Jack Farrell

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Jack Farrell.

Elections Alberta gets extra $6.7M to handle outburst of recall petitions

Elections Alberta gets extra $6.7M to handle outburst of recall petitions

EDMONTON -- Elections Alberta is getting $6.7 million in extra funding to handle the sudden outburst of recall petitions against legislature members.

Advocacy groups apply to keep court case against Alberta trans laws alive

Advocacy groups apply to keep court case against Alberta trans laws alive

EDMONTON -- Two advocacy groups fighting the Alberta government on its transgender laws say they're looking to keep one of their challenges alive by changing their argument in court.

Advocacy groups apply to keep court case against Alberta trans law alive

Advocacy groups apply to keep court case against Alberta trans law alive

EDMONTON -- Two advocacy groups fighting the Alberta government on transgender laws say they are switching tactics to continue their battle in court.

Landmark Alberta legislature sitting raises questions on politicians and rule of law

Landmark Alberta legislature sitting raises questions on politicians and rule of law

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has wrapped up a fall legislature sitting featuring landmark legislation that raised questions on where political authority should end and the rule of law begin. Smith's government invoked the Charter's notwithstanding clause four times in two separate bills, overriding citizen rights to shield the legislation from successful court challenges. The government first used the clause...

Landmark Alberta legislature sitting raises questions on politicians and rule of law

Landmark Alberta legislature sitting raises questions on politicians and rule of law

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has wrapped up a fall legislature sitting featuring landmark legislation that raised questions on where political authority should end and the rule of law begin.

Alberta's auditor general recommends new system for health reporting, finds disparity

Alberta's auditor general recommends new system for health reporting, finds disparity

EDMONTON -- Alberta's auditor general says the province needs a new framework for measuring and monitoring health-care system performance.

Danielle Smith becomes first Alberta premier in 90 years to face citizen recall

Danielle Smith becomes first Alberta premier in 90 years to face citizen recall

Danielle Smith has become the second Alberta premier - and the first in almost 90 years - to face a citizen-led petition drive to get her removed from her seat in the legislature. Smith and two more of her United Conservative Party caucus members saw recall campaigns officially approved and launched Wednesday by Elections Alberta. In total, 20 in the...

Danielle Smith becomes first Alberta premier in 90 years to face citizen recall

Danielle Smith becomes first Alberta premier in 90 years to face citizen recall

EDMONTON -- Danielle Smith has become the second Alberta premier – and the first in almost 90 years – to face a citizen-led petition drive to get her removed from her seat in the legislature.

Alberta government amends bill after chief electoral officer warns it harms trust

Alberta government amends bill after chief electoral officer warns it harms trust

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government has made last-minute changes to a bill after the province's chief electoral officer warned it would impede the independence of his office.

Recall petition issued for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, two more cabinet ministers

Recall petition issued for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, two more cabinet ministers

EDMONTON -- Elections Alberta announced Wednesday a recall petition has been issued for Premier Danielle Smith and two more of her United Conservative Party cabinet ministers.

Recall petition issued for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, two more cabinet ministers

Recall petition issued for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, two more cabinet ministers

Elections Alberta says a recall petition has been issued for Premier Danielle Smith and two more of her United Conservative Party cabinet ministers. The petitioner seeking to oust the premier, Heather VanSnick, says Smith has been ignoring local constituents and experts in developing policies. VanSnick also says Smith needs to go, because the premier has been weakening public services in...

Alberta government refusing questions from NDP legislature member over remark

Alberta government refusing questions from NDP legislature member over remark

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government and a member of the Opposition NDP are in a standoff over questions in the legislature.

Alberta government refusing questions from NDP MLA over question period remark

Alberta government refusing questions from NDP MLA over question period remark

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government and a member of the Opposition NDP are in a standoff over questions in the legislature.

Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic, disrespect to rule of law

Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic, disrespect to rule of law

EDMONTON -- An Alberta judge says a bill introduced this week by Premier Danielle Smith's government is undemocratic.

