💼 Economy & Business
- Federal $510M housing-infrastructure fund could unlock roughly $428M provincially for Alberta projects. Ottawa committed $510 million through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund in Red Deer on July 29; the province says about $428 million in matching funding can be unlocked and Edmonton would cover roughly one-third of eligible project costs, enabling water and wastewater works municipalities can tie to new homebuilding.
- Court approves $4.5M WestJet settlement in flight-attendant harassment class action. A B.C. judge signed off on the $4.5-million deal this week; plaintiffs say the payout averages under $500 per recipient and the settlement requires WestJet to commission an independent harassment assessment.
🏛️ Government & Politics
- Elections Alberta says Voterlink did not remove registrations ahead of Oct. 19 referendum. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure told Albertans that Voterlink cannot delete registrations and that people who voted in past provincial elections and haven’t moved or changed names are likely still registered.
- Province delays new school-flag limits and weekly anthem mandate until later this year. Rules tied to a spring bill — including ministerial power to name schools — were to start Sept. 1 but the education ministry says the flag and anthem changes will be implemented later to allow consultation; other provisions, like a new student code of conduct, still begin next month.
- RCMP seizure in Red Deer: over 1 kg suspected fentanyl and $15,000 in cash. A July traffic stop and subsequent Lancaster neighbourhood search led Mounties to seize more than a kilogram of suspected fentanyl, about 334 g of cocaine, 24 g of meth and $15,000; a 22-year-old Calgary man is charged and 23-year-old Ravinder Singh Gosal failed to appear in court.
🏈 Sports
- Edmonton Elks (6-3) aim to rebound after consecutive losses, host Toronto Saturday. The Elks dropped back-to-back games — including a 48-30 loss to Montreal that allowed 48 points — and are preparing to face the Toronto Argonauts as they try to regain West Division form.
- B.C. Lions beat Calgary 30-26; Nathan Rourke threw for 301 yards. The Lions improved to 4-5 Thursday as Rourke threw for 301 yards, rushed for a touchdown and reached 100 career CFL touchdown passes; Calgary lost its fourth game decided by four points or fewer.
📰 Also Today
- Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition ends after 18 years.
- Downtown Edmonton businesses paying out-of-pocket for security, owners report increased costs.
- Fossilised feces study sheds light on ancient ecosystems, researchers report new findings.
- Alberta delays adopting new school flag limits, government announces postponement.
- Royal Canadian Legion marks 100th anniversary with major membership drive, national campaign launched.
- B.C. wildfire update for Aug. 14 lists active fires and advisories, official bulletin posted.
- Inquiry urges urgent introduction of involuntary care after Alberta teen's overdose, recommendation released.
- Major Canadian payments company sold to U.S. private equity, privacy concerns raised.
- Calgary Stampede man missed $125K 50/50 payout, organizers confirm ticket deadline.
- Treaty 6 turns 150 — events planned across Alberta and Saskatchewan, commemorations scheduled.
- Edmonton indie game studio shifts toward riskier, blockbuster-style projects, studio announces new strategy.
- Alberta to study water supply capacity for population and economic growth, government study announced.
- Preston Manning to co-chair virtual forum on grievances ahead of Alberta referendum, forum scheduled.
- 12 international students at Calgary protest referred to CBSA after status check, officials report.
- Plasma-collection firm Grifols pauses all Canadian collections, company statement issued.
- WestJet agrees to pay settlement in sexual harassment suit, company confirms agreement.
- Environment Canada issues tornado watch for parts of eastern Alberta, weather alert posted.
- U.S. rep says Carney, Trump to be given 'options' after latest trade talks, comment reported.
