• 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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• 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 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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• 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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• '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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• Stephen Harper says Canada had 'no choice' but to walk away from U.S. trade talks

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-15 23:39:51.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Trade, Economy, Energy, Resources]

  Former prime minister Stephen Harper endorsed the federal government's decision under Prime Minister Mark Carney to walk away from trade negotiations with the United States and implement counter-measures and tariffs. Speaking at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, Harper stated that Canada had no choice in order to protect its separate sovereignty from an increasingly hostile U.S. administration. Harper, serving as chair of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, emphasized the urgent need for Canada to reduce economic dependence on the U.S., accelerate major resource and energy projects, fast-track oilsands project approvals, and reform regulatory and permitting processes to attract private investment.

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• Canada's oil windfall may yet wipe out its losses from tariffs

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-13 08:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Trade, Energy, Economy]

  U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs affecting approximately $27.6 billion in Canadian products—costing Canada's GDP an estimated 0.5 per cent ($10 billion to $20 billion annually)—may be fully offset by a surge in global oil prices topping $100 US per barrel. Driven by ongoing Middle East conflicts involving Iran and Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure including the Petroline pipeline, Brent crude has reached nearly $110 US per barrel, generating windfall profits for the Canadian oil industry and bolstering government revenues. Specifically, Alberta has reversed a projected $9.4-billion deficit into a $2-billion surplus, Newfoundland and Labrador anticipates an additional $500 million in coffers, and federal corporate and personal income taxes stand to gain roughly $2 billion for every $10 increase in the price of a barrel of oil.

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• Carney’s cabinet huddles for 2nd day in Banff as trade war intensifies

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-09-11 12:18:52.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Trade, Economy, Governance]

  Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal cabinet convened for a two-day retreat in Banff, Alberta, ahead of the fall sitting of Parliament and an upcoming October provincial referendum on Alberta leaving Canada. The meetings coincide with an escalating U.S.-Canada trade war driven by U.S. President Donald Trump's move to ban select Canadian imports, including alcohol and dairy products. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas attended private discussions, noting that Ottawa's active presence helps counter separatist momentum. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney characterized the latest U.S. trade actions as relatively modest compared to prior measures while maintaining regular contact with the U.S. administration.

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• Carney’s cabinet meets in Banff as Trump escalates trade war

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-09-10 12:18:28.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Trade, Economy, Governance, Agriculture]

  Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet is holding closed-door meetings in Banff, Alberta, to plan the federal legislative agenda for the upcoming fall sitting of Parliament amid an escalating trade war with the United States. The cabinet retreat follows U.S. President Donald Trump's signing of executive orders to ban certain Canadian imports later in the month, including alcohol, motorcycles, and dairy products. This U.S. action is part of an ongoing tit-for-tat trade dispute after Ottawa levied tens of billions of dollars in counter-tariffs following the breakdown of bilateral trade negotiations.

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• Trade war, Alberta referendum loom large as Carney charts cabinet's year forward

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-10 10:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Trade, Economy, Energy, Governance]

  Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet is holding a two-day planning forum in Banff, Alberta, to address an escalating cross-border trade war with the United States and prepare for an upcoming Alberta provincial referendum concerning potential separation from Canada. The U.S. administration implemented retaliatory tariffs of 50 per cent on Canadian products such as mattresses and motorboats, alongside upcoming bans on alcoholic drinks, dairy products, and motorcycles, following Ottawa's imposition of retaliatory tariffs on over $27 billion worth of U.S. imports. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and other federal officials are assessing the economic fallout, while the federal government continues its strategic pivot to reduce reliance on the U.S. market and bolster international trade partnerships.

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• Federal Finance Minister says Alberta is ‘front and centre’ in Canada’s growth amid trade war

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-09 21:47:12.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Trade, Economy, Energy]

  Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated during an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event that Alberta is central to Canada's national growth amid ongoing international trade disputes. The comments follow executive orders issued by United States President Donald Trump that ban specific Canadian goods, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles, while imposing 50 per cent tariffs on additional exports. Champagne emphasized that Canada's retaliatory countermeasures are proportionate, strategic, and targeted to protect domestic workers and industries while maintaining energy partnerships and pursuing trade diversification. Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith cautioned against trade escalation, advocating for diplomatic engagement with American leaders, congressional officials, and governors to preserve fair and free cross-border trade.

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• Elbows up or down? Why Alberta is diplomacy-first in the trade war

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-06 08:00:00.0
  Tags: [Alberta, National, Trade, Economy, Energy]

  Alberta's senior representative to the United States, Nathan Cooper, asserts that Premier Danielle Smith's diplomacy-first approach to the Canada-U.S. trade dispute has resulted in a disproportionately low tariff impact on the province's economy. Unlike other jurisdictions such as Ontario, which have implemented aggressive rhetoric or retaliatory measures like export levies and alcohol import bans, Alberta has maintained an open stance on U.S. alcohol imports. This cooperative position has fostered greater responsiveness from American officials toward Alberta's economic and energy interests, despite contrasting domestic pressures regarding retaliatory trade policies and provincial political debates.

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• Danielle Smith says Tennessee trip isn’t sending wrong message during trade war

  Source: Alberta - Provincial Politics
  Date: 2026-09-01 22:49:45.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Trade, Tourism, Economy]

  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defended an upcoming personal trip to Nashville, Tennessee, amid an ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States, stating that diplomacy and maintaining cross-border relationships remain core responsibilities. Despite the personal nature of the travel, Premier Smith's office confirmed she will meet with state tourism officials and the head of the Nashville chamber of commerce. Accompanied by Alberta's senior representative to the United States, Nathan Cooper, Smith aims to gather municipal development insights to advance Calgary's long-standing strategic ambition to position itself as 'Nashville North' and expand Alberta's tourism and music industry partnerships.

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• Majority of Albertans in favour of staying in Canada and few intend to change their vote: Leger poll

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-08-31 21:26:58.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Trade, Economy]

  An August 2026 Leger poll conducted among 1,001 adult Albertans reveals that 65 per cent intend to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada, while 23 per cent support holding a binding referendum on separation ahead of the upcoming Oct. 19 provincial referendum. The survey indicates high engagement, with 72 per cent reporting a high likelihood of voting and 75 per cent closely following the independence discussions. Additionally, 62 per cent of respondents expressed concern regarding potential American interference and influence in the provincial discussions amid ongoing trade tensions.

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• Danielle Smith rejects taxing oil exports, pushes increased diplomacy efforts with U.S.

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-08-27 00:36:23.0
  Tags: [Alberta, National, Trade, Energy, Economy]

  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith publicly rejected proposals to tax oil exports to the United States amidst escalating trade tensions, advocating instead for increased diplomatic engagement. Smith emphasized that the United States possesses the economic leverage to severely impact Canada's energy sector and warned that retaliatory trade measures could disrupt critical energy supply chains and harm national economic stability.

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