Jack Farrell

Decision expected on Alberta teachers' back-to-work bill injunction hearing EDMONTON - A judge is expected to issue a decision today on a possible injunction against a bill that forced Alberta's striking teachers back to work last fall.

Decision expected Friday on Alberta teachers' back-to-work bill injunction hearing

I’ll be in court this morning to hear the decision — this file will be updated once it goes through my ears and then back out through my fingers.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Ottawa and Alberta reach prospective deal to streamline major project approvals Governments say deal will bring ‘one project, one review’ approach to addressing impact of projects

The letter is in response to last Friday’s prospective deal, if ya missed it: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/b8e8eff...

“Sunshine’s March 10 letter places this pact in the context of Carney’s ‘appeasement’ of Premier Danielle Smith’s ‘separatist agenda.’”

Two more Alberta petitions get green light to collect signatures to oust politicians EDMONTON - Recall petitions aiming to oust two opposition members of Alberta's legislature have been approved by Elections Alberta.

Two more Alberta petitions get green light to collect signatures to oust politicians

(Newly-christened Tory leader Peter Guthrie and NDP’s assisted living critic Marie Renaud)

By @reportrix.bsky.social today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/two...

Alberta landowners take stand over years of missed payments by delinquent oil company EDMONTON - Some Edmonton landowners are taking a stand by erecting a blockade against what they call a delinquent oil and gas company.

Alberta landowners take stand over years of missed payments by delinquent oil company

Energy Minister Brian Jean dismissed them as activists, but also says no government system is perfect.

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/alb...

Update on this: Minister Fir told a legislature committee tonight that it was determined “funding needed to be focused on organizations that provide extensive services to the sector … not individual (nonprofits.)”

She encouraged the society to apply for other grants.

NDP critic not impressed.

King Charles 'expressed his concern' over Alberta separatism in meeting: grand chief EDMONTON - The grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations says King Charles "expressed his concern" after hearing about Alberta's separatist push in a face-to-face meeting with

King Charles ‘expressed his concern’ over Alberta separatism in meeting: grand chief

From me and @reportrix.bsky.social today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Alberta Won’t Budge on Charging Indigenous People for COVID Vaccines Though health advocates argue the province's $100 fee amounts to a treaty violation, the federal government rebuffed a request to step in, pointing out it's still free on reserves

Alberta has refused to exempt Indigenous people from the $100 fee for COVID vaccines.

And though health advocates contend that amounts to a treaty violation, the federal government won't step in.

pressprogress.ca/alberta-char...

Citizen-led recall bid against Alberta premier falls far short of threshold | CBC News A petition looking to oust Alberta Premier Danielle Smith from her seat in the legislature has failed.

Citizen-led recall bid against Alberta premier falls far short of threshold

From me today:

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Alberta eliminates funding for 119-year-old historical society | CBC News A volunteer historical society that's almost as old as Alberta itself is concerned the province's past may be forgotten after its funding was eliminated.

Alberta eliminates funding for 119-year-old historical society

From me today:

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Vocal anger today from the public gallery inside #ableg after a vote First Nations leaders came to Edmonton to see was shut down. One said all they asked for was a denunciation of separatism.
"Traitors!"
Speaker McIver called for order. "This is the people's house!"
Someone shot back: "All peoples!"

Indigenous chiefs go to Alberta legislature, pressure province to nip separatism push EDMONTON - More than a dozen First Nations chiefs and even more band councillors and elders were at Alberta's legislature Monday, calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to stomp out

Indigenous chiefs go to Alberta legislature, pressure province to nip separatism push

From me and @reportrix.bsky.social today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Ottawa, Alberta reach prospective agreement to streamline major project assessments EDMONTON - Ottawa and Alberta have reached a prospective deal that they say will see major projects be approved more efficiently.

Ottawa, Alberta reach prospective agreement to streamline major project assessments

From me today, with an updated file still to come:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Rental company charged after fatal 2024 tent collapse at Alberta Buddhist retreat BUSBY, ALTA. - An equipment rental company is facing 10 workplace-related charges after a fatal tent collapse at a Buddhist retreat in Alberta in 2024.

Rental company charged after fatal 2024 tent collapse at Alberta Buddhist retreat

OH&S alleges the tent wasn’t installed, secured or restrained properly.

Also from me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

The trend continues where petitioners tell me they’ve spoken to numerous people who don’t know who their MLA is — or what an MLA is.

"I just want to see Peter Singh actually recognize that he represents a riding of people who, through basically sheer luck, decided to vote for him.”

Three more citizen-led recall petitions against Alberta politicians fall short EDMONTON - Three more recall petitions against members of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative caucus have failed.

Three more citizen-led recall petitions against Alberta politicians fall short

(Primary Care Minister Adriana Lagrange, Arts and Culture Minister Tanya Fir, and UCP backbencher Peter Singh).

