Results for: Alberta

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has defended her decision to have a physician who has accused the province of exaggerating the impact of COVID-19 on hospitals lead a review of pandemic-era health data. Dr. Gary Davidson, the former chief of emergency medicine at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, was appointed chair of the task force a year ago. During the height of the fourth wave of the pandemic in 2021, Davidson claimed hospital admission numbers were overblown and being manipulated to justify public health restrictions. The provincial health authority, Alberta Health Services, rejected those accusations as false.

A recent survey conducted by Fertility Alberta revealed that cost is a significant impediment for many Albertans who are struggling to start a family. The study found that 74% of respondents postponed fertility treatments due to financial constraints, and 90% of those individuals indicated that provincial government financial assistance would have enabled them to pursue treatment. The Alberta Reproductive Centre, which opened in Edmonton in 2023, provides fertility care to a diverse range of patients, including couples struggling to conceive, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those seeking fertility preservation services before cancer treatment. The center’s Dr. Ariana Daniel highlights the prevalence of infertility, which affects 17% of the population, and emphasizes the need for government support to ensure that individuals have access to the care they require to build their families.

Residents near the intersection of Township Road 830 and Range Road 231 in the Municipal District of Peace No. 135 and Birch Hills County have been ordered to evacuate immediately due to a nearby wildfire. The fire covers approximately 250 hectares and is located about five kilometers southwest of Peace River.

Residents in northwestern Alberta’s Municipal District of Peace No. 135 have been ordered to evacuate immediately due to the threat of wildfire. The fire covers approximately 250 hectares and is moving rapidly in the Peace River Valley. Evacuees are advised to head east to Grimshaw, Alta., and register at the Royal Canadian Legion. The province is using water bombers and helicopter bucketing to help contain the fire.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has appointed Dr. Gary Davidson, a physician who previously accused the province of exaggerating COVID-19’s impact on hospitals, to lead a review of pandemic-era health data. Smith defended her decision, stating that she wants to hear a range of viewpoints, including from those who have been silenced in the public sphere. The work of the task force is nearing completion, but few details have been made public since its creation in 2022. Smith’s decision has drawn criticism from the opposition New Democrat Leader Rachel Notley, who called it a waste of public money and an effort to legitimize fringe views.

Alberta has emerged as the fourth happiest province in Canada, according to a recent study by Lucky Days that evaluated eight quality-of-life metrics. Despite economic challenges and ongoing concerns about air quality and mental health, Albertans remain optimistic. The province scored highly for median annual family income but lower for perceived mental health, highlighting the need for continued support in this area.

Air Products & Chemicals (APD) plans to build a network of permanent, commercial-scale hydrogen refueling stations along the Queen Elizabeth II highway from Edmonton to Calgary, Alberta. The stations will enable hydrogen-powered vehicles to refuel as quickly and conveniently as gasoline or diesel vehicles. Air Products aims to support Western Canada’s goal of 5,000 hydrogen or dual-fuel vehicles on the road within five years. The stations will cater to heavy-duty commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, as well as light-duty hydrogen fuel cell cars.

The Alberta government is considering allowing grocery and corner stores to sell alcohol, a move that has raised concerns and opposition from the liquor industry. A panel of MLAs is studying the idea, but no decisions have been made. Industry representatives argue that increased competition would harm independently owned liquor stores and that there is no public demand for such a change. However, the government is also seeking public opinion through a survey. The move is driven by Ontario’s proposal to significantly expand private-sector liquor retailing, but Alberta already has a fully privatized system.

The Alberta government has introduced legislation to prevent Calgary from charging excessive surcharges on power bills. The move comes after Calgary collected millions more than expected from the fees due to its variable rate, leading to higher costs for residents. The bill, if passed, would ban cities from using these rates, providing relief to Calgarians.