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AlbertaNov 24, 2025

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M
AlbertaNov 20, 2025

Alberta auditor says failed lab privatization left public with $109 million bill

Alberta’s auditor general says the province’s attempt to shift community lab testing to a private operator resulted in significant financial losses and gaps in government oversight. A new report from Auditor General Doug Wylie estimates taxpayers absorbed roughly $109 million after the privatization effort collapsed. Wylie’s review found that senior officials in government advanced the plan despite internal warnings that the projected savings were unlikely. He says weaknesses in record keeping, financial analysis and contract oversight contributed to the breakdown of the agreement with D
AlbertaNov 19, 2025

Albertans choose Banff’s Moraine Lake for upcoming Strong and Free licence plate

Alberta’s next generation of licence plates will feature one of the province’s most recognizable mountain landscapes after residents selected Moraine Lake as the new image. The provincial government said more than 240,000 people participated in an online vote, making this the first major redesign of the plate in more than four decades. The change follows the government’s earlier decision to retire the long standing Wild Rose Country slogan and replace it with Strong and Free, a phrase drawn from Alberta’s official motto and referenced in Canada’s national anthem. Officials say the up
alberta-proposes-law-to-add-citizenship-status-and-health-numbers-to-drivers-licences
AlbertaNov 18, 2025

Alberta proposes law to add citizenship status and health numbers to driver’s licences

Alberta has introduced legislation that would require citizenship status and provincial health numbers to be displayed on all driver’s licences and government ID cards. The proposal formalizes a plan the province first signalled earlier this year, prompting debate about how much personal information should appear on identification used for everyday transactions. Privacy advocates previously warned that the change could expose a person’s citizenship status in routine situations such as age verification at stores or restaurants. Government officials argue the measure will make it easier for
calgary-committee-backs-motion-to-scrap-blanket-rezoning-ahead-of-full-council-vote
AlbertaNov 17, 2025

Calgary committee backs motion to scrap blanket rezoning ahead of full council vote

Calgary’s executive committee has endorsed a motion from Mayor Jeromy Farkas to roll back the city’s blanket rezoning bylaw, setting the stage for a final decision by full council on December 15. The move begins the formal process to undo a housing policy approved earlier this year under former mayor Jyoti Gondek. The bylaw, adopted in April 2024, allowed fourplexes and rowhouses on all residential lots without requiring individual public hearings or neighbourhood-level consultation. Council approved the changes despite strong opposition from residents who argued the citywide approach w
alberta-cabinet-minister-apologizes-after-voicemail-with-expletive-becomes-public
AlbertaNov 17, 2025

Alberta cabinet minister apologizes after voicemail with expletive becomes public

Alberta cabinet minister Tanya Fir has issued a public apology after a voicemail she left for a Calgary constituent captured her using an expletive once she believed the call had ended. Fir, who serves as minister of arts, culture and Status of Women, acknowledged the remark in a written statement and described it as a lapse in judgment. The voicemail, released over the weekend by Alberta columnist Doug Firby, begins with Fir returning a constituent’s call and referencing feedback she had received. After offering a goodbye, the line remains open as she turns to speak with someone nearby. In
AlbertaNov 17, 2025

Calgary father and daughter die after powerful wave pulls them into ocean off California coast

Authorities in California say a Calgary resident and his young daughter have died after a large wave swept them into the Pacific Ocean at Garrapata State Beach, an area known for strong surf and steep coastal cliffs. Local officials identified the victims as 39-year-old Yuji Hu and his seven-year-old daughter, who were visiting the Monterey County shoreline with family on Friday. Investigators say the child was pulled into the water by a wave estimated at about six metres high. Both parents reached toward the girl in an attempt to bring her back to safety but were also carried away by the surg
alberta-says-talks-with-ottawa-continue-as-province-presses-for-new-pipeline-approval
AlbertaNov 14, 2025

Alberta says talks with Ottawa continue as province presses for new pipeline approval

