Alberta

Alberta and Ontario seek changes on federal policy failures

Alberta and Ontario seek changes on federal policy failures

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

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

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

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

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…
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Alberta Government Extends Timeline for Independent Investigation Into Procurement Practices

Alberta Government Extends Timeline for Independent Investigation Into Procurement Practices

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

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

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).…
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Alberta providing $300,000 to Mount Royal University to explore how optometry training could be offered

Alberta providing $300,000 to Mount Royal University to explore how optometry training could be offered

Calgary (National Times): Right now, in Canada, students interested in becoming optometrists have limited options. There are only two optometry schools in the country, at the University of Waterloo and the Université de Montréal, and the programs are in high demand. Many prospective students leave the country to study, and often do not return to Canada to practice. Seeing this gap, Alberta’s government has signed a letter of commitment with Mount Royal University to support them in working with the University of Waterloo to explore the potential of offering optometry training in Alberta. “This is a great opportunity for Alberta.…
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Writs Have Been Issued for Three Alberta Provincial By-Elections

Writs Have Been Issued for Three Alberta Provincial By-Elections

Calgary (National Times): Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure, confirms writs were issued today to administer by-elections in Electoral Division 31 – Edmonton-Ellerslie, Electoral Division 44 – Edmonton-Strathcona, and Electoral Division 76 – Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has the authority, under sections 9(1) and 47(1) of the Election Act, to appoint Returning Officers and Election Clerks. These officers play a vital role in the fair and impartial management of Provincial General Elections and by-elections. “Appointments have been made for the Returning Officers and Election Clerks in Edmonton-Ellerslie, Edmonton-Strathcona,…
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Premier Danielle Smith names cabinet ministers and members

Premier Danielle Smith names cabinet ministers and members

Calgary (National Times): Premier Danielle Smith has named the ministers and members who will serve on the government’s cabinet policy committees. Cabinet policy committees are essential to the work of government, reviewing policy decisions, setting long-range strategic priorities and contributing to proposals and reviews of legislation and regulation. “I am proud of the dedication of Alberta’s cabinet ministers and MLAs who are stepping up to take on additional responsibilities and work on behalf of Albertans. Each committee member will bring invaluable insight and new perspectives reflecting the diversity of their own experiences. I look forward to working together on Alberta’s…
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Alberta’s government invests $17 million into youth employment

Alberta’s government invests $17 million into youth employment

Calgary (National Times): For over a century, Alberta has been known as the land of opportunity, a place where people come to build a better future for themselves and their families. Today, more than five million people call the province home, with many drawn by the promise that if they work hard, they too can benefit from the Alberta Advantage. That’s why Alberta’s government continues to work tirelessly to ensure there are pathways to prosperity for future generations so they can continue to call Alberta the best place to live, work and raise a family. “Investing in our young people…
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Enhancing Alberta’s veterinary diagnostic capacity

Enhancing Alberta’s veterinary diagnostic capacity

Calgary (National Times): Alberta’s government is increasing funding to UCalgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Diagnostic Services Unit to support Alberta’s livestock producers and veterinarians. Alberta is famously a livestock province, renowned for producing some of the world’s best meat. Livestock is also a significant driver of Alberta’s economy, with livestock market receipts totalling almost $12 billion in 2024. For this essential industry to keep growing and thriving, it needs quick, affordable diagnostics and robust disease preparedness. Beginning with Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is providing the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) with a total of $9.5 million over…
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