Local non-profit groups have expressed both elation and concern about the federal government's tax credit boost announced earlier this week. The federal Liberal Government plans to increase the GST rebate, boosting financial support for 12 million low-income Canadians. Called the “Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit,” the temporary boost takes effect this July and lasts for five years. Additionally, a one-time payment equivalent to a 50 per cent increase will be given to eligible Canadians this year. 

Pierre Poilievre's position as Conservative leader was cemented Friday after 87.4 per cent of delegates voted in a mandatory leadership review to keep him at the helm of their party. The vote came after Poilievre spoke for more than 45 minutes at this weekend's national convention in Calgary, flanked by supporters holding signs bearing slogans such as "real change" and "choose hope."

A leader of Alberta's separatist movement says some members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus have signed the petition looking to force a vote on the province quitting Canada. "I know of (UCP members of the legislature) that have signed the petition," Jeff Rath, a lawyer for Stay Free Alberta, the group organizing the petition campaign, said Thursday. "We're confident that more of them will (sign), because they believe in allowing Albertans to have a say in their future."

Conservatives have kicked off their national convention in Calgary, focused on hope for the future and on presenting a party united in the face of Liberal attempts to divide. "Canadians are looking for serious leadership and real, tangible solutions, and we provide that," said Quebec MP Pierre Paul-Hus at the convention's opening ceremonies Thursday. Organizers told the crowd this weekend's event is the largest Conservative convention in history.

The Federal Court of Appeal has overturned a lower court decision, allowing Ottawa to keep its ban on single-use plastics in place. A 2023 Federal Court decision said Ottawa had overstepped in designating all "plastic manufactured items" as toxic. But in a unanimous decision Friday, the three-judge panel ruled the federal government's decision to list plastic-manufactured items as toxic was reasonable.

The 12th annual Crowchild Classic between Mount Royal University's Cougars and the University of Calgary Dinos saw both teams claim victory in front of 13,324 fans Thursday night. MRU's men's team beat the Dinos in a close match, while the University of Calgary women's hockey team edged out the Cougars in a one-goal victory. “There just aren’t many events like this on other campuses, and both institutions recognize how significant it is,” said Mount Royal Cougars head coach Scott Rivet.

A popular U.S. medical drama is turning heads toward southern Alberta, where staff at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump say the recent on-screen mention has ignited new curiosity about the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site was brought up in an episode of The Pitt — surprising staff who say they weren’t expecting the attention. “I, myself, haven’t watched ,” said Quinton Crow Shoe, head of marketing and events at the landmark.

Evidence of generative AI use is showing up in more student work, and universities are still figuring out how to respond. Video: The Calgary Journal's Hannah Schidlowsky reports on AI in higher education Some researchers see AI as an essential tool that students need to understand as more workplaces shift towards integrating generative systems into their day-to-day operations. Others argue that leaning on AI can weaken the foundations of learning, especially regarding skills such as writing and critical thinking.

New research shows less snowpack in certain regions of Canada can have wide-ranging effects on everything from farms and wildlife to the broader economy. The Concordia University study, published in the Nature journal "Communications Earth and Environment," says the usable water from snowpacks has dropped sharply in areas of the Canadian Rockies. Canadian Rockies identified as critical water source The mountainous region is the headwaters of major rivers in British Columbia and the Prairies, providing water for communities and habitats. 

The provincial government has introduced new guidelines restricting tow truck companies from conducting services without driver consent. According to a Jan. 29 news release from the Government of Alberta, tow truck drivers who do not obtain patrons' consent to towing and storage costs before taking vehicles can face up to two years in jail or finesof $100,000 to $300,000. Effective April 1, the regulations require tow truck drivers to take direct routes and to notify patrons if their vehicle has been moved.

Canada's premiers are meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa as negotiations on renewing North America's key free trade agreement cast a shadow over their talks. Canada, the United States and Mexico are starting a review of the trade pact this year and U.S. President Donald Trump is already threatening new tariffs. Carney urges focus on what Canada can control…

A reported meeting between individuals in the Alberta separatist movement and White House officials amounts to "treason," B.C. Premier David Eby said Thursday in Ottawa. Speaking to reporters before the first ministers' meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Eby — citing a report in the Financial Times — said it's completely inappropriate for a group to ask a foreign power for help in breaking up Canada.