CP NewsAlert: Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic

CP NewsAlert: Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic

EDMONTON -- An Alberta judge says a bill introduced this week by Premier Danielle Smith's government is undemocratic.

Almost one-quarter of all Alberta MLAs facing citizen-led recall petition drives

Almost one-quarter of all Alberta MLAs facing citizen-led recall petition drives

Almost one-quarter of all politicians in the Alberta legislature now face citizen-led petition drives to remove them from office. Alberta's chief electoral officer told a legislature committee today he needs almost $7 million to process what he listed as 21 petition campaigns in the 87-seat legislature. Gordon McClure calls the situation "unprecedented." His comments came as his office formally announced...

Opposition NDP now targeted as more Alberta politicians face recall petitions

Opposition NDP now targeted as more Alberta politicians face recall petitions

EDMONTON -- The list of Alberta politicians facing recall petitions continues to grow -- and now includes the Opposition NDP.

Petitioner looking to recall Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says application approved

Petitioner looking to recall Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says application approved

EDMONTON -- A woman looking to launch a recall petition to oust Alberta Premier Danielle Smith from her seat in the legislature says her campaign has been officially approved.

Adding Alberta health-care numbers to licences increases fraud risk: privacy watchdog

Adding Alberta health-care numbers to licences increases fraud risk: privacy watchdog

EDMONTON -- Alberta's privacy watchdog is raising concerns about a new government bill that would add health-care numbers to driver's licences and other forms of identification.

Alberta's Smith only has herself to blame for recall petitions: Labour leader

Alberta's Smith only has herself to blame for recall petitions: Labour leader

EDMONTON -- The president of the Alberta Federation of Labour says Premier Danielle Smith only has herself to blame for her United Conservative Party caucus facing more than a dozen recall petitions.

Pipeline deal gets downbeat play at Alberta UCP convention, separation talk

Pipeline deal gets downbeat play at Alberta UCP convention, separation talk

Alberta's watershed pipeline deal with Ottawa wasn't front and centre Friday when Premier Danielle Smith spoke with United Conservative Party faithful at their annual convention. Smith took the stage in Edmonton for the first of many addresses planned for the weekend. It wasn't until after she spoke on issues including rural policing, new federal legislation and even separatism that someone...

Alberta's Smith says UCP caucus not afraid to defend record in face of recall efforts

Alberta's Smith says UCP caucus not afraid to defend record in face of recall efforts

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her United Conservative Party caucus isn't afraid to defend its record as its faces more than a dozen recall campaigns.

Nine of Alberta Premier Smith's UCP legislature members facing recall petitions

Nine of Alberta Premier Smith's UCP legislature members facing recall petitions

EDMONTON -- Nine members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus are now facing recall petitions - enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature.

Nine of Premier Danielle Smith's UCP legislature members now facing recall petitions

Nine of Premier Danielle Smith's UCP legislature members now facing recall petitions

EDMONTON -- Nine members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus are now facing recall petitions - enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature.

Nine of Alberta Premier Smith's UCP legislature members facing recall petitions

Nine of Alberta Premier Smith's UCP legislature members facing recall petitions

Nine members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus are now facing recall petitions - enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature. Elections Alberta confirmed Monday that signature collection efforts can begin for six more UCP members, including cabinet ministers Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and R.J. Sigurdson. Petitions were also issued for Ric...

Nine of Alberta Premier Smith's UCP legislature members facing recall petitions

Nine of Alberta Premier Smith's UCP legislature members facing recall petitions

EDMONTON -- Nine members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus are now facing recall petitions - enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature.

Nolan Dyck, third member of Alberta premier's caucus, faces recall petition drive

Nolan Dyck, third member of Alberta premier's caucus, faces recall petition drive

A third member of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus is now officially the target of a petition to get him recalled from his job as a member of the legislature. Elections Alberta said in a news release Friday it has approved a signature-collecting campaign against first-term Grande Prairie legislature member Nolan Dyck. The approval kick-starts a three-month signature...

