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Six packs and 6/49: New bill will allow some Alberta liquor stores to sell lottery tickets
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-28 21:06:11.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Governance]Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally has tabled a new amendment act introducing a pilot project that permits 30 yet-to-be-determined liquor stores across Alberta to sell lottery tickets such as Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max. The comprehensive omnibus legislation also mandates transparent fee disclosures for ticket resellers like StubHub and Ticketmaster, establishes a automotive "lemon law" providing compensation for new vehicles requiring repeated repairs within the first three years or 60,000 kilometres, and grants farmers the right to perform simple repairs on their own machinery without risking warranty coverage.
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The owner of Ace Liquor and Spiritleaf raises its bet on U.S. cannabis, as its manufacturing arm faces a strategic review
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-28 11:00:16.0
Tags: [Alberta, British Columbia, Economy, Industry, Labour, Trade]Edmonton-based retailer SNDL Inc., owner of Ace Liquor, Value Buds, and Spiritleaf, is conducting a strategic review and weighing the potential sale of its unprofitable Canadian cannabis production assets while exiting the dried flower business. The company reported a $52-million write-down and a 28 per cent year-over-year sales drop in its weed production segment, alongside cutting its workforce at its Kelowna, British Columbia manufacturing facility by more than 30 per cent. Simultaneously, SNDL invested $60.8 million into the United States market, acquiring approximately a 92 per cent stake in a partnership controlling Parallel, an American cannabis grower and retailer operating over 50 locations across Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.
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Investors in limbo as Edmonton mayor cautions premier's infill edict will cost jobs
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-23 20:31:11.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Economy, Governance]Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Don Williams issued an order in council requiring the cities of Edmonton and Calgary to roll back their zoning and land-use bylaws. Under the provincial directive, Edmonton has three months from Oct. 22 to revert its zoning to residential small scale matching pre-2024 standards and 18 months to draft a new zoning bylaw meeting ministerial expectations, while Calgary must reinstate its low-density residential districts within three months and write a new land-use bylaw by Sept. 1. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack cautioned that the sudden directive will harm affordability, stall active developments, and impact construction sector jobs. Industry representatives, such as Synergy Capital group manager Akith Dissanayake, noted that numerous clients who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the city permitting process now face severe uncertainty and sunk costs.
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Advocates flag contributions, not costs, of newcomers in Alberta referendum aftermath
Source: Alberta - Provincial Politics
Date: 2026-10-23 12:21:33.0
Tags: [Alberta, Immigration, Labour, Healthcare, Economy, Agriculture]Following an Alberta referendum where a slim majority of voters supported limiting access to or charging fees for provincially funded services based on immigration status, advocates and industry groups have warned of negative economic and operational impacts. Premier Danielle Smith’s government had estimated that healthcare and education costs for temporary residents total $1 billion annually. However, union representatives from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 at the Cargill abattoir in High River, alongside the Christian Health Association of Alberta and the Business Council of Alberta, emphasized the critical economic contributions of newcomers, noting that immigrants paid an estimated $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026.
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Price spread between new and resale condos reveals market strength
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-22 14:16:43.0
Tags: [Alberta, Housing, Affordability, Economy]A report by Real Property Solutions (RPS) indicates that the price spread between new and resale condominium units in Alberta widened from $84,000 in 2023 to $136,000 in 2025, reflecting market strength compared to tightening spreads in British Columbia and Ontario. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. statistics up to August 31, new condo development accounts for only 10 per cent of housing starts in Edmonton, while freehold ownership represents 47 per cent and rentals represent 43 per cent. Realtors Association of Edmonton statistics for September showed apartment resales down over eight per cent year over year, with an average condo price gaining 0.6 per cent to nearly $209,000, maintaining a buyer's market.
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Industry leader lauds Edmonton's proposed industrial investment plan
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-21 20:53:29.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Economy, Taxation, Industry, Infrastructure]The City of Edmonton is considering a new industrial investment plan during its upcoming four-year budget deliberations to stimulate non-residential tax growth and job creation. Proposed incentives include a 25 per cent property tax forgiveness for three years for new industrial builds—costing the city roughly $1 million annually while opening up 15 hectares of land per year—and a $23 million four-year 'first mover' plan allowing developers to apply for municipal infrastructure cost reimbursements. Panattoni Development vice-president Mark Edwards lauded the initiatives, noting they will help overcome investment freezes and competition from surrounding municipalities with lower service costs. Currently, only 2.6 per cent of Edmonton's industrial land is shovel-ready, falling short of the city's 4.5 per cent target.