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province is encouraged by the federal government’s latest list of major projects flagged for potential fast-track approval, even though a proposed bitumen pipeline sought by her government was not included. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced earlier today that seven additional energy and infrastructure proposals have been sent to the federal major projects office for further review. The projects identified by Ottawa include a nickel mine in northern Ontario, a hydroelectric development near Iqaluit, and two initiatives in northwest British Columbia i
AlbertaNov 14, 2025

Edmonton health officials confirm localized tuberculosis outbreak linked to inner city

Health authorities in Edmonton have confirmed a tuberculosis outbreak after laboratory results linked two inner city patients to the same strain of the disease. The declaration was made in October once testing showed evidence of recent local transmission. According to Alberta Health Services, a total of 12 tuberculosis cases have been identified this year involving individuals connected to the city’s inner core or experiencing homelessness. Three of those cases have been confirmed as sharing the same strain and are now classified within the outbreak. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs

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AlbertaApr 27, 2026

Apartment fire in northeast Edmonton causes $1.1M in damage, injures resident and firefighter

A fire at an apartment complex in northeast Edmonton has caused an estimated $1.1 million in property damage and displaced residents, according to emergency response information. The blaze broke out April 20 at the Wyndham Crossing Apartments, where about 200 people live. Evacuating residents safely was a significant challenge for crews responding to the scene. One person was seriously injured in the fire and taken to hospital for treatment. A firefighter was also hurt during the response and received on-site care from emergency services. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and
ndp-leader-avi-lewis-will-not-run-in-quebec-byelection-after-boulerice-departure
CanadaApr 27, 2026

NDP leader Avi Lewis will not run in Quebec byelection after Boulerice departure

Newly elected federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis says he will not run in an upcoming Quebec byelection triggered by the departure of longtime MP Alexandre Boulerice. Boulerice announced he is leaving federal politics after 15 years to seek a provincial seat with Québec solidaire. He said in a statement that he believes his work in Ottawa is complete and described the move as a continuation of his political priorities at the provincial level. According to his announcement, Boulerice framed the decision as a transition rather than a strategic calculation, while confirming he will vacate his seat in t
AlbertaApr 27, 2026

Edmonton police seek public help to locate missing 19-year-old

Edmonton police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 19-year-old man, identified as Prayag Dalbhatwala. According to an Edmonton Police Service news release, Dalbhatwala was last seen on April 23 at حوالي 4 p.m. at a residence near 99 Street and 90 Avenue. Police and his family have expressed concern for his well-being. Investigators say Dalbhatwala had planned to travel to Calgary but cancelled those plans at the last minute. His whereabouts since then remain unknown. Police describe him as approximately five feet nine inches tall, with black hair, and he wears
more-than-10-kg-of-suspected-drugs-seized-in-kelowna-trafficking-investigation-two-men-arrested
BCApr 27, 2026

More than 10 kg of suspected drugs seized in Kelowna trafficking investigation; two men arrested

Police in Kelowna say more than 10 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs have been seized following a co-ordinated investigation into drug trafficking and illegal firearms. According to an RCMP news release, officers executed search warrants at three homes on April 15 as part of an ongoing probe in the city. The searches resulted in the seizure of approximately seven kilograms of suspected cocaine, more than two kilograms of suspected fentanyl and about one kilogram of psilocybin mushrooms. Investigators also seized a loaded firearm and about $40,000 in cash, which police allege are connected t
three-liberal-mps-take-seats-in-house-after-byelections-boosting-government-majority
CanadaApr 27, 2026

Three Liberal MPs take seats in House after byelections, boosting government majority

Three newly elected Liberal members of Parliament formally took their seats in the House of Commons on Monday following recent byelections that strengthened the governing party’s position. Doly Begum, Danielle Martin and Tatiana Auguste were sworn in as MPs on Saturday, according to official parliamentary records. Their arrivals bring the Liberals to 174 seats in the House, reflecting gains from both the byelections and a series of defections over recent months. Begum and Martin won Toronto-area ridings previously held by former cabinet ministers Bill Blair and Chrystia Freeland. Auguste sec