Alberta Archives - Page 18 of 23

05 Jul

Alberta’s Privacy Commissioner Issues Caution Over 23andMe Sale, Urges Albertans to Protect Genetic Data

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta

Edmonton (National Times): In light of the recent sale of 23andMe and its genome assets to California-based TTAM Research Institute, Diane McLeod, Alberta’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, has issued a strong caution to Albertans, urging them to be vigilant about how their personal and genetic information may now be used. The sale of 23andMe’s assets, including its vast repository of genome data, was recently approved by a U.S. federal bankruptcy court, allowing TTAM Research Institute — a non-profit led by 23andMe’s co-founder and former CEO Anne Wojcicki — to acquire the company. In response, Commissioner McLeod has confirmed that she…

04 Jul

Alberta: Information and Privacy Commissioner sees both strengths and weaknesses in regulations designed to support new access and privacy laws

nishuthapar10 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (National Times): With new legislation and regulations now in force, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) has developed and published resources to assist Albertans in understanding and working with the new laws The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta is pleased with several elements of the regulations that were developed to accompany Alberta’s new Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). Commissioner Diane McLeod also has concerns about some aspects of the regulations and will closely monitor how the laws and regulations work in practice. On June 11, 2025, ATIA and POPA were proclaimed into force.…

04 Jul

Alberta News: Supporting economic growth in rural communities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is providing Indigenous and small communities with an additional $3 million in grants to maximize opportunities in rural areas. Indigenous and small communities play a vital role in the province’s economy. Working together with non-profits, they tap into opportunities and address unique challenges to help rural Alberta grow its economic footprint. To support local projects that promote innovation and sustainable economic growth across the province, Alberta’s government is providing the second round of grants through the Small Community Opportunity Program. The program has awarded grants between $20,000 and $90,000 for 41 community-led projects that build…

03 Jul

Alberta news: New chief, next step for municipal policing option

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Sat Parhar has been appointed as the first chief of the Independent Agency Police Service, marking the next step toward a new municipal policing option. The appointment of a new chief for the Independent Agency Police Service (IAPS) marks the next step in giving municipalities a new option for local policing and builds on the work already underway for the agency to assume the police-like duties currently carried out by the Alberta Sheriffs. The IAPS will empower municipalities to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing public safety across the province. Chief Parhar…

03 Jul

Alberta uncorks new rules for liquor and cannabis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is supporting liquor producers by enabling them to own, operate and sell their own products on large format bikes or “party bikes.” Albertans out for a spin on a party bike or tavern tour will soon be able to sip locally made beers and spirits. Alberta’s government is updating the rules to give small liquor producers the green light to serve their own products on party bikes, removing an outdated barrier that had prevented local producers from advertising their own brands. This is one of several red tape reduction changes to the Gaming, Liquor and…

01 Jul

Alberta and Ontario seek changes on federal policy failures

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Ontario

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta and Ontario are calling for an end to punitive federal policies that hurt competitiveness, weaken economies and don’t benefit the environment. Provincial, federal and territorial environment ministers from across Canada will attend the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment meetings in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories from July 2 to 4, 2025. Ahead of that meeting, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz and Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy have written to the federal government requesting an urgent discussion around scrapping all federal policies and legislation that undermine competitiveness, delay project development, and disproportionately harm…

29 Jun

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Defends Gender Care Ban After Court Blocks Law

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Canada, Danielle Smith

Edmonton (National Times): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has strongly defended her government’s controversial law restricting gender-affirming care for minors, after a provincial judge temporarily blocked its implementation, citing risks of "irreparable harm" to transgender youth. In a ruling Friday, Alberta Justice Allison Kuntz granted a temporary injunction against the law, which would have prohibited doctors from providing treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to individuals under the age of 16. The decision comes just months before the law was set to fully come into force. Kuntz ruled that the ban could cause deep emotional and physical harm to…

08 Jun

Alberta Resumes Procurement of US Alcohol and Gaming Machines following Tariff Protest Pause

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Canada

Calgary(Rajeev Sharma): The province of Alberta has reinstated the purchase of U.S.-manufactured alcohol and video lottery terminals, merely three months after Premier Danielle Smith implemented restrictions in response to American tariffs on Canadian goods.Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally confirmed the reversal, stating that the move reflects a "renewed commitment to open and fair trade" with the United States. In March, Premier Smith announced that Alberta would cease purchasing American alcohol and gaming equipment and suspend new contracts with U.S. companies. Although liquor stores in Alberta are privately operated, all products must be procured through the provincial government's supply chain.The initial…

31 May

Alberta Government Extends Timeline for Independent Investigation Into Procurement Practices

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary, Canada

Edmonton (National Times): The Government of Alberta has extended the timeline for the ongoing independent investigation into its procurement and contracting practices, including those used by Alberta Health Services (AHS), citing the large volume of documents and witness interviews required. Christopher McPherson, Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, issued the update on Friday, confirming that the new deadlines were approved in consultation with the investigation’s lead, Hon. Raymond E. Wyant, former Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba. Initially, Judge Wyant was expected to deliver an interim report by May 30, with a final report due by…

31 May

Alberta Increases Funding to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence with Additional $1.5M Investment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Canada

Edmonton (National Times): The Government of Alberta is strengthening its commitment to survivors of sexual violence with an additional $1.5 million investment in sexual assault centres across the province. The funding will expand access to critical counselling and trauma-informed services for those impacted by sexual violence. This latest boost brings the province closer to its goal of increasing support to sexual assault centres by $10 million. It follows a similar $1.5 million allocation made in March 2025, and complements the $13.8 million Alberta already provides annually to 15 sexual assault centres and the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS).…