Sick with pneumonia and a blood infection, Paula Krawiec said her 77-year-old mother waited 24 hours to see a doctor in the emergency department at an Edmonton-area hospital last month. Over in Calgary, it took 24 hours for Colleen Whitley’s 74-year-old mother — who suffered broken ribs and vertebrae fractures after a fall and was also sick with the flu and pneumonia — to get admitted, said Whitley, her caregiver.

The Alberta government has “reaffirmed its strong commitment to cutting red tape and modernizing regulations” by topping a national report card for the fourth straight year. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released its 16th annual Red Tape Report Card this morning as part of Red Tape Awareness Week. Strong grades, national warning Earning a third-straight full A, Alberta scored 9.3 out of 10 and placed above fellow frontrunners Ontario, Nova Scotia and B.C.

The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday and forecasts a gradual economic recovery from the U.S. tariff shock. The policy rate remains at 2.25 per cent after the central bank’s first decision of the year. Economists had widely expected the hold. Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said in prepared remarks that the economy has evolved broadly in line with the central bank’s expectations since hitting pause on its interest rate easing cycle in December.

Corb Lund's petition effort to outlaw new coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is one step closer to gathering signatures. Elections Alberta says the country singer's application to petition the government to pass a prohibition on all new coal exploration or mining activities in the area has been approved. Lund previously applied and received the official OK, but recent legislative changes from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government retroactively cancelled it.

Alberta's judges are calling for respect days after Premier Danielle Smith said she wishes she could "direct" them.  The province's three chief justices say in a rare public statement that democracy only functions when all three branches of government operate independently and respect each other's role. "It ensures judges can make decisions based solely on the law and evidence presented," said the statement dated Tuesday.

A Calgary man accused of abducting his son and leading police on a global chase from Asia to the South Pacific over two years has been denied bail. Justice Peter Barley agreed with the Crown prosecutor that 62-year-old Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman represents a flight risk. “I do not think I could prevent Turkey or Pakistan from issuing a passport to the accused,” Barley told Rahman, who appeared at the hearing on Monday via video link wearing a blue prison jumpsuit.

Alberta’s separation drive came to the province’s largest city Monday, with hundreds lining up to add their names to the list of people wanting to vote on the province quitting Canada while the Opposition NDP called on the premier to drop the “word salad” and tell everyone where she stands. “Freedom!” shouted one man, arms raised, as he left the signing centre at the Big Four Building on Calgary's Stampede grounds.

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday announced a 25 per cent increase in the GST credit to help lower-income consumers cope with the high cost of groceries. Branded as the “Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit,” the temporary boost takes effect this July and lasts for five years. The federal government will also issue a one-time payment this year, equal to 50 per cent of the credit.

Canadian airlines continue to cancel flights by the hundreds following a record-breaking snowstorm that blasted southern Ontario and Quebec on Sunday and Monday before whirling farther east. After hundreds of cancellations on Sunday, aviation analytics firm Cirium says roughly 300 more flights across the country had been called off as of 9 a.m., affecting tens of thousands of travellers. Toronto's Pearson airport saw 146 departures cancelled, while the Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax airports had 92 nixed flights combined.

The changes will see the time-based rate of $0.50 per minute increase to $2 per kilowatt hour. The move comes after the council approved a $250,000 capital budget to install two 100 kW DC fast chargers at City Hall and the Energy Centre, funded by $150,000 in municipal funds and a $100,000 grant from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, back in 2022.

Mark Carney has been circling the globe on government aircraft since becoming prime minister — part of his efforts to secure new trade links and investment to double non-U.S. exports in the next decade. In just the first month of this year, he visited France, China, Qatar and Switzerland. The Prime Minister's Office seldom confirms trips months in advance, and summit plans may change given the current geopolitical tumult.

Guilherme Holtz and his family spent 11 hours on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Toronto and were looking forward to getting home to Quebec City by Saturday morning. But their connecting flight scheduled for 8 a.m. was cancelled. He said the family was booked on another flight at 6 p.m.  “I'm hoping that it stays like that, there's no more cancellations, and we can go home,” Holtz said in an interview at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

International trade experts say U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canada will hurt his own economy just as much, if not more, than Canada’s. They say that means Trump may ultimately seek an off-ramp to avoid the economic damage, similar to walking back threats to impose tariffs on eight European countries last week if Denmark didn’t hand over ownership of Greenland to the U.S.