Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed two memorandums of understanding in Calgary during the Stampede. Smith and Ford have committed to exploring new energy corridors and expanding interprovincial trade. The Premiers announced a feasibility study for new pipelines and rail lines connecting Alberta’s energy and mineral resources to Ontario, including the Ring of Fire region, with a focus on using Canadian-made materials and public-private financing options. They also agreed to increase trade in alcohol and vehicles, with Alberta buying more Canadian-made cars and Ontario expanding access to Alberta spirits. Both leaders criticized federal energy regulations and called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to repeal measures such as the emissions cap and the west coast tanker ban.
Alberta’s new involuntary drug treatment system has its first commissioner. The Province has appointed Jonathan Carlzon, a veteran lawyer and former policy advisor, to lead the initiative. The system, passed into law earlier this year, allows family members, police, or healthcare professionals to request a court order forcing someone into addiction treatment for three to six months if they’re deemed a danger to themselves or others. Carlzon, who has over 20 years of legal experience and has worked with Alberta Health Services, will oversee those requests. His decisions can be appealed in court. The government says the aim is to help people struggling with severe addiction who refuse voluntary treatment. The new system is part of the Province’s broader strategy to tackle addiction and public safety concerns.
Starting October 1st, Alberta schools will be required to remove books containing sexually explicit content from their libraries. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the policy is not about banning books but about creating consistent, province-wide standards to protect students from material depicting specific sexual acts. Students in Grades 10 and up may still access non-explicit sexual content if it's deemed developmentally appropriate. School boards must review all library materials and publish full book lists by January 1st, though no extra funding is being provided for this work. Major school divisions like Calgary and Edmonton say they already have established review processes and are concerned about the added workload.
Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta will begin public consultations this fall on bringing nuclear power into the province’s energy mix. While Alberta still relies mostly on natural gas for electricity, rising demand and new technologies have revived interest in both small modular reactors and large-scale nuclear plants. A private project in Peace River could generate up to 4,800 megawatts, nearly a quarter of Alberta’s current capacity. Smith says small modular reactors could supply power and steam for remote oilsands operations and help meet rising demand from artificial intelligence data centres. Ontario’s Darlington site is already building North America’s first grid-connected SMR, which Alberta may look to replicate. Consultations are expected to start by September so Albertans can share their views before any major nuclear build goes ahead.
Alberta and Ottawa have announced $203 million in joint funding to support the construction of more than 2,300 new affordable housing units across the province. The funding will go toward 25 projects, including housing for students and young adults in Edmonton and units for people experiencing homelessness in Calgary. Alberta Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said this initiative helps the Province stay on track to meet its goal of building 82,000 affordable housing units by 2031. Federal Prairies Economic Development Minister Eleanor Olszewski highlighted the economic benefits, including job creation and support for Canadian industries like lumber and construction. She emphasized the importance of federal and provincial collaboration in addressing the housing crisis.
