The Alberta government is proposing changes to the provincial Bill of Rights aimed at giving residents the right to refuse medical treatments, including vaccines. But there would be exemptions around whether the person has the capacity to consent, and if they are likely to harm themselves or others. Justice Minister Mickey Amery says the United Conservative government wants to make it clear no one will be forced to receive a treatment they don't want. But Premier Danielle Smith says the legislation is worded in such a way that it wouldn't conflict with the U-C-P's plans to allow polic

The federal government says Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan haven’t formally responded to an offer of funding to tackle homelessness. But Alberta’s minister in charge of the file says the province isn't saying no and his officials have been actively meeting with Ottawa on the file.Ottawa committed $250 million over two yearsin its budget to provide more shelter spaces, transitional homes, harm reduction spaces and services.Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser said in a Tuesday statement that the three provinces have yet to officially get on board.Fraser said he reached out with a Sept. 1

The Alberta government has announced 250 units of interim housing for Jasper, Alta., residents displaced by a wildfire this summer. Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon says the housing will cost the province $112 million, and the units will be rented at or near market rates. The July wildfire destroyed one-third of the tourist town's structures, including more than 800 units of housing. Nixon says it's still being determined how many of the interim housing units will be single occupancy and how many will be designed for families. Mayor Richard Ireland says the ne

The Alberta government has announced that long-term care and supportive living programs will no longer fall under the provincial Health Ministry, as part of its ongoing restructuring of Alberta’s health-care system. Instead, responsibility for continuing care programs will move to Seniors and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon, the province confirmed Friday. The change is part of Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to divide Alberta Health Services (AHS) into four new agencies, each handling specific aspects of health care. One of these agencies will focus exclusively on continuing care, which

The Alberta government has unveiled a new $7-million national advertising campaign aimed at opposing the federal government’s proposed emissions cap for the oil and gas industry - calling it a “production cap in disguise” that threatens jobs and economic stability. Premier Danielle Smith announced the “Scrap the Cap” campaign on Friday, arguing that Ottawa’s planned regulations, expected later this year, would hurt Alberta’s energy sector and make it harder for families to afford everyday essentials. “This cap will kill jobs, drive away investment, and raise costs for Canadians

Former Alberta justice minister Kaycee Madu is facing disciplinary action from the Law Society of Alberta after a tribunal found he “undermined respect for the administration of justice” by contacting Edmonton’s police chief about a personal traffic ticket. The law society cited Madu for misconduct related to a 2021 phone call to Chief Dale McFee, which took place shortly after he received a distracted driving ticket. While the society has not yet announced the penalty, the tribunal said Madu’s actions were “worthy of sanction”, with possible outcomes ranging from a suspension to d

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says the province’s new Primary Care Alberta agency - tasked with improving access to family doctors and nurse practitioners - will be operational by next month as part of the government’s major overhaul of the province’s health system. The new organization will focus on strengthening primary care delivery, developing new models of patient-centred care, and expanding after-hours access through virtual services. LaGrange said the move is designed to ensure Albertans can get timely access to medical care, especially in communities struggling with do

The operator of a northwestern Alberta pulp mill has been fined $1 million after nearly 31 million litres of toxic wastewater were released into the Peace River, posing a serious threat to aquatic life and the surrounding ecosystem. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the 2021 discharge by Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. was found to be “acutely lethal” to fish, in violation of the Fisheries Act. The company pleaded guilty last month, and as a result, its name will now be added to the federal Environmental Offenders Registry. According to investigators, the release occurred in April 20

City officials in Calgary are working to repair a new water main break that has left several homes and businesses without supply, though they stress the incident is not related to the major feeder main rupture that caused widespread restrictions earlier this year. Ryan Kidd, Calgary’s deputy director of water services, said the break occurred on a smaller 250-millimetre cast-iron distribution line near Bowness Road and 51 Street Northwest. The problem was first detected Sunday night when water began bubbling to the surface. Crews immediately shut down the affected line and began repairs. Kid