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AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Former Alberta finance minister Joe Ceci will not seek re-election in 2027

Longtime Alberta politician Joe Ceci says he will not seek re-election in the province's next general election, scheduled for the fall of 2027. Ceci served as Alberta's finance minister in former premier Rachel Notley's New Democratic government from 2015 to 2019, becoming the province's only NDP finance minister. During his time in cabinet, the government increased the minimum wage and expanded funding for family and community support programs. His tenure also coincided with a sharp downturn in oil prices that contributed to significant provincial budget deficits. The NDP government argued th
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Alberta MLA expense claims draw scrutiny over high-end meals and minor purchases

A review of Alberta legislators' expense disclosures for the last fiscal year shows elected officials across party lines claimed expenses ranging from high-end restaurant meals to small everyday purchases, prompting questions from political observers about public perception and accountability. Under Alberta's legislative rules, members of the legislative assembly receive budgets to operate constituency offices, cover travel costs and host constituents and stakeholders. MLAs are also required to publicly disclose expense reports with itemized receipts. Among the larger expenses, Municipal Affai
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Edmonton area residents urged to conserve water as heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems

Officials in Edmonton and several neighbouring communities are urging residents to reduce water use after heavy rainfall caused localized flooding and pushed stormwater and sewer systems toward capacity. The City of Edmonton issued a water supply alert, saying flooding and sewer backups have been reported in surrounding areas and warning that additional problems could occur if the stormwater system continues operating above capacity. Utility provider Epcor asked customers to delay activities that use large amounts of water, including showering, running washing machines and dishwashers, and to
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Crane driver missing after vehicle plunges into Wapiti River near Grande Prairie

A crane operator remains missing after a commercial vehicle left a bridge and entered the Wapiti River near Grande Prairie, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday when the crane struck a guardrail on the Wapiti River Bridge and went into the river. Emergency crews, including RCMP officers, firefighters and search and rescue volunteers, responded to the scene. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mathew Howell said the crane remains submerged. The cause of the collision is under investigation. According to RCMP, divers have not been able to enter the river because of strong currents
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Calgary Transit workers to rally ahead of court hearing in driver assault case

Calgary Transit employees and members of ATU Local 583 are expected to gather outside Municipal Plaza today ahead of a court hearing related to the assault of a bus driver that occurred last year. According to ATU Local 583, members will hold a rally at noon before proceeding to the Calgary Courts Centre for a scheduled hearing at 1:30 p.m. The union says the demonstration is intended to highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of transit operators and frontline transit staff. The case stems from an incident in May 2025 near Falconridge Boulevard and Castleridge Boulevard, where a Calgary T
alberta-residents-to-receive-100-relief-payment-within-two-weeks-of-application-smith-says
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Alberta residents to receive $100 relief payment within two weeks of application, Smith says

Eligible Albertans will receive a $100 provincial relief payment within approximately two weeks of submitting an application, according to Premier Danielle Smith. Smith said the Alberta government chose to provide direct payments to residents instead of reducing the provincial gasoline tax. She said fuel tax reductions do not always result in savings reaching consumers, making direct assistance a more effective way to help households manage rising costs. According to the Alberta government, the relief program was triggered after higher global oil prices increased provincial energy royalty reve
smith-says-timing-may-prevent-coal-mining-referendum-question-from-appearing-on-october-ballot
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Smith says timing may prevent coal mining referendum question from appearing on October ballot

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it may be too late for a citizen-led petition seeking a ban on new coal mining projects to be included in the province's Oct. 19 referendum vote. Earlier this month, Alberta musician Corb Lund submitted what he said were more than 200,000 signatures in support of a petition that would require the Alberta government to consider legislation banning new coal mining or submit the matter to a provincewide referendum if the signatures are verified. According to Alberta's citizen initiative rules, a successful petition can compel the government to either introduce
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Alberta to Provide $100 Energy Rebate to Eligible Adults Instead of Fuel Tax Relief

The Alberta government has announced that it will replace fuel tax relief on gasoline and diesel with direct cash payments under a new Alberta Energy Rebate program. According to the government, the program will begin on July 1, 2026. Adults in households with annual incomes below $225,000 will receive a $100 rebate payment. Premier Danielle Smith said the province opted for direct payments after a previous fuel tax suspension did not fully translate into savings at the pump for consumers. Smith said the government is returning a portion of increased revenues generated by higher oil prices dir
AlbertaJun 17, 2026

11-year-old boy dies after incident during school field trip in Medicine Hat

An 11-year-old boy has died after a suspected drowning during a school field trip at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat, according to Alberta RCMP. Police said officers responded Monday afternoon after receiving a report that a child had gone missing during a school outing at the park. Staff from the school division, park employees and emergency responders searched the area, while drones were deployed to assist in locating the child. Staff Sgt. Darren Lole said the boy was found in the water within about an hour of the initial report. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead

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CanadaAug 26, 2026

41-Year-Old Punjabi Man Satwant Soni Sangha Killed in Downtown Toronto

A 41-year-old Punjabi man, Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, has been identified as the victim of a homicide in downtown Toronto. According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to a call about a sudden death at around 1:43 a.m. on August 21, 2026, in the area of McGill Street and Church Street. Police attended a residence where a male victim was found deceased.  An autopsy was later conducted, and signs of trauma were found on Sangha’s body. Following the autopsy findings, the death was classified as a homicide. Police have identified the victim as Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, 41, o
eby-urges-ottawa-to-consider-tougher-non-tariff-measures-in-u-s-trade-dispute
BCAug 26, 2026

Eby urges Ottawa to consider tougher non-tariff measures in U.S. trade dispute

B.C. Premier David Eby is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal government to consider measures beyond retaliatory tariffs in response to the ongoing trade dispute with the United States. Eby said Canada should consider stronger non-tariff measures and indicated B.C. could impose a surcharge on energy exports to the U.S. or restrict those exports if necessary. The premier also called on Ottawa to review its plan to purchase U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets. Eby argued that the current trade tensions should prompt a reassessment of the planned multibillion-dollar defence purchase. Eby also s
CanadaAug 25, 2026

Dingell Slams Trump Over Strained Canada-U.S. Relations, Urges Resumption of Talks

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s policies amid worsening relations between Canada and the United States, saying it is an extremely disappointing time for the country when the president appears more comfortable strengthening ties with dictators than talking to one of America’s closest friends and allies. Dingell said Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border and are connected by generations of friendship, family ties, democratic values and the geography of the Great Lakes. Her comments come
wildfire-threat-eases-in-b-c-as-major-fires-drop-to-just-three
BCAug 25, 2026

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon area is no longer considered a wildfire of note, after the threat posed by the blaze eased. The fire has now been removed from the province’s wildfire-of-note list, leaving just three major wildfires in B.C. The agency said, however, that firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire on the west side of the Fraser River. Meanwhile, the Ansley Creek wildfire on the east side of the river remains out of control and is one of the three remaining major wildfires in the province. The Bald Range wi
BCAug 25, 2026

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Suspected unregulated drug toxicity claimed 138 lives in British Columbia in June 2026, according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. That works out to approximately 4.6 deaths per day. During the first six months of 2026, people between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of all drug-toxicity deaths in the province, while 75% of those who died were male. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities recorded the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 deaths respectively. Together, they accounted for 52% of all such deaths in the province.