Two former UCP MLAs, Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair, will join the Alberta Party and attempt to rebrand it as the Progressive Conservative Party, abandoning earlier plans to launch a new PC party from scratch. The shift comes after the UCP sent a legal threat over the use of the old PC name, claiming it violated their intellectual property. But, the Alberta Party offered a partnership, allowing the existing party to apply for a name change - an approach that sidesteps legal issues and accelerates party registration. Guthrie and Sinclair aim to create what they claim is a centrist, moderate alternative to Premier Danielle Smith's UCP, to try and appeal to disillusioned conservatives and former PC voters. UCP officials have criticized the effort, accusing the former MLAs of exploiting the party’s legacy without doing the groundwork.
Alberta’s Immigration Minister Joseph Schow has raised concerns about the federal government's plan to accept 10,000 applications from immigrants seeking to sponsor their parents and grandparents. He warned that the move could strain Alberta’s health care, housing, and social services, particularly due to the increased needs of seniors. The federal government clarified that this intake is part of a previously announced plan and does not increase overall immigration targets. Ottawa says that there are social and economic benefits of family reunification, noting that sponsored parents and grandparents often provide childcare support. Schow argued that provinces deserve more input in immigration decisions, especially when it comes to local capacity. He also called for reducing national immigration levels to below 500,000 per year. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed concerns about the strain on public services and suggested Alberta should explore creating its own immigration system. The issue was also raised by Premiers nationwide, who urged the federal government to increase provincial input on immigration planning.
Albertans are drinking significantly less alcohol than they did in the past, with consumption dropping by nearly 2 litres of pure alcohol per person since 2008 - the largest decline of any province. Though Alberta does lead the country in legal cannabis sales, averaging $248 per adult annually, the reduction in alcohol use doesn't appear to be directly caused by rising cannabis consumption. Experts suggest Alberta’s high cannabis numbers are more related to the province’s dense retail network rather than a widespread substitution effect. The decline in alcohol use is likely driven by multiple factors, including changing cultural attitudes, health consciousness, rising prices, and the increasing popularity of non-alcoholic beverages. New guidelines on low-risk drinking and shifting habits among young adults have also contributed to the trend. Alcohol consumption spiked briefly during the pandemic but has otherwise trended downward for over a decade. Cannabis has also become more affordable since legalization, unlike alcohol, which continues to rise in price.
Alberta and Yukon have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to boost economic cooperation by removing barriers to trade, labour mobility, and investment between the two jurisdictions. The agreement, signed during the Council of the Federation meeting, aims to align certification and licensing for regulated occupations and expand opportunities for apprentices and skilled workers. Premier Danielle Smith emphasized the importance of interprovincial collaboration to build a more competitive economy, while Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton highlighted the move as part of broader efforts to reduce red tape. The partnership is expected to benefit businesses in both regions by improving access to markets and simplifying regulatory processes.
The Alberta government has reinstated presumptive Workers' Compensation Board coverage for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This means that when these nurses apply for benefits, it will be automatically assumed their PTSD is work-related unless proven otherwise. The change fulfills a promise made during recent contract negotiations with the United Nurses of Alberta. Union officials say this is an important step, as nurses frequently experience trauma, abuse, and moral distress in the workplace. The update reverses a 2021 decision that had restricted presumptive coverage to only first responders. However, the change does not apply to licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The move aims to reduce delays and denials in accessing support for those working in increasingly stressful health-care environments.
The Province has announced a record high in arts funding, with Budget 2025 allocating $36.1 million to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), rising to $43 million annually by 2027. Arts Minister Tanya Fir emphasized the economic and cultural value of the arts sector, which she says contributes over $1.3 billion to Alberta’s GDP and supports more than 18,000 jobs annually. The AFA provides operational, project, and individual grants to support arts organizations and artists across the province. Leaders from groups like Alberta Ballet and the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers praised the funding for supporting both professional and community-based arts and for helping preserve cultural heritage. The government says the goal is to retain local talent and foster a thriving arts ecosystem in Alberta.
Alberta has appointed Michael Ewenson, the current executive director of ASIRT, as the interim CEO of the new Police Review Commission (PRC). This independent agency will take over police misconduct complaints from municipal departments like the Edmonton Police Service, aiming to reduce the influence of Police Chiefs over disciplinary decisions. The PRC is set to launch in December with around 150 staff and will absorb ASIRT, which Ewenson helped reform by cutting down its case backlog. Ewenson, a career prosecutor, will lead the transition and planning process until a permanent CEO is hired. The move has received support from police unions who say it will improve accountability and reduce conflicts of interest. Critics of the current system have long called for more independence in police oversight. The Commission is expected to play a major role in reshaping how police discipline is handled in Alberta.
