Amnesty joins Bill C-5 criticism

By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (ANNews) – Human rights organization Amnesty International has joined First Nations leaders across Canada in expressing concern about recently passed legislation that allows the federal government to fast-track certain infrastructure projects.  In a July 5 statement, Amnesty International Canada said that Bill C-5, also known as the One Canadian Economy Act, poses a “troubling threat” … Read more

Province seeks new round of feedback on parks plan

By Anna Smith, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Forestry and Parks is looking for feedback from Albertans as they stare down the future of the Provincial Park System. Until July 26, Albertans can go online and provide feedback on the new draft Plan for Parks via a survey, which makes up the second round of engagement for the proposed plan. “Last summer, … Read more

Speaker discusses transforming the individual and government

By Rob Vogt Transforming the structures of democracy begins by transforming the individual.That was one of the messages Donald Lee, an author, economist and teacher, brought to an event at the Stavely Community Centre on Saturday, July 5, hosted by the local chapter of the Alberta Prosperity Project.Lee said he started his third career in 2019 as a spiritual author, … Read more

Pincher Creek pharmacist, seniors concerned as Alberta raises prescription drug co-pay cap

By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s recent decision to raise the maximum co-payment for prescription drugs under its seniors and non-group health benefit plans could leave many Pincher Creek residents, particularly seniors on fixed incomes, feeling the financial strain. Starting July 1, the province has increased the co-payment cap by $1 per month for 10 months, rising from the … Read more

Energy minister leans on oil industry talking points in carbon capture announcement

By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter At a carbon capture funding announcement, Canada’s energy minister was using rhetoric straight out of Big Oil’s playbook. On Friday, the federal government announced $21.5 million for a handful of carbon capture projects in Alberta, and while the amount isn’t going to move the needle, Energy and Natural Resource Minister Tim Hodgson’s choice of … Read more

Keep away from wokeness and DEI, new minister warns municipalities

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Major municipalities should steer clear of creating drug injection sites, licensing body rub parlours and banning plastic straws, says the first municipal affairs minister from rural Alberta since January 2021. Using terms like woke and DEI, Dan Williams said municipalities of every size and type should concentrate on services taxpayers deserve and expect. “I … Read more

Government alerted to no sexually graphic material so far in rural school libraries

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter No examples of potentially age-inappropriate content from Alberta’s rural school libraries had landed on the education minister’s desk by Tuesday morning. During a roundtable with about 20 reporters and other rural media representatives, Demetrios Nicolaides confirmed that the examples of graphic content the government was alerted to originated from four books in Edmonton and … Read more