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ucp-backs-alberta-remaining-in-canada-after-public-split-over-separation-stance
AlbertaMay 28, 2026

UCP backs Alberta remaining in Canada after public split over separation stance

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the United Conservative Party supports Alberta remaining in Canada following conflicting public statements from party leadership ahead of a proposed fall referendum on separation. The clarification came after UCP president Rob Smith said earlier this week the party would not take a position on Alberta separation before the vote. Danielle Smith has repeatedly stated she supports Alberta staying within Confederation. In a new statement issued Wednesday, the party said it supports Alberta remaining in Canada and “has always supported that position.” The dis
AlbertaMay 27, 2026

Alberta judge calls for stronger vaccination outreach, improved housing conditions after death of First Nations boy

A provincial court judge is recommending stronger vaccination campaigns and action on overcrowded housing conditions following the 2020 death of a six-year-old Indigenous boy in northern Alberta. In a fatality inquiry report released Tuesday, provincial court Justice Claus Thietke said the boy died on Nov. 13, 2020, at a local nursing station after experiencing abdominal pain and hours of vomiting. Evidence presented during the inquiry found meningococcus bacteria in the child’s bloodstream caused an infection that led to organ failure. According to the report, the boy lived with about 20 re
alberta-constitutional-affairs-adviser-jason-stephan-resigns-from-role
AlbertaMay 26, 2026

Alberta constitutional affairs adviser Jason Stephan resigns from role

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office says Jason Stephan has resigned as the government’s parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs. Stephan, the United Conservative Party MLA for Red Deer-South, remains a member of the government caucus, according to the premier’s office. No reason was provided for the resignation, which the office said was submitted earlier this year. The constitutional affairs advisory role was created by the Alberta government last year and was described at the time as “critically important” to advancing the province’s interests in federal-provincial re
AlbertaMay 26, 2026

Verdict expected in trial of man accused of selling rifle used in killings of Edmonton police officers

A judge in Edmonton Court of King’s Bench is expected to deliver a verdict Tuesday in the manslaughter trial of Dennis Okeymow, who is accused of selling a rifle later used in the fatal shooting of two Edmonton police officers in 2023. Okeymow, 21, has pleaded not guilty in connection with the deaths of constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan. According to court proceedings, the officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment building when 16-year-old Roman Shewchuk allegedly opened fire on them. Police said Shewchuk later died by suicide at the scene. During the tria
AlbertaMay 25, 2026

Dog owner showed “wanton disregard” in fatal Edmonton dog attack, judge says

An Edmonton judge says a dog owner convicted of criminal negligence causing death demonstrated a “wanton disregard” for the life of an 11-year-old boy who was fatally attacked by her dogs in 2024. Court heard that Kache Grist was attacked by two dogs belonging to Crystal MacDonald in April 2024 at an Edmonton home where the boy was visiting his father, who was living with MacDonald at the time. According to the court ruling, MacDonald testified she did not approve of the child staying at the home. The judge said there were several steps she could have taken to reduce the risk, including ke
verdict-expected-in-edmonton-dog-attack-death-trial
AlbertaMay 22, 2026

Verdict expected in Edmonton dog attack death trial

A judge is expected to deliver a verdict Friday in the criminal negligence trial of an Edmonton woman charged in the 2024 death of an 11-year-old boy killed by two dogs. Crystal MacDonald has pleaded not guilty to criminal negligence causing death in connection with the fatal attack on Kache Grist at her Edmonton home in April 2024. Court heard MacDonald and the boy’s father, Wesley Grist, were roommates at the time. Kache, who lived in British Columbia, was visiting Edmonton during spring break when the attack occurred. During testimony, MacDonald said she repeatedly warned Wesley Grist no
AlbertaMay 22, 2026

Former Durham officer arrested in Alberta on multiple sexual assault charges

Alberta RCMP have arrested a former Durham Regional Police officer who is facing multiple sexual assault and breach of trust charges linked to alleged incidents dating back more than 20 years. Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said the alleged offences occurred in 2003 and were investigated at the time. The civilian police watchdog said the case was reopened in 2024 after the complainant provided new information. The SIU said a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Kevin Seamons. RCMP arrested him in Alberta on Wednesday night. Seamons faces six counts of sexual assault, one count of sexual
alberta-voters-to-weigh-referendum-question-on-provinces-future-in-canada-on-oct-19-says-premier-smith
FeaturedMay 22, 2026

