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- The Alberta government is revising a ministerial order on school library books to clarify that only texts containing pornographic images will be removed, leaving classic literature untouched. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides asked school boards to pause book removals after Edmonton Public Schools began pulling more than 200 titles, including literary classics. Premier Danielle Smith said the pause is brief and confirmed the policy will still be fully implemented on October 1st. She criticized what she described as misunderstandings of the original order. The issue comes amid stalled collective bargaining between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the government, with a potential strike or lockout looming. Both sides emphasized the need for clear guidelines and age-appropriate material while negotiations remain unresolved.
- The Alberta Party is seeking Elections Alberta approval to rebrand as the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party after 94% of its members voted in favour of the change. Former UCP MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair are leading the effort, viewing the rebrand as the fastest way to revive the party that governed Alberta for over four decades. The party submitted the new name for approval on August 29th, and while Guthrie is optimistic it could be approved by the end of September, Elections Alberta noted the process may take up to 60 days. Guthrie and Sinclair hope to enter the legislature as representatives of the rebranded party when MLAs return on October 27th. Once approved, they plan to develop policy, attract members, and build a platform to appeal to voters dissatisfied with the two dominant parties. The move has faced potential legal challenges from the UCP, which claims rights to the Progressive Conservative name. The party name is currently listed as “reserved” on Elections Alberta’s website, with a reservation set to expire on November 26th.
- Alberta has unveiled its new Jobs Strategy, a province-wide blueprint designed to boost employment through training, education, and partnerships. The plan is built on four pillars: career awareness, career readiness, removing barriers, and employer focus. Nearly 50 programs are being integrated, ranging from literacy and language initiatives to Indigenous employment partnerships and the Alberta Health Workforce Strategy. Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow said the goal is to “empower people in Alberta to seize the opportunities of tomorrow.” Business and education leaders praised the plan, highlighting the importance of aligning training with industry needs and strengthening trades education. Officials say the initiative will help ensure Alberta remains competitive, while offering clearer career paths for job seekers and a stronger workforce for employers.
- The province’s unemployment rate rose sharply in August to 8.4%, the second highest in the country after Newfoundland and Labrador’s 10.7%. Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey shows the province lost 14,000 jobs last month, a 0.6% decline and the second straight month of losses. The jobless rate is now the highest Alberta has seen since 2017 outside of the pandemic years. Edmonton was hit hardest among the big cities, climbing to 8.5%, while Calgary held steady at 7.7%. Lethbridge and Red Deer also saw increases, both sitting at 6.7%. Job declines were concentrated in manufacturing and in wholesale and retail trade, reflecting weaker consumer confidence and trade uncertainty. Calgary Economic Development noted the city’s labour force participation remains among the strongest in Canada, but acknowledged momentum is slowing across both goods and service industries, leaving Alberta vulnerable to broader national economic headwinds.
- An Alberta judge has recommended that bars implement heated outdoor shelters, free coat checks, and other safety measures to prevent patrons from dying of hypothermia after leaving. The recommendations follow the deaths of two young men in south Edmonton, who froze to death a year apart after being asked to leave a club without proper cold-weather protection. The judge’s report also calls for Alberta’s liquor authority to establish policies on alcohol service, hypothermia risks, and procedures for ensuring intoxicated patrons get home safely. Suggested measures include clear guidelines for over-serving and security monitoring.