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alberta-school-boards-strike-tentative-deal-with-unionized-support-workers
AlbertaMar 17, 2025

Alberta school boards strike tentative deal with unionized support workers

The union representing more than 4,000 school support workers says they have reached tentative deals that could end a two-month strike as early as Wednesday. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the contracts are for staff with the Edmonton Public School Board as well as the public and Catholic school boards in Fort McMurray. Union president Rory Gill says specific details won't be released until the settlements have been ratified by members this week. He says all three deals include pay increases and would be valid through August 2028. The new contracts do not cover the
man-and-woman-accused-in-edmonton-security-guard-death-plead-not-guilty
CanadaMar 14, 2025

Man and woman accused in Edmonton security guard death plead not guilty

The two people accused in the shooting death of a 20-year-old Edmonton security guard have pleaded not guilty and will have a preliminary hearing this summer. Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux are both charged with first-degree murder in the death of Harshandeep Singh. Singh died in hospital in December after he was found unresponsive by Edmonton police officers who were responding to a report of a gunshot at a downtown apartment building. The preliminary hearing for the two 30-year-olds is to begin July 10 in an Edmonton courtroom and will determine whether there is enough evidence to jus
alberta-fires-back-in-wrongful-dismissal-suit-says-ex-health-boss-was-incompetent
CanadaMar 14, 2025

Alberta fires back in wrongful dismissal suit, says ex-health boss was incompetent

Alberta's health minister has officially fired back against allegations from a former health leader who says she was fired for investigating sweetheart deals, collusion and high-level political arm-twisting. Adriana LaGrange, in a statement of defence, says Athana Mentzelopoulos was not fired from her job as the head of Alberta Health Services for investigating corruption. LaGrange says Mentzelopoulos was fired because she was failing to do her job and was working to stop mandated health reform to keep the power and perks of her position. Alberta Health Services has been in charge of all h
ottawa-alberta-reach-joint-70-million-deal-for-homelessness-response
CanadaMar 12, 2025

Ottawa, Alberta reach joint $70-million deal for homelessness response

Ottawa and Alberta have reached a new joint $70-million funding agreement to aid the province's response to homelessness. Social Services Minister Jason Nixon says the funding is expected to boost shelter capacity, build transitional housing, and support the government's navigation centres in Edmonton and Calgary. Those navigation centres serve as a hub where those experiencing homelessness can go to be referred to available supports and services. Nixon says the funding will be split between Alberta's two major cities as well as Red Deer and Lethbridge. The deal will see Ottawa provide
calgary-massage-therapist-charged-with-sexual-assault-of-client
CanadaMar 12, 2025

Calgary massage therapist charged with sexual assault of client

Calgary police say a massage therapist has been charged with sexual assault of a client. Police say the client went in January to Parkview Massage and Wellness in south Calgary. It's alleged the client was touched sexually without consent during an appointment. Police say the client reported what happened the following month. A 46-year-old man is now charged with one count of sexual assault. He is slated to appear in court in May.
alberta-nurses-union-reach-four-year-tentative-agreement
CanadaMar 11, 2025

Alberta, nurses union reach four-year tentative agreement

A union representing more than 30,000 nurses in Alberta has reached a four-year tentative agreement with the province after six weeks of formal mediation. United Nurses of Alberta says the agreement will significantly improve wages, including an immediate hike of about 15 per cent for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. Formal mediation began in January after workers voted in October 2024 to reject recommendations that had been reached through informal mediation. The union says the tentative agreement also covers issues like staffing shortages, rural health care and job sec
rcmp-launch-probe-amid-allegations-of-corruption-in-alberta-health-contracts
CanadaMar 07, 2025

RCMP launch probe amid allegations of corruption in Alberta health contracts

A lawyer for the former head of Alberta Health Services says his client is happy R-C-M-P have launched an investigation amid allegations of corruption related to health contracts. Former A-H-S head Athana Mentzelopoulos (ment-zeh-LOH'-poh-luss) is suing the province for wrongful dismissal, alleging high-level arm twisting, possible conflicts of interest, political interference and corruption in multimillion-dollar deals. None of her allegations have been tested in court. R-C-M-P say they received a complaint a month ago relating to A-H-S and have decided to begin an investigation, but w
premier-danielle-smith-is-to-speak-on-albertas-response-to-u-s-tariffs
AlbertaMar 05, 2025

Premier Danielle Smith is to speak on Alberta's response to U.S. tariffs

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to speak today about her province's response to U.S. tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday slapped sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and a 10 per cent levy on energy products. Smith has been tight-lipped for weeks about what measures her government might take, although she has repeatedly said counter-tariffs on the province's energy are off the table. The premier is also set to give an update on Alberta's security efforts at the Canada-U.S. border, a long-standing irritant for Trump. Other provinces have announc
alberta-hires-former-manitoba-chief-judge-to-investigate-health-spending-scandal
CanadaMar 04, 2025

Alberta hires former Manitoba chief judge to investigate health spending scandal

The Alberta government has announced who it has hired to investigate allegations of improper behaviour and spending irregularities in health contracts. Raymond Wyant is the former chief judge of the provincial court of Manitoba, has also worked as a defence lawyer and a Crown prosecutor, and has taught law at the University of Manitoba. Wyant is to review multimillion-dollar contracts for children's medication and for surgeries done by for-profit providers. The government says Wyant's work is to begin immediately with an interim report to be completed by the end of May.

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new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire
BCJul 31, 2026

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa
BCJul 31, 2026

Coquitlam man faces six firearms charges following Surrey and Coquitlam searches

A 35-year-old Coquitlam man is facing six firearms-related charges after a joint investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang police and the Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the investigation began in June. On July 16, officers executed search warrants at two residences in the 11500 block of 141A Street in Surrey and the 4300 block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. Police said investigators seized several firearms during the searches, including two Beretta handguns. Officers arrested Sadiq Azimali Daya at
man-dies-after-fleeing-surrey-traffic-stop-struck-by-vehicle-on-highway-10
BCJul 31, 2026

Man dies after fleeing Surrey traffic stop, struck by vehicle on Highway 10

A man died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing on foot following a traffic stop in Surrey late Thursday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said an officer stopped a westbound vehicle for a traffic enforcement check at about 11 p.m. in the 15600 block of 56 Avenue, along Highway 10. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. According to the Surrey Police Service, the man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle. Surrey police officers, Surrey Fire Service crews and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics attempted life-saving me
suspect-arrested-after-firearm-reported-at-new-westminster-shopping-centre
BCJul 31, 2026

Suspect arrested after firearm reported at New Westminster shopping centre

A suspect is facing potential charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a patron outside a coffee shop in New Westminster on Wednesday morning, according to the New Westminster Police Department. Police said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 6 a.m. on July 30 after receiving reports that a person had pointed a firearm at someone seated on the patio of a business in the Columbia Square shopping centre. Investigators determined the suspect fled across Columbia Street, passed through a hole in a fence and crossed nearby railway tracks. Officers searched the area with assistance f
b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent
BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta