Alberta's United Conservative government is announcing a pause on all approvals of large renewable energy projects.In a statement this morning, the government says it will stop approving all wind and solar power projects greater than one megawatt, effective immediately.Nathan Neudorf, minister of affordability and utilities, says the move is in response to rural concerns about development on agricultural land, the effect on scenery, reclamation security and system reliability.Pau McLaughlin of Rural Municipalities Alberta is welcoming the move, saying his group wants to see an approval process

A spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board says investigators are conducting interviews and collecting information about the aircraft that crashed west of Calgary on Friday, killing all six people on board.Liam MacDonald says the investigation will also look into the weather at the time of the crash.RCMP say the plane with a pilot and five passengers aboard took off from Springbank Airport, just west of the city, on Friday night and was headed to Salmon Arm, B.C.All six bodies were recovered Saturday from what police said was difficult terrain.

Experts say Alberta's model for combating drug poisoning in the province is not working as opioid-related deaths reached an all-time high this April.The latest provincial data, which was released on Monday, shows 179 people died from drug poisoning in April, making it the month with the highest-ever opioid deaths recorded in Alberta. Elaine Hyshka, who is the Canada Research Chair in health systems innovation, says the latest numbers suggest that the province might be on track for the worst year yet.Hyshka says the increased number of overdoses shows the illegal supply of drugs in Alberta is h

Alberta's Opposition NDP is accusing Premier Danielle Smith of concealing the latest data on opioid-related deaths until after last month's provincial election.The latest provincial data released Monday shows 179 people died from drug poisoning in April, the highest number in a single month.NDP legislature member David Shepherd says Smith stood on a podium and claimed her United Conservative government's model was working.He says the UCP hid the truth for the sake of their ideological policies, as he demanded transparency and a focus on harm reduction.Smith's office did not immediately respond

Police in Calgary say they have arrested a youth in relation to a terrorism investigation. Details about the accused's identity are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. RCMP say the youth was arrested last week and appeared in court under a section of the Criminal Code that allows for a peace bond if there's fear the person may commit a terrorism offence. If granted, the peace bond is in effect for up to one year or, if there's a previous terrorism conviction, up to five years. Police say the youth has been released from custody and is subject to several conditions pending a future

Veterans of the war in Afghanistan were influential in choosing the final design for a monument that will memorialize Canada's contributions in the conflict. Artist Adrian Stimson, a member of Siksika First Nation in Alberta, says the design unveiled today is inspired by the medicine wheel, an important symbol in many Indigenous cultures. The materials are reminiscent of the bases in Afghanistan that Stimson visited while taking part in the Canadian Forces Artists Program. The monument is set to be built in the Lebreton Flats area across the street from the Canadian War Museum. Officials say a

Voters in the federal riding of Calgary Heritage will go to the polls late next month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a byelection will be held in the Alberta riding on July 24. Conservative MP Bob Benzen resigned his seat in Calgary Heritage at the end of last year. Benzen easily won re-election in 2021, with New Democrat Kathleen Johnson placing second and Liberal Scott Forsyth coming third. Elections Canada says it will open an office in Calgary Heritage soon.

A self-styled spiritual leader and his wife are facing additional charges for alleged sexual assaults between 2012 and 2019.Edmonton police say Johannes (John) de Ruiter, who is 63, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault in three separate cases.Leigh Ann de Ruiter, who is 64, was jointly charged with two counts of sexual assault.Police have said Johannes de Ruiter is the leader of an Edmonton group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy or the Oasis Group.Edmonton police have alleged that he would tell female members that he was directed by a spirit to engage in sexual act

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Liberal government respects the choice the people of Alberta have made at the ballot box.She made the comment on her way into the federal Liberals' weekly cabinet meeting, hours after United Conservative Leader Danielle Smith was declared victorious over the NDP's Rachel Notley in yesterday's provincial vote.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement after her victory congratulating Smith, saying he wants to work together to deliver results for Albertans when it comes to creating jobs and advancing clean energy.Federal Conservative Lead