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evacuation-order-issued-for-two-properties-near-squamish-wildfire
AlbertaJun 17, 2025

Evacuation order issued for two properties near Squamish wildfire

The Mayor of Squamish says two properties are on evacuation order due to slope instability from a wildfire. Armand Hurford says the Dryden Creek wildfire remained at nearly 60 hectares in size yesterday, but burned tree roots and wildfire crews have reported large trees falling and disturbing debris. Squamish Fire Rescue Chief Aaron Foote says the wildfire service is now the lead agency on the blaze, and cooler temperatures and rain are expected this week. Foote says Squamish has a busy fire department even without a wildfire, and about 57 wildfire fighters remain on the Dryden Cree
alberta-reports-53-more-cases-of-measles-surpasses-900-total-cases-since-march
CanadaJun 17, 2025

Alberta reports 53 more cases of measles, surpasses 900 total cases since March

Alberta has surpassed 900 cases of measles since the beginning of March. Data from the provincial government's dashboard shows 53 more cases were confirmed over the weekend, bringing Alberta's total to 932. The case count is the highest the province has seen in more than 40 years. Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Shelley Duggan has said Canada is at risk of losing its measles-elimination status come October and that she doubts cases will be brought under control before then. Health Canada says measles was eliminated in 1998 after being ruled no longer endemic. Alberta's governm
health-care-union-calls-for-alberta-government-to-halt-plan-to-limit-free-vaccines
AlbertaJun 17, 2025

Health-care union calls for Alberta government to halt plan to limit free vaccines

A union representing 30,000 health-care workers in Alberta is calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to reverse course and provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all front-line workers and any other Albertan who wants the shot. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta says that is the best way to protect patients, reduce hospitalizations, and keep the health-care system strong. Smith says the aim of the new policy, announced last week, is to prevent wastage, recover costs, and protect those who need it the most by giving them the COVID shot for free. However, most Albertans
alberta-premier-defends-charging-most-albertans-for-covid-19-vaccines
AlbertaJun 16, 2025

Alberta premier defends charging most Albertans for COVID-19 vaccines

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government's new policy forcing many Albertans to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccination is about focusing on those who need it the most. Smith says $135 million got ``flushed down the drain'' last year from doses wasted in part because of low vaccine uptake. Her government will still pay for some, including for those who have compromised immune systems or are on social programs, to get shots. Smith says she thinks low vaccination rates for COVID-19 in Alberta last year are because the vaccine ``doesn't work particularly well.''
former-alberta-health-agency-ceo-asks-for-speedy-ruling-in-lawsuit-against-government
AlbertaJun 13, 2025

Former Alberta health agency CEO asks for speedy ruling in lawsuit against government

A former health agency C-E-O is asking a judge to deliver a quick decision on her wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the Alberta government. But the province says it will push back. Athana Mentzelopoulos (MENT-suh-LOW-po-luss), the former head of Alberta Health Services, has applied for a summary judgment on the legality of her firing, which would keep the case from going to trial. Her lawsuit alleges she was improperly fired after investigating questionable, multimillion-dollar health contracts. She says her version of events will be confirmed by former A-H-S board members, if t
alberta-premier-faces-raucous-angry-town-hall-on-provinces-coal-policy
AlbertaJun 12, 2025

Alberta premier faces raucous, angry town hall on province's coal policy

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and three of her ministers got an earful from southern Alberta locals at a rowdy, hours-long town hall to discuss the province's coal policy. About 500 people, dressed in cowboy hats, belt buckles, and jeans, packed a community hall in Fort Macleod, Alta., for an event marked by heckling, competing applause, and placards. The premier and her ministers of energy, environment and agriculture took questions and were shouted down on several occasions by attendees as they defended changes to the province's coal policy. The town hall came weeks after the
alberta-premier-says-province-is-looking-to-entice-private-sector-pipeline-builder
AlbertaJun 11, 2025

Alberta premier says province is looking to entice private-sector pipeline builder

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is working to entice a private-sector player to build a crude pipeline to coastal waters. She urged attendees at the Global Energy Show to keep up the pressure on Ottawa to help speed along such a nation-building project. Smith has been enthusiastic about reviving a plan to ship oilsands crude to Prince Rupert on the northern B.C. coast for export to Asia. But she says that's never going to happen as long as there's a tanker ban in place on the West Coast. Smith is also keen on accessing global markets via a pipeline to the Port of Churchill i
alberta-resumes-buying-u-s-liquor-and-gambling-machines
AlbertaJun 09, 2025

