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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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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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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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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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'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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'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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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.
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford comes to Calgary, urges Albertans vote to remain in Canada
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-28 16:46:40.0
Tags: [Alberta, Ontario, National, Governance, Energy, Economy]Ontario Premier Doug Ford traveled to Calgary on September 28, 2026, to join Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at an Enserva industry conference, urging Albertans to vote in favor of remaining in the Canadian Confederation during the upcoming October 19 referendum. The vote, encompassing 10 distinct questions including a potential second binding separation referendum and whether provincial laws should supersede federal ones, follows years of regional estrangement over federal environmental and energy regulations. Meanwhile, former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron spoke at a separate Calgary conference, differentiating the Alberta debate from the 2016 Brexit referendum and emphasizing the structural risks of national fragmentation based on his experience with the 2014 Scottish independence vote.
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Vegas, baby: Alberta Minister Dale Nally travels to Sin City to talk iGaming
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-26 18:34:24.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Governance, Technology]Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally traveled to the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas to promote Alberta's emerging regulated iGaming market and engage with industry partners. Minister Nally participated in a panel alongside representatives from FanDuel, GeoComply, and the Alberta iGaming Corporation to discuss market expansion and player protections. The provincial government's stated objective for the regulated framework is to attract licensed operators in order to crowd out predatory and unregulated alternatives.
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Alberta gives energy regulator board chair a 14 per cent pay raise
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-25 17:18:39.0
Tags: [Alberta, Energy, Governance, Economy]The Alberta government issued an order in council increasing the salary of Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) board chair Duncan Au by 14 per cent, or $24,360, bringing his annual compensation from $174,000 to $198,360. This increase continues a rapid upward trajectory for the position's pay, which stood at $78,000 in the 2020-21 fiscal year. Energy Minister Brian Jean's office defended the raise as necessary to attract capable talent for the independent regulator, which is funded through administrative levies collected from the energy industry. Official Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the decision, arguing the AER has become a captured and political organization that has lost public faith.
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Alberta counts the cost of a border with Canada, as the referendum nears
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-25 14:42:50.0
Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Trade, Energy, Governance, Agriculture]Ahead of an October 19 referendum on Alberta separation from Canada, studies commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the province outline severe economic risks, including $50 billion to $170 billion in setup costs and potential losses affecting 330,000 jobs directly or indirectly supported by interprovincial trade. University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe estimated that Alberta's trade with the rest of Canada supports 13 percent of the provincial workforce, while Ontario trades heavily with Alberta, supporting roughly 230,000 Ontario jobs and $34 billion in income. Proponents of separation, such as constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson of the Alberta Transition Council, argue that the province holds major leverage through critical energy exports like the Trans Mountain pipeline.
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Premier Danielle Smith caught by tears during forum on Alberta referendum, grievances with Ottawa
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-19 20:45:40.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy]Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced an upcoming Oct. 19 referendum featuring nine questions focused on immigration policy and constitutional reform, including provincial authority to choose judges, abolish the senate, prioritize provincial laws, and opt out of federal programs. Smith stated that Alberta's population grew by approximately 600,000 people over five years due to federal immigration levels, imposing over one billion dollars annually in temporary resident service costs on provincial healthcare, education, and housing infrastructure. Despite supporting Alberta remaining in Canada, Smith indicated the ballot will gauge public grievances and provide political leverage against federal policies.
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'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.
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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.
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As Alberta separation vote approaches, both campaigns are banking on voter turnout
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-12 08:00:00.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Economy, Energy]Albertans are preparing for an October 19 referendum to decide whether to seriously explore separating from Canada, with federalist and pro-independence groups actively campaigning across the province. Current polling consistently shows that 22 to 27 per cent of residents favor beginning the legal separation process, while a large majority intends to remain in Canada, raising concerns among federalist strategists about potential voter complacency. Meanwhile, third-party independence advertisers registered with Elections Alberta have raised approximately $925,000 compared to $277,000 by registered federalist groups, as both factions focus heavily on voter turnout dynamics.
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