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Danielle Smith calls for unity after separatism rejected in Alberta referendum
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 00:58:00.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy, Energy]Alberta voters decisively rejected separation from Canada, with approximately 75 percent voting against leaving in a historic referendum that saw 1.9 million ballots cast. Premier Danielle Smith stated that Alberta will remain a province of Canada and confirmed she will not hold another referendum on the issue during her tenure. Alongside the separatism question, voters passed eight out of nine additional government proposals, including initiatives focused on provincial oversight of immigration, increased limitations or fees for temporary workers accessing health care and education, and requiring proof of citizenship to vote provincially.
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Central Peace-Notley voters narrowly back pursuing Alberta separation
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-20 21:59:50.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Trade, Economy]In an Alberta provincial referendum regarding whether to pursue separation from Canada, the northwestern riding of Central Peace-Notley recorded 51.1 per cent of votes in favour of separation, with 88 per cent of polling locations reporting. A similar outcome occurred in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding, where 50.4 per cent of voters favoured the option, despite a provincewide rejection where approximately 75 per cent of total voters chose to remain in Canada. Local business owners and municipal representatives, such as Valleyview businessman Ron Perron, attributed the localized separatist sentiment to long-standing frustrations with federal economic policies and regulations impacting regional industries like oilfield services and trucking.
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Alberta referendum result removes a ‘major’ uncertainty, businesses say
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-20 17:19:30.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Economy, Governance, Energy]Following an Alberta referendum where approximately 76 per cent of voters chose to remain in Canada, business leaders from organizations such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Business Council of Alberta, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported increased economic certainty and confidence. Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal officials noted the result reinforces national unity alongside major infrastructure initiatives, including the Pacific Coast Pipeline project managed under the federal Major Projects Office. Concurrently, the Canadian dollar rose in value to 71.2 U.S. cents, while provincial separatist leaders announced plans to target Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party leadership.
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Alberta referendum a notable chapter in long history of grievance with Ottawa
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-20 09:19:12.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Energy, Resources, Economy]In an Alberta referendum where residents voted on 10 government-initiated questions, approximately 76 per cent of voters chose to remain in Canada rather than proceed to a binding referendum on leaving Confederation. The historic vote brought to a head nearly a century of grievances with the federal government, stemming from historical disputes including the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly established in 1935, Pierre Trudeau's National Energy Program (NEP) in the 1980s, the rise of the Reform Party under Preston Manning, pandemic-era public health restrictions, and modern federal policies such as Bill C-69 (Impact Assessment Act), Bill C-48, and the federal carbon tax.
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Alberta referendum expected to bring finality, but also more questions on separation
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-17 14:48:47.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Economy]Albertans are voting in a referendum on whether to remain in Canada or hold a binding referendum to separate, with polls indicating a majority will vote to stay in Confederation. Premier Danielle Smith expects the result to settle the issue, though political analysts debate whether western alienation and separatist sentiment will persist as a permanent feature of Alberta's political landscape. Prime Minister Mark Carney and former premier Jason Kenney both cautioned against the economic risks and investor uncertainty associated with pursuing secession.
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Western defence hub marshals housing plans in Edmonton
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-16 14:07:07.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure, Defence, Economy]Edmonton is preparing for a major housing and economic surge driven by federal military spending increases toward a NATO five per cent benchmark, positioning CFB Edmonton as Canada's primary manoeuvre division. The expansion will bring an estimated 5,000 troops and their families to the region, complementing over 1,000 new military housing units and projects like a $22.5 million net-zero-emissions-ready apartment development at CFB Edmonton. Local homebuilders and developers are gearing up for increased housing demand beginning in late 2027, supported by municipal infrastructure planning in areas like Marquis and Quarry South, as well as St. Albert receiving $28 million from the federal Build Communities Strong Fund for regional servicing.
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Alberta’s referendum draws 174K ballots in the 1st day of advance polls
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-14 20:41:41.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Economy]On the first day of advance polls for Alberta's 10-question provincial referendum, 174,532 ballots were cast, alongside approximately 418,000 mail-in ballots approved by Elections Alberta. The referendum, set for October 19, includes government-initiated questions concerning immigration, constitutional issues, and whether the province should begin the process to hold a vote on separating from Canada. An Ipsos poll conducted for Global News indicated that 70 per cent of respondents intended to remain in Canada, while 20 per cent supported an independence referendum and 14 per cent supported actual separation.
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Carney to attend 2 Forever Canadian rallies in Alberta ahead of Oct. 19 referendum
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-13 23:24:29.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Governance, Economy]Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he has accepted an invitation from Forever Canadian founder Thomas Lukaszuk to attend two 'Forever Canadian' rallies in Calgary on Thursday and Edmonton on Friday ahead of Alberta's October 19 referendum. The provincial referendum includes 10 questions addressing immigration, constitutional issues, and whether Alberta should remain in Canada or hold a binding separation vote. Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are also scheduled to deliver separate messages on Canadian unity in Calgary.
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Province offers satellite internet rebate for some rural Albertans
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-13 20:06:03.0
Tags: [Alberta, Technology, Infrastructure, Economy]The Government of Alberta, led by Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish, has announced the Alberta Satellite Rebate Program providing a one-time rebate of up to $1,000 for rural households to cover satellite internet hardware, installation, and applicable taxes. The program targets an estimated 10,000 remote households across the province that are currently out of reach for existing broadband expansion projects due to low population density or challenging terrain. The rebate is available through March 31, 2027, and applies retroactively to purchases made since August 11 from authorized vendors. This initiative forms part of broader federal and provincial commitments totaling $755 million to expand high-speed internet access across Alberta.
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'Slippery' questions: Referendum talk hits Canadian Club ahead of advanced voting
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-10 12:44:31.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy]Ahead of advanced voting for an Alberta referendum beginning on Tuesday, October 17, former University of Alberta chancellor Peggy Garritty spoke on behalf of the Before You Vote group at the Canadian Club of Edmonton to urge voters to keep Alberta in Canada. Garritty criticized the referendum's inclusion of five immigration questions and four constitutional questions—such as abolishing the Senate—arguing they rely on misleading assumptions and face insurmountable legal hurdles like the requirement for unanimous parliamentary and provincial consent. Referencing studies from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Alberta, she warned that separation carries severe economic risks akin to Brexit and Quebec secession, while noting that immigration has declined by more than 105 per cent since the first quarter of 2025.
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Provinces call on Ottawa to expand mining credit
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-10 12:17:12.0
Tags: [National, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Taxation, Economy, Resources, Mining, Finance]Nearly half of Canada's provinces and territories—specifically Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon—are urging the federal Liberal government to fulfill its 2025 election promise to expand the mineral exploration tax credit to include engineering and feasibility study costs. The Association for Mineral Exploration and the Nunavut and N.W.T. Chamber of Mines argue this measure is crucial to help junior mining companies navigate the late-stage 'valley of death' financing gap. An Ernst & Young report commissioned by the association indicates that covering feasibility and economic viability studies could generate between 14,000 and 34,000 jobs and add $5.2 billion to $12.2 billion in GDP over 10 years. While Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's office highlighted recent federal initiatives such as the Productivity Mega Deduction and the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, federal expenses under the Canadian exploration expenses framework still exclude economic assessments and feasibility studies.
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Alberta feels the diesel squeeze, as report says inflation could spread beyond the pump
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-08 11:00:51.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Energy, Trade, Transportation]Diesel prices in Canada have surged by an average of 70 per cent since January—reaching up to 81 per cent higher for Vancouver truckers tracked by Kalibrate—driven by tightened global supplies, Russian export restrictions, and Chinese export suspensions. Industry analysts from CIBC Capital, Scotiabank Economics, and ATB Financial warn that sustained high diesel costs threaten to spread generalized inflation into food and shelter prices within 12 to 18 months. Cross-border carriers such as 520 Transport Ltd. in Lethbridge and local operators like Constable's Towing in Airdrie report severe operational cost pressures, further compounded by cross-border tariffs and potential U.S. diesel export restrictions.
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'Canada can work': Premier Smith voted for stay option in referendum, wants Albertans to follow suit
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-07 21:50:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Energy, Economy]Ahead of the October 19 referendum, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced she voted for the 'stay' option to remain in Canada and urged residents to follow suit, rejecting a path toward separation. Smith stated that Alberta's relationship with Ottawa has improved under Prime Minister Mark Carney compared to the previous administration, citing federal moves such as declaring the Pacific Link pipeline in the national interest and expanding Department of National Defence operations in Edmonton. Smith argued that while voters should use the ballot's other nine questions—focusing on areas like immigration control, health-care premiums for temporary foreign workers, and constitutional reforms—to secure leverage and provincial autonomy, remaining in Confederation is the best path forward for Alberta.
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Canada's defence minister hails Alberta's role in national security ahead of Oct. 19 referendum
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-07 21:12:23.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Defence, Infrastructure, Economy]National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced over $8 billion in federal defence investments aimed at modernizing and expanding military bases across Alberta ahead of an upcoming provincial referendum. The funding includes $4 billion for CFB Cold Lake to establish a new fighter squadron facility, $750 million for a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear laboratory at CFB Suffield, and $550 million to set up a western operating base for CC-330 Husky air-to-air refuelling planes. The joint infrastructure announcements are projected to create approximately 38,000 new jobs while bolstering national security and readiness.
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