DEI hiring ban, RCMP procurement probe & Oilers shootout loss — Edmonton Tuesday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Alberta government tables bill to ban DEI-based hiring across public bodies. Justice Minister Mickey Amery tabled the bill Tuesday to prohibit public agencies, Crown corporations, post-secondary schools, school boards and municipalities from using DEI in hiring; the measure would also bar mandatory DEI training except when job‑necessary, and targets the Alberta Human Rights Act.
2. UCP requires candidates and board hopefuls to sign a pro‑Canada pledge. Premier Danielle Smith said Tuesday that anyone running for the party or for board seats must affirm they will not advocate separation, and that existing board members are expected to honour the declaration ahead of the party AGM next month.
3. Another UCP constituency board narrowly voted for a leadership review of Danielle Smith. Bonnyville‑Cold Lake‑St. Paul’s association passed the motion Monday by 10–9 in a secret ballot, Scott Cyr said Tuesday; the vote follows other constituency reviews and comes with the party AGM one month away.
4. Outspoken UCP MLA Shane Getson is leaving Alberta’s legislature. The departure of MLA Shane Getson was reported Tuesday; his exit reduces the UCP caucus ahead of the October 2027 provincial election cycle.
5. Oilers lose 4-3 in shootout to Detroit as Connor McDavid’s points streak continues. Detroit’s Lucas Raymond scored the shootout winner Monday; the Oilers’ Connor McDavid extended his season-opening points streak to 12 games and now has 34 points in that span, Edmonton fell to 8-2-2 on the season.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. RCMP probe into Alberta health procurement cites possible fraud and money laundering. Court documents filed this month say Mounties are investigating alleged fraud, breach of trust and money laundering connected to health-care procurement after former AHS head Athana Mentzelopoulos raised concerns in a wrongful‑dismissal lawsuit.
2. Judge dismisses Edmonton homeless man’s bid for early ruling on disposal of encampment belongings. An Edmonton judge rejected the man’s request Tuesday for an early court determination about city disposal of encampment property; the case will proceed through normal timelines, the ruling said.
3. Crime Stoppers software provider finds no evidence stolen tip data used for fraud. Navigate360 said Oct. 23 it found no evidence of misuse after a breach affecting data copied between Nov. 21, 2025 and March 5, 2026; Toronto Crime Stoppers reported 176,859 tips affected, including up to 14,973 names on a supplied list.

📰 Also Today

• Ottawa tables MAID legislation excluding people with mental illness only.
• Elections Alberta explains why the referendum count took so long.
• Constituents react as Red Deer‑South MLA Jason Stephan steps aside.
• Parks Canada ends its search and rescue dog program.
• Five takeaways: Alberta referendum results show nine-division analysis.
• Alberta to pay $26M for construction at five independent schools.
• Michal Postava wins in his first NHL start, making 25 saves.
• Matvei Gridin records first two-goal game and Griddy celebration for Flames.
• Hundreds attend vigil in Prince Albert for fire victim, family thankful.
• WestJet signs code‑share deal with Qatar Airways.
• Minister Carney says he is 'very open' to abolishing the Indian Act.
• First Ministers–First Nations meeting includes funding announcements and mixed reviews.
• Gamers and developers praise BioWare after studio closure.
• Red Deer secures nearly $10M federal funding to replace bus fleet.
• Referendum tallies reveal rural–urban divide on 'the 9' in Alberta.
• Online gaming generated roughly $56M for Alberta since July launch.