Premier Jason Kenney says Ottawa's decision to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in British Columbia will likely result in a dramatic increase in drug use, violence, trafficking and addiction. Under the program, adults in British Columbia who possess up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs for personal use will not be arrested or charged starting early next year. It's part of the province's request for an exemption from Canada's drug laws following a record number of overdose deaths. Kenney says his government supports dealing with addiction as a health-care issue while keepi

An Edmonton jury has found two men guilty in the shooting deaths of two Metis hunters in rural Alberta. Jacob Sansom and Maurice Cardinal were found dead on the side of a road near Glendon in March 2020. Anthony Bilodeau was found guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter and his father Roger Bilodeau was found guilty of two counts of manslaughter. A spokeswoman for the victims' families thanked the Crown for bringing justice for the ``senseless murders. Anthony Bilodeau's lawyer, Brian Beresh, said he was disappointed in the verdict.

Travis Toews has resigned as Alberta's finance minister and launched his campaign in the race to replace Jason Kenney as United Conservative Party leader and premier. Toews, in a statement, says he wants to focus on healing rifts in the UCP and returning to core party values. Kenney says he received Toews's resignation letter earlier today and has not decided on a replacement. Kenney has stated cabinet ministers who run to replace him must resign their posts. Toews, 57, is a first-term legislature member from the constituency of Grande Prairie-Wapiti and has been finance minister since the sta

Alberta's justice minister and Edmonton's mayor are to meet today to discuss a spike in violent crime on downtown streets and on public transit. Last week, Tyler Shandro demanded a report from the city on what is being done to get crime under control. Shandro gave the city two weeks to respond and pointed to the recent killings of two men in the Chinatown district. On Monday, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi outlined a partial plan, which includes $1 million to revitalize Chinatown and grants for businesses to upgrade their security. Wen Wong is the executive director of the Chinatown and Area Business Ass

Fresh organic strawberries sold in Saskatchewan and Alberta have been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak. The Public Health Agency of Canada says the strawberries were sold at Co-op stores in the two provinces between March 5th and March 9th. The strawberries are past their shelf life, but consumers who may have frozen them are being urged to throw them out. The agency says six people in Saskatchewan and four people in Alberta became ill with hepatitis A last month _ four were hospitalized. Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause liver disease and, in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews has officially entered the leadership contest to replace Jason Kenney as United Conservative Party leader and premier. Toews has not made a formal announcement, but has registered his candidacy on the Elections Alberta website. He could not be immediately reached for comment, but said last week he was considering a run. Toews is a first-term legislature member from the constituency of Grande Prairie-Wapiti and has been finance minister since the start of Kenney's government in April 2019. UCP backbencher Brian Jean and Danielle Smith _ both former Wildrose

Closing arguments are expected Monday at the trial of a father and son accused of murdering two Metis hunters on a rural Alberta road. Anthony Bilodeau, who is 33, and 58-year-old Roger Bilodeau face two counts each of second-degree murder and have both pleaded not guilty. Jacob Sansom, who was 39, and his 57-year-old old uncle Maurice Cardinal were found dead on the side of the road near Glendon, Alta., northeast of Edmonton, on March 28, 2020. Sansom was shot once in the chest and Cardinal was hit three times in the shoulder.

A town northeast of Edmonton has issued a warning to residents after wild boars were seen roaming local streets. A notice from Lamont says people should not corner or provoke the animals if they encounter one. A professor in Alberta says wild boars could soon move from the bush into cities after they were spotted in at least 28 rural municipalities and counties. Ryan Brook adds the animals are smart and can eat almost anything.

A judge has denied bail for a man charged with conspiracy to commit murder at a border blockade in southern Alberta. Chris Carbert, who is 45, appeared by video in Court of Queen's Bench in Lethbridge today to hear the decision after a bail hearing last Friday. Reasons for Justice Johnna Kubik's ruling are protected by a publication ban. Carbert and three other men are accused of conspiring to kill police officers at a blockade near Coutts, Alta., in protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions. One of the men, Christopher Lysak, was denied bail in March. Anthony Olieni