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AlbertaOct 14, 2025

Alberta teachers, province set to meet for first time since strike began last week

Negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government are scheduled to resume today, marking the first formal talks since thousands of teachers walked off the job on October 6. The provincewide strike has now entered its sixth day, leaving more than 740,000 students across 2,500 schools out of classrooms. The dispute centres on wages and class sizes. The government’s last proposal, which teachers decisively rejected late last month, offered a 12 per cent salary increase over four years and a plan to hire 3,000 additional teachers. Finance Minister Nate
alberta-education-minister-concerned-about-private-school-funding-petition
AlbertaOct 08, 2025

Alberta education minister concerned about private school funding petition

Alberta's education minister says cutting government funding to private schools would only escalate the pressure faced by the province's strained public school system. Demetrios Nicolaides says thousands of children would need to find new schools to attend, likely public schools, which he says are already under immense pressure. The funding cut is a move one Calgary teacher is hoping to put to a vote. This week Alberta's chief electoral officer approved the teacher's proposed referendum question, which asks: ``Should the Government of Alberta end its current practice of allocating
alberta-premier-in-ottawa-to-push-for-federal-partnership-on-energy-projects
AlbertaOct 07, 2025

Alberta Premier in Ottawa to push for federal partnership on energy projects

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is in Ottawa this week, following up on her now week-old pledge to help fund the development of a proposal for a new oil pipeline to Canada's West Coast. Smith is hopeful the project _ which as of yet has no private sector proponent or a suggested route option _ can be submitted for consideration by Prime Minister Mark Carney's new Major Projects Office by next spring. Smith met with Carney on Monday at the Ottawa airport, just before he boarded a plane to Washington, where he is to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters in a br
AlbertaOct 07, 2025

Alberta teachers' strike, biggest in province's history, enters day two

As a provincewide strike by Alberta's teachers enters its second day, a labour expert says in terms of sheer size, it is already making history. Jason Foster, a labour relations professor at Athabasca University, says the strike by 51,000 members of the Alberta Teachers' Association makes it the largest labour walkout in provincial history. Foster says the last teachers' strike was in 2002 and involved less than half that number, at 21,000. The current action affects more than 740,000 students across 2,500 public, separate and francophone schools. The two sides are at odds over
AlbertaOct 06, 2025

Alberta teachers say provincewide strike aims to fix underfunded system in crisis

Alberta's teachers are off the job and the head of their union says it's about taking a stand to fix a cycle of underfunding and overcrowding. Jason Schilling says Alberta is failing to adequately fund education, the system is in ``crisis,'' and teachers owe it to students and future students to do what they can to change that. The 51,000 members of the Alberta Teachers' Association went on strike as promised this morning to back demands for a better deal. The labour action impacts more than 700,000 students across 2,500 public, separate and francophone schools. Premier Daniel
alberta-premier-smith-urges-talks-as-alberta-teachers-launch-provincewide-strike
AlbertaOct 06, 2025

Alberta Premier Smith urges talks as Alberta teachers launch provincewide strike

Alberta's teachers are off the job and PremierDanielle Smith is urging them to come back to the bargaining table. Smith, speaking to reporters in Montreal, says the two sides are not far apart and expects fixing classroom complexity issues to be the focus of future talks. The 51,000 members of the Alberta Teachers' Association went on strike as promised this morning to back demands for a better deal. The labour action impacts more than 700,000 students across 2,500 public, separate and francophone schools. The teachers overwhelmingly voted against the government's latest offer, w
classes-suspended-in-alberta-as-provincewide-teachers-strike-set-to-begin-today
AlbertaOct 06, 2025

Classes suspended in Alberta as provincewide teachers strike set to begin today

Some 51,000 members of the Alberta Teachers Association are poised to begin a strike today. The labour action, if it goes ahead, will impact more than 700,000 students across 2,500 public, separate and francophone schools. Most school boards _ including those in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray and Lethbridge _ have sent notices telling families that barring an 11th-hour deal, classes would be paused beginning Monday. Both sides appeared far apart late last week but the union said Friday they had resumed ``exploratory conversations.'' Teachers rejected the government's latest offer
schools-set-to-close-as-alberta-provides-online-curriculum-ahead-of-teachers-strike
AlbertaOct 03, 2025

