12.18°C Vancouver

News

critics-say-the-governments-new-budget-misses-the-mark-on-education-and-health-care-funding
AlbertaFeb 28, 2025

Critics say the government's new budget misses the mark on education and health-care funding

Critics say the government's new budget misses the mark on education and health-care funding, leaving issues like emergency room wait times and overcrowded classrooms to go from bad to worse. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling says the nearly 10-billion dollars set aside for the K-to-12 school system doesn't keep up with population growth and inflation. Schilling says he understands that oil revenues are expected to drop and potential tariffs from the United States are putting the province in limbo, but education should be a priority. Public Interest Alberta e
province-appoints-martin-long-as-new-infrastructure-minister
AlbertaFeb 28, 2025

Province appoints Martin Long as new infrastructure minister

A new infrastructure minister has been named in Alberta after the resignation of the previous one earlier this week. Martin Long was appointed to the cabinet post on Thursday. The move comes after Peter Guthrie resigned as infrastructure minister over concerns about government purchasing practices. Guthrie remains in the United Conservative caucus but now sits as a backbencher with no cabinet responsibilities.
alberta-economy-back-deep-in-the-red-with-5-2-billion-deficit-budget
AlbertaFeb 28, 2025

Alberta economy back deep in the red with $5.2-billion deficit budget

Alberta’s finances, tied for generations to the steep peaks and sharp valleys of oil and gas prices, are once again plunging deep into deficit, with no immediate relief in sight. Finance Minister Nate Horner has introduced a budget that projects a $5.2-billion deficit this fiscal year on total spending of $79 billion. That represents an $11-billion swing from the current budget, which is on track to register a surplus close to $6 billion. It’s the first deficit under Premier Danielle Smith and the first since the COVID-19-era budget of 2020, and the province expects the deficits will remai
police-forces-gear-up-to-protect-3-400-people-in-alberta-wilderness-at-june-g7-summit
CanadaFeb 27, 2025

Police forces gear up to protect 3,400 people in Alberta wilderness at June G7 summit

Police forces say they are gearing up to find a way to keep more than 3,400 people safe alongside the Rocky Mountains during this summer's G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alta. A report to the Calgary Police Commission says police expect about 70 official guests, 2,000 delegates and 1,400 journalists will be in the area between Calgary and Kananaskis for the summit. Police forces from across Canada will support security efforts, including authorities from Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver. The RCMP says teams will be on the alert for modern security threats such as drones along with the f
u-s-tariffs-possible-tax-cuts-expected-to-dominate-alberta-budget
AlbertaFeb 27, 2025

U.S. tariffs, possible tax cuts expected to dominate Alberta budget

The looming threat of U.S. tariffs along with a potential tax cut are expected to dominate Alberta's budget today. Finance Minister Nate Horner says addressing affordability is a prime concern, but the uncertainty surrounding tariffs makes the budget more challenging. By legislation, the province can't run a budget deficit unless revenue drops by $1 billion or more _ something Horner warns could happen in the case of tariffs. He says the United Conservative Party government is planning for a set of scenarios assuming tariffs in some way are coming soon from U.S. President Donald T
alberta-to-have-peace-officers-tag-team-with-police-on-fentanyl-crackdown
AlbertaFeb 27, 2025

Alberta to have peace officers tag team with police on fentanyl crackdown

The Alberta government says roughly 800 peace officers will team up with 34 police forces across the province to crack down on fentanyl. It comes following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has demanded that Canada get tough on fentanyl or face tariffs on Canadian goods. Officials say the measure comes in response to the province wanting to work with all levels of government to address concerns around fentanyl trafficking and border security. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis says the crisis demands immediate action and that having a unified command ensures a co-ordinated team res
justice-minister-orders-new-trial-for-alberta-man-convicted-of-murder-in-1991
AlbertaFeb 27, 2025

Justice minister orders new trial for Alberta man convicted of murder in 1991

The federal justice minister has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of second-degree murder in Alberta more than three decades ago. Roy Allan Sobotiak was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Susan Kaminsky, who disappeared in 1987. The office of Justice Minister Arif Virani says the minister found reasonable grounds to conclude there was a miscarriage of justice in the case. Virani’s office says new information has been identified which wasn’t considered by the courts during the initial trial or appeal. The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by Sobotiak in 1994,
alberta-man-spearheads-parliamentary-petition-to-keep-trump-out-of-canada
CanadaFeb 26, 2025

