Madeline Smith
@meksmith.bsky.social
Justice reporter at CBC Edmonton. Past life in newspapers (Journal, Herald, StarMetro). Fighting for my life on uncomfortable courthouse gallery benches. she/her
madeline.smith@cbc.ca
madeline.smith@cbc.ca
More on the new "immunity" against law society complaints for Alberta's attorney-general, from @joeldryden.bsky.social: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Immunity for Alberta attorney general necessary to ward off ‘political activism,’ attorney general says | CBC News
Alberta’s justice minister, who is also the attorney general, says new rules that would grant anyone who’s in his job general immunity from law society sanctions are necessary to ward off “political a...
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
More on the new "immunity" against law society complaints for Alberta's attorney-general, from @joeldryden.bsky.social: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
After the province tabled Bill 14 yesterday, which would have stopped the court proceedings on whether a proposed Alberta separation question contravenes the Constitution, the judge came out at a previously scheduled appearance today and just... dropped his decision. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Judge says proposed referendum on Alberta independence would be unconstitutional | CBC News
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introdu...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
After the province tabled Bill 14 yesterday, which would have stopped the court proceedings on whether a proposed Alberta separation question contravenes the Constitution, the judge came out at a previously scheduled appearance today and just... dropped his decision. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
There is a LOT in this legislation, to the point that big changes for Alberta's legal regulator are all the way at the bottom, including:
-Law Society of Alberta can't mandate training/education beyond a specific scope
-Conduct decision appeals go to Court of King's Bench
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
-Law Society of Alberta can't mandate training/education beyond a specific scope
-Conduct decision appeals go to Court of King's Bench
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta legislation would change citizen referendum rules, restrict political party names | CBC News
Bill 14, introduced Thursday by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, transfers powers from the chief electoral officer to the minister when deciding whether citizen petition initiatives should proceed. It a...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
There is a LOT in this legislation, to the point that big changes for Alberta's legal regulator are all the way at the bottom, including:
-Law Society of Alberta can't mandate training/education beyond a specific scope
-Conduct decision appeals go to Court of King's Bench
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
-Law Society of Alberta can't mandate training/education beyond a specific scope
-Conduct decision appeals go to Court of King's Bench
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Madeline Smith
BREAKING: Alberta Health Services CEO who took over after a controversial firing in January is now himself out.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
December 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
BREAKING: Alberta Health Services CEO who took over after a controversial firing in January is now himself out.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
AHS confirms Andre Tremblay on leave. Minister Matt Jones has appointed a new CEO and chair.
Tremblay was named CEO after Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired earlier this year.
Really, really difficult case in Wetaskiwin court this week about the death of an extremely vulnerable young child who was in foster care: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Trial begins for Alberta man accused in foster child's death | CBC News
The young boy, who can't be named due to a court-ordered publication ban, was found dead on the floor of a vehicle on a rural property in June 2022. The man caring for him at the time has pleaded not ...
www.cbc.ca
December 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Really, really difficult case in Wetaskiwin court this week about the death of an extremely vulnerable young child who was in foster care: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hey folks, if you'd like to cover Edmonton courts and justice/crime issues at CBC, now is your chance because I'll be on maternity leave shortly into the new year. Applications due before midnight on Dec. 1! cbcrc.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/CBC_Radio-Ca...
Reporter/Editor (On-Site) (English Services)
Position Title: Reporter/Editor (On-Site) (English Services) Status of Employment: Temporary Long-Term (Fixed Term) Position Language Requirement: Language Skills: Work at CBC/Radio-Canada At CBC/Radi...
cbcrc.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Hey folks, if you'd like to cover Edmonton courts and justice/crime issues at CBC, now is your chance because I'll be on maternity leave shortly into the new year. Applications due before midnight on Dec. 1! cbcrc.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/CBC_Radio-Ca...
With the Alberta Crown Attorneys' Association going public about their concerns and questions over Edmonton's chief and assistant chief Crown suddenly out of their jobs, Justice Minister Mickey Amery says there was "no government involvement whatsoever" in the move. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta prosecutors' group concerned over sudden departure of senior Edmonton Crown lawyers | CBC News
The Alberta Crown Attorneys’ Association (AACA) says it doesn’t know the reasons for the “unexpected” departures of Edmonton's chief Crown and assistant chief, but said there has been a “significant d...
www.cbc.ca
November 20, 2025 at 11:29 PM
With the Alberta Crown Attorneys' Association going public about their concerns and questions over Edmonton's chief and assistant chief Crown suddenly out of their jobs, Justice Minister Mickey Amery says there was "no government involvement whatsoever" in the move. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Madeline Smith
Alberta's justice minister has tabled a bill to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of legislation from legal challenges. The laws in question restrict the rights of transgender people in access to health care and sports, and affect K-12 education of all students.
#AbLeg #Abed
#AbLeg #Abed
Alberta to invoke notwithstanding clause to shield 3 transgender bills from court challenges | CBC News
The Alberta government has tabled legislation that seeks to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of bills that affects transgender youth and adults from legal challenges.
