Alberta Archives - Page 2 of 19

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

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…

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…