Nolan Dyck, third member of Alberta premier's caucus, faces recall petition drive

Nolan Dyck, third member of Alberta premier's caucus, faces recall petition drive

EDMONTON -- A third member of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus is now officially the target of a petition to get him recalled from his job as a member of the legislature.

Recall petition approved for third Alberta legislature member

Recall petition approved for third Alberta legislature member

EDMONTON -- Alberta's chief electoral officer has approved a third recall petition application against a United Conservative Party legislature member.

Alberta premier distances herself from $109M DynaLife lab testing debacle

Alberta premier distances herself from $109M DynaLife lab testing debacle

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is distancing herself from a multimillion-dollar lab testing debacle involving the former private provider DynaLife.

Alberta's auditor general says taxpayers lost $109M in lab testing debacle

Alberta's auditor general says taxpayers lost $109M in lab testing debacle

EDMONTON -- Alberta's auditor general estimates the government's failed effort to privatize community lab testing services left taxpayers on the hook for about $109 million.

Alberta government eyes legal changes to let physicians work publicly and privately

Alberta government eyes legal changes to let physicians work publicly and privately

EDMONTON -- The Alberta cabinet minister in charge of primary care says legislation is coming -- but won't provide details -- amid reports the province plans to let doctors work in the public and private health systems simultaneously as they see fit.

Critics concerned over Alberta plan to let physicians work publicly and privately

Critics concerned over Alberta plan to let physicians work publicly and privately

EDMONTON -- Alberta's cabinet minister in charge of primary health care is facing questions on possible major changes in how family doctors operate.

Alberta tables bill to add citizenship mark, health-care numbers to driver's licences

Alberta tables bill to add citizenship mark, health-care numbers to driver's licences

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government has tabled legislation to add health-care numbers and mandatory citizenship markers to driver's licences and identification cards.

Alberta premier says loss of measles elimination status concerning, urges vigilance

Alberta premier says loss of measles elimination status concerning, urges vigilance

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Canada recently losing its measles elimination status is concerning, but her government might not have many other options on the table to help get it back.

Alberta MLA accuses school principal of weaponizing position to push recall petition

Alberta MLA accuses school principal of weaponizing position to push recall petition

An Alberta legislature member is going on the attack against one of her own constituents.

Resolutions on coal, flags and more up for debate at Alberta UCP annual meeting

Resolutions on coal, flags and more up for debate at Alberta UCP annual meeting

EDMONTON -- Reintroducing coal-powered electricity to Alberta's grid and restricting which flags are flown on public property are among dozens of new policy proposals being brought forward by grassroots members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party.

No changes coming 'at the moment' for Alberta's recall legislation: Premier Smith

No changes coming 'at the moment' for Alberta's recall legislation: Premier Smith

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government has no plans to change provincial recall legislation, at least for the moment.

Airdrie resident behind recall campaign says local MLA not representing community

Airdrie resident behind recall campaign says local MLA not representing community

The man who launched a petition drive to oust United Conservative Party legislature member Angela Pitt says she needs to go because she's not getting the job done.

Alberta's Smith calls on Ottawa to use notwithstanding clause over child porn ruling

Alberta's Smith calls on Ottawa to use notwithstanding clause over child porn ruling

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling on the federal government to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to overturn a new Supreme Court ruling on child pornography.

Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats

Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats

EDMONTON -- A new report recommends Alberta's two major cities get more seats in the provincial legislature in time for the 2027 election.

Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit

Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit

EDMONTON -- The Alberta government is paying out $95 million to a coal mining company to end another one of the lawsuits launched against it over its policy flip-flop.

Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February

Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government is ending its hybrid work policy, mandating all provincial employees return to the office full-time starting early next year.

Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February

Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February

Alberta's government is ending its hybrid work policy, mandating all provincial employees return to the office full-time starting early next year. A statement issued by Alberta's deputy ministers' council says the policy stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed some employees to work from home two days a week. The council says the decision is in response to "changing circumstances"...

