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AlbertaJun 24, 2026

Alberta Forms Panel to Boost Infrastructure Funding Without Raising Taxes

Alberta's Municipal Affairs Minister, Dan Williams, has assembled a panel to explore ways of increasing funding for infrastructure projects without raising taxes. Williams announced the creation of the ministers' council today in Jasper, where provincial and territorial municipal ministers are gathering for their annual meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. The panel includes representatives from communities and industries across Alberta. It has been tasked with reviewing how infrastructure projects are currently financed, identifying funding gaps, and recommending practical solutions to address
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

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BCAug 07, 2026

RCMP seek public's help after suspected series of fires at Kelowna park

The RCMP are asking the public for assistance after investigators identified a series of suspected deliberately set fires at Gopher Creek Linear Park in Kelowna. According to the RCMP, several small fires were discovered in close proximity inside the park at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. People who were in the park and nearby residents spotted the fires and extinguished them before notifying the fire department, preventing any significant damage. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the park or near the Gallagher Road and Lynrick Road area that afternoon
BCAug 07, 2026

Nova Scotia to ban e-bikes and e-scooters for children under 14 starting this fall

Nova Scotia will prohibit children under the age of 14 from operating e-bikes and e-scooters beginning this fall as part of amendments to the province's Traffic Safety Act. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley announced the new minimum age requirement, saying the changes are intended to improve road safety as electric mobility devices become faster and more widely used. According to the provincial announcement, the updated rules respond to advances in technology that allow many e-bikes and e-scooters to travel at significantly higher speeds than conventional bicycles. The changes come as injuries
canada-adds-75-000-jobs-in-july-as-unemployment-rate-falls-to-two-year-low
CanadaAug 07, 2026

Canada adds 75,000 jobs in July as unemployment rate falls to two-year low

Canada's economy added 75,000 jobs in July, bringing the national unemployment rate down to 6.4 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. The agency said the unemployment rate is now at its lowest level in two years. The latest Labour Force Survey marks the third consecutive monthly decline in unemployment. Since April, the jobless rate has fallen by 0.5 percentage points. The July employment gain also exceeded economists' expectations, with forecasts having called for approximately 15,000 new jobs. Statistics Canada reported that both full-time and part-time employment contributed almost equa
BCAug 06, 2026

Fort St. John RCMP investigate second targeted drive-by shooting in recent weeks

RCMP are investigating a targeted drive-by shooting in Fort St. John that damaged several properties but did not result in any reported injuries. The incident marks the second targeted shooting in the city within the past few weeks. According to Fort St. John RCMP, officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 1:37 a.m. Thursday in the 9800 block of 108 Avenue, near the city's downtown area. Investigators found bullet damage to a travel trailer, two nearby homes and a vehicle. Police said no injuries were reported. As of publication, investigators have not released a description of any sus
federal-government-restores-full-health-coverage-for-refugees-and-asylum-claimants
CanadaAug 06, 2026

Federal government restores full health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants

The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has reversed recent cuts to health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants, restoring full benefits under the Interim Federal Health Program. New rules introduced on May 1, 2026 required eligible refugees to pay a $4 co-payment for prescription medications. The changes also required them to cover 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental services, including dental care, vision care, physiotherapy and mental health services. The policy drew criticism from frontline physicians, human rights organizations and community advocates, who argued