By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “You took us down!” “What about the back room deal?” Voices shouted in protest, fists pounded on chairs and anti-mining placards waved in the air at the Fort Macleod community hall as Premier Danielle Smith stepped to the podium June 11 to face sharp scrutiny over Alberta’s coal future. Dozens stood along the walls, … Read more…
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Reactions to last week’s coal town hall revealed the sharp divide that remains over coal development in southern Alberta. Dean Ward, a Municipality of Crowsnest Pass councillor who attended the meeting, said he was disappointed by what he described as a lack of respectful dialogue. “I went to the coal meeting in Fort Macleod … Read more…
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The United Treaty Movement is “an ongoing process of chiefs trying to coordinate and be heard,” says Bigstone Cree Nation Chief Andy Alook, “because we are not being heard.” The chiefs are from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. They’re hoping to “affect positive change,” says Alook. On May 26 and 27, the group held a … Read more…
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government has quietly transferred responsibility for its communications wing to the premier’s office, greatly expanding the size and budget of the province’s executive council. An April 29 Order in Council shifted responsibility for the province’s Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) department from Treasury Board and Finance to Executive Council, meaning Premier Danielle Smith is now … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Groups helping Albertans in rural and remote areas deal with family violence have until June 24 to seek a share of $6 million in project funding. Designed to address family violence through projects informed by evidence and trauma, the grant program targets prevention, the rebuilding of lives, and early and crisis intervention. Along with … Read more…
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter When it comes to Alberta’s most innovative public infrastructure, the good stuff always gets built in the province’s two major cities. True or false? True, one extremely limited sample suggests. Afterall, last year’s four winners of the inaugural Minister’s Infrastructure Awards were evenly divided between Edmonton and Calgary. False, says Martin Long, Alberta’s minister … Read more…
Published June 16, 2025 By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Economic hardship, anger and untenably long waitlists have taken root in Alberta because of UCP mismanagement of the disability file, an opposition critic charged recently. Marie Renaud added that issues harming Albertans with disabilities extend beyond a lack of accessibility legislation. But the government needs to act on that too, … Read more…