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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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CanadaSep 25, 2026

Canada, Germany Sign Intelligence-Sharing Agreement

Canada has announced a significant intelligence-sharing agreement with Germany aimed at strengthening cooperation in defence, security, trade and advanced technologies. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and German Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul signed the agreement in Ottawa on Friday. The deal will enable the secure exchange of intelligence not only on sensitive defence and security matters but also in areas such as trade and advanced technologies. Referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech to the European Parliament last week, Anand said Germany plays an important role i
CanadaSep 25, 2026

Canada-U.S. Air Travel Rebounds, Passenger Numbers Rise 5.9% in August

The decline in air travel from Canada to the United States, which had continued year over year for 18 consecutive months, has now come to an end. According to August data from Statistics Canada, the significant slowdown in Canadian travel to the U.S. caused by trade and political tensions between the two countries earlier in 2025 appears to be easing. The number of Canadian air passengers travelling to the U.S. increased by 5.9% year over year in August, compared with a 0.9% decline in July. Statistics Canada said Toronto Pearson and Montréal-Trudeau airports recorded double-digit growth in a
eby-announces-new-tax-on-empty-condos-in-b-c
BCSep 25, 2026

Eby Announces New Tax on Empty Condos in B.C.

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby announced during a campaign stop in Burnaby that, if re-elected, his government would introduce a new empty condo tax targeting developers who leave completed condo units unsold and vacant for more than a year. Under the proposed measure, the tax would increase by one percentage point for each additional year a unit remains vacant. Eby said just 10 developers are holding more than $2 billion worth of completed condos that they are unwilling to sell at what he described as reasonable prices. He warned developers that they would have to either sell the units or pay the
canada-u-s-trade-deal-could-take-time-as-trump-administration-shows-no-urgency
CanadaSep 25, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Could Take Time as Trump Administration Shows No Urgency

Resolving the trade dispute between Canada and the United States could take considerable time, as the Trump administration says it is in no rush to reach a new trade agreement with Canada. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC in an interview Friday that significant trade is still taking place between the two countries and that the Trump administration is satisfied with the current situation. Greer said the U.S. trade policy is global in scope and applies equally to countries including Canada, China, the U.K. and Brazil. He also confirmed that his team remains in contact with Cana
45-year-old-man-arrested-over-alleged-threats-against-pm-mark-carney-on-social-media
CanadaSep 25, 2026

45-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Alleged Threats Against PM Mark Carney on Social Media

RCMP have arrested and charged a 45-year-old Quebec City man for allegedly making threats against Prime Minister Mark Carney on social media. Police identified the accused as Ousmane Bah, who allegedly used his Facebook account to make death threats against the prime minister. The investigation began on July 6, and Bah appeared in court on September 24. He faces charges related to threats to cause death or bodily harm and promoting hatred against a public figure. According to the court’s decision, Bah will remain in police custody until his next court appearance on October 1. This is reporte