Political

Political Volunteer 

Province announces online tool to help non-profits access vital information

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Anna Smith, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Albertans will now have easier access to information regarding the province’s various non-profits thanks to a new online tool, the province says. The Alberta Non-profit Listing Dashboard is an interactive, searchable database which uses the official records of the Alberta Corporate Registry. Through it, residents can search for the location, type and incorporation status … Read more…

Political 

Rural concerns stay high on UCP’s agenda — premier

Posted on: Staff Writer

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s rural heartland will continue to inform the UCP agenda in 2025, Premier Danielle Smith said in a yearend interview aimed at audiences beyond Calgary and Edmonton. Health care, public safety and housing for seniors are among the issues that small-town, small-city and countryside Alberta can expect continued progress on, she told The Macleod Gazette. … Read more…

Political 

Nenshi ploughs through media interviews, car repairs and — finally — some food during yearend recap schedule

Posted on: Staff Writer

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A barely touched hamburger and fries at his side, Naheed Nenshi had completed six yearend interviews back-to-back at the Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton. It was the day after the final 2024 sitting of the Alberta legislature, and thieves had smashed through a window to get into his car. But his staff had accomplished … Read more…

Environmental Political 

What are Alberta’s ‘contractual’ obligations to coal companies?

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Government of Alberta says it has an obligation to some coal companies to allow open-pit mining despite the practice being banned under the province’s new coal policy, but these “contractual relationships” aren’t quite formal contracts. When Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean announced details of the province’s coal industry “modernization” initiative on Dec. … Read more…

Political 

Alberta increases rural surveillance capacity to fight crime

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government has invested $4.3 million toward two specialized surveillance teams to support fighting crime in rural Alberta, which are now fully operational. “Two new surveillance teams are filling a gap by helping rural RCMP detachments with local investigations to combat local crime,” said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, in … Read more…

Health & Wellbeing Political 

Better days lie ahead for rural health care, minister says

Posted on: Staff Writer

GEORGE LEE MACLEOD GAZETTE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE Health-care understaffing, limited access to services and reduced emergency department hours — they’re features of rural life that Albertans should not be forced to endure, the health minister acknowledged Oct. 7. But Adriana LaGrange said her government is on the case through health-care delivery restructuring and a strategic document called Rural Health Care Action Plan … Read more…

Fort Macleod Political 

Alberta’s remodeled Victim Services Unit extends rural reach, minister maintains

Posted on: Staff Writer

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A shift to regionalization extends victim services access to “every Albertan in every corner of the province,” says Mike Ellis, the minister of public safety and emergency services. Before the change, 14 areas of Alberta went unserved, Ellis wrote in an opinion piece his ministry distributed to media. “That means if you were a … Read more…