Snowstorms, Sports & Surprises — Your Edmonton Week in Review

Flood alert issued for Peace River, Alta.; residents told to prepare for possible evacuation

The Town of Peace River issued a flood alert later Thursday afternoon, warning residents of the northern Alberta community to prepare for a possible evacuation “on very short notice.”

Alberta government launches information campaign in support of fall referendum questions

Premier Danielle Smith says her government will openly advocate in favour of the nine referendum questions being put forward to Albertans this fall.

Edmonton city council looks to cut advisory committees on climate, anti-racism and gender inclusion

Edmonton city council is looking to sunset seven advisory committees focused on issues such as climate change, anti-racism and women’s inclusion.

Alberta pipeline could receive federal financing through Indigenous loan guarantee program: energy minister

Canada's energy minister said public dollars could flow to Alberta's potential bitumen pipeline to the Pacific Coast through the federal government's Indigenous Loan Guarantee program.

McDavid held off scoresheet through Edmonton's first 2 playoff games

Oilers captain Connor McDavid continued to fight the puck, and Edmonton's vaunted power play has yet to strike to start the NHL playoffs. McDavid, the league's regular-season points leader, was held off the scoresheet a second straight game Wednesday at Rogers Place.

Saskatchewan monitoring Alberta's daylight time plan, might change law

Saskatchewan's government says it might amend its time legislation depending on what Alberta does with its clocks.

Biprovincial disaster plan sets out a united response for Lloydminster-area communities

A collective of communities in east-central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan are joining forces to better respond to large-scale disasters and regional emergencies. And the group's new response plan could be put to the test as snowfall and rapid melt warnings are in effect for parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Coastal B.C. First Nation leaders go to Calgary to dissuade pipeline investors

A delegation of First Nations leaders from British Columbia have come to Calgary to relay a message to pipeline executives face-to-face: steer clear of investing in a new bitumen pipeline to the northwest coast or risk a prolonged legal fight.

Cabinet minister talks about benefits of 'Alberta Time,' tables bill to eliminate clock changes

A proposed new Official Time Act would put all of the province permanently on "Alberta Time," should the legislature approve a new omnibus bill.

Alberta government tables bill to increase legislature seat count to 91

Alberta is formally moving to boost its number of legislature seats.

RCMP investigating after man found dead at gas station in Peace River, Alta.

A man was found dead early Thursday morning at a gas station in Peace River, Alta., after he was run over by his stolen vehicle, RCMP say.

Edmonton police arrest daycare employee, charge him with sexual assault

Edmonton police have charged a daycare employee in a child sexual assault case, renewing calls for greater transparency for parents.

There's no road map for where Alberta's riding boundary controversy is headed next

An MLA-led group now gets to revise electoral ridings, as the U.S-style gerrymandering accusations keep flying.

Canada joins first summit focused on moving away from fossil fuels

The first conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels kicks off today in Santa Marta, Colombia, where a coalition of countries are meeting outside the regular UN system and talk freely about abandoning the fuels that are causing the climate crisis.

Canada’s top general tries to reassure Ukraine as NATO tensions flare

Canada’s top military commander attempted to deliver a message of reassurance to Ukrainians on Thursday that NATO remains a stable, vital force despite turmoil and criticism — most of it from the Trump administration.

After son’s death abroad, an Edmonton family faced month-long struggle to bring him home

For almost a month, an Edmonton family has been struggling with the grief over their son's death while on vacation in the Caribbean and the frustration of trying to bring his body home.

Ottawa approves Enbridge's $4B Sunrise natural gas pipeline expansion project

Ottawa has approved Enbridge Inc.'s $4-billion Sunrise natural gas pipeline project in British Columbia, bolstering a West Coast liquefied natural gas project in which the company has a stake, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said Friday.

Stuck on the highway for 15 hours: Heavy snow, high winds pummel parts of Alberta

Spring is decidedly not in the air throughout Alberta, with a winter storm bringing high winds and blowing snow that left some highway motorists stranded for more than 15 hours.

Spring storm with violent winds, up to 50 centimetres of snow pummels Alberta

Roofs blown off buildings, trees uprooted, highways closed, motorists stranded — those are just a few of the problems caused by a nasty spring storm that has slammed into Alberta.

Town of Peace River, Alta. cancels evacuation alert as flood threat recedes

The Town of Peace River has cancelled an evacuation alert after the threat of flooding eased overnight, but residents are being advised to be prepared for changing conditions.

Motorists stranded for hours after snowstorm forces Alberta highway to close

Alberta drivers going to Fort McMurray on Highway 63 Thursday were forced to come to a stop and were stranded for hours as a snowstorm made the highway impassable.

10 properties under evacuation alert due to wildfire in the Cariboo

The Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government, Tŝilhqot’in National Government and Cariboo Regional District issued the alert, which covers 465.96 hectares.

Alberta government to add four fast-tracks to teacher certification

Certified tradespeople and professionals will be able to be temporarily certified as classroom teachers after taking four post-secondary education courses, Alberta’s education minister says.

Crown misconduct led to stayed sexual assault charges against Alberta spiritual leader and wife, court hears

Open court learned today that stayed sexual assault charges against a well-known Edmonton-area spiritual leader and his wife were the result of Crown misconduct.

Road disruptions ahead as Valley Line West LRT enters final year of rebuilding 87th Avenue

The Valley Line West LRT is heading into its final year of roadwork as the project moves forward to complete reconstruction of 87th Avenue.

