Smith Urges Talks, Henwood Closure & Costco Fraud — Calgary Tuesday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Premier Danielle Smith urges Ottawa to restart talks before Sept. 8 counter-tariffs. Smith posted a statement Tuesday asking the federal government to use the window before retaliatory tariffs take effect on Sept. 8; Ottawa plans tariffs on U.S. exports including smartphones and golf clubs and announced business relief measures the same day. She said Alberta is reviewing whether provincial relief for affected businesses is needed. ↗
2. Former premiers Kenney and Notley to co-chair business campaign against Alberta separation. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce named Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley co-chairs of a campaign to keep Alberta in Canada ahead of an Oct. 19 referendum on whether to remain in Canada or hold a binding vote on quitting. Chamber president Candace Laing said campaign details are still being worked out. ↗
3. Recovery Alberta permanently closed the Henwood Treatment Centre after June flooding, removing 62 beds. Investigative reporting found staff were told on Aug. 20 that Henwood — a 62-bed residential addiction centre near Alberta Hospital in northeast Edmonton — has closed for the foreseeable future following overland flooding and that clients were moved to local providers, the ministry said. ↗

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Two people face 189 charges after defrauding Calgary Costco stores of over $30,000. Calgary police say between April 9 and June 30 the suspects used altered UPC codes to obtain high-value electronics; a search warrant on Aug. 1 seized suspected methamphetamine (302.4 grams) and card-making equipment. Charges include 31 counts of possession of stolen credit cards and multiple counts of identity-document offences. ↗
2. Judge hears allegation two Calgary women were lured, confined and targeted for sexual assault in a premeditated murder plot. In preliminary court proceedings, a Crown outlined that accused plotted to lure and confine victims before one was killed; the matter remains before the courts with further hearings pending, according to the report. ↗

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. TSB calls for stricter medical fitness rules after 2023 CN train collision near Wainwright. The Transportation Safety Board says an engineer with Type 1 diabetes showed signs of hypoglycemia and had incomplete medical assessments before the Aug. 8, 2023 collision southeast of Edmonton; the TSB recommends stronger federal oversight of railway medical fitness assessments. ↗
2. Hiker dies after falling from Mount Yamnuska in Kananaskis Country. Authorities reported a fatal fall on Mount Yamnuska in Kananaskis Country; the incident was described in regional search-and-rescue and police releases, with emergency responders attending the scene. ↗

📰 Also Today

• TSB urges stricter medical assessments following Wainwright train crash, investigation details released. ↗
• Jason Kenney urges Alberta to take tougher stance in U.S. trade war, public comments given. ↗
• Kenney says oil and gas should be on the table in tariff response, suggested export taxes mentioned. ↗
• Experts say tariffs may hit Alberta jobs indirectly, economists weighing impacts. ↗
• Analysis: how new U.S.-Canada tariffs will hit the national economy, explainer published. ↗
• Alberta premier pressured to adopt a ‘Team Canada’ approach amid trade fight, coverage notes. ↗
• Mark Carney says he'll resume talks if Trump team shows 'right attitude', federal comment reported. ↗
• Jim Popp named senior adviser with Ottawa Redblacks, returns after 28 CFL seasons. ↗
• Two Alberta men charged after Fort Smith shooting left three injured, RCMP charging update. ↗
• Alberta supports grizzly-monitoring research but won’t provide population count, government stance given. ↗
• WestJet flight attendants ratify new collective agreement, vote concluded. ↗
• Manning teen arrested over school shooting threat; seven firearms seized, RCMP report. ↗