The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says talk of Alberta separatism is 'irresponsible' and it's "not smart" for politicians to make statements about it without consulting with First Nations first. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced a bill that would make it easier for Albertans to launch referendums on various topics — including splitting from Canada. Smith has pointed to growing alienation in her province and frustration with Ottawa, saying those wanting to separate "are not fringe voices." National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says any effort by Alberta to split

Premier Danielle Smith has tabled a bill that would lower the bar for a citizen petition to trigger a referendum, even though she insists she doesn't want Alberta to separate from the country. Republican Party of Alberta Leader Cameron Davies says his party is calling for a referendum. Davies says this would give Alberta the chance to renew its relationship with Canada and the rest of the world on its own terms. Lloydminster resident Jesse Allen says he would only vote ``Yes'' in a referendum to separate if the rest of Western Canada also joined. In Red Deer, Alberta, Anita Ewa

RCMP say a skydiver has died in a weekend accident west of Edmonton. Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said police were called to a township road near Onoway on Saturday morning, where he said a 56-year-old man from Edmonton suffered fatal injuries following a jump from a plane. He said the man was a skydiving instructor. Skydiving West Edmonton said in a statement that an ``experienced skydiver'' succumbed to his injuries as a result of `a high-speed malfunction'' on Saturday morning. ``The skydiver had over 3,000 skydives and was a beloved member of the Skydive West Edmonton family. His l

Residents from a rural area north of Edmonton who fled an active wildfire this week can now return to their homes. A social media post from Athabasca County says evacuation orders were lifted for the Village of Boyle and some nearby parts of the county. People living on Highway 831 south of Boyle are still under evacuation orders and are not to return at this time as the wildfire is still burning, but is being held. Some residents of Thorhild County, about 90 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, can also return home, but are to stay prepared to leave within a moment's notice if condi

Sex charges have been laid after two youths were reported missing from a town east of Edmonton and later found in the company of a man. Police say the two youths were reported missing from the Two Hills area on Tuesday and located in Leduc, south of Edmonton. A 40-year-old man from Two Hills was arrested and faces charges that include two counts each of sexual interference, sexual assault and possession of child pornography, and three counts of child luring.

More than 300 people in Alberta have fallen ill from measles since March and a group of doctors are warning the virus could grow exponentially in the coming weeks. The Alberta government is reporting 16 new measles cases to bring the province's total count to 313. The rising number has prompted the association representing Alberta doctors to warn of an outbreak that could quickly reach the thousands. Dr. James Talbot, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, says cases are likely much higher than reported and that for every 1,000 cases, one to three people will likely die.

Alberta's now former Speaker of the legislature says he's excited to display some partisanship in his last days as an elected official. Nathan Cooper announced this week that he is to resign his seat in the assembly to become Alberta's representative to the United States. The United Conservative Party MLA had been Alberta's legislature Speaker and non-partisan debate referee since 2019. He says he thinks made a positive impact by improving the relationship between parties, but he says he has a lot to get off his chest after six years of holding his tongue. Cooper says he'll vo

Measles cases in Alberta are increasing day by day and their number reached 287 yesterday. 22 new cases were reported on Tuesday, of which 17 are from the province's South Zone. No new cases have been reported from the Calgary area. Medical officials have been urging the provincial government for several months to make people aware of measles and the government launched a campaign for this on Monday. Measles vaccination will be increased in the coming days across the province. A hotline has also been set up for Albertans, where they can check their vaccination status. This disease has broken

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is urging her Ontario counterpart Doug Ford to mind his own business when it comes to talk of separating from Canada. Smith announced this week that she doesn’t want Alberta to leave Canada but, if enough residents sign a petition asking for a referendum on it, she’ll make sure it’s put to a vote in 2026. Ford, without mentioning Smith by name, says Canadian unity is critical as the country engages in a tariff fight with the United States and now is not the time to threaten to quit the country. Asked about his comment, Smith says she has a great friendship