Deportation of truck driver responsible for Humboldt Broncos bus crash deferred temporarily

An application by semi-truck driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu to defer his deportation after he pleaded guilty to killing 16 people and injuring 13 when his vehicle crashed into a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos hockey team in April 2018 has been accepted by a Federal Court judge at a hearing on Friday.

'Prairie time zone' possible, as Manitoba premier suggests time changes there nearing end

Manitoba's premier is moving the needle a tick closer toward ditching the spring forward, fall back ritual, in a move that could usher in a "Prairie time zone."

Alberta government develops new certification process to meet demand for teachers

With up to 80,000 additional students expected to join Alberta classrooms over the next three years, the provincial government has come up with a plan to certify more teachers.

Calgary fire investigators called in following a house fire in Mahogany

Two Calgary fire investigators have been called in to try to determine the cause of a fire that seriously damaged a house in Mahogany shortly before noon on Friday.

McDavid good to go in Game 3 after ankle roll

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid wheeled through Friday morning's skate, showing no outward ill effects from rolling his right ankle two days earlier at Rogers Place.

McDavid scores, but Oilers' defence leaky to trail in playoff series against Ducks

Mikael Granlund had a goal and two assists, and the Anaheim Ducks celebrated their first home playoff game in eight years with a 7-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and a 2-1 series lead on Friday night.

Alberta Energy Regulator orders MAGA Energy to suspend operations over ‘failure to meet its commitments’

The Alberta Energy Regulator has ordered oil and gas firm MAGA Energy Ltd. to suspend its operations over unresolved environmental concerns and non-compliance issues, including unpaid taxes.

Rock slide shuts down Highway 16 from west of Jasper, Alta., to B.C.

A rock slide in the Rocky Mountains early Saturday morning has forced Highway 16 to close to all traffic, from just west of Jasper, Alta., and stretching partway into B.C.

The important questions raised by Parliament's game of musical chairs

Beneath the partisan acrimony and overheated language, there are useful and important questions about how Canada's parliamentary democracy works and how it is supposed to work.

Generational plan for Ghost-Kananaskis region underway by Alberta government

A critical area of land in Alberta is undergoing long-term planning that could have generational impacts across the Canadian Rockies.

Higher fees and separation uncertainty could cost Alberta tourism dollars: report

Alberta has long been a tourism hot spot, but higher taxes on visitors, along with uncertainty surrounding a potential vote on separation, might be having a chilling effect on the province’s tourism industry, according to a new report.

Man charged with manslaughter after alleged gas station hit-and-run in Peace River, Alta.

A 37-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter and two other charges in connection to the death of a 74-year-old man killed at a gas station in Peace River, Alta., on Thursday.

Oilers seek to shore up porous defence

NHL star Connor McDavid and top forward Leon Draisaitl were given a breather Saturday while the Edmonton Oilers plotted ways to plug a leaky defence.

‘The wild west:’ How an Alberta recreational retailer is addressing health-related cannabis inquiries

Plantlife Cannabis estimates at least 20 per cent of its customers in Alberta are looking for health-related advice retailers can’t legally provide.

Impact assessments not required for Olds, Mihta Askiy data centres. Expert says legislation needs to catch up

Two more data centre projects in Alberta are not being required to complete formal impact assessments, which would evaluate factors such as environmental effects: Synapse’s data centre campus in Olds and the Woodland Cree First Nation-led Mihta Askiy data centre project.

Albertans call for answers after being stranded on northern highway during snow storm

Highway 63 reopened Saturday after heavy snow and strong winds left motorists stranded on Friday, but some people that were stuck on the road say it took the province, local government and RCMP too long to act.

Alberta woman wants breast cancer screening changes to start now

When Natalie Kwadrans was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, she was too young to qualify for a screening mammogram in Alberta. The provincial government has announced it plans to drop the age at which women can get a free screening mammogram, without a referral from a doctor, from 45 to 40, starting next April. Kwandrans wants that change to come faster.

When my sons with autism are sent home from school, they've learned the problem is them — not the system

Wendy Lintner's twin sons with autism are in Grade 5. At one time, both were not attending school full-time. Not because she doesn’t believe in education or because they don't want to be there, but because the school system simply hasn’t been able to support their needs.

Facing rural realities and mistrust in hospitals, these women turned to home births

Though no one is tracking medically unassisted births in Canada, infant mortality data from the Ontario coroner, the challenges of accessing maternal medicine in rural B.C., and a growing online freebirthing community suggest more women are choosing this route.

From National Pizza Day to National Puppy Day: Why so many national days have filled the calendar

National Day Calendar recognizes over 3,000 special days, weeks and months that are celebrated worldwide. The days honour everything from jelly beans to beer cans — but if every day is special, is any day truly special?

Oilers look to tighten defence ahead of Game 4 against Anaheim Ducks

NHL star Connor McDavid and top forward Leon Draisaitl were given a breather Saturday while the Edmonton Oilers plotted ways to plug a leaky defence.

‘Stuck for 20 hours’: Volunteers recall helping drivers stranded by Alberta blizzard

Drivers were stranded for hours as a blizzard brought whiteout conditions to northern Alberta. Volunteers mobilized to deliver fuel, food and help to those stuck on the highway.

Planned glampsite renews longstanding Canmore, Alta. concerns on growth pressures

An explosion of growth from tourism in Canmore, Alta. has put pressure on scarce housing, not to mention the domino effects on parking, infrastructure and the environment.

Oilers give Jarry start in Game 4 against Ducks