-
Canada Post starting weekend parcel delivery in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa this fall
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 19:44:37.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Labour, Transportation, Finance]Canada Post has launched weekend parcel delivery in Ottawa and Montreal, with plans to expand to Toronto in late November 2026 and to Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary the following year, aiming to reach seven million households by the end of 2027. The Crown corporation reported a pre-tax loss of $482 million in the first half of 2026 and continues to rely on federal loans, though parcel revenue grew by 20.7 percent year-over-year in the second quarter. This operational restructuring follows a month-long national strike in December 2024 and the signing of a new collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) that remains in effect until 2030.
Read Original -
Council requests premier's infill edict in writing 'as soon as possible'
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-16 22:06:47.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Governance, Infrastructure, Finance]Following an executive directive from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ordering Edmonton City Council to rescind its zoning bylaw regarding small-scale residential (RS) zones, Edmonton City Council voted 12-1 on a motion demanding the province provide the order in writing. City administration projects the forced regulatory reversal will cost Edmontonians between $420 million and $610 million in construction business next year, halt over 2,000 rowhouse dwelling units, cut municipal planning and development reserves from $40 million to $25 million by 2030, and cost between $5 million and $10 million to implement under the Municipal Government Act.
Read Original -
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.
Read Original -
With city's next four-year plan less than a month away, Edmonton's budget deliberation process unveiled
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-06 20:29:58.0
Tags: [Municipal, Alberta, Finance, Taxation, Governance, Affordability]The City of Edmonton unveiled its upcoming four-year budget deliberation process, which will encompass five distinct budgets: the capital, operating, utility services operating and capital, office of the city auditor, and climate budgets. Draft budgets are scheduled for publication on November 2, followed by a public hearing beginning on November 23 that will remain open for up to 10 days until December 18 or budget approval. In an 8-5 vote, City Council approved raising the city's franchise fee to 19.4 per cent to match Calgary's rate, aiming to offset property tax pressures on residents and businesses while the city works to rebuild its financial stabilization reserve back to the $150-million baseline.
Read Original -
Large businesses and post-secondary institutions could see five-digit utility fee hike if Epcor franchise fee increase approved
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-05 21:00:32.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Taxation, Finance, Energy]The Edmonton City Council utility committee voted to send a proposed increase in the city's franchise fee charged to Epcor from 17.65 per cent to the provincially capped maximum of 20 per cent to the full city council. If approved, the hike takes effect on January 1, 2027, generating an estimated additional $14.8 million for the municipality while increasing monthly utility bills by up to $31,500 for post-secondary institutions, $10,400 for large commercial properties, and $6,250 for hospitals.
Read Original -
Internal documents detail Ottawa's economic worries over Alberta referendum
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-03 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Economy, Finance, Energy, Governance]Internal documents from Finance Canada and the Justice Department dated June 2026 reveal federal concerns regarding potential economic impacts from Alberta's October 19 separation referendum, including an estimated $18-billion fiscal shock, corporate head office flight, and potential population outflows. The briefing notes highlight that Alberta accounts for 15 per cent of Canada's national GDP, contributes an average of $18 billion annually in net fiscal transfers between 2022 and 2024, and represents 31 per cent of Canada's exports. Furthermore, federal officials warn that existing federal pension legislation governing the Canada Pension Plan contains flawed language and payout formulas that would likely require Supreme Court interpretation if Alberta attempted to withdraw its assets.
Read Original -
Alberta is now home to four new collegiate schools and 14 existing ones have received expansion funding
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-29 12:00:39.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Finance, Infrastructure]The Government of Alberta added four new collegiate schools—CTR Strathmore and District Practical Ranching School, Calgary Skilled Trades and Technologies Collegiate, Grande Prairie Regional Career Collegiate, and St. Joseph the Worker Collegiate—for the 2026-27 academic year, bringing the provincial total to 32 operating collegiate schools. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced that 14 existing collegiate schools received provincial funding to expand programming and renovate unused spaces to other locations. Budget 2026 earmarked $32.1 million in operating and capital funding to support the expansion of the specialized secondary and post-secondary pathway model.
Read Original -
Forever Canadian helps federalists narrow separatist advertisers' advantage
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-25 20:37:07.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Finance]Federalist advertisers in Alberta raised over $113,000 during the week ending September 25, 2026, narrowing the fundraising advantage held by separatist groups. Thomas Lukaszuk's Forever Canadian group led all advertisers by raising $48,345 after pivoting to explicitly advocate for Option 1 on Question 10 of the referendum. Separatist advertisers hold a cumulative total of $994,107.03 compared to $506,482.97 raised by federalists. Meanwhile, Rebel News filed a complaint through its registered advertiser entity Alberta's Choice regarding Forever Canadian's financial disclosures, which a judge declined to expedite ahead of the October 19 vote.
