Alberta Archives - National Times

08 Feb

Alberta Premier Defends Judicial Reform Stance, Calls Funding Threat a Negotiation Tool

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta, Canada

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has pushed back against mounting criticism over her recent remarks on judicial reform, saying her warning about withholding court funding was intended as a bargaining strategy rather than an attack on judicial independence. Speaking during her weekend call-in radio program, Smith said her government’s objective is to open dialogue with Ottawa and arrive at an arrangement that she believes would be balanced and respectful to the province. She argued that Alberta is seeking an equal voice in the process of appointing judges, not a confrontation with the federal government. Smith’s comments follow a…

07 Feb

Alberta MLAs to engage Oregon leaders to strengthen cross-border ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Two Alberta legislators will travel to the United States this month as part of efforts to deepen economic and political engagement with key American states. MLA for Leduc-Beaumont Brandon Lunty and MLA for Cypress–Medicine Hat Justin Wright are scheduled to visit Salem, Oregon, from February 8 to 11 to take part in the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s (PNWER) 2026 Capital Visits. The trip is aimed at reinforcing Alberta’s role as a strategic partner to U.S. states and advancing shared economic interests. During the visit, the MLAs are expected to meet with Oregon lawmakers, senior state officials, academics…

07 Feb

Alberta leads national job gains, adds nearly 42,000 full-time positions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta continues to outperform the rest of the country on the employment front, recording a sharp rise in full-time jobs despite ongoing global economic uncertainty, according to Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow. In a statement released Friday, Schow said the province added 41,800 full-time jobs in the most recent month, underscoring Alberta’s ability to weather broader economic headwinds that are affecting other parts of Canada. The minister credited the gains to the provincial government’s focus on economic diversification and investment attraction, noting that Alberta has posted the strongest employment growth in the country over…

07 Feb

Alberta reaches labour deal with health care support workers, says Minister Horner

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government has announced the successful conclusion of collective bargaining with thousands of health care support staff, marking the end of negotiations across the province’s major health sectors for the current round. Treasury Board President and Finance Minister Nate Horner confirmed that the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) has finalized a new collective agreement covering general support services (GSS) employees working with Alberta Health Services (AHS), provincial health agencies (PHAs) and provincial health corporations (PHCs). The agreement affects nearly 31,000 workers employed in a wide range of roles across hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities…

05 Feb

Corporate donations form notable share of UCP fundraising in 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party (UCP) collected a significant portion of its 2025 fundraising from businesses and organizations, according to newly released financial disclosures filed with Elections Alberta. Records show the UCP raised about $9.3 million last year, a figure that includes money collected through its constituency associations. Of that amount, nearly $8.9 million was formally reported in the party’s 2025 contribution filings. An analysis of the disclosures indicates that close to $7.2 million came from donors who contributed more than $250. Within this group, approximately $766,000 — or about 10.7 per cent — originated from corporate…

31 Jan

Alberta Invests $5.3 Million to Rebuild Wetlands and Strengthen Climate Resilience

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is stepping up efforts to protect communities from flooding and drought with a fresh investment aimed at restoring wetlands across the province. The provincial government has committed $5.3 million to create 67 hectares of new wetlands in central and southern Alberta, reinforcing natural water systems while supporting wildlife and local ecosystems. Funded through the Wetland Replacement Program, the initiative covers seven projects that will convert degraded or altered landscapes into fully functioning wetlands. Officials say the restored areas — together spanning roughly five times the size of West Edmonton Mall — will play a critical role…

31 Jan

Alberta Invites Nominations to Celebrate Champions of Senior Care

nishuthapar10 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has opened nominations for the Minister’s Seniors Service Awards, calling on communities to recognise individuals and organisations that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors across the province. The annual awards honour exceptional service and dedication to improving the well-being, inclusion and quality of life of older Albertans. Individuals, businesses and non-profit groups whose work supports seniors are eligible for recognition. Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon said seniors play a vital role in Alberta’s communities and deserve strong support networks. He noted that the awards provide a…

31 Jan

Alberta Expands High-Speed Internet Reach to Hundreds of Rural Communities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is set to bring high-speed internet to hundreds of additional rural and remote communities as part of its ongoing push to close the digital gap across the province. With the latest round of broadband funding, connectivity will soon be extended to 759 more communities, benefiting tens of thousands of households. Provincial officials said the new phase of projects, supported through the Universal Broadband Fund, will provide reliable high-speed internet access to about 83,000 additional homes. The expansion marks a significant step toward ensuring that residents outside major cities are no longer left behind in an increasingly…

31 Jan

Alberta Tops National Rankings for Cutting Bureaucratic Burden

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has reinforced its reputation as Canada’s most business-friendly province after once again emerging as the national leader in reducing regulatory red tape, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). During Red Tape Reduction Week, the CFIB reaffirmed Alberta’s top position, awarding the province the Golden Scissors Award — the highest national recognition for eliminating unnecessary regulations. Alberta also secured an ‘A’ grade for the fourth year in a row, reflecting sustained efforts to simplify rules and improve the overall business climate. Since 2019, the provincial government has removed close to 220,000 regulatory requirements, a…

25 Jan

Alberta premier rejects claims that separatists seek U.S. statehood, stresses renewed ties with Ottawa

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Saturday dismissed suggestions that supporters of separatism in the province aim to join the United States, pushing back against recent remarks made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent, speaking during an interview on a conservative American television network, claimed that Alberta residents were increasingly discussing sovereignty and hinted at the possibility of a referendum on whether the province should remain part of Canada. He also suggested that closer alignment with the U.S. could benefit Alberta, citing energy resources and trade potential. Addressing the comments during her weekly radio programme, Your Province,…