Schools set to close as Alberta provides online curriculum ahead of teachers strike

Schools across Alberta are preparing to close their doors while the province readies a home curriculum for students ahead of Monday's provincewide teachers strike. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the province has already put online a curriculum that parents can use to teach their children should the 51,000 members of the Alberta Teachers' Association make good on their promise to walk out. Nicolaides says it's not fair that students would be forced to bear the brunt of the walkout, which would affect more than 700,000 students across public, separate and francophone sch
rcmp-slated-to-deliver-update-on-missing-six-year-old-alberta-boy
AlbertaOct 01, 2025

RCMP slated to deliver update on missing six-year-old Alberta boy

RCMP are expected to give an update later today on the search for a six-year-old boy missing from the southern Alberta Rockies. Darius Macdougall was reported missing on Sept. 21 after he didn't return from a walk with six young relatives in the Crowsnest Pass area, where his family had been camping. Mounties say his chances of survival in the mountainous terrain are slim, but that they won't scale back the search, noting there's been nothing to suggest foul play. The boy's family says they're grateful to the searchers and won't rest until he's brought home. Hundreds of searcher

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CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada’s Rising Cost of Living Pushes Food Bank Usage to Record High

The rising cost of living in Canada is forcing more people to rely on food banks, with usage reaching an all-time high. According to Food Banks Canada’s 2026 HungerCount report, a record 2.35 million visits were recorded in March alone. The annual report shows that food bank visits increased by nearly 9 per cent compared with last year and by more than 117 per cent since 2019. It also found that one in five food bank users is employed. Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley said many people who were previously able to manage small financial setbacks are now struggling to make ends meet. She
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Unlikely Before November Midterm Elections

The chances of Canada and the United States reaching a trade deal before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 have effectively faded. Canadian government officials have reportedly told industry groups in recent weeks that no resolution is expected before the elections, as the White House remains focused on campaigning. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc also confirmed in an interview that the federal government is not expecting a deal before the midterms. However, he said he remains in regular contact with his U.S. counterpart and assured that Canada will continue exploring opportunit
BCOct 21, 2026

Vancouver Mayor-Elect Pete Fry Endorses B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan

Vancouver Mayor-elect Pete Fry has publicly endorsed B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan, joining her on the campaign trail in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding to canvass for votes and show his support at a rally in Sidney. Fry previously appeared alongside B.C. NDP Leader David Eby at a pro-Canada rally in Vancouver on Monday, ahead of Alberta’s referendum. He described the situation as somewhat awkward, clarifying that he attended to support a united Canada, not to campaign for Eby or the NDP. Fry’s endorsement comes after Eby urged Green voters to support the NDP to prevent a Conservativ
alberta-premier-rules-out-another-separation-referendum
AlbertaOct 21, 2026

Alberta Premier Rules Out Another Separation Referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has ruled out holding another referendum on separation, telling residents she will respect the province’s latest decision. In an address to Albertans last night, Smith said that as long as she remains premier, she will fully respect the outcome of the recent referendum and will not hold another vote on the issue. However, she made it clear that her political battle with Ottawa over Alberta’s autonomy will continue, despite the separation process being put on hold. Other referendum proposals, including demands for greater provincial control over immigration an
prime-minister-mark-carney-to-begin-three-day-visit-to-turkey
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney to Begin Three-Day Visit to Turkey

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will depart this evening for a three-day visit to Turkey. During the trip, Carney will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and business leaders in Istanbul. This marks the first bilateral visit to Turkey by a Canadian prime minister. Carney’s visit comes amid growing concerns over human rights in Turkey, where LGBTQ and HIV advocacy organizations are reportedly facing systematic targeting. Members of Turkey’s LGBTQ community are said to be living in fear following violent police actions earlier this week. According to senior federal of