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Alberta teachers go to court seeking injunction on Charter notwithstanding case EDMONTON - Alberta's teachers went to court Wednesday to fight the province’s back-to-work legislation, but their union president says if they win, it doesn’t necessarily mean their provincewide strik...

Alberta teachers go to court seeking injunction on Charter notwithstanding case

Hearing to end tomorrow after government lawyers have their say. Decision not expected until later this month.

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

'Snowflake!': Saskatchewan politicians spar over executive pay, Lutnick meeting REGINA - Saskatchewan's legislature began with a raucous start Monday as politicians returned for the spring sitting, levelling accusations of pearl clutching and being unserious.

Saskatchewan's legislature began with a raucous start Monday as politicians returned for the spring sitting, levelling accusations of pearl clutching and being unserious. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/sno... #skpoli

Alberta to update or patch loads of software after spike in cybersecurity incidents EDMONTON - Alberta's government is putting $40 million toward software upgrades after seeing a major spike in cybersecurity incidents last year.

Alberta to update or patch loads of software after spike in cybersecurity incidents

From me today, on a little egg from Alberta's new budget last week:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...

Alberta Premier Smith hopes failing recall petitions a sign people feel heard EDMONTON - Premier Danielle Smith says she hopes failing recall petitions against members of her caucus mean Albertans are feeling heard.

Alberta Premier Smith hopes failing recall petitions a sign people feel heard as Elections Alberta announces two more fail on Monday after not being submitted on time/at all.

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

'Good health policy': Alberta's Smith calls on Ottawa to relax nicotine pouch rules EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling on Ottawa to walk back its restrictions on nicotine pouches, arguing the rules are an unnecessary barrier for those trying to quit

'Good health policy:' Alberta's Smith calls on Ottawa to relax nicotine pouch rules

Or in simpler words: Let the people have Zyns, Alberta’s government says

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/goo...

Meet the Historic Alberta Couple Who Fought for Press Freedom | The Tyee Their grandson wrote a book and made a film about their impactful work.

The Weekender is here in @thetyee.ca! Thanks to @ximenaka.bsky.social for this nifty piece about the historic couple who fought for press freedom in Alberta. thetyee.ca/Culture/2026...

There are 2 petitions that were due Monday that I can’t confirm (but have hunches obviously) and that is the now infamous Neudorf petition and backbencher Glenn Van Dijken.

Elections Alberta said it couldn’t provide an update on those today despite being due a few days ago. Maybe next week!

Also the recall math is getting messy — I have confirmed 12 to have failed. Elections Alberta is one behind me and today published preliminary counts for some of the petitions I covered on Monday and last week.

Today’s batch (and article) covers 4 of those who I couldn’t get ahold of on Monday.

Half the recall petitions against Alberta governing caucus fail, more fizzle EDMONTON - Elections Alberta says four more recall petitions against members of Premier Danielle Smith's caucus have failed.

Half the recall petitions against Alberta governing caucus fail as more fizzle

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Alberta budget comes with spending hikes, $9.4B deficit EDMONTON - Alberta’s new budget will carry an eye-popping $9.4-billion deficit as the province, after decades of trying to get off a roller-coaster of oil revenues, seeks to manage the

The budget is here.

Alberta budget comes with spending hikes, $9.4B deficit

By @reportrix.bsky.social, @journosousa.bsky.social and me:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...

Multibillion-dollar budget deficit on tap as Alberta introduces its 2026 budget EDMONTON - It’s budget day in Alberta, and the overarching question is not whether the budget will show a deficit, but exactly how many billions of dollars in the red

It’s budget day in Alberta folks — this preview of what could come will give you some background before the budget gets tabled this afternoon, after which it will be updated with actual details.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/mul...

Alberta government to earmark $10.8B for education ahead of deficit budget EDMONTON - The Alberta government says it hopes its new education budget will show understanding for teachers following a mass strike last year that ended with the province forcing on

Alberta government to earmark $10.8B for education ahead of deficit budget — with a pretty resounding approval from Alberta’s teacher union after last fall’s strike and the use of the notwithstanding clause to end it.

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

Immigration and medical assistance in dying on agenda as Alberta legislature resumes EDMONTON - Alberta politicians returned to the legislature Tuesday for the spring sitting, with proposed legislation on the agenda ranging from immigration to medical assistance in dying.

Immigration and medical assistance in dying on agenda as Alberta legislature resumes

House leader Joseph Schow also says Alberta will be creating its own version of a major projects office.

By @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/imm...

Alberta to boost doctor spending by 22 per cent as detail of new budget shared EDMONTON - Alberta's government says it plans to increase physician spending by more than 20 per cent in its upcoming budget.

Alberta to boost doctor spending by 22 per cent as detail of new budget shared

By @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/alber...