The association made up of Alberta's 69 counties and municipal districts has rejected a proposed plan to create a provincial police force. Premier Jason Kenney said late last year that a provincial force would increase service levels in rural areas, decrease overall policing costs and increase local input into policing. But Rural Municipalities of Alberta says the model proposed by the United Conservative Party government leaves significant gaps in how it would increase service levels in rural areas. The association says its members have already endorsed a resolution to continue supporting th

The Metis Nation of Alberta says the arrival of 20 wood bison at a site northeast of Edmonton was a historic moment. The bison, which came from Elk Island National Park last month, are part of an education and experience program led by the Metis Nation in partnership with the park. President Audrey Poitras says in a news release that bison are native to the Metis Crossing area, but were driven to near-extinction by settlers in the 19th century and ended Metis bison hunts. She says the return of bison marks a milestone in reconciliation. The bison will be released into the Metis Crossing Wildl

The archbishop of Edmonton says the apology from Pope Francis for the role the Roman Catholic Church played in the residential school system is just the first step on the road to healing. Archbishop Richard Smith, who was part of a delegation to the Vatican that included several Indigenous leaders, says the apology was a milestone and historic and is part of a springboard for reconciliation. The Indigenous groups involved in the delegation also requested the church provide reparations, return artifacts and share any documents about residential schools. Smith says although the pontiff has indi

In an effort to better protect the health and safety of women and girls, the Alberta government is working to strengthen legislation banning female genital mutilation (FGM) in the province. Bill 10, the Health Professions (Protecting Women and Girls) Amendment Act 2022, if passed, will mean health professionals and practitioners who perform or facilitate FGM would be removed from practicing medicine. Further, under Bill 10, if a health professional is convicted of having practiced FGM in another jurisdiction, they would not be allowed to practice in Alberta. Those who are witness to conduct r

Alberta's police watchdog says four Edmonton police officers shot and killed a suspect last week after shocking him twice with a stun gun. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team says the 55 year old man had two potential improvised firearms and one modified imitation firearm. Investigators say officers first noticed him sitting at a picnic table and holding what appeared to be a handgun in front of Edmonton Police Service headquarters. The man is the fourth person to die in Edmonton police shootings since the start of the year.

Officials with the Calgary Stampede have begun the countdown to this year's Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Stampede president Steve McDonough today unveiled the poster for 2022's popular rodeo and exhibition. The poster, designed by 19-year-old artist Kane Pendry of Edmonton, captures the spirit of the rodeo's relay races. McDonough says, unlike last year, this will be a full event similar to pre-pandemic times. COVID-19 forced Stampede officials to scale back last year on the parade and other attractions. The popular chuckwagon races were cancelled. McDonough says there will be a full parad

The Alberta government has introduced a bill that would require new provincial court judges to be trained in sexual assault law and to recognize stereotypes that lead to prejudice and social bias against victims. All applicants would have to fulfil the educational requirement before they could become eligible to be appointed to the bench. The training would not apply to existing judges. Premier Jason Kenney says the law, if passed, would build public confidence in the justice system, better support victims and could encourage more reports of sexual assault. Similar legislation was introduced

Calgary police are asking anyone with information about an incident where a vehicle drove into a driveway and pinned a pedestrian to contact them. Police say the 28 year old victim remains in serious but stable condition in hospital after being pinned between the vehicle and a building wall just after 2 am on Saturday. They say the driver of the green, 1996, four-door Honda fled the scene but the vehicle was found later found abandoned. Police say the two men and one woman who were believed to be in the vehicle remain unaccounted for.

The Alberta government has announced a plan to match up to 350,000 dollars in donations made to eligible provincial sport, physical activity and recreation programs. The province says the plan will begin on April 1st to help such programs recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual donations of up to one-thousand dollars will be accepted for matching until August 30th or until the 350,000 limit is reached. Eligible recipients of donations may receive up to 10,000 dollars in matching funds.