Former Alberta Conservative MLA Drew Barnes has announced plans to establish a new federal political party called Alberta Now, aimed at representing Alberta’s interests in Ottawa. Barnes says many Albertans feel they are not receiving adequate representation in Ottawa. The party would operate in a model similar to the Bloc Québécois and plans to field candidates only in Alberta’s 37 federal ridings. According to Barnes, Alberta Now will focus on smaller government, lower taxes, greater choice in government programs, more provincial autonomy and increased provincial control over areas su

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu met with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai on Friday to discuss ongoing negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. The meeting comes at an important stage as Canada and India aim to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of this year. According to Sidhu and Goyal, both sides reiterated their commitment to finalizing the agreement as soon as possible. The proposed deal is expected to create new opportunities for businesses in both countries in

British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, alias Jaggi Johal, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with seven separate UAPA cases related to targeted killings in Punjab’s Jalandhar and Ludhiana districts. A bench comprising Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order. The High Court had rejected Johal’s bail plea in 2024. The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme Court, which directed the High Court to reconsider the case. Following the fresh hearing, the Delhi High Court granted him bail. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in Punjab in 2017 and h

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre avoided questions from reporters as the party’s two-day federal caucus meeting wrapped up in Penticton, B.C., ahead of Parliament’s fall session. Poilievre addressed Conservative MPs for about 20 minutes during the retreat. Media were allowed to cover the speech, but he did not take questions or participate in additional photo opportunities during the gathering. He left the meeting without speaking to reporters as Conservative MPs concluded discussions aimed at setting the party’s priorities before Parliament resumes. The meeting came amid reports of

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre