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

Voters are heading to the polls in three federal byelections today that are expected to determine whether the governing Liberals secure a majority in the House of Commons. Two of the ridings are long-held Liberal seats in the Toronto area, while a third contest in Terrebonne, Que., is considered competitive between the Bloc Québécois and the Liberals. The Quebec riding is being closely watched as it could decide whether the government crosses the majority threshold. According to Elections Canada, the byelections were called to fill vacancies left by former Liberal MPs Bill Blair and Chrystia

Former U.S. vice-president Kamala Harris says she is considering a bid for the presidency in 2028, according to recent public remarks made during appearances tied to her national book tour. Harris, who was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in the 2024 election, said she is weighing her next political steps amid what she described as ongoing challenges facing the country. She noted that “a lot of work” remains to be done and that current conditions are not working for many Americans. The comments come as Harris travels across the United States following the release of her 2025 c

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s next governor general will speak both of the country’s official languages, committing to a bilingual appointment when the current term ends. Carney responded “absolutely” when asked by host Patrick Masbourian whether he would ensure the next candidate is fluent in both English and French. According to the broadcaster, Carney did not provide details on potential candidates. The current governor general, Mary Simon, speaks English and Inuktitut but has faced criticism for not being fluent in French. Her 2021 appointment drew more than 1,300 compl

Vancouver police are asking for witnesses and dash-cam footage following a hit-and-run collision in the city’s Fairview neighbourhood that left a pedestrian with serious injuries. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, a 68-year-old man was crossing at Oak Street and West 6th Avenue shortly after 9:15 a.m. on April 8 when he was struck by a white GMC Yukon, believed to be a 2007 to 2014 model. The driver did not remain at the scene and was last seen travelling southbound on Oak Street through West 7th Avenue toward West Broadway. Police say the man was taken to hospital with lif

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

A 12-year-old girl injured in a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge is expected to travel to Los Angeles for specialized medical treatment, according to her mother. In a public Facebook post, Cia Edmonds said her daughter, Maya Gebala, has been released from intensive care at BC Children’s Hospital and is now “seemingly stable.” Maya had been receiving treatment there after suffering multiple injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head, during a mass shooting at her school in February. According to Edmonds, the next stage of care will involve what she described as an “aggressive appro

The Langley RCMP said officers responded at about 4:57 p.m. on April 9 to a crash in the 3300 block of 264th Street. First responders from the Township of Langley Fire Department and the British Columbia Ambulance Service also attended. “Despite life-saving efforts, one individual succumbed to their injuries at the scene,” Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a statement released by police. The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service has been deployed to assist with the investigation. Police have not released details about the cause of the crash or the identity of the individual. Ro

U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Iran should not attempt to “play” the United States as he departs for Pakistan to lead negotiations aimed at ending a six-week war between Washington and Tehran. According to White House officials, Vance will participate in mediated talks in Islamabad as part of an effort directed by President Donald Trump to seek a resolution to the conflict, which began Feb. 28. The administration has not confirmed whether the will be conducted directly with Iranian officials or through intermediaries. The talks come amid signs that a temporary ceasefire could collapse.