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AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Alberta court pauses referendum petition process tied to separation effort

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
AlbertaApr 10, 2026

Calgary Stampede chuckwagon tarp auction raises record $6.1M ahead of 2026 festival

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
AlbertaApr 10, 2026

Alberta nurses union calls for weapons screening, more officers after hospital stabbing

The president of the United Nurses of Alberta says weapons screening systems and more protective services officers are urgently needed in Alberta hospitals, citing what she describes as near-daily threats of violence against frontline staff. Heather Smith made the call following a stabbing last week in the emergency department at Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital. According to hospital officials, a 42-year-old man was treated for life-threatening injuries after the incident. In a statement after the attack, Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones said the province is work
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Edmonton man charged with human trafficking offences involving five women, police say

Police in Edmonton say a 47-year-old man is facing multiple human trafficking-related charges following an investigation involving five women. According to a release from ALERT Edmonton’s Human Trafficking unit, Jonathan Allard was arrested March 26 and is charged with 26 Criminal Code offences, including trafficking in persons, forcible confinement and assault. Investigators say the case began in June after one of the alleged victims contacted police seeking help. She told officers she had been recruited through social media to move to Edmonton, where she was allegedly forced into the sex t
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Alberta defence lawyers call for probe into Edmonton police chief over manslaughter case comments

A group representing criminal defence lawyers in Alberta is calling for an independent investigation into Warren Driechel and the Edmonton Police Service’s top lawyer, Megan Hankowich, over public comments tied to a recent manslaughter case. The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says the statements may warrant a third-party review to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred. The group is asking Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery to direct the province’s Police Review Commission to assess whether there are grounds for charges, including intimidation or obstruction of justice. Ac
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

First Nation chief challenges Alberta separation petition in court, citing treaty rights

The chief of a First Nation seeking a court injunction against a citizen-led petition on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada says legal action was necessary to defend treaty rights. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation said the constitutional challenge targets the province’s citizen-initiated referendum process, which he argues could affect First Nations without proper consultation. According to statements made at the start of the hearing, Sunshine said the case is about ensuring treaty obligations are upheld. A court hearing began Tuesday and is expected to include a
AlbertaApr 07, 2026

Late-season Alberta clipper to bring snow across Prairies, Environment Canada says

Environment Canada says a late-season Alberta clipper is expected to bring snowfall to parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba through Tuesday and into Wednesday. According to an Environment Canada weather statement, heavy snow is forecast in Alberta from Peace River toward Cold Lake, as well as between Banff and Jasper, beginning overnight and continuing into Wednesday morning. In Saskatchewan, the agency says snowfall is expected to develop across central regions of the province on Tuesday and persist into Wednesday. Manitoba is expected to see some of the highest accumulations, with 15
first-nation-seeks-court-injunction-to-halt-alberta-separation-petition
FeaturedApr 07, 2026

First Nation seeks court injunction to halt Alberta separation petition

An Alberta First Nation is in court Tuesday seeking an injunction to stop a citizen-led petition campaign advocating for the province to leave Canada. The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has filed an application in the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton, asking a judge to suspend the campaign while legal questions over treaty rights are addressed. According to the court filing, the First Nation argues that any move toward Alberta’s separation from Canada would require the consent of First Nations under existing treaties. The application alleges that the governments of Alberta and Canada, along wi
lethbridge-police-seek-suspect-driver-in-hit-and-run-investigation
AlbertaApr 06, 2026

Lethbridge police seek suspect driver in hit-and-run investigation

Lethbridge Police Service says it is seeking the public’s help to identify a driver involved in a hit-and-run that damaged a parked vehicle. According to a police release, the incident occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on March 24 in the 900 block of 18 Street North. Investigators say a vehicle struck a parked white SUV and left the scene without stopping. Police confirmed the SUV sustained significant damage. No injuries have been reported. Based on debris recovered at the scene, officers have identified the suspect vehicle as a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. The investigation remains ongoing.

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farmers-to-hold-delhi-mahapanchayat-over-proposed-india-u-s-trade-agreement
IndiaJul 20, 2026

Farmers to hold Delhi Mahapanchayat over proposed India–U.S. trade agreement

Farmers from different parts of the country are scheduled to gather at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on Tuesday for a Mahapanchayat to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the gathering, being organised on the call of the Desh Bachao Morcha, will oppose the proposed deal, which he described as being against the interests of farmers. According to Pandher, the agreement could adversely affect the farming community, and protesters will urge the Centre not to implement it. Pandher said buses carrying farmers from Punjab are expected to leave for Delh
four-charged-after-alleged-retail-theft-at-markham-business-york-regional-police-say
BCJul 20, 2026

Four charged after alleged retail theft at Markham business, York Regional Police say

Four men have been arrested following an alleged retail theft at a business in Markham, while police continue to search for a fifth suspect, according to York Regional Police. Police said officers responded at about 8 a.m. Tuesday to a business near Fairburn Drive and Highway 7 after receiving reports that several suspects had filled shopping carts with power tools and left the store without paying. Investigators allege the suspects were attempting to flee in a vehicle when officers arrived and, with assistance from store security staff, took four individuals into custody. York Regional Police
BCJul 20, 2026

Woman seriously injured in stabbing at Campbell River parking lot, RCMP investigating

A 30-year-old woman was seriously injured in a stabbing early Sunday morning in Campbell River, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. in a parking area in the 1200-block of Cedar Street. Responding officers provided first aid before BC Emergency Health Services transported the woman to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to the Campbell River RCMP, the detachment's Major Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Services and general duty officers remained at the scene for several hours to collect evidence and interview witnesses. I
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A
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WorldJul 20, 2026

At least 930 dead as Congo's Ebola outbreak continues to grow

At least 930 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry said 2,344 Ebola cases had been confirmed as of Saturday. In an overnight update into Monday, officials reported 37 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours, marking one of the highest single-day death totals recorded during the outbreak. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 and has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. Health officials said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibug