiking toward the summit with a companion when the two became separated along the trail. He failed to return
westjet-resumes-normal-operations-after-flight-attendant-strike
CanadaAug 05, 2026

WestJet resumes normal operations after flight attendant strike

Canada's second-largest airline, WestJet, has announced that it has fully resumed normal operations following disruptions caused by a flight attendant strike. The airline said it is back to its regular schedule and is continuing to rebook passengers whose flights were cancelled over the weekend. According to WestJet, all scheduled flights on Wednesday are operating without disruption. The airline also thanked customers for their patience as it worked to restore services throughout the week. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that after more than 900 flights were cancelled between S
trump-says-us-iran-talks-made-very-good-progress-raising-hopes-of-easing-tensions
WorldAug 05, 2026

Trump says US-Iran talks made "very good" progress, raising hopes of easing tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump has said his administration's day-long talks with Iran on Tuesday were "very good," raising fresh hopes that the five-month-long conflict could soon move toward a resolution. Following Trump's remarks, oil prices fell across Asian markets while stock markets rallied, reflecting growing investor optimism. Markets are anticipating a possible agreement that could help restore shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies. Trump has previously warned that failure to reach a deal with Iran could lead to large-scale military act