The Alberta government announced in the budget presented yesterday that a $200 annual tax will be imposed on electric vehicles. This tax will be applicable from January 2025. This tax will be paid when the owners register their vehicles and the fee will be paid in addition to the existing registration fee. According to the Alberta government, electric vehicles will be charged the same amount of annual fuel tax that drivers of gas vehicles pay. This tax will not be applicable on owners of hybrid vehicles. The government says that electric vehicles are heavy and cause damage to roads but their

The Alberta legislature's spring session is set to start today, with health care expected to be a main focus. Premier Danielle Smith's government is planning to dismantle Alberta Health Services and has indicated legislation is coming to begin the process. AHS is to be replaced by four agencies while being reduced to the role of service provider in acute care. Thursday will see the release of the 2024 provincial budget.Smith said in a recent televised provincewide address that it will be balanced but fiscal belt-tightening is needed. She says softening oil prices means provincial funding won't

A town north of Edmonton has voted in favour of a bylaw that bans Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks on municipal property. A slim majority of Westlock residents who took part in a plebiscite Thursday voted in favour of the town only flying government flags and painting crosswalks in a white striped pattern. Those in favour won by 24 votes, as 49 per cent voted against the ban. Westlock Mayor Jon Kramer says councillors didn't support the move, as they felt it was against their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Kramer says the town of 4,800 will continue to find ways to embrace

Police are investigating a shooting in Calgary's Sage Hill community this morning. Due to this, one person was injured and he was admitted to the hospital. According to the official, theyCalled about 8:30 a.m. in the 200 block of Sage Meadows Green NW. According to the police, the man was seriously injured due to the bullet and was taken to the hospital. The identity of the person has not been shared at this time. Police have not yet shared any information about arresting anyone.

Calgary's oldest grand theater teeters on the brink of closure. The theater celebrated its 112th birthday just two days ago, but today its executive director says it is only a short-term guest after a temporary deal with the landlord fell through. Opened in 1912, the Grand Theater was the cultural center of Western Canada for most of its life. Historian Don Smith says it was a center for the display of art. Smith lamented the tragedy of his golden days. The Grand was sold out 3 years ago. Its executive director tried to strike a deal with a new landlord to keep it afloat, but the deal fell t

Alberta Premier Daniel Smith today met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford at his residence in Toronto. Smith is visiting Washington DC from today. Her visit is considered very important as she will meet with the US industry leaders and try to get new deals for Alberta. Premier Smith will also promote Alberta's energy sector on this visit. Smith said in a statement that Alberta has always been a partner of the United States and that both have similar goals in the energy sector. It is worth noting that the US has been a major trading partner of Alberta and Alberta has also been a major export of the

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is going on a visit to Washington tomorrow. His visit is going to be very important. Meanwhile, he will meet with the industry leader of America and try to get new deals for Alberta. Premier Smith will also promote Alberta's energy sector on this visit. In a statement, Smith said that Alberta has always been a partner of Erica and that both have similar goals in the energy sector. It is worth noting that the US has been a major trading partner of Alberta and Alberta has also been a major export of the US. In 2022, Alberta exported $141.3 billion to the United

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is in Ottawa today where she is set to open a new provincial office. Smith's office says the new space is meant to expand the province's presence in the nation's capital and to amplify Alberta's voice on the national stage. Alberta and Ottawa often butt heads over their views on the environment, energy and pensions. And last week, both governments traded barbs over the province's recently announced policies related to the treatment of transgender youth. Smith is also set to deliver a keynote address today to the Economic Club of Canada, where the topic will be th

Calgary’s housing market posted a strong start to 2024, with 1,650 homes sold in January – a 37.7 per cent increase compared with the same month last year, according to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). The unadjusted residential benchmark price rose to $572,300, up 10 per cent year-over-year. Apartments led the growth, with sales up 54 per cent from January 2023. Despite more homes hitting the market – new listings climbed 15.4 per cent – supply remains tight. With just 2,150 active listings, Calgary recorded its lowest January inventory since 2006. CREB analysts say much of the d