A new report commissioned by the Alberta government estimates that the cost of separating Alberta from Canada could reach $170 billion during the first five years. The report, prepared by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, estimates the transition could cost at least $50 billion, with the upper-end estimate reaching $170 billion. The costs would include building new infrastructure, hiring and transitioning staff, and covering Alberta’s share of the federal debt. The report examines two possible scenarios for separation. One assumes a relatively smooth and cooperative tra

Harbour Air is set to expand its network in British Columbia after announcing an agreement to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines. Under the deal, both airlines will continue to operate under their own brands and maintain separate identities. However, their combined fleet will grow to 59 aircraft. The newly formed regional airline group will connect 25 communities across B.C., operating nearly 300 flights a day and providing passengers with improved connectivity. According to reports, the two airlines together employ around 900 people in British Columbia. The companies will also remain Canadian-o

A 31-year-old Calgary man accused of making death threats against Prime Minister Mark Carney has been identified as Jamie Da Costa, who will remain in custody. During a court hearing, defence counsel said Da Costa was ordered to remain in custody earlier this month. As of Tuesday morning, he was being held at the Calgary Remand Centre. According to the RCMP, police were notified on July 28 that threats had been posted from a YouTube account. Court documents allege the incident occurred between July 25 and 26. In addition to the alleged death threat, Da Costa faces charges including extortion,

Thousands of Safeway workers in Alberta could go on strike after UFCW Local 401 issued a strike notice to parent company Sobeys. The union says workers could walk off the job at midnight on October 7 if no agreement is reached through negotiations. The proposed strike date falls just before the Thanksgiving weekend. The move comes after nearly a year of negotiations between the union and the company. Workers are seeking better wages, improved benefits, job security and safer stores. UFCW Local 401 president Thomas Hesse said workers do not want a strike but want a fair agreement. He warned tha

The United Kingdom could join Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, with reports indicating that high-level discussions are underway between the two countries. The financial institution is designed to provide long-term, low-cost financing for defence projects in allied countries. Canada has so far brought eight countries into the institution — Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, which is facing Russia’s invasion. The UK would be the first other G7 country to join the initiative. According to reports, Finance Minister François-Philippe C

Former Canadian Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to diversify Canada’s trade during his closing remarks at the two-day Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. Harper supported the federal government’s decisions in the energy sector and said Canada had little choice but to step back from trade negotiations with the United States. He said reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. and redirecting trade toward other countries would bring challenges, but expressed confidence that Canadians would be able to manage them. Harper also prais

Canada’s Official Opposition Conservative Party has begun a two-day parliamentary caucus meeting in Penticton, B.C., under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre. The meeting comes ahead of the parliamentary session starting September 21 and is expected to give Poilievre an opportunity to rally his MPs, as the Conservatives are currently trailing the Liberals by double digits in the polls. According to reports, several Conservative MPs who have returned from working in their ridings during the summer break are increasingly concerned about potentially losing their seats in the next election. Cont

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening talks on making Canada the European Union’s first associate member. The proposal was made Wednesday during von der Leyen’s annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in attendance. Addressing Carney, von der Leyen said the EU wants to take its relationship with Canada “to the highest level.” She said the partnership extends beyond trade and is based on shared values, including cooperation on artificial intelligence, climate change, the Arctic and geopolitical i

Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that visa requirements for Canadians could be raised during his visit to Europe as Canada seeks to deepen its strategic and economic relationship with the European Union. Carney left Canada Tuesday for a three-day trip to Strasbourg, France, and Liverpool, UK. In Strasbourg, he is attending European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address and will address the European Parliament on Thursday. During the trip, Carney is also expected to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool for discussions on defence, s