Millions are on waitlists to receive health care services across Canada, according to a recent report, and while Alberta’s numbers are lower than a few provinces, thousands still face long waits to get the care they need. Dom Lucyk, communications director with SecondStreet.org, says the report released on Boxing Day and compiled by the think tank shows a little more than 3.1 million Canadians are waiting for surgery, a diagnostic scan or to see a specialist, and it’s “unacceptable.” In Alberta, that’s just over 415,000 people waiting for surgeries, diagnostic testing, and for a spec

ALBERTA BEACH, Alta. - RCMP in Alberta say an underwater recovery team, with the help of police and firefighters, have found the bodies of a family that were last seen before Christmas on a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle.Police had been looking for Kelly and Laura Pelsma and their eight-year-old son, Dylan, since they were reported missing Christmas Day when they were overdue to attend a function. They hadn't been heard from since Dec. 23, and friends have said they were last seen in the Birchwood Estates area of Alberta Beach on a side-by-side vehicle.The community is approximately 45 m

The Alberta government is committing 200-million-dollars to help family doctors keep the lights on. Dr. Paul Parks of the Alberta Medical Association and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange say the money will be spent over the next two years as the two sides work out a new funding deal for physicians. Parks says the money is a critical stop-gap for doctors. He says family physicians are struggling to make ends meet under the current billing system, given rising costs for office and administration and inflation. Parks and LaGrange said they are still working out the criteria for how the 200 milli

Edmonton's population is growing rapidly and according to a recent report from the Conference Board of Canada, 30,000 new immigrants are expected to arrive in the city this year. Last year, 33,000 new people came to the city, which was three times the number of the previous 20 years. According to the director of the Conference Board Economic Forecasting, there are several reasons behind the large number of people coming to the city. The biggest reason is that the federal government has increased the speed of immigration. In addition, Edmonton and Calgary have more reasonable housing prices a

Alberta has urged the federal government to accept the Supreme Court's decision regarding the plastic ban. In fact, the Alberta government is pleased with the court's ruling that found Canada's plastic ban too broad when it came to determining what plastic is toxic to the environment. The Federal Court on Thursday found the Cabinet order that all things made of plastic are harmful, not reasonable. The decision may therefore lead to changes in the ban on six single-use plastic items, including straws, grocery bags and takeout containers. The rules currently ban the manufacture and import of tho

The board of Alberta Health Services says six of the organization's top executives are no longer in their positions.Last week, Premier Danielle Smith announced sweeping changes to dismantle the provincewide health-care provider, reducing it to one of four new service delivery organizations reporting directly to Health Minister Adriana LaGrange.She appointed Lyle Oberg, who's a doctor and former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, to run the AHS board.He says in a statement that the transition over the next 18 months requires new ideas, voices and leadership.Oberg says the board has made

More than $2 million worth of drugs and cash were seized in Red Deer last month.Officials believe this is the largest drug bust in the Central Alberta city's history to date.According to Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, the drug was seized on Oct. 19 when a Red Deer task force searched a home north of the city.Red Deer RCMP were assisted in searching the home, the agency said.According to Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team, a large quantity of fentanyl and methamphetamine along with 9 firearms were also seized.More information will be made available today, including evidence from pol

The Edmonton Police Service has released a photo of an SUV and surveillance video of two suspects in last week's fatal shootings of a gang member and his 11-year-old son, who were gunned down while parked outside a fast-food restaurant.Staff Sgt. Rob Bilawey with the EPS Homicide Section says in a news release that they hope sharing the images might help someonerecall seeing the black BMW SUV or the suspects before or after Thursday's shooting.Police have identified the father as 41-year old Harpreet Uppal and say he was a high-level gang member involved in the drug trade, but they have not id

Food insecurity has doubled in Alberta over the past decade.Many people are facing difficulty for food.According to a new report from Vital Science, 12% of Albertans had food insecurity in 2011, and this figure surpassed 20% in 2022.The Vital Report is an annual initiative of the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Social Planning Council that aims to focus attention on issues that are important to the city.On the other hand, food insecurity is also increasing rapidly in Edmonton.According to Susan Morrissey, executive director of the Edmonton Social Planning Council, as food and ho