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- The UCP government plans to submit an application for a new oil pipeline to the northwestern British Columbia coast, with a formal proposal expected next spring. Premier Danielle Smith framed the project as part of a national interest effort to expand Canada’s role as an energy supplier. The Province has committed $14 million for early planning work, including route options, cost estimates, and consultation with Indigenous communities. An advisory group featuring Enbridge, Trans Mountain, and South Bow will support development. Indigenous co-ownership and involvement are being emphasized as central to the project’s design and approval process. Alberta is also pressing the federal government to revise or eliminate regulations on emissions and tanker traffic, arguing that such rules discourage investment.
- Financial support for families has been announced as teachers prepare to strike on October 6th. Parents of children aged 12 and under will be eligible for $150 per week per student to help cover childcare, learning resources, or other needs during the strike. The program will be funded by redirecting unused education dollars, including unspent teacher salaries. The Province also introduced a free online learning toolkit to provide curriculum-aligned resources for families. Teachers recently rejected a proposed agreement by a wide margin, with their association arguing that the government should invest in classrooms rather than short-term subsidies. Parent groups echoed concerns about chronic underfunding, pointing to overcrowded and under-resourced classrooms. Community organizations such as the YMCA are stepping in with expanded programming to support families. At the same time, the government confirmed it will proceed with hiring 1,500 educational assistants, while still expressing hope a settlement can be reached.
- Speaking of teachers, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) is calling for the hiring of more than 5,000 new teachers to meet class-size recommendations from a 2003 provincial commission, which suggested smaller pupil-teacher ratios for all grade levels. ATA president Jason Schilling said current class sizes are much larger than those targets, creating unsustainable conditions. A recent government offer included funding for 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 educational assistants by 2028. Class size caps are a key sticking point, alongside teacher pay that has lagged behind inflation and the rising complexity of student needs. The government has pledged $8.6 billion over seven years to build and modernize schools and an additional $300 million for educational assistant positions, but Premier Danielle Smith has said caps are not feasible due to space constraints. Finance Minister Nate Horner emphasized that back-to-work legislation is not imminent, while Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides acknowledged uncertainty over what offer would satisfy teachers.
- New measures to strengthen oversight of the commercial trucking industry were announced by the Alberta government on Friday as part of an effort to crack down on unsafe practices and unlicensed operators. The Province has closed five driver training schools, revoked 12 instructor licences, and issued more than $100,000 in penalties following months of inspections and investigations. 13 trucking companies have also been removed from Alberta’s roads for poor safety records, including seven “chameleon” carriers that tried to evade regulation by changing names or relocating. The Province is further targeting the “Drivers Inc.” scheme, where companies misclassify drivers as independent contractors to avoid taxes and benefits. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the initiative is meant to ensure Alberta’s trucking sector remains safe and trusted. The plan builds on the Class 1 Learning Pathway introduced in April, which increased training hours, tightened licensing standards, and enhanced oversight of instructors and examiners.
- Alberta Health Services (AHS) is requiring some non-unionized employees to take two unpaid days off before the end of March as part of efforts to address budget pressures. AHS said the measure will not affect frontline workers or patient care, and some lower-paid staff will be exempt. The unpaid leave, equivalent to 15.5 hours, applies to a portion of the non-unionized exempt workforce, which includes managers and senior leaders. AHS stated the move is temporary and follows other cost-saving efforts such as vacancy and vacation management. Health economist Dr. Braden Manns estimated the measure could save between $8 million and $15 million, though he noted the savings are relatively small compared to overall system costs. The announcement comes as Alberta continues restructuring its health system, with some staff already transferring to new provincial health agencies. AHS confirmed affected employees will have input on scheduling their unpaid leave.