"Any work stoppage affecting our railways and ports would be crippling for our national economy and North American supply chains," Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that was released by her office. | File photo

Alberta urges feds to head off port, rail strikes

OTTAWA (Reuters) —Alberta has urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do all he can to head off potentially devastating strikes by railway and port workers. Staff represented by the Teamsters union voted overwhelmingly this month to strike as early as May 22. Railways are critical to Canada’s economy, due to its vast geography and exports […] Read more

Alberta will no longer allow such [wind and solar] projects on Class 1 and 2 land unless they can demonstrate crops and/or livestock can co-exist with them, said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. | Getty Images

Alta. solar policy puts farming first

CALGARY – The Alberta government will take an agriculture-first approach when farmland is proposed for solar and wind projects in the province, along with strengthening input by rural municipalities. “Our unique deregulated electricity market and competitive tax system mean that we are Canada’s hub for investment, and we want our province to remain the jurisdiction […] Read more

AUC has started an inquiry into renewable energy development at the province’s request, after the provincial government announced in August a pause on building new solar and wind farms. | File photo

Hearing finds support for Alta. renewable energy pause

Few people attend recent consultation session, but those who do favour an inquiry into renewable energy expansion

Renewable energy development is a hot topic in southern Alberta, but an initial engagement session hosted by the Alberta Utilities Commission on the future of the sector attracted only lukewarm attendance during a recent stop in Medicine Hat. AUC has started an inquiry into renewable energy development at the province’s request, after the provincial government […] Read more


The premier said improving irrigation infrastructure, especially to be able to capture more mountain snowpack runoff, is a long-term solution to the issue. | Mike Sturk photo

Alta. vows to tackle water shortages

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says there will be public engagement on how to best manage provincial water supplies as the situation threatens to become worse if moisture levels in southern Alberta don’t improve. “My environment minister (Rebecca Shultz), who is responsible for water, is looking into this (and) is going to be engaging with the […] Read more

The 23 megawatt Hays Solar project located just outside its namesake hamlet in the Municipal District of Taber is one of many renewable energy projects developed in Alberta over the past decade. | Alex McCuaig photo

Municipality divided over renewable energy

Landowners in Alberta are not required to allow renewable projects on their property, unlike oil and gas energy development

Cypress County councillors dug in at their early September council meeting and made their opinions clear regarding renewable energy projects in the rural municipality. Premier Danielle Smith announced a moratorium on regulatory approvals of new wind and solar projects in August, citing requests from regulatory agencies, the Alberta Utilities Commission and the Alberta Electricity Systems […] Read more


An oilfield pumpjack sits on a gravel pad in the midst of a ripe wheat field with a combine passing by in the background.

Oil, gas love affair may threaten ag

Alberta producers’ enthusiasm for political parties that support an oil and gas industry seems misplaced when unrestrained CO2 emissions could devastate the agri-food business before the end of the century.


Alberta premier Danielle Smith stands behind a podium with a sign on it touting, "Tax cuts for all Albertans."

‘Rest of Alberta’ could be key as election starts

Long-time Alberta pollster and political analyst Janet Brown said while the province has long been split into three categories — Calgary, Edmonton and the rest of Alberta — the latter is a demographic she’ll pay close attention to this election to see if there are shifts to what’s been a huge voting bloc. 




An oil pump jack is working in the middle of a field of blooming canola.

Alta.’s oil tax repayment plan called into doubt

Rural municipalities question the effectiveness of a recent directive to force energy companies to pay their property taxes

The Alberta Energy Regulator is a provincial regulatory body tasked to deal with unpaid municipal taxes by oil and gas companies. 
The provincial auditor says it is not being accountable, landowner advocacy groups claim it’s not following legislation and First Nations want it disbanded.