Premier Danielle Smith is getting set to fly to Florida for an event hosted by a far-right U.S. influencer, with her chief of staff calling the foray a patriotic act of courage by a ``noble'' leader. Smith is to make a speaking appearance this week with conservative media personality Ben Shapiro at an upcoming fundraiser for PragerU, despite weeks of calls for her to cancel. Alberta's Opposition NDP is renewing its demand that Smith abandon the trip, saying she is using taxpayer money to fundraise for an extremist organization after she's asked Americans to interfere in Canada's election.

A longtime Alberta New Democrat member of the legislature is resigning his seat, sparking what will be the third provincial byelection in Alberta since the 2023 provincial vote. Rod Loyola was first elected in 2015, and won his third term representing the Edmonton-Ellerslie riding two years ago. The Alberta Speaker's office says Loyola's resignation is to officially take effect Tuesday. Loyola says he can't yet comment on his future plans. The resignation comes after former Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley stepped down in December, paving the way for new leader Naheed Nenshi to ru

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a nearly 23 per cent increase set for the premier's office budget is necessary as it assumes some financial responsibility for promoting the province's oil and gas industry. Smith says her office and executive council of government is taking on the former mandate of the controversial Canadian Energy Centre. The centre was created in 2019 by former United Conservative premier Jason Kenney to do battle against what it considered misinformation surrounding Alberta's oil sector. Smith's government shut the centre down last year and at the time said

Alberta's Health Minister has called on residents to get vaccinated following reports of measles cases in several areas, including Edmonton. The concern has grown after measles cases were confirmed on Sunday night at Stollery Children's Hospital and North Medical Clinic. Individuals born in 1970 or later who have received fewer than two doses of the measles vaccine are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange emphasized that the province is working to raise awareness about the vaccine. She pointed out that not only in Alberta, but across Canada and around th

A union representing more than 4,000 school support workers in Alberta says members have ratified collective agreements with two Fort McMurray school districts Monday, ending a two-month strike. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says workers at both the Fort McMurray Public and Fort McMurray Catholic school districts are set to return to their duties on Wednesday. The union said Saturday it had reached tentative deals with the public and Catholic school boards in Fort McMurray and with the Edmonton Public School Board, noting a ratification by the Edmonton workers would occur Monday o

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

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'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 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