Alberta man spearheads parliamentary petition to keep Trump out of Canada

More than 28,000 people have signed a parliamentary petition urging Ottawa to bar U.S. President Donald Trump from Canada for persistently threatening the country's sovereignty. Alberta resident Gerard Aldridge, who recently initiated the electronic petition, says he's a fiercely proud Canadian who sees an opportunity to make a difference on an issue of grave concern. Trump has threatened to impose widespread tariffs on Canadian products and has openly suggested that Canada become a U.S. state. The president usually attends the annual gathering of G7 leaders, which is being held this June in K
alberta-cabinet-minister-peter-guthrie-quits-post-citing-concerns-over-procurement
AlbertaFeb 25, 2025

Alberta cabinet minister Peter Guthrie quits post, citing concerns over procurement

Alberta Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie says he is resigning from cabinet, citing concerns over procurement practices across government. He says as a backbencher he'll be able to better serve his constituents by pushing Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party government to conduct itself with honesty and integrity. Guthrie made headlines earlier this month, urging Health Minister Adriana LaGrange be removed from her cabinet job amid allegations of government arm-twisting and favouritism surrounding overpriced health deals. Smith has repeatedly defended LaGrange a

Just In

vancouver-council-votes-to-oppose-planned-overdose-prevention-site-downtown
BCMay 06, 2026

Vancouver council votes to oppose planned overdose prevention site downtown

Vancouver city council has voted to oppose a planned overdose prevention site in the city’s downtown, backing an urgent motion from Mayor Ken Sim following a recent announcement by the regional health authority. Council approved the motion Tuesday along party lines, with all seven councillors from Sim’s ABC party voting in favour and four opposing. The motion directs the city to challenge the site planned for 900 Helmcken St., which Vancouver Coastal Health says it intends to open in June. Coun. Peter Meiszner told council the city was notified of the location only last week, “despite ma
federal-government-signals-potential-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Federal government signals potential social media ban for children under 16

Canada’s federal government is considering restricting social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of proposed online harms legislation, Immigration and Identity Minister Marc Miller told a parliamentary committee Tuesday. Appearing before the House of Commons heritage committee, Miller said the government is “seriously considering” age-based limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. According to Miller, the proposal would be included in the forthcoming Online Harms bill. Miller told the committee that evidence on the psychological
AlbertaMay 06, 2026

Criminal defence lawyer charged with child exploitation offences; Calgary police seek additional victims

A Calgary criminal defence lawyer is facing multiple child sexual exploitation-related charges, and police say they are seeking to identify additional potential victims. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, 46-year-old Jordan Bonner was arrested Thursday. Investigators executed search warrants at a residence and a law office in Calgary in connection with the case. Police allege Bonner engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with multiple youths and shared child sexual exploitation material. The allegations have not been tested in court. Authorities say the complainants
canadian-privacy-commissioners-flag-concerns-over-openai-data-practices-in-joint-probe
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Canadian privacy commissioners flag concerns over OpenAI data practices in joint probe

Canada’s federal and provincial privacy commissioners have released a joint investigation report examining how OpenAI collected and used personal information to train its ChatGPT system, raising concerns about consent and transparency. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the company gathered more personal data than necessary during early development stages, in some cases without users’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The report states that this information could include sensitive details such as health dat
surrey-mayor-raises-concerns-after-daytime-shooting-calls-for-police-discussions
BCMay 06, 2026

Surrey mayor raises concerns after daytime shooting, calls for police discussions

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says recent incidents in the city require urgent attention, following a daytime shooting earlier this week that remains unsolved. According to statements attributed to the mayor, Locke said the situation “cannot continue” and must be addressed with seriousness by local authorities. The comments come after a shooting reported Monday afternoon near 130 Street and 76 Avenue, where police say gunfire occurred at a business complex. No arrests have been announced in connection with the incident as of publication time, according to available police information. Locke sa