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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. adds 7,800 jobs in June as unemployment rate falls to 6.5%

British Columbia's labour market added 7,800 jobs in June, while the province's unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey released Friday. Statistics Canada reported that the health care sector led job growth with 8,500 new positions, followed by transportation and warehousing, which added approximately 7,300 jobs. At the same time, the accommodation and food services sector lost about 9,000 jobs, while professional, scientific and technical services shed 3,100 positions. The report also showed gains in both full-time
CanadaJul 10, 2026

Canadian Punjabi man sentenced to 20 years in U.S. for leading cross-border drug trafficking operation

A Canadian man of Punjabi origin has been sentenced to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison after admitting to leading an international drug trafficking organization that smuggled large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from the United States into Canada. According to U.S. court documents, 63-year-old Guramrit Sidhu pleaded guilty on March 26, 2026, to charges related to his role in the trafficking operation. He had been in U.S. custody since October 2024. Prosecutors said Sidhu led the criminal organization between September 2020 and February 2023. Investigators determined that between S
BCJul 10, 2026

Wildfire rages out of control near Boston Bar in B.C., Highway 1 closed

Wildfire activity near Boston Bar in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon continues to pose a significant threat, with Highway 1 closed due to uncontrolled fires burning on both sides of the Fraser River. According to authorities, the closure is in place to protect public safety. Many residents have already left for safer locations, while others remain on alert as conditions continue to evolve. Amid the emergency, Jagdeep Singh Bahl, owner of JB's Drive-In Restaurant near Highway 1, has opened his restaurant earlier than usual to provide meals for wildfire crews battling the blazes. Bahl said he i
amber-alert-issued-after-alleged-abduction-of-six-year-old-near-b-c-alberta-border
BCJul 10, 2026

Amber Alert issued after alleged abduction of six-year-old near B.C.–Alberta border

Alberta RCMP have issued an Amber Alert after the alleged abduction of a six-year-old child from northern Alberta, with investigators believing the child may now be in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories or Yukon. According to RCMP, Lanakai Morrison was allegedly taken Tuesday from Valhalla Centre, a hamlet about 63 kilometres northwest of Grande Prairie. Police said the child was last seen at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Fort St. John, B.C. Investigators believe Lanakai may be with the child's 35-year-old mother, Krista Morrison, and her 35-year-old partner, Daniel Ludwig. Police also
canada-adds-18-200-jobs-in-june-as-unemployment-rate-falls-to-6-5
CanadaJul 10, 2026

Canada adds 18,200 jobs in June as unemployment rate falls to 6.5%

Canada's labour market posted a net gain of 18,200 jobs in June, while the national unemployment rate declined to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey released Friday. The increase follows a stronger gain of 87,800 jobs recorded in May. According to Statistics Canada, employment growth in June was driven primarily by the services sector and part-time work. The largest job gains were reported in wholesale and retail trade, as well as accommodation and food services, with younger workers benefiting the most from the hiring. Manufacturing continued to face pressure a