Rural transit ideas floated behind the scenes, UCP says

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Improved transit could be on its way to rural Alberta, a UCP cabinet minister teased in a recent interview on passenger rail transportation. “I would just say, stay tuned,” Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen told The Macleod Gazette. “I don’t want to show my cards yet, but we’re actually working on some really interesting policy ideas on … Read more

Small-town Alberta needs you, future municipal professionals

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Post-secondary graduates curious about careers with Alberta municipalities may want to add this task to their Family Day long weekend: apply for a public service internship along a road less travelled. Deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 18, at noon to apply for positions under the Municipal Internship Program in 16 municipalities, the province announced earlier … Read more

New permit system could pose safety risks to Albertans, NDP critic says

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The UCP lacks the transparency and oversight to assure Albertans its efforts to reduce red tape aren’t dangerous, an NDP shadow cabinet minister said. Gurinder Brar, the red tape reduction critic, said a new permitting approach dubbed the automatic yes toolkit could compromise public safety and the environment while continuing to undermine community trust … Read more

Anywhere the trains roll, does it really matter — to you?

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Does your heart sing when you think of a future Alberta crisscrossed with passenger trains joining mountains to airports to suburbs to city centres to regional outposts? Perhaps you’re more of a train’s-on-time, get-to-work-by-nine kind of person. Or you think the subject has no wheels at all. Regardless, the government wants you to help … Read more

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

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

Rural concerns stay high on UCP’s agenda — premier

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

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

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