The provincial government has filed its appeal of the court ruling that quashed the petition seeking a vote on Alberta leaving Canada, arguing that the judge made 14 errors in her decision. Court of King's Bench Justice Shaina Leonard found that the petition should not have been issued under provincial law and that the government neglected its duty to consult First Nations, after a group of First Nations challenged the petition. The campaign's leaders have said almost 302,000 Albertans signed the petition before it was thrown out. In the appeal, filed Wednesday in Edmonton court, the Province argues that issuing the petition did not trigger the duty to consult and that the judge failed to give weight to the democratic purpose of the petition process, though it will not be applying to have the appeal expedited. Stay Free Alberta, the group behind the petition, filed its own appeal last month, making many of the same legal arguments. Premier Danielle Smith, who called the original ruling "anti-democratic", has since announced a separate referendum on October 19th asking whether Albertans want to remain in Canada or start the process toward a second, binding referendum on separation.
Speaking of the referendum, Elections Alberta has launched the largest recruitment campaign for electoral workers in Alberta's history, saying a minimum of 60,000 workers will be needed for the October 19th vote. The agency says that with 10 questions on the ballot, that workforce is required to meet the 48-hour deadline for completing the unofficial count. It will print 45 million ballots, far more than the 1.8 million ballots cast in Alberta's 2023 provincial election and the 19.8 million cast in the 2025 federal election. By comparison, the 2023 provincial election used 13,095 workers and cost approximately $37 million, while Elections Alberta normally operates with 48 permanent staff. The agency told Postmedia there is currently no budget for the referendum and there will not be one until the fall, with several variables still affecting costs. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure called the referendum "a colossal undertaking", and the agency noted that the 1995 Quebec referendum required 57,000 electoral workers to assist 4.8 million voters.
Restaurants, bars, clubs and other businesses with a liquor licence can now serve alcohol starting at 6:00 am under new rules introduced Tuesday by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. Previously, the earliest alcohol could be served was 9:00 am, and serving outside the set hours required an application with two weeks' notice spelling out the specific days and hours requested. The government cited a reduction in bureaucracy as a reason for the change, with Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally saying it "cuts red tape and makes life easier for Alberta businesses". Restaurants and bars have been receiving permission to serve alcohol during special events for more than 10 years, with few compliance issues. The Alberta Hospitality Association said the change will save businesses time and possibly boost sales, calling the timing helpful ahead of the World Cup and the Calgary Stampede.
A bipartisan committee of MLAs is exploring whether politicians and caucus staff should be able to claim reimbursement for work-related e-scooter and e-bike rides, adding them to a list that already includes taxi rides, car rentals and some airfares. The Committee unanimously passed a motion Tuesday to see whether corporate agreements are an option with one or more providers, such as Lime, Bird Canada and Neuron Mobility. A report from the Legislative Assembly Office advised against the move, noting that micro-mobility companies generally require riders to assume all risks, which could leave politicians and staff without insurance coverage if injured. The office also said it appears no other province clearly permits politicians and caucus staff to expense e-scooter and e-bike rides. UCP committee member Nolan Dyck, who tabled the motion, said e-scooters and e-bikes are quick and cheap, and that they are showing up across Alberta while the rules have not always kept pace. Legislative Assembly staff have until Friday to report back on whether corporate agreements would be feasible, including whether the companies would waive or modify their standard liability rules.
Hospitals Minister Adriana LaGrange has ordered an immediate halt to the rebranding of Emergency Health Services Alberta as ALTA Paramedic Health, directing the agency to return to its previous name and logo until further engagement is done. Acute Care Alberta announced the name change on May 15th, with the rebrand set to put new logos on ambulances across the province and new uniforms on paramedics. The government claimed at the time that the change signalled a renewed commitment to high-quality care and accountability. Critics, including the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, the union representing about 3,500 paramedics across the province, called the rebrand a waste of resources that should instead go toward addressing working conditions and staff shortages. LaGrange said she has heard from Albertans and front-line workers about the rebranding and shares their concerns. Union president Leanne Alfaro said paramedics are proud of their identity as first responders and have consistently emphasized putting resources toward strengthening emergency care and retaining the professionals who deliver it. [Editors Note: 0118 999 881 999 119 725... 3]
