Former Alberta Conservative MLA Drew Barnes has announced plans to establish a new federal political party called Alberta Now, aimed at representing Alberta’s interests in Ottawa. Barnes says many Albertans feel they are not receiving adequate representation in Ottawa. The party would operate in a model similar to the Bloc Québécois and plans to field candidates only in Alberta’s 37 federal ridings. According to Barnes, Alberta Now will focus on smaller government, lower taxes, greater choice in government programs, more provincial autonomy and increased provincial control over areas su

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre

A new report commissioned by the Alberta government estimates that the cost of separating Alberta from Canada could reach $170 billion during the first five years. The report, prepared by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, estimates the transition could cost at least $50 billion, with the upper-end estimate reaching $170 billion. The costs would include building new infrastructure, hiring and transitioning staff, and covering Alberta’s share of the federal debt. The report examines two possible scenarios for separation. One assumes a relatively smooth and cooperative tra

Thousands of Safeway workers in Alberta could go on strike after UFCW Local 401 issued a strike notice to parent company Sobeys. The union says workers could walk off the job at midnight on October 7 if no agreement is reached through negotiations. The proposed strike date falls just before the Thanksgiving weekend. The move comes after nearly a year of negotiations between the union and the company. Workers are seeking better wages, improved benefits, job security and safer stores. UFCW Local 401 president Thomas Hesse said workers do not want a strike but want a fair agreement. He warned tha

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has linked the UCP’s defeat in the Calgary-Shaw byelection to the upcoming separation referendum, saying the debate over Alberta leaving Canada is turning away Conservative voters who also feel strongly about the country. Kenney said the separation issue is pushing some nationalist supporters toward opposition parties such as the NDP. He believes the October 19 referendum is having a negative impact on Conservative support. In the Calgary-Shaw byelection, Alberta NDP candidate Kyle Campbell defeated UCP candidate Mike Derry by 582 votes. Campbell received

A 31-year-old Calgary man has been charged with allegedly making a death threat against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) launched an investigation after receiving information about a threat against Carney from a YouTube account. Working with Calgary police, INSET arrested Jamie Dacosta and charged him with uttering threats against the Prime Minister. Dacosta is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice today.

A landfill linked to a Calgary-based company has been burning for several days, with smoke causing concerns and disruption for residents in surrounding areas. The court has now taken a strong stance in the matter. Court of King’s Bench Justice James Eamon said the local company operating the landfill had deliberately refused to comply with municipal bylaws and orders. The judge also noted that the company’s past conduct showed a continued disregard for regulatory requirements. The court has granted the City of Calgary’s request for an injunction, ordering the company to immediately stop

Alberta NDP candidate Kyle Campbell has won the Calgary-Shaw byelection, defeating UCP candidate Mike Dery by 582 votes. Campbell will now serve as the MLA for the riding. Campbell received 7,461 votes, compared with 6,879 for Dery. Progressive Conservative candidate Kyle Joseph received 978 votes, Liberal candidate John Roggeveen received 602, while the Independent candidate secured 82 votes. NDP leader Naheed Nenshi called the victory a “political earthquake” for the party and said the NDP would build on its momentum in the coming days. The result is being seen as a significant shift in

A 36-year-old man has died after Edmonton police officers opened fire during an incident in west Edmonton on Sunday morning. Alberta’s police watchdog, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), has been notified and will investigate the shooting. Edmonton police say officers were called to a home following reports that a woman and an infant had been shot. When officers arrived, they encountered a man with a firearm who opened the front door. Police say the man was given verbal directions but did not comply. Three officers then discharged their firearms. The man was arrested but die