Read Original -
ABMunis members call on province to give them a cut of future provincial surpluses
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-24 22:41:51.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Finance, Infrastructure, Governance]At the fall meeting of Alberta Municipalities (ABMunis), 558 delegates voted 91 per cent in favour of a resolution calling on the Government of Alberta to establish a framework guaranteeing a set proportion of future provincial budgetary surpluses for local infrastructure funding. Co-sponsored by the cities of Airdrie, Leduc, Lethbridge, Cochrane, and Okotoks, the resolution seeks funds on top of the existing Local Government Fiscal Framework. ABMunis president and Grande Prairie City Councillor Dylan Bressey noted that the province is on track for a $2-billion surplus for the 2026-27 fiscal year and has requested a 10 per cent allocation ($200 million) to help close an estimated $1 billion infrastructure gap. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams stated that the province will review the resolution while noting that municipalities already share in surpluses through the existing framework, which totals $800 million for the fiscal year.
Read Original -
Alberta advances $2.4 million for gambling addiction treatment
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-24 19:05:11.0
Tags: [Alberta, Healthcare, Social Services, Finance, Governance]The Government of Alberta has advanced a $2.4 million grant to the Brick House Recovery Centre, which operates facilities in Edmonton and Calgary and provides virtual support across the province, to enhance treatment and recovery programs for problem gamblers. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally stated that this funding serves as an advance ahead of revenues collected from the province's newly regulated iGaming market, which launched in mid-July. The province allocates one percent of its regulated iGaming revenues—projected at $76 million for its first year across 31 approved sites—toward addiction treatment, with the 1 percent threshold subject to future reviews as the market grows.
Read Original -
Premier Danielle Smith considers potential changes to the Municipal Government Act
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-23 21:47:43.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Governance, Infrastructure, Finance]Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced potential changes to the Municipal Government Act at the Alberta Municipalities Convention in Edmonton, considering allowing larger municipalities to operate similarly to provincial governments regarding private briefing meetings. Alberta Municipalities president Dylan Bressey raised concerns over declining provincial infrastructure funding over the past decade—noting it has dropped by 50 per cent—and requested a 10 per cent allocation of the province's $2 billion surplus, amounting to roughly $200 million for local infrastructure. Smith also addressed municipal code of conduct rules, indicating the province may tailor future regulations based on the size of the municipality rather than applying blanket rules.
Read Original -
Judge rejects Rebel News bid to expedite ad finance complaint versus Forever Canadian
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-22 21:22:40.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Justice, Finance]Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Christopher Simard rejected an expedited legal bid by the media outlet Rebel News against Election Commissioner Paula Hale and Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure regarding alleged referendum finance rule violations by Thomas Lukaszuk's Forever Canadian campaign. Rebel News argued that Elections Alberta should immediately address its July 24 complaint concerning unrecorded contributions and spending ahead of the October 19 referendum. The court ruled that the expedited litigation schedule proposed for October 14 and 15 was unworkable under existing statutory investigation frameworks, which permit the election commissioner up to one year to conclude investigations and restrict disclosure of ongoing files.
Read Original -
Data shows severe weather, not injuries, behind spike used to justify Alberta's no-fault auto insurance move: lawyers group
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-21 22:14:38.0
Tags: [Alberta, Finance, Justice]The Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association (ACTLA) has disputed the Government of Alberta's justification for shifting to a no-fault auto insurance system, known as the Care-First model, effective January 1. While the United Conservative government and the Alberta Auto Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) project that the new system will lower private passenger vehicle premiums by roughly $297 to $400 annually and reduce litigation costs, ACTLA argues that data actually show a sharp drop in claim costs from $1,825 in 2024 to $1,398, attributing the previous year's spike to severe weather events like the August 2024 Calgary hailstorm rather than uncontrolled injury claims. Critics contend the reform strips injured Albertans of their civil rights to seek court compensation, leaving them subject to private insurance policies, though the Ministry of Finance maintains the policy will deliver reliable and sustained savings.
Read Original -
'Momentous decision': Alberta separation could cost up to $170 billion, says U of C report
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-16 17:30:44.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Finance, Governance, Taxation, Trade]A government-commissioned report from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy estimates that establishing an independent Alberta would cost between $50 billion and $170 billion in the first five years following separation. Under a 'smooth' secession scenario, the report projects Alberta would add nearly $210 billion in debt—largely from its share of Canada's national debt—along with short-term GDP contraction and initial per-capita tax increases of over $800. Under a 'difficult' scenario involving adversarial negotiations, Alberta's total debt could approach $442 billion (making up nearly 90 per cent of its GDP) with per-capita wage losses reaching $5,500 and short-term tax increases of $5,400 over the first five years. The findings precede an October 19 vote regarding whether the province should further pursue separation, as overseen by Finance Minister Jason Nixon's office and a five-member advisory panel.
