Alberta has introduced legislation that would require citizenship status and provincial health numbers to be displayed on all driver’s licences and government ID cards. The proposal formalizes a plan the province first signalled earlier this year, prompting debate about how much personal information should appear on identification used for everyday transactions. Privacy advocates previously warned that the change could expose a person’s citizenship status in routine situations such as age verification at stores or restaurants. Government officials argue the measure will make it easier for

Calgary’s executive committee has endorsed a motion from Mayor Jeromy Farkas to roll back the city’s blanket rezoning bylaw, setting the stage for a final decision by full council on December 15. The move begins the formal process to undo a housing policy approved earlier this year under former mayor Jyoti Gondek. The bylaw, adopted in April 2024, allowed fourplexes and rowhouses on all residential lots without requiring individual public hearings or neighbourhood-level consultation. Council approved the changes despite strong opposition from residents who argued the citywide approach w

Alberta cabinet minister Tanya Fir has issued a public apology after a voicemail she left for a Calgary constituent captured her using an expletive once she believed the call had ended. Fir, who serves as minister of arts, culture and Status of Women, acknowledged the remark in a written statement and described it as a lapse in judgment. The voicemail, released over the weekend by Alberta columnist Doug Firby, begins with Fir returning a constituent’s call and referencing feedback she had received. After offering a goodbye, the line remains open as she turns to speak with someone nearby. In

Authorities in California say a Calgary resident and his young daughter have died after a large wave swept them into the Pacific Ocean at Garrapata State Beach, an area known for strong surf and steep coastal cliffs. Local officials identified the victims as 39-year-old Yuji Hu and his seven-year-old daughter, who were visiting the Monterey County shoreline with family on Friday. Investigators say the child was pulled into the water by a wave estimated at about six metres high. Both parents reached toward the girl in an attempt to bring her back to safety but were also carried away by the surg

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province is encouraged by the federal government’s latest list of major projects flagged for potential fast-track approval, even though a proposed bitumen pipeline sought by her government was not included. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced earlier today that seven additional energy and infrastructure proposals have been sent to the federal major projects office for further review. The projects identified by Ottawa include a nickel mine in northern Ontario, a hydroelectric development near Iqaluit, and two initiatives in northwest British Columbia i

Health authorities in Edmonton have confirmed a tuberculosis outbreak after laboratory results linked two inner city patients to the same strain of the disease. The declaration was made in October once testing showed evidence of recent local transmission. According to Alberta Health Services, a total of 12 tuberculosis cases have been identified this year involving individuals connected to the city’s inner core or experiencing homelessness. Three of those cases have been confirmed as sharing the same strain and are now classified within the outbreak. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs

The Alberta government is exploring the possibility of increasing the speed limit to 120 kilometres per hour on divided highways across the province. The proposal would affect routes currently capped at 110 km/h, including the major corridor linking Calgary and Edmonton. Premier Danielle Smith said the province’s divided highways were designed to accommodate higher speeds and noted that many motorists already drive above the current limit. She added that public support will help determine whether the higher limit is introduced. An online survey is now open to gather feedback from Albertans,

Alberta has recorded its first influenza-related death of the 2025–26 season, according to new data from the province’s respiratory virus dashboard. Officials say the individual was in their 60s. The report marks an early fatality in what public health experts warn could be another challenging flu season. Last year, Alberta experienced one of its deadliest flu periods in decades, with 237 deaths recorded during the 2024–25 season. Provincial data shows a concerning upward trend in both deaths and hospitalizations linked to influenza. There were 171 deaths in 2023–24, 123 in 2022–23,

Emergency crews are responding to an apparent bitumen spill into the North Saskatchewan River after a tanker truck lost control and slid off a snow-covered highway northeast of Edmonton. RCMP from the Smoky Lake detachment said the vehicle left Highway 831 and entered the river amid heavy snow and poor road conditions. The driver reportedly climbed onto the truck’s roof before being rescued by boat. An environmental response team has been deployed to contain and clean up the spill, while officials continue to assess whether bitumen entered the river system. RCMP confirmed the driver was not