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.

Alberta has introduced a bill to consolidate rules on continuing care for more consistent and stronger enforcement. Health Minister Jason Copping says the aim is to bring together six related pieces of legislation and three standards of care, some going back more than 30 years. All care facilities including home care, designated supported living facilities, and hospices would be licensed and regulated. There would be more authority for the minister to monitor and enforce standards, and penalties for violations would increase to $100,000 a day from the current maximum of $1,000. The government

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is defending the use of a meme from the Oscars as a contemporary way to draw attention to what he considers failing green energy policies. The meme, shared widely online, is a photo of actor Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage over comments Rock made about Smith's wife at the Hollywood awards show on Sunday. In the version shared on Kenney's social media accounts, the word ``Reality'' is written in text over Smith with ``Green Energy Policies'' in text over Rock. Opinions on the premier's use of the meme have varied online, with some critics saying it