Read Original -
Cost of Alberta separation could be up to $170B: report
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-16 16:29:14.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Finance, Governance]An independent report commissioned by the Alberta government and conducted by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy estimates that the cost for Alberta to separate from Canada could range from $50 billion up to $170 billion in the first five years. The report evaluates two scenarios, outlining that a "difficult" separation path could result in a 10.1 percent loss in GDP, a drop in employment by 10 percent, and a provincial debt reaching $442.3 billion within five years. Conversely, a "smooth" negotiation path would involve lower transition costs and maintain trade market access, though the long-term benefits remain uncertain.
Read Original -
Alberta government and lawyers explore expanding litigation under new auto insurance model
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-16 15:38:39.0
Tags: [Alberta, Justice, Public Safety, Finance]The Alberta government's Treasury Board and Finance Ministry is in discussions with personal injury lawyers regarding the potential expansion of litigation rights under the new "care-first" auto insurance model scheduled to take effect in January 2027. Under the current proposed framework, court access is restricted to cases where at-fault drivers are convicted of Criminal Code offenses and select major infractions under Alberta's Traffic Safety Act, while the Alberta Auto Insurance Rate Board projects average savings of $297 per vehicle. Personal injury lawyer Mark McCourt and the Insurance Bureau of Canada, represented by vice president Aaron Sutherland, have raised competing concerns that expanding litigation could either further erode victim rights or substantially diminish driver savings and potentially cause rate increases.
Read Original -
Edmonton Public Schools to consider changing number of wards and trustees in next civic election
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-15 22:40:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Education, Governance, Finance]Edmonton Public Schools is considering reducing its electoral wards and trustees from nine down to seven ahead of the 2029 civic election, following a five per cent reduction to the division's system administration grant by the Government of Alberta. Ward F Trustee Julie Kusiek introduced the motion to have division planners draft boundary options, which the board voted 7-2 to defer to the October meeting. Any structural change to the total number of trustees requires formal ministerial approval under provincial education guidelines.
Read Original -
Alberta's new insurance regime will see savings for 88 per cent of vehicles: rate board
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-10 18:23:35.0
Tags: [Alberta, Transportation, Affordability, Finance, Governance]The Alberta Auto Insurance Rate Board released reports indicating that the province's new "Care-First" auto insurance system, taking effect January 1, will reduce average private passenger vehicle premiums by 13.7 percent, saving drivers $297 per year. The analysis shows that 88 percent of Alberta's 3.1 million insured vehicles will see premium reductions, with about 47 percent (1.47 million vehicles) saving $300 or more, while approximately 10 percent of vehicles—led by a 37 percent increase for motorcycles—will face higher rates. The transition to the care-focused model, which replaces the court-based tort system, has drawn opposition from personal injury lawyers, governing United Conservative Party members who voted against it at an annual general meeting, and Opposition New Democrats who criticize it for prioritizing insurer profits.
Read Original -
Will the new budget slash Edmonton police spending? Mayor says likely not
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-10 11:05:32.0
Tags: [Municipal, Alberta, Public Safety, Governance, Finance]Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack announced that the City of Edmonton will likely maintain the current funding formula for the Edmonton Police Service in the short term, despite polarizing results from a recent 12,000-person budget survey. The current funding framework ties staff expense increases to population growth and non-staff spending to a specialized inflation number. While a city budget simulator showed nearly 60 per cent of participants reallocating money away from the police to balance accounts, Edmonton Police Service representatives and city leadership emphasized that the exercise did not accurately measure service-level impacts or statistical significance.
Read Original -
City to debate $114.58 million in climate mitigation actions in four-year budget talks
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-03 22:01:58.0
Tags: [Municipal, Alberta, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure, Finance]The Edmonton City Council Executive Council unanimously passed motions to advance $114.58 million in climate mitigation actions for consideration during the upcoming four-year budget deliberations, down from a total proposed package of $257 million. The package includes four no-cost immediate actions—such as exploring alternative funding options and working with Epcor to improve electrical grid resilience—along with eight actions headed to December budget talks, including funding for energy-efficient buildings under the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program and fleet decarbonization. Additional proposals include $5 million to support community climate initiatives, $5 million to fund the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation's Climate Fund Endowment, and exploring the daylighting of urban creeks like Mill Creek with Epcor.
Read Original
