Alberta Archives - Page 4 of 13

22 Feb

Alberta Unveils Sweeping Nine-Question Referendum, Stirring Debate Over Scope and Intent

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is heading into unfamiliar political territory after Premier Danielle Smith announced a wide-ranging referendum that will place nine separate questions before voters this fall — a move rarely seen in Canadian history. Set for Oct. 19, the ballot will ask Albertans to weigh in on issues spanning immigration policy, provincial autonomy and potential constitutional reforms. The governing United Conservative Party (UCP) says the initiative is designed to give residents a stronger voice in shaping how the province responds to federal decisions. During a televised address, Smith framed the referendum as a safeguard against what she described…

21 Feb

Alberta Surpasses 6,100 Kilometres in Caribou Habitat Restoration Since 2019

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta says it has restored more than 6,100 kilometres of legacy seismic lines across caribou ranges since 2019, marking a sharp increase in habitat recovery efforts compared to previous years. According to the province, just 87 kilometres were rehabilitated between 2015 and 2019. The acceleration follows the launch of Alberta’s Caribou Habitat Recovery Program, which coordinates large-scale restoration projects aimed at supporting the long-term survival of the species while maintaining economic activity. Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said the province is pairing conservation with economic growth. He credited partnerships with Indigenous communities and industry for…

21 Feb

Super-heavy loads affect travel in Edmonton region

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingEdmonton

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Drivers may experience delays as large, slow-moving vessels move from Edmonton to Fort McMurray on Feb. 22, and from Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan on Feb. 24. Due to their large size and weight, the first load will travel at a maximum speed of 50 km/h, and the second at 40 km/h. The loads will move with guide vehicles, below posted speed limits, using the entire width of the highway, including the shoulder. Route Edmonton to Fort McMurray De-methanizer pressure vessel used in natural gas processing. The first load will leave Thermo Design Engineering in south Edmonton using…

21 Feb

Alberta Government Advances Expedited Viability Review for Town of Gibbons

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, Dan Williams, says the province is moving ahead with an expedited viability review for the Town of Gibbons as local officials grapple with mounting financial pressures. In a statement issued following meetings with Gibbons’ mayor and council, Williams said the province has already implemented several measures to stabilize the municipality while the review is underway. These include appointing an official administrator to provide oversight and guidance, temporarily extending the town’s debt limit, and approving a $500,000 grant through the Alberta Community Partnership program. Williams described the viability review as a structured process…

21 Feb

Alberta Tourism Records Historic $15.2 Billion in Visitor Spending for 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s tourism sector achieved a new benchmark in 2025, with visitor expenditures totaling $15.2 billion, setting a historic record for the province. The figures reflect robust domestic and international travel demand, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and highlighting Alberta’s growing appeal as a travel destination. The surge in spending is driven by a combination of Alberta’s renowned natural attractions, including Banff and Jasper National Parks, major urban centers such as Calgary and Edmonton, and a calendar of cultural and recreational events. The increase also reflects rising travel confidence following the easing of global pandemic-related restrictions. Government officials emphasized…

20 Feb

ALBERTA PROTESTS INTENSIFY AS PRESSURE MOUNTS ON PREMIER DANIELLE SMITH

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Danielle Smih

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Public anger toward Alberta’s government has escalated as protests and calls for accountability grow across the province, targeting Premier Danielle Smith over health care, education and governance issues. Demonstrations have been held outside constituency offices and in major cities, with organizers accusing the government of ignoring frontline crises while pursuing divisive political agendas.“We feel abandoned,” said one protester in Edmonton. “Hospitals are overflowing, classrooms are packed, and the government keeps talking about politics instead of people.” Health care has emerged as a central flashpoint. Alberta continues to face emergency room overcrowding, staff shortages and long wait times…

20 Feb

Extortion Ring Busted in Northeast Calgary After Year-Long Threat Campaign Against Woman

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaCalgary extortion case, extortion charges, fraud charges, northeast Calgary crime

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Charges have been laid following a months-long extortion investigation in northeast Calgary, after police uncovered repeated threats and demands for money made against a local woman throughout 2024. According to the Calgary Police Service, the victim reported multiple extortion attempts by suspects known to her, who allegedly demanded cash and valuables on six separate occasions between August and October, warning her of violence if she refused to comply. Investigators say the sustained pattern of intimidation prompted an in-depth probe that ultimately led to criminal charges.Police said the case underscores the serious psychological and financial harm caused by…

18 Feb

Poilievre Vows to Defend ‘United Canada’ Amid Alberta Separatist Push

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaConservative federalist caucus, Pierre Poilievre Alberta separatism, Stay Free Alberta referendum, united Canada stance

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Pierre Poilievre says the Conservative Party remains firmly committed to a united Canada as a separatist movement in Alberta campaigns for a referendum on independence. Responding to questions from reporters on Tuesday, Poilievre stated that the Conservatives are “entirely a federalist caucus,” adding that no member of his parliamentary team has expressed support for Alberta separatism. The group Stay Free Alberta is currently seeking to trigger a provincial referendum on Alberta becoming an independent country. Organizers have until May to gather nearly 178,000 signatures required to move the proposal forward. Under Canadian law, provinces cannot unilaterally separate…

17 Feb

Alberta RCMP Report Surge in Weapons Calls, School Lockdowns After Tumbler Ridge Shooting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta RCMP, Fort McMurray, High River, school lockdowns, Tumbler Ridge shooting, weapons calls

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta say there has been a noticeable increase in reports of people carrying weapons and subsequent school lockdowns in the days following the deadly mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, which left nine people dead last Tuesday. Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said the spike in calls over a short period is unusual, though he stopped short of definitively linking it to the tragedy in British Columbia. “Having those calls in that short amount of time is more than what is standard,” Savinkoff said in a phone interview Sunday. “We certainly can't disprove that…

14 Feb

UCP Auto Insurance Overhaul Sparks Backlash: Higher grid rates, and “Care-First” system set for 2027

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): The United Conservative Party government has announced sweeping changes to Alberta’s auto insurance system, promising relief for some drivers while introducing a new “care-first” model and sharply higher costs for others. The reforms, approved by the Government of Alberta, will be rolled out in stages through 2026 and 2027. Under temporary rules in place until the end of 2026, annual rate increases for so-called “good drivers” are capped at 7.5 per cent. To qualify, motorists must have no traffic convictions such as speeding or distracted driving in the past three years and no at fault accidents…