Alberta voters to weigh referendum question on province’s future in Canada on Oct. 19, says Premier Smith

Albertans will take part in a province-wide referendum on Oct. 19 that will ask voters to weigh in on Alberta’s future relationship with Canada, Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday evening during a televised address. Smith said the provincial government plans to include a new “blended question” on the ballot aimed at reflecting the views of both groups advocating for Alberta to remain within Canada and those supporting greater sovereignty or separation. She said the wording was developed with input from the pro-Canada group Forever Canadian and the separatist group Stay Free Albert
alberta-premier-to-deliver-televised-address-amid-renewed-separation-referendum-debate
AlbertaMay 21, 2026

Alberta premier to deliver televised address amid renewed separation referendum debate

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to deliver a televised address Thursday evening amid renewed political debate over a possible referendum on Alberta’s future within Confederation. The address is set to air at 6:45 p.m. on CTV, Global and Rogers television networks and will also be livestreamed on the premier’s social media channels. The appearance follows controversy at a United Conservative Party caucus committee meeting Wednesday, where members debated a motion urging Smith to call an Oct. 19 referendum on Alberta’s place in Canada. The motion, introduced by UCP member Nate

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AlbertaSep 25, 2026

Alberta Referendum Mail-in Ballot Deadline Is Tonight

Friday is the final day for Albertans to apply for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming referendum. Elections Alberta will accept applications until midnight tonight. Completed special ballot packages must be received by Elections Alberta by 5 p.m. on October 16. As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 673,000 Albertans had requested mail-in ballots, a sharp increase from the 59,589 special ballot requests recorded during the 2023 provincial election. Elections Alberta has attributed the high demand, in part, to changes that removed the requirement to provide a reason for requesting a special bal
BCSep 25, 2026

Mother Jones Reveals Major Details From Tumbler Ridge Shooter’s ChatGPT History

A new report by U.S. magazine Mother Jones has revealed details of the alleged ChatGPT history of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old identified in connection with the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. According to the report, Van Rootselaar had previously used ChatGPT to discuss a potential mass shooting at a shopping mall, after which the account was banned. She later created a second account and allegedly told the chatbot that the earlier scenario had been fictional. Mother Jones reports that Van Rootselaar subsequently used hypothetical or fictional framing to get responses to violent
BCSep 25, 2026

Two Former MLAs Facing Criminal Charges Set to Re-enter B.C. Election Race

Two former B.C. MLAs facing serious criminal charges could be back on the ballot in the upcoming provincial election. Former B.C. Conservative MLA Jordan Kealy has already confirmed that he will run as an independent in Peace River North. Kealy was charged in June with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident that occurred before he became an MLA in 2024. He has denied the allegation and says he is innocent. The case has not yet gone to trial. Meanwhile, the office of former Richmond Centre MLA Hon Chan says he is considering running again. Chan is facing charges including assault
CanadaSep 25, 2026

White House pushes back after Carney raises possibility of U.S. military threat to Canada

The White House has pushed back against Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comments about the possibility of a U.S. military threat to Canada, saying President Donald Trump has done more than any other leader to protect the country. White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Carney should be grateful for Trump’s efforts involving Canada. Her comments came after Carney discussed the potential risks facing Canada in an interview with The New York Times. Carney said his government had taken threats related to the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state seriously and had prepar
calgary-police-seize-cache-of-weapons-arrest-3-20-charges-laid
FeaturedSep 24, 2026

Calgary Police Seize Cache of Weapons, Arrest 3; 20 Charges Laid

Police have seized a large cache of weapons and arrested three people following a search of a home in northeast Calgary. According to police, officers executed a search warrant on Sept. 10 at a residence in the 100 block of Covington Rise N.E. The search resulted in the seizure of a Glock 17 handgun, an H&R Arms Co. .22-calibre revolver, a 3D-printed Glock 18 handgun, a 3D-printed Glock magazine and suppressor, a 3D printer and a replica BB gun. Staff Sgt. Matt Gao said every illegal firearm seized helps reduce the risk of someone being seriously harmed or killed in the community. The thre