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AlbertaFeb 23, 2026

Edmonton flights to Puerto Vallarta cancelled after violence in Mexico’s Jalisco state

Flights between Edmonton and the Mexican resort city of Puerto Vallarta have been cancelled following reports of widespread violence in the state of Jalisco over the weekend. Edmonton International Airport confirmed that one outbound flight to Puerto Vallarta and three return flights to Alberta were cancelled after unrest broke out in several parts of Jalisco on Sunday. The disruptions have left a number of Edmonton-area travellers stranded in Mexico and families in Alberta seeking updates. The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory for the state of Jalisco, urging Canadians to exer
albertans-voice-divided-views-on-proposed-october-referendum
AlbertaFeb 23, 2026

Albertans voice divided views on proposed October referendum

Albertans are expressing sharply divided opinions over the provincial government’s plan to hold a referendum this October, with Premier Danielle Smith fielding support and criticism over the weekend. During her regular call-in radio program Saturday morning, Smith heard from several callers who said the proposed vote reflects public concerns, particularly around immigration levels and provincial authority. Supporters told the premier the referendum questions are timely and align with what they see as mounting pressures on housing, health care and other services. At the same time, dozens of p
alberta-to-hold-october-referendum-on-immigration-policy-and-senate-reform
AlbertaFeb 20, 2026

Alberta to Hold October Referendum on Immigration Policy and Senate Reform

Alberta residents will be asked to weigh in this October on two policy questions dealing with immigration and constitutional reform, the provincial government has announced. One of the proposed referendum questions will ask voters whether non permanent residents should be required to pay to access Alberta’s publicly funded health care and education systems. The issue comes amid ongoing debate across Canada about how provinces manage service costs as population growth increases. A second question will ask Albertans whether the province should advocate for abolishing the Senate as part of broa
AlbertaFeb 20, 2026

Alberta issues standing measles exposure advisory for Parkland County

Alberta health officials have issued a standing measles exposure advisory for Parkland County, west of Edmonton, as confirmed cases continue to be reported across the province. Alberta Health says individuals who live, work, attend school or travel in the Parkland County area should monitor for symptoms and ensure their immunizations are up to date. A standing advisory means residents should remain alert for potential exposure rather than focusing on a single location or date. As of Thursday, Alberta has recorded 71 confirmed measles cases in 2026. Health authorities say the majority of cases
AlbertaFeb 19, 2026

Calgary man charged in 2024 extortion case involving threats against woman

A 37-year-old Calgary man is facing multiple extortion charges following an investigation into a series of threats reported by a woman in the city’s northeast. The investigation began in September 2025 when the woman contacted police to report repeated attempts throughout 2024 to force her to hand over money and valuables. According to police, the incidents occurred between August and October 2024, during which the suspects allegedly demanded payment and threatened violence if she refused. Authorities say the individuals involved were known to the victim. In December 2025, investigators laun
alberta-premier-to-address-immigration-pressures-ahead-of-provincial-budget
AlbertaFeb 19, 2026

Alberta premier to address immigration pressures ahead of provincial budget

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to deliver a televised address this evening focusing on immigration and its impact on provincial services, as her government prepares to table the 2026 budget next week. Speaking Wednesday, Smith said Alberta’s public finances are facing strain partly due to rapid population growth. The province has led the country in interprovincial migration in recent years, driven by relatively affordable housing and job opportunities in energy and construction sectors. Smith said some newcomers have been “heavy users” of public services without yet contributing t
AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Traffic fatalities in Calgary raise renewed safety concerns as city reviews enforcement measures

Traffic-related deaths in Calgary are drawing renewed concern from municipal leaders after eight people were killed in collisions during the first seven weeks of the year. Three of the victims were pedestrians, according to city data, prompting calls for stronger safety measures on local roads. The most recent fatalities occurred over the Family Day weekend, when a child and a senior lost their lives in separate incidents. City officials say that if the current pace continues, the number of deaths in 2026 could exceed last year’s total of 38 traffic fatalities, marking a troubling trend for
AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Alberta petition to end public funding for private schools fails to meet signature threshold