Alberta premier says back-to-work bill for striking teachers coming Monday

Alberta premier says back-to-work bill for striking teachers coming Monday

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says absent a deal to end a provincewide teachers strike, her government will introduce back-to-work legislation Monday. Smith says with the strike deep into its third week, the hardship facing students and families is intolerable, forcing her government to step in. The two sides do not have formal talks scheduled but Smith says there is still...

Alberta NDP urges public to step up as striking teachers may face back-to-work bill

Alberta NDP urges public to step up as striking teachers may face back-to-work bill

EDMONTON -- Alberta's Opposition NDP says it will fight the government's looming plan to introduce a bill to force striking teachers back to work.

Vote counting resumes in municipal elections across Alberta

Vote counting resumes in municipal elections across Alberta

EDMONTON -- Vote counting in Alberta's municipal and school board elections has resumed.

Albertans to pick mayors, councillors in provincewide municipal elections

Albertans to pick mayors, councillors in provincewide municipal elections

EDMONTON -- Albertans are set to pick their next mayors and councillors today as municipal elections take place across the province.

Alberta teachers reject government request to end strike and enter mediation

Alberta teachers reject government request to end strike and enter mediation

EDMONTON -- The union representing Alberta teachers says its has turned down a request from the government to end a provincewide strike on Monday and go through enhanced mediation.

Report into Alberta health contracts finds conflicts widely known

Report into Alberta health contracts finds conflicts widely known

A final report into allegations of corruption in Alberta government health contracts says it was widely known two staffers were in conflicts of interest but no steps were taken by senior officials. Former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant makes 18 recommendations for the Alberta government, including improving conflict and procurement policies.

'Strong and free': Alberta government changing licence plate design, slogan

'Strong and free': Alberta government changing licence plate design, slogan

EDMONTON -- Alberta may no longer be known as "Wild Rose Country" -- at least on its licence plates.

Talks stall between Alberta teachers, government in provincewide strike

Talks stall between Alberta teachers, government in provincewide strike

EDMONTON -- Alberta's finance minister says there's a major divide between what the union representing striking teachers is asking for and what the government is willing to spend.

Alberta teachers, government resume talks as provincewide strike hits second week

Alberta teachers, government resume talks as provincewide strike hits second week

EDMONTON -- The union representing Alberta teachers and the provincial government's bargaining committee met Tuesday for the first time since a provincewide strike began a week ago.

'There's a void': Alberta students keep busy, hope for end to teachers strike

'There's a void': Alberta students keep busy, hope for end to teachers strike

EDMONTON -- Many Alberta students are sleeping in these days, struggling with the feeling they should be doing something else instead.

Striking Alberta teachers, province to resume bargaining talks Tuesday

Striking Alberta teachers, province to resume bargaining talks Tuesday

EDMONTON -- The union representing 51,000 striking Alberta teachers is set to resume negotiations with the provincial government's bargaining team after the long weekend.

Alberta education minister concerned about private school funding petition

Alberta education minister concerned about private school funding petition

EDMONTON -- Alberta's education minister says cutting government funding to private schools would only escalate the pressure faced by the province's strained public school system.

'Shut the mic off': Smith's Alberta Next panel wraps up summer town hall tour

'Shut the mic off': Smith's Alberta Next panel wraps up summer town hall tour

EDMONTON -- It's all over but the recommendations for Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel, a touring summer town hall that saw Smith lionized and criticized amid straw polls, finger pointing, separation anxiety, and references to idiots, brats and spanking.

Moderator on Smith's Alberta Next panel sorry for saying teen should be spanked

Moderator on Smith's Alberta Next panel sorry for saying teen should be spanked

The moderator of Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel is apologizing after he told a teen at a town hall that his parents should spank him. Bruce McAllister says he regrets the comment and he's committed to making sure the panel's events are respectful and constructive. The 16-year-old boy tried to ask the panel about the pending provincewide teachers' strike...

Moderator on Smith's Alberta Next panel sorry for saying teen should be spanked

Moderator on Smith's Alberta Next panel sorry for saying teen should be spanked

EDMONTON -- The executive director of