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AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Alberta Reverses Increase in Minimum Alcohol Prices

Alberta's liquor authority has cancelled a recent increase to the minimum price of alcohol sold in bars and restaurants. The decision comes after a weekend social media dispute between Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas. Smith and senior members of her government criticized Calgary City Council over new noise and curfew rules introduced for the Calgary Stampede. In response, Mayor Farkas criticized the province's decision to raise minimum alcohol prices. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Calgary's leadership should follow the province's example by repealing the contr
AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Edmonton Lifts Water Supply Alert After Stormwater System Stabilizes

The City of Edmonton has lifted the water supply alert that was issued on Sunday following several days of heavy rainfall. In an advisory released late Monday, officials said residents can return to their normal routines as the city's stormwater system has now stabilized. The recent downpours put significant pressure on multiple stormwater systems, raising concerns about flooding and sewer backups. In response, Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack and utility provider Epcor had urged residents to minimize their water use. Epcor spokesperson Martin Kennedy said the company responded to more than 600 cal
former-alberta-finance-minister-joe-ceci-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2027
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Former Alberta finance minister Joe Ceci will not seek re-election in 2027

Longtime Alberta politician Joe Ceci says he will not seek re-election in the province's next general election, scheduled for the fall of 2027. Ceci served as Alberta's finance minister in former premier Rachel Notley's New Democratic government from 2015 to 2019, becoming the province's only NDP finance minister. During his time in cabinet, the government increased the minimum wage and expanded funding for family and community support programs. His tenure also coincided with a sharp downturn in oil prices that contributed to significant provincial budget deficits. The NDP government argued th
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Alberta MLA expense claims draw scrutiny over high-end meals and minor purchases

A review of Alberta legislators' expense disclosures for the last fiscal year shows elected officials across party lines claimed expenses ranging from high-end restaurant meals to small everyday purchases, prompting questions from political observers about public perception and accountability. Under Alberta's legislative rules, members of the legislative assembly receive budgets to operate constituency offices, cover travel costs and host constituents and stakeholders. MLAs are also required to publicly disclose expense reports with itemized receipts. Among the larger expenses, Municipal Affai
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Edmonton area residents urged to conserve water as heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems

Officials in Edmonton and several neighbouring communities are urging residents to reduce water use after heavy rainfall caused localized flooding and pushed stormwater and sewer systems toward capacity. The City of Edmonton issued a water supply alert, saying flooding and sewer backups have been reported in surrounding areas and warning that additional problems could occur if the stormwater system continues operating above capacity. Utility provider Epcor asked customers to delay activities that use large amounts of water, including showering, running washing machines and dishwashers, and to
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Crane driver missing after vehicle plunges into Wapiti River near Grande Prairie

A crane operator remains missing after a commercial vehicle left a bridge and entered the Wapiti River near Grande Prairie, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday when the crane struck a guardrail on the Wapiti River Bridge and went into the river. Emergency crews, including RCMP officers, firefighters and search and rescue volunteers, responded to the scene. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mathew Howell said the crane remains submerged. The cause of the collision is under investigation. According to RCMP, divers have not been able to enter the river because of strong currents
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Calgary Transit workers to rally ahead of court hearing in driver assault case

Calgary Transit employees and members of ATU Local 583 are expected to gather outside Municipal Plaza today ahead of a court hearing related to the assault of a bus driver that occurred last year. According to ATU Local 583, members will hold a rally at noon before proceeding to the Calgary Courts Centre for a scheduled hearing at 1:30 p.m. The union says the demonstration is intended to highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of transit operators and frontline transit staff. The case stems from an incident in May 2025 near Falconridge Boulevard and Castleridge Boulevard, where a Calgary T
alberta-residents-to-receive-100-relief-payment-within-two-weeks-of-application-smith-says
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Alberta residents to receive $100 relief payment within two weeks of application, Smith says

Eligible Albertans will receive a $100 provincial relief payment within approximately two weeks of submitting an application, according to Premier Danielle Smith. Smith said the Alberta government chose to provide direct payments to residents instead of reducing the provincial gasoline tax. She said fuel tax reductions do not always result in savings reaching consumers, making direct assistance a more effective way to help households manage rising costs. According to the Alberta government, the relief program was triggered after higher global oil prices increased provincial energy royalty reve
smith-says-timing-may-prevent-coal-mining-referendum-question-from-appearing-on-october-ballot
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Smith says timing may prevent coal mining referendum question from appearing on October ballot

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it may be too late for a citizen-led petition seeking a ban on new coal mining projects to be included in the province's Oct. 19 referendum vote. Earlier this month, Alberta musician Corb Lund submitted what he said were more than 200,000 signatures in support of a petition that would require the Alberta government to consider legislation banning new coal mining or submit the matter to a provincewide referendum if the signatures are verified. According to Alberta's citizen initiative rules, a successful petition can compel the government to either introduce

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BCJul 10, 2026

B.C. to add 132 involuntary care beds in Surrey and Prince George

The British Columbia government has announced plans to open new involuntary care facilities in Surrey and Prince George for people living with severe mental illness, substance-use disorders and brain injuries. According to the provincial government, the renovated facilities will add a total of 132 new beds, including 60 at a new involuntary care centre in Surrey. The expansion is intended to provide specialized treatment and care for people who require intensive support. Premier David Eby said the new facilities are designed to help people stabilize and rebuild their lives during periods of ac
channi-bajwa-among-senior-congress-leaders-to-meet-bhupesh-baghel
IndiaJul 10, 2026

Channi, Bajwa among senior Congress leaders to meet Bhupesh Baghel

Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and several senior Congress leaders are scheduled to meet Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday as the party continues its organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. Channi confirmed the meeting in a social media post, stating that senior Congress leader and MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh will host the gathering at his residence. According to Channi, the meeting will focus on various organisational matters related to the party. According to available information, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Sing
maninder-sidhu-announces-india-trade-mission-to-lead-team-canada-delegation
BCJul 10, 2026

Maninder Sidhu announces India trade mission, to lead Team Canada delegation

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that he will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India from Oct. 12 to 17. According to the federal government, the mission is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indian market. Sidhu said Canada and India currently share approximately $31 billion in two-way trade. He said the federal government's goal is to double that figure by 2030. He added that India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offering significant oppo
saskatchewan-man-sentenced-in-cbsa-immigration-fraud-investigation
BCJul 10, 2026

Saskatchewan man sentenced in CBSA immigration fraud investigation

A Saskatchewan man has been sentenced to a conditional sentence of two years less a day after a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation into an immigration fraud scheme. According to a CBSA news release issued Friday, Balvir Singh was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The agency said the investigation began in 2018 after border services officers across Canada noticed an unusually high number of immigration applications connected to a Saskatoon-based non-profit organization. The CBSA, working with the Government of Saskatchewan, said investigators identified foreign nationals who e
CanadaJul 10, 2026

West Vancouver's Gurinder Singh Deo arrested in France

West Vancouver resident Gurinder Singh Deo has been arrested in France, the RCMP's Pacific Region Federal Policing confirmed. Police said the 40-year-old is currently in custody in France while legal proceedings are underway to extradite him to the United States. According to the RCMP, Deo was identified in the recent joint FBI and RCMP investigation known as Operation Hard Ball. U.S. authorities have charged him in connection with a drug trafficking case, alleging he helped facilitate the movement of narcotics into Southern California through alleged links to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. U.S.