A citizen-led petition calling on the Alberta government to end public funding for accredited private schools has fallen short of the number of signatures required to trigger further legislative consideration. In a statement released Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure confirmed that just over 124,000 Albertans signed the initiative petition. Under provincial rules, organizers needed approximately 177,000 valid signatures to meet the threshold set out in Alberta’s citizen initiative legislation. The petition was launched by Calgary teacher Alicia Taylor. It asked voters whether t
alberta-premier-to-deliver-televised-address-one-week-before-provincial-budget
FeaturedFeb 18, 2026

Alberta premier to deliver televised address one week before provincial budget

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will address Albertans in a televised speech on Thursday, one week before the province’s 2026 budget is tabled in the legislature. Smith made the announcement during an unrelated news conference in Calgary but did not provide details on what topics she intends to cover. A spokesperson for the Premier’s Office said further information about the address would be released at a later time. The speech comes ahead of Finance Minister Nate Horner’s scheduled budget presentation on Feb. 26. The government has already signalled that the fiscal plan will ref

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BCJun 17, 2026

Parm Jawanda assumes chair of Surrey Police Board

Parm Jawanda has assumed the role of chair of the Surrey Police Board, with the board announcing the launch of a comprehensive financial review of the Surrey Police Service (SPS). According to the board, an independent accounting firm will be retained to conduct the review. The process is intended to assess the service's financial position, resource requirements and long-term budget planning needs. In a statement, Jawanda said the review will help identify areas where Surrey Police Service may require additional resources and provide a clearer picture of its operational and financial needs. Sh
trump-says-talks-with-modi-at-g7-summit-were-productive-highlights-india-u-s-partnership
WorldJun 17, 2026

Trump says talks with Modi at G7 summit were productive, highlights India-U.S. partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had a “very good and productive” discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump described India as an important strategic partner of the United States and said cooperation between the two countries is expected to continue expanding across a range of areas. According to statements made by Trump, he expressed support for India and emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship, particularly on issues related to security, trade and regio
canadas-population-declines-slightly-in-first-quarter-of-2026-as-non-permanent-resident-numbers-fall
CanadaJun 17, 2026

Canada’s population declines slightly in first quarter of 2026 as non-permanent resident numbers fall

Canada’s population declined slightly during the first three months of 2026, according to new estimates released by Statistics Canada. The agency estimated the country’s population at 41,417,056 as of April 1, a decrease of 55,025 people, or 0.1 per cent, compared with Jan. 1. Statistics Canada attributed the decline largely to a reduction in the number of non-permanent residents. According to Statistics Canada, the preliminary number of non-permanent residents fell by 117,879 during the first quarter of 2026. That compares with a decline of 55,194 during the same period a year earlier. Th
CanadaJun 17, 2026

Car crashes into Chilliwack home, fire leaves two families displaced

Two families have been displaced after a vehicle crashed into the basement of a home and sparked a fire in Chilliwack early Tuesday morning. According to the Chilliwack Fire Department, the incident occurred at about 1:45 a.m. when a speeding vehicle left the roadway, struck a residence, and entered the home's basement. A fire broke out immediately after the collision and spread rapidly through the structure. More than 24 firefighters responded to the scene and brought the blaze under control. Fire officials said the fire had already spread from the basement to the second floor by the time eme
AlbertaJun 17, 2026

11-year-old boy dies after incident during school field trip in Medicine Hat

An 11-year-old boy has died after a suspected drowning during a school field trip at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat, according to Alberta RCMP. Police said officers responded Monday afternoon after receiving a report that a child had gone missing during a school outing at the park. Staff from the school division, park employees and emergency responders searched the area, while drones were deployed to assist in locating the child. Staff Sgt. Darren Lole said the boy was found in the water within about an hour of the initial report. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead