Alberta

Measles Cases in Alberta Surge Over the Weekend, Topping U.S. Total

Measles Cases in Alberta Surge Over the Weekend, Topping U.S. Total

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is witnessing a significant rise in measles cases, with 47 new infections reported over the weekend, bringing the province’s total confirmed cases to 1,454 as of July 20, surpassing the entire United States, which had recorded 1,309 cases by July 15. The outbreak remains concentrated in the south health zone, which includes Taber, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, with 844 cases, accounting for nearly 60% of the total. The north zone follows with 443 cases, and the central zone has reported 108. In contrast, Alberta's major cities continue to see fewer cases. Calgary has reported 43 confirmed…
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Albertans Cutting Back on Booze, Leading the Nation in Cannabis Spending

Albertans Cutting Back on Booze, Leading the Nation in Cannabis Spending

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alcohol consumption is on a steady decline across Canada, but nowhere has the drop been more dramatic than in Alberta. Once leading the country in booze intake, Albertans are now drinking significantly less, the equivalent of a 4.5-litre Costco-sized vodka bottle per person less each year compared to 2008. In terms of beer, that’s 107 fewer brews annually per person. Back in 2008, Alberta topped the national charts with each adult (aged 15+) consuming 9.7 litres of pure alcohol. Fast forward to last year, and that figure has dropped to 7.6 litres, a decline of 1.9 litres,…
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Man Fatally Shot by Police After Allegedly Brandishing Gun During Pursuit: Alberta RCMP

Man Fatally Shot by Police After Allegedly Brandishing Gun During Pursuit: Alberta RCMP

Grande Prairie, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): A man was shot and killed by police in northwestern Alberta late Friday night after he allegedly pulled a firearm on officers during an encounter following an erratic chase, the RCMP confirmed Saturday. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), which oversees police conduct in the province, has launched an investigation into the incident. CBC News has reached out to ASIRT for independent verification. According to RCMP, the incident began shortly before midnight on a rural road near Grande Prairie. Officers on patrol noticed a vehicle being driven erratically and attempted to stop it. The…
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Alberta Celebrates Parks Day on July 19, Marking 95 Years of Provincial Parks System

Alberta Celebrates Parks Day on July 19, Marking 95 Years of Provincial Parks System

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Albertans are invited to step into nature and celebrate the beauty of the province’s outdoor spaces on Saturday, July 19, as Parks Day is observed across Alberta. Recognized annually since 1990, Parks Day aims to spotlight the immense value of parks and natural areas throughout Canada. This year’s celebration holds added significance as it marks 95 years since the establishment of Alberta’s provincial parks system. “I want to wish all Albertans a happy Parks Day!” said Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, in a statement. “Parks Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible outdoor…
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Alberta investing $10 million to make it easier for landowners to conserve natural areas while keeping people working

Alberta investing $10 million to make it easier for landowners to conserve natural areas while keeping people working

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is launching two new and improved private land conservation programs to better meet the needs of landowners, conserve more land, and prioritize the needs of Albertans. With $10 million in funding now available, the enhanced Private Land Conservation Program and the new Ecosystem Services Grant Program will better protect natural areas across the province while still enabling landowners to use their land for farming, ranching and other work. Private landowners across Alberta strongly support conservation, with more than 142,000 acres conserved since 2019. However, decisions made today may not make sense 50 years from now,…
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Alberta Urges Ottawa to Designate Bishnoi Gang a Terrorist Organization

Alberta Urges Ottawa to Designate Bishnoi Gang a Terrorist Organization

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis have issued a strong joint statement calling on the federal government to formally designate the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organization, citing its violent transnational criminal activities and growing threat to Canadian public safety. “The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal network responsible for violence, extortion, drug trafficking and targeted killings, including here in Canada,” the statement read. “Its reach is global, and its intent is criminal and violent.” Alberta joins British Columbia Premier David Eby and a growing number of…
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Alberta News: Pathways to end gender-based violence

Alberta News: Pathways to end gender-based violence

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is launching the Community Pathways to Justice grant to support survivors of gender-based violence. A responsive justice system is essential to ensuring survivors of gender-based violence are supported, and people committing these crimes are held to account. To support survivors of gender-based violence, Alberta’s government is launching a new grant program to strengthen support services across the province. Through the Community Pathways to Justice grant, $1.25 million in one-time funding will be made available to help community-based organizations and Indigenous communities enhance access to justice and provide survivor-centered services. This initiative is part of Alberta’s…
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Alberta news: More services coming to Chinook Regional Hospital

Alberta news: More services coming to Chinook Regional Hospital

Calgary (National Times): Work is underway to expand services for Albertans with chronic kidney disease at Chinook Regional Hospital, with the completion of upgrades to surgical facilities. Alberta's government is committed to expanding access to renal services so that Albertans can get the care they need, when and where they need it. That is why the province is investing $22 million over three years to modernize and expand the renal dialysis unit at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. This investment will improve programs for southern Albertans with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease who depend on life-saving dialysis.…
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Alberta Marks 75 Years Rat-Free with Continued Vigilance and Pride

Alberta Marks 75 Years Rat-Free with Continued Vigilance and Pride

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is proudly celebrating a remarkable milestone in pest control history: 75 years of being rat-free. In a statement released today, RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, praised the province’s internationally recognized Rat Control Program, calling it a model of vigilance and effectiveness. “Rats are a worldwide menace that destroy property and spread disease,” Minister Sigurdson stated. “For three quarters of a century, Alberta has proudly been one of the few jurisdictions on Earth to live without the pest.” First launched in 1950, Alberta’s Rat Control Program was designed to establish a zero-tolerance policy for…
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Danielle Smith Defends Alberta’s School Library Policy, Says ‘Pornography is a Problem’ for Youth

Danielle Smith Defends Alberta’s School Library Policy, Says ‘Pornography is a Problem’ for Youth

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Premier Danielle Smith has doubled down on her government’s controversial decision to remove sexually explicit material from Alberta school libraries, saying the move is necessary to protect children from being exposed to inappropriate content. Speaking on her province-wide radio show, Your Province, Your Premier, Smith responded to criticism suggesting education funding and classroom overcrowding should take precedence over library book content. Smith acknowledged the importance of broader education concerns but insisted that shielding young children from pornographic material is also a vital issue. “Pornography is a problem for young adults,” she said. “If I can’t describe some…
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