Alberta Resumes Buying U.S. Liquor and Gambling Machines

Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after restrictions were announced to combat U-S tariffs. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally says the province's decision signals ``sets the stage for more constructive negotiations'' ahead of the renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement. After U-S President Donald Trump placed heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and energy, the Alberta government responded in March by saying it would no longer buy American alcohol, gambling machines, or sign contracts with U-S companies. Other premiers at
alberta-surpasses-700-confirmed-measles-cases-as-new-public-alert-issued-in-edmonton
AlbertaJun 03, 2025

Alberta surpasses 700 confirmed measles cases as new public alert issued in Edmonton

Alberta Health Services has issued a new public alert for measles exposure in Edmonton as confirmed cases across the province climb to 710. AHS says a person with the measles from outside the Edmonton area travelled to the city's University of Alberta Hospital last Wednesday evening while infectious. Of the total cases counted this year, 21 are known to be communicable, and four people were in hospital as of last week. The provincial health agency has issued a standing exposure advisory for the hardest-hit south zone, where 520 cases have been confirmed so far this year. The Ed

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prince-george-rcmp-arrest-teen-in-2024-fentanyl-related-youth-death
BCJan 15, 2026

Prince George RCMP Arrest Teen in 2024 Fentanyl-Related Youth Death

Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit has arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a 2024 fentanyl-related overdose that claimed the life of a 16-year-old. Police were first called to a home in the College Heights neighbourhood after a youth was found unconscious. The teenager was transported to hospital, where they later died. Toxicology results confirmed high levels of fentanyl in the youth’s system. Following an investigation, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved a manslaughter charge. On January 13, 2026, officers executed an arrest warrant, and the accused was brought to court and
nanaimo-man-faces-multiple-charges-after-downtown-coffee-shop-incident
BCJan 15, 2026

Nanaimo man faces multiple charges after downtown coffee shop incident

Nanaimo RCMP say a local man is facing several criminal charges following an incident at a downtown coffee shop earlier this week. Police were called around noon on January 13 to a business at 8–90 Front Street after a confrontation between a customer and the store manager. The situation escalated, resulting in an assault and damage to property, according to RCMP. The following day, the BC Prosecution Service approved five charges against 40-year-old Aiden Tye of Nanaimo. He faces charges of assault, assault with a weapon, mischief, committing an indecent act in public, and exposure of an in
alberta-government-launches-review-of-calgary-water-main-breaks-requests-city-records
AlbertaJan 15, 2026

Alberta government launches review of Calgary water main breaks, requests city records

The Alberta government has initiated a formal review of Calgary’s recurring water main failures, requesting extensive records from the city spanning the past 20 years. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams said in a letter to Calgary officials, shared publicly on social media, that the review aims to ensure the city’s 1.6 million residents have access to safe and reliable water services. Williams noted that while the city is actively addressing the latest rupture, the province must take steps to prevent future incidents. The concerns focus on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a key pipelin
federal-privacy-watchdog-probes-sexualized-deepfakes-on-x-platform
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Federal privacy watchdog probes sexualized deepfakes on X platform

Canada’s federal privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into sexualized deepfakes circulating on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Philippe Dufresne, who oversees federal private sector privacy compliance, has expanded an existing probe into X and opened a separate inquiry into xAI, the company behind Grok, the artificial intelligence tool used to generate the content. The office of the privacy commissioner said the investigations will determine whether X and xAI collected, used, or disclosed personal information without valid consent in the creation of deep
AlbertaJan 15, 2026

Two seriously injured after pit bulls attack caretakers in Vermilion area

Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries after being attacked by two pit bulls at a rural property near Vermilion, east of Edmonton, according to RCMP. Mounties say officers were called Wednesday to a home in the Vermilion area, roughly 190 kilometres east of Edmonton, after the dogs turned on their caretakers. Police did not release details about the extent of the injuries but confirmed both victims required medical treatment. Following the attack, the dogs escaped from the property, prompting authorities to warn residents about the potential risk of the animals being loose in