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AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Alberta court pauses referendum petition process tied to separation effort

An Alberta court has ordered a temporary halt to key steps in a citizen-led petition campaign seeking to advance a referendum on the province separating from Canada. In a written decision released Friday, Justice Shaina Leonard said petition organizers may continue collecting signatures. However, Elections Alberta is barred from verifying those signatures or forwarding the matter to Premier Danielle Smith’s government while the case is under review. According to the court decision, the pause follows a legal challenge filed by several First Nations. Their lawyers argue that Alberta’s citize
AlbertaApr 10, 2026

Calgary Stampede chuckwagon tarp auction raises record $6.1M ahead of 2026 festival

The Calgary Stampede’s annual chuckwagon tarp auction generated a record $6.1 million in sponsorship bids, according to event organizers, marking a significant increase of about $2 million from the previous year. The funds secure advertising partnerships for 27 drivers competing in the Rangeland Derby, one of the festival’s signature events. This year’s Calgary Stampede is scheduled to begin July 3. The highest bid reached $550,000, placed by Bar L5 Ranch for driver Rae Croteau Jr., organizers said following the Thursday evening auction. The annual auction allows corporate sponsors, many
AlbertaApr 10, 2026

Alberta nurses union calls for weapons screening, more officers after hospital stabbing

The president of the United Nurses of Alberta says weapons screening systems and more protective services officers are urgently needed in Alberta hospitals, citing what she describes as near-daily threats of violence against frontline staff. Heather Smith made the call following a stabbing last week in the emergency department at Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital. According to hospital officials, a 42-year-old man was treated for life-threatening injuries after the incident. In a statement after the attack, Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones said the province is work
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Edmonton man charged with human trafficking offences involving five women, police say

Police in Edmonton say a 47-year-old man is facing multiple human trafficking-related charges following an investigation involving five women. According to a release from ALERT Edmonton’s Human Trafficking unit, Jonathan Allard was arrested March 26 and is charged with 26 Criminal Code offences, including trafficking in persons, forcible confinement and assault. Investigators say the case began in June after one of the alleged victims contacted police seeking help. She told officers she had been recruited through social media to move to Edmonton, where she was allegedly forced into the sex t
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Alberta defence lawyers call for probe into Edmonton police chief over manslaughter case comments

A group representing criminal defence lawyers in Alberta is calling for an independent investigation into Warren Driechel and the Edmonton Police Service’s top lawyer, Megan Hankowich, over public comments tied to a recent manslaughter case. The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says the statements may warrant a third-party review to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred. The group is asking Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery to direct the province’s Police Review Commission to assess whether there are grounds for charges, including intimidation or obstruction of justice. Ac
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

First Nation chief challenges Alberta separation petition in court, citing treaty rights

The chief of a First Nation seeking a court injunction against a citizen-led petition on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada says legal action was necessary to defend treaty rights. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation said the constitutional challenge targets the province’s citizen-initiated referendum process, which he argues could affect First Nations without proper consultation. According to statements made at the start of the hearing, Sunshine said the case is about ensuring treaty obligations are upheld. A court hearing began Tuesday and is expected to include a
AlbertaApr 07, 2026

Late-season Alberta clipper to bring snow across Prairies, Environment Canada says

Environment Canada says a late-season Alberta clipper is expected to bring snowfall to parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba through Tuesday and into Wednesday. According to an Environment Canada weather statement, heavy snow is forecast in Alberta from Peace River toward Cold Lake, as well as between Banff and Jasper, beginning overnight and continuing into Wednesday morning. In Saskatchewan, the agency says snowfall is expected to develop across central regions of the province on Tuesday and persist into Wednesday. Manitoba is expected to see some of the highest accumulations, with 15
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FeaturedApr 07, 2026

First Nation seeks court injunction to halt Alberta separation petition

An Alberta First Nation is in court Tuesday seeking an injunction to stop a citizen-led petition campaign advocating for the province to leave Canada. The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has filed an application in the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton, asking a judge to suspend the campaign while legal questions over treaty rights are addressed. According to the court filing, the First Nation argues that any move toward Alberta’s separation from Canada would require the consent of First Nations under existing treaties. The application alleges that the governments of Alberta and Canada, along wi
lethbridge-police-seek-suspect-driver-in-hit-and-run-investigation
AlbertaApr 06, 2026

Lethbridge police seek suspect driver in hit-and-run investigation

Lethbridge Police Service says it is seeking the public’s help to identify a driver involved in a hit-and-run that damaged a parked vehicle. According to a police release, the incident occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on March 24 in the 900 block of 18 Street North. Investigators say a vehicle struck a parked white SUV and left the scene without stopping. Police confirmed the SUV sustained significant damage. No injuries have been reported. Based on debris recovered at the scene, officers have identified the suspect vehicle as a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. The investigation remains ongoing.

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AlbertaJun 05, 2026

Edmonton police charge man in alleged sexual offences involving minor, seek additional victims

Edmonton police have charged a 30-year-old man in connection with alleged sexual offences involving a minor and say investigators believe there may be additional victims. According to the Edmonton Police Service, Brian Brook Kaskamin was arrested on June 2 and faces several charges, including sexual offences involving a minor and administering an intoxicating substance. The allegations have not been tested in court. Police allege Kaskamin used the Grindr app to contact minors and would often invite vulnerable youth to his residence in northeast Edmonton. Investigators said they are concerned t
vancouver-police-seize-drugs-cash-and-weapons-in-downtown-eastside-trafficking-investigation
BCJun 05, 2026

Vancouver police seize drugs, cash and weapons in Downtown Eastside trafficking investigation

Vancouver Police say officers seized more than $79,000 worth of illegal drugs, cash and weapons following a targeted drug trafficking investigation in the city's Downtown Eastside. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, the operation, known as Project Bingo, began in December 2025 after investigators observed suspected drug trafficking activity at a single-room occupancy (SRO) building near East Hastings Street and Princess Avenue. Police said investigators spent approximately six months gathering evidence before executing a search warrant at the building last month. Officers repo
no-injuries-reported-after-shots-fired-from-moving-vehicle-at-nanaimo-park
BCJun 05, 2026

No injuries reported after shots fired from moving vehicle at Nanaimo park

Nanaimo RCMP are investigating after shots were reportedly fired from a moving vehicle toward people gathered at a local park on Wednesday evening. According to police, the incident occurred at about 8:40 p.m. at Knowles Park near the intersection of Old Victoria Road and Rainier Street. Witnesses reported that the suspects were travelling in a white Audi vehicle carrying multiple occupants. Police said the vehicle left the area immediately after the shooting. No injuries were reported. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and not a random attack on members of the public. RCMP have
BCJun 05, 2026

B.C. adds 25,000 jobs in May as unemployment rate holds at 6.8%

British Columbia added 25,000 jobs in May, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, reversing part of the employment losses recorded earlier this year. The gain follows a three-month period from February through April during which the province lost approximately 40,000 jobs. Despite the increase in employment, B.C.'s overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.8 per cent. According to Statistics Canada data, much of the job growth was concentrated in the construction and manufacturing sectors. B.C. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Ravi
CanadaJun 05, 2026

Canada joins 11 international partners in calling for restraint amid Lebanon–Israel attacks

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has joined counterparts from 11 international partners, including Australia and Denmark, in issuing a joint statement expressing concern over ongoing attacks between Lebanon and Israel. The ministers welcomed ongoing ceasefire efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. According to the joint statement, civilians must be protected at all times. The ministers said the people of Lebanon have already endured significant hardship and stressed the importance of s