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AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Alberta Reverses Increase in Minimum Alcohol Prices

Alberta's liquor authority has cancelled a recent increase to the minimum price of alcohol sold in bars and restaurants. The decision comes after a weekend social media dispute between Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas. Smith and senior members of her government criticized Calgary City Council over new noise and curfew rules introduced for the Calgary Stampede. In response, Mayor Farkas criticized the province's decision to raise minimum alcohol prices. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Calgary's leadership should follow the province's example by repealing the contr
AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Edmonton Lifts Water Supply Alert After Stormwater System Stabilizes

The City of Edmonton has lifted the water supply alert that was issued on Sunday following several days of heavy rainfall. In an advisory released late Monday, officials said residents can return to their normal routines as the city's stormwater system has now stabilized. The recent downpours put significant pressure on multiple stormwater systems, raising concerns about flooding and sewer backups. In response, Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack and utility provider Epcor had urged residents to minimize their water use. Epcor spokesperson Martin Kennedy said the company responded to more than 600 cal
former-alberta-finance-minister-joe-ceci-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2027
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Former Alberta finance minister Joe Ceci will not seek re-election in 2027

Longtime Alberta politician Joe Ceci says he will not seek re-election in the province's next general election, scheduled for the fall of 2027. Ceci served as Alberta's finance minister in former premier Rachel Notley's New Democratic government from 2015 to 2019, becoming the province's only NDP finance minister. During his time in cabinet, the government increased the minimum wage and expanded funding for family and community support programs. His tenure also coincided with a sharp downturn in oil prices that contributed to significant provincial budget deficits. The NDP government argued th
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Alberta MLA expense claims draw scrutiny over high-end meals and minor purchases

A review of Alberta legislators' expense disclosures for the last fiscal year shows elected officials across party lines claimed expenses ranging from high-end restaurant meals to small everyday purchases, prompting questions from political observers about public perception and accountability. Under Alberta's legislative rules, members of the legislative assembly receive budgets to operate constituency offices, cover travel costs and host constituents and stakeholders. MLAs are also required to publicly disclose expense reports with itemized receipts. Among the larger expenses, Municipal Affai
AlbertaJun 22, 2026

Edmonton area residents urged to conserve water as heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems

Officials in Edmonton and several neighbouring communities are urging residents to reduce water use after heavy rainfall caused localized flooding and pushed stormwater and sewer systems toward capacity. The City of Edmonton issued a water supply alert, saying flooding and sewer backups have been reported in surrounding areas and warning that additional problems could occur if the stormwater system continues operating above capacity. Utility provider Epcor asked customers to delay activities that use large amounts of water, including showering, running washing machines and dishwashers, and to
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Crane driver missing after vehicle plunges into Wapiti River near Grande Prairie

A crane operator remains missing after a commercial vehicle left a bridge and entered the Wapiti River near Grande Prairie, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred Tuesday when the crane struck a guardrail on the Wapiti River Bridge and went into the river. Emergency crews, including RCMP officers, firefighters and search and rescue volunteers, responded to the scene. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mathew Howell said the crane remains submerged. The cause of the collision is under investigation. According to RCMP, divers have not been able to enter the river because of strong currents
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Calgary Transit workers to rally ahead of court hearing in driver assault case

Calgary Transit employees and members of ATU Local 583 are expected to gather outside Municipal Plaza today ahead of a court hearing related to the assault of a bus driver that occurred last year. According to ATU Local 583, members will hold a rally at noon before proceeding to the Calgary Courts Centre for a scheduled hearing at 1:30 p.m. The union says the demonstration is intended to highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of transit operators and frontline transit staff. The case stems from an incident in May 2025 near Falconridge Boulevard and Castleridge Boulevard, where a Calgary T
alberta-residents-to-receive-100-relief-payment-within-two-weeks-of-application-smith-says
AlbertaJun 19, 2026

Alberta residents to receive $100 relief payment within two weeks of application, Smith says

Eligible Albertans will receive a $100 provincial relief payment within approximately two weeks of submitting an application, according to Premier Danielle Smith. Smith said the Alberta government chose to provide direct payments to residents instead of reducing the provincial gasoline tax. She said fuel tax reductions do not always result in savings reaching consumers, making direct assistance a more effective way to help households manage rising costs. According to the Alberta government, the relief program was triggered after higher global oil prices increased provincial energy royalty reve
smith-says-timing-may-prevent-coal-mining-referendum-question-from-appearing-on-october-ballot
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Smith says timing may prevent coal mining referendum question from appearing on October ballot

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it may be too late for a citizen-led petition seeking a ban on new coal mining projects to be included in the province's Oct. 19 referendum vote. Earlier this month, Alberta musician Corb Lund submitted what he said were more than 200,000 signatures in support of a petition that would require the Alberta government to consider legislation banning new coal mining or submit the matter to a provincewide referendum if the signatures are verified. According to Alberta's citizen initiative rules, a successful petition can compel the government to either introduce

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CanadaAug 05, 2026

Toronto sees three apartment fires in one day; two killed, four injured

Three separate apartment fires were reported across Toronto on Tuesday, leaving two people dead and four others, including two children, injured. According to officials, the first fire broke out at around 3:15 a.m. on the eighth floor of a 19-storey apartment building near Ontario Street and St. James Avenue. Toronto Fire Services' preliminary investigation suggests the blaze was caused by a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike. Four members of the same family, including children aged 12 and 14, suffered burn injuries and were rushed to hospital by Toronto Paramedic Services. Later that morning,
bjp-punjab-expands-organisational-team-appoints-tajinder-singh-bittu-as-state-vice-president
IndiaAug 05, 2026

BJP Punjab expands organisational team, appoints Tajinder Singh Bittu as state vice-president

The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expanded its organisational structure ahead of the next Punjab Assembly election, appointing Tajinder Singh Bittu as a state vice-president. According to the party's organisational announcement, Bittu's appointment is part of a broader restructuring aimed at strengthening the BJP's leadership team across the state. The party has been assigning experienced leaders to key organisational roles as it prepares for the upcoming election. Bittu, a former Congress leader, has previously been active in Punjab politics before taking on responsibili
two-men-charged-after-violent-robbery-of-75-year-old-man-in-vancouver
BCAug 05, 2026

Two men charged after violent robbery of 75-year-old man in Vancouver

Vancouver Police say two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the violent robbery of a 75-year-old man that occurred last week in the city's Downtown Eastside. Police had earlier released surveillance video as part of the investigation. According to the Vancouver Police Department, officers on patrol near East Hastings Street and Jackson Avenue arrested the first suspect without incident on July 30 after recognizing him in the area. A second suspect was taken into custody on Aug. 2 after officers responded to a report of an unknown person inside a residence. Police identified
CanadaAug 05, 2026

Canada, U.S. expected to resume talks on steel and aluminum export cap amid tariff dispute

Canadian and U.S. trade negotiators are expected to resume discussions on a proposal that would place a cap on Canadian steel and aluminum exports to the United States in exchange for reduced U.S. tariffs, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The proposal is being considered as both countries seek to resolve a trade dispute before Aug. 19, when U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to impose a new 50 per cent tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian steel and aluminum exports. The two sides also discussed the proposal last October. Those talks were suspended aft
new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire
BCJul 31, 2026

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa