A report commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce warns of significant economic consequences if Alberta were to separate from Canada. The study, led by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, estimates that trade costs could increase by 5% to 8%, potentially resulting in 44,000 to 69,000 fewer jobs in Calgary compared with remaining in Canada. The report notes that Alberta is Canada’s most trade-exposed jurisdiction, making the province particularly vulnerable to higher trade costs. The report comes three weeks before Albertans vote on 10 referendum questions, including one on

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to meet in Calgary today to discuss Canada’s energy policy and ways to bring the country’s natural resources to global markets. The discussion comes as Canada continues to deal with shifting geopolitical tensions and an ongoing tariff dispute with the United States. Energy has been a key priority for Smith’s government, including efforts to expand oil exports to the British Columbia coast and markets in Asia. Smith has rejected using oil as leverage in the tariff dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump. Ford, however,

Friday is the final day for Albertans to apply for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming referendum. Elections Alberta will accept applications until midnight tonight. Completed special ballot packages must be received by Elections Alberta by 5 p.m. on October 16. As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 673,000 Albertans had requested mail-in ballots, a sharp increase from the 59,589 special ballot requests recorded during the 2023 provincial election. Elections Alberta has attributed the high demand, in part, to changes that removed the requirement to provide a reason for requesting a special bal

Police have seized a large cache of weapons and arrested three people following a search of a home in northeast Calgary. According to police, officers executed a search warrant on Sept. 10 at a residence in the 100 block of Covington Rise N.E. The search resulted in the seizure of a Glock 17 handgun, an H&R Arms Co. .22-calibre revolver, a 3D-printed Glock 18 handgun, a 3D-printed Glock magazine and suppressor, a 3D printer and a replica BB gun. Staff Sgt. Matt Gao said every illegal firearm seized helps reduce the risk of someone being seriously harmed or killed in the community. The thre

Calgary has approved amendments to its Fire Operations and Fees Bylaw, increasing fines for the illegal sale and use of fireworks. Under the new rules, the fine for illegally selling fireworks has increased from $750 to $3,000, while using fireworks without a permit will now result in a $1,000 fine, up from $500. A new $1,000 fine has also been introduced for carrying fireworks in a public place or setting them up for use without authorization. According to the report, Calgary receives the highest number of fireworks-related complaints through 311 around Diwali, Canada Day, the Calgary Stamped

The Alberta government is suspending the province’s fuel tax for the rest of the year. Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement Tuesday while addressing business leaders in Calgary. Smith said the average price of Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was $90.54 per barrel last month, triggering a full suspension of the 13-cent-per-litre provincial fuel tax for the quarter beginning October 1. The province had previously suspended its fuel relief program during the last quarter. However, Smith said Albertans had told the government they would prefer to receive the savings directly at th

Lethbridge police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with a sexual assault and incidents of indecent acts targeting women and girls near a green strip in the city. Police said the incident occurred on Sept. 16 near the 1500 block of Lakeview Drive along the Coalbanks Trail, where a 41-year-old woman who was out walking was sexually assaulted. The investigation found that the accused had allegedly committed indecent acts in the same area in August, including in front of girls, one of whom was an eight-year-old child. Police arrested the suspect in the same area on Sept. 17. His ident

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rejecting a claim by United Conservative Party president Rob Smith that her government is keeping its messaging neutral on the question of whether Alberta should remain in Canada. The premier said Monday that she has been clear about her position and that the provincial government’s $4-million advertising campaign promotes Alberta remaining a sovereign province within a united Canada. Smith has repeatedly said she plans to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada. The issue centres on Question 10 in Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum. Voters will be asked whether Al

Alberta’s government has temporarily changed the rules governing the province’s voter lists following a privacy breach. Under the new policy, the official voter lists provided to political parties will contain only the number of voters in each voting area and municipality. Previously, the lists included registered voters’ names, home addresses, phone numbers and other personal information. Elections Alberta shared the lists with political parties, MLAs and candidates for purposes such as election campaigning and fundraising. The changes follow the public release of a database containing