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
It's been a long road for court cases from the 2022 Ertale Lounge mass shooting, but one man has been found guilty of 1st-degree murder. There were 4 shooters total — 1 going to trial in 2027, 1 still wanted on Canada-wide warrants, 1 has never been identified to this day. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Edmonton man gets life sentence for role in 2022 lounge shooting | CBC News
After a trial, a judge finds Samatar Mohiadin, 28, was the first of four gunmen to open fire outside the north-central Edmonton nightclub on March 12, 2022, just outside a fenced patio where about a d...
www.cbc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 5:26 PM
It's been a long road for court cases from the 2022 Ertale Lounge mass shooting, but one man has been found guilty of 1st-degree murder. There were 4 shooters total — 1 going to trial in 2027, 1 still wanted on Canada-wide warrants, 1 has never been identified to this day. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Belatedly sharing from last week: this is a story I started following when I was a business reporter, and I'm still dealing with it as a court reporter: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Edmonton developer Christenson Group files for creditor protection | CBC News
Facing mounting debt, more than a dozen lawsuits and the possibility of receivership action from secured lenders, a court filing prepared by a lawyer for the Christenson Group says the aim is to marke...
www.cbc.ca
October 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Belatedly sharing from last week: this is a story I started following when I was a business reporter, and I'm still dealing with it as a court reporter: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ASIRT says there are no grounds to charge four Edmonton police officers involved in an arrest where a man died after he was restrained, handcuffed and briefly hogtied while lying face down on the ground: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
EPS officers cleared in man's death after 2023 arrest | CBC News
Alberta's police watchdog says there are no reasonable grounds to charge the Edmonton police officers involved in an arrest where a man died after he was handcuffed and hogtied.
www.cbc.ca
October 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
ASIRT says there are no grounds to charge four Edmonton police officers involved in an arrest where a man died after he was restrained, handcuffed and briefly hogtied while lying face down on the ground: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Madeline Smith
Pregnant Albertans ARE eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine this fall...
But doctors say the messaging has not been clear and they worry people don't know this is the case
Latest from me👇
#abhealth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
But doctors say the messaging has not been clear and they worry people don't know this is the case
Latest from me👇
#abhealth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
COVID-19 vaccine free for pregnant Albertans but many don't know that, doctors warn | CBC News
Pregnant Albertans are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine this fall, but doctors say they are not aware of any clear messaging from the provincial government to either patients or health-care provid...
www.cbc.ca
September 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Pregnant Albertans ARE eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine this fall...
But doctors say the messaging has not been clear and they worry people don't know this is the case
Latest from me👇
#abhealth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
But doctors say the messaging has not been clear and they worry people don't know this is the case
Latest from me👇
#abhealth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Full list of books on the chopping block in Edmonton public schools — more than what was going around the internet yesterday — here, courtesy of reporting from @jantafrench.bsky.social and Emily Williams: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The Handmaid's Tale among more than 200 books to be pulled at Edmonton public schools | CBC News
A list confirmed by CBC News shows titles like The Handmaid's Tale and Brave New World are among books to be pulled. The development comes after a policy from Alberta's education minister outlines new...
www.cbc.ca
August 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Full list of books on the chopping block in Edmonton public schools — more than what was going around the internet yesterday — here, courtesy of reporting from @jantafrench.bsky.social and Emily Williams: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This story on the Saskatoon Police Service is crazy. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Saskatoon officers break silence on house party that led to 5 suspensions | CBC News
Police officers are speaking out about a backyard hot tub and pool party that ultimately led to the suspension of five officers — including three from the tactical unit — and allegations of assault an...
www.cbc.ca
August 28, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This story on the Saskatoon Police Service is crazy. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
An EPS officer has pleaded guilty to an assault charge laid after junior officers patrolling with him reported an unwarranted use of force where he hit a man in the head who had been sleeping in an LRT station.
The officer's sentence is a six-month conditional discharge: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The officer's sentence is a six-month conditional discharge: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
EPS officer admits to assault against man found sleeping in downtown LRT station | CBC News
Edmonton Police Service Sgt. Michael Bates was charged in 2024 after junior officers on duty with him raised concerns about his conduct with a man following police instructions.
www.cbc.ca
August 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
An EPS officer has pleaded guilty to an assault charge laid after junior officers patrolling with him reported an unwarranted use of force where he hit a man in the head who had been sleeping in an LRT station.
The officer's sentence is a six-month conditional discharge: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The officer's sentence is a six-month conditional discharge: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
One of the men accused in the "Project Gaslight" arson and extortion targeting South Asian homebuilders in Edmonton has pleaded guilty, putting new details about the scheme on the public record for the first time: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Edmonton extortion scheme linked to notorious B.C. gang, court records show | CBC News
An extortion scheme that targeted South Asian homebuilders in Edmonton is linked to the B.C.-based gang Brothers Keepers, court records obtained by CBC News show.
www.cbc.ca
June 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
One of the men accused in the "Project Gaslight" arson and extortion targeting South Asian homebuilders in Edmonton has pleaded guilty, putting new details about the scheme on the public record for the first time: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Somehow I missed that former Calgary city councillor Joe Magliocca was sentenced last month after being found guilty of fraud: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Former Calgary councillor Joe Magliocca gets house arrest and curfew for expenses fraud | CBC News
Former Calgary councillor Joe Magliocca, who was convicted of fraud for submitting 19 falsified expense claims to the city, has been handed a six-month conditional sentence order.
www.cbc.ca
June 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Somehow I missed that former Calgary city councillor Joe Magliocca was sentenced last month after being found guilty of fraud: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ken Porter, a former track coach in Edmonton and Ottawa, was found guilty yesterday of five historical sexual offences — the judge found he used track-side "athletic massages" as a pretense to sexually touch three teenage boys in the 1970s: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Former Edmonton track coach found guilty of historic sexual offences against teen athletes | CBC News
A judge found Ken Porter sexually touched teenage boys for his own gratification under the guise of athletic massages while he was their coach in the 1970s.
www.cbc.ca
June 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Ken Porter, a former track coach in Edmonton and Ottawa, was found guilty yesterday of five historical sexual offences — the judge found he used track-side "athletic massages" as a pretense to sexually touch three teenage boys in the 1970s: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
A police officer is on trial for assault charges from a 2019 arrest caught on video from the Royal Alberta Museum — this happened right by the courthouse and down the street from EPS headquarters: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Man injured during 2019 arrest questioned at EPS officer's assault trial | CBC News
Edmonton police Const. Alexander Doduk has pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm against Justin LaFrance.
www.cbc.ca
June 4, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A police officer is on trial for assault charges from a 2019 arrest caught on video from the Royal Alberta Museum — this happened right by the courthouse and down the street from EPS headquarters: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I had such a busy day with this case I never shared any of the stories, but I got to watch the bail hearing for Roy Sobotiak, who's now released after more than 35 years behind bars for the 1987 murder of Susan Kaminsky. Story from the awesome Wallis Snowdon: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Man convicted of murdering Edmonton woman in 1987 granted bail | CBC News
A man imprisoned for more than three decades for murdering an Edmonton woman has been granted bail, months after his conviction was quashed by the federal justice minister.
www.cbc.ca
June 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I had such a busy day with this case I never shared any of the stories, but I got to watch the bail hearing for Roy Sobotiak, who's now released after more than 35 years behind bars for the 1987 murder of Susan Kaminsky. Story from the awesome Wallis Snowdon: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Greg Christenson, the president of the Edmonton development company that owes 200+ seniors and their families large sums of money they put into life lease contracts, has been charged under the province's Consumer Protection Act: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta developer faces Consumer Protection Act charges over return of life lease fees | CBC News
Court records show that Greg Christenson, president of Christenson Group of Companies, has been charged with two counts of failing to return a life lease entrance fee within 180 days — alleged violati...
www.cbc.ca
June 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Greg Christenson, the president of the Edmonton development company that owes 200+ seniors and their families large sums of money they put into life lease contracts, has been charged under the province's Consumer Protection Act: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I've been very fired up about how much pricier court searches I need to do on a regular basis just became, but thankfully @jonnywakefield.bsky.social is here with the big-picture story on the potential access-to-justice issues for everyone: edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/a...
Alberta more than doubles court search fees, raising fears on access to justice
The Alberta government has hiked a raft of court fees — including more than doubling the cost to search public documents.
edmontonjournal.com
May 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I've been very fired up about how much pricier court searches I need to do on a regular basis just became, but thankfully @jonnywakefield.bsky.social is here with the big-picture story on the potential access-to-justice issues for everyone: edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/a...
Reposted by Madeline Smith
**Alberta's measles case count has now topped 500**
19 new cases reported today
18 are in south zone, one is in Calgary zone.
Total to date = 505
(since the outbreaks began in March)
www.alberta.ca/measles
19 new cases reported today
18 are in south zone, one is in Calgary zone.
Total to date = 505
(since the outbreaks began in March)
www.alberta.ca/measles
May 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
**Alberta's measles case count has now topped 500**
19 new cases reported today
18 are in south zone, one is in Calgary zone.
Total to date = 505
(since the outbreaks began in March)
www.alberta.ca/measles
19 new cases reported today
18 are in south zone, one is in Calgary zone.
Total to date = 505
(since the outbreaks began in March)
www.alberta.ca/measles
An EPS officer has been given a formal reprimand almost six years after he was caught on video shoving a handcuffed man's head into a wall, then slamming him against a police car: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Edmonton police officer reprimanded for using force on handcuffed man in 2019 arrest | CBC News
Edmonton police Const. Dylan Awid has been reprimanded nearly six years after he kicked a man who was being arrested, then shoved his head into a wall after he was in handcuffs.
www.cbc.ca
May 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
An EPS officer has been given a formal reprimand almost six years after he was caught on video shoving a handcuffed man's head into a wall, then slamming him against a police car: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Madeline Smith
This is a significant finding from Alberta’s privacy and information commissioner and confirms what many FOIP users have long suspected.
May 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
This is a significant finding from Alberta’s privacy and information commissioner and confirms what many FOIP users have long suspected.