Smith’s federal ‘bribe’ charge, $85M Lotto & Alberta raptor find — Calgary Saturday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Premier Danielle Smith says federal funding amounted to a “bribe” that forced Edmonton to roll back zoning changes. Smith told CHED and CHQR on Saturday her government reversed Edmonton’s 2024 zoning bylaw changes after Ottawa offered “millions” through the Housing Accelerator Fund tied to streamlined zoning and faster approvals; Edmonton has three months to undo the 2024 changes, the federal release said.

2. Premier Smith rules out a second separation referendum if Albertans vote to remain on Oct. 19. Smith told reporters she will not allow another binding referendum on separation after the Oct. 19 vote if Albertans choose to stay in Canada; the statement followed a campaign period in which separation has been a top issue across the province.

3. Alberta judge dismisses the NDP’s court challenge over voter list changes. A provincial judge on Friday threw out the New Democratic Party’s legal challenge to recent changes to Alberta’s voter list process, ending the NDP bid to overturn the legislation before the Oct. 19 questions and leaving the new rules in place for the upcoming vote.

4. Tension rising in households as Albertans prepare to vote on separation on Oct. 19. Reporting from Edmonton and central Alberta finds families and workplaces are deferring political discussion ahead of the nine-day-until vote; residents in Airdrie and Sylvan Lake described strained conversations and some long-term workplace tensions tied to plans to vote to stay or pursue separation.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. U of A researchers report the first possible evidence of a raptor feeding on an Albertosaurus. A University of Alberta master’s student, Joshua Doyon, identified bite-mark spacing on an Albertosaurus jawbone consistent with a dromaeosaurid raptor, concluding a juvenile Albertosaurus likely died and was fed on soon after death; the finding was published this week and narrows the culprit to two carnivores, with a raptor most likely.

2. Parks Canada is investigating Banff National Park’s superintendent for an alleged National Parks Act breach. Parks Canada opened an investigation into the superintendent of Banff National Park after allegations of violating the National Parks Act, the agency confirmed this week, and the probe is ongoing under federal review procedures.

3. B.C. Lions clinch a CFL playoff spot with a 41-20 win over the Ottawa Redblacks. The Lions improved to 10-6 after Nathan Rourke threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns on Friday; B.C. has won nine of its last ten games and extended its win streak to four games, securing a postseason berth.

4. Lotto Max jackpot climbs to a record $85 million for the Oct. 13 draw. With no top-prize winner on Friday, Lotto Max will offer an $85-million jackpot and 16 $1-million prizes plus 85 $100,000 prizes on Tuesday, Oct. 13, marking the largest prize in Canadian lotto history under the upgraded jackpot cap.

📰 Also Today

• Record number of rattlesnakes removed in Lethbridge this year, removal totals hit a new high.
• Elon Musk weighs into separatism debate, Musk’s comments drew national attention to Alberta questions.
• Contributor reflects on few committed separatists but wide anger, piece explores motivations behind votes.
• Mark Carney warns national unity politics are resurging, commentary ties to Alberta vote.
• Fossil team reports dog-sized raptor likely fed on a larger tyrannosaur, corroborating U of A study.
• 61-year-old Alberta woman breaks her own planking world record, new time announced.
• (Duplicate coverage) Tension peaking among Albertans ahead of Oct. 19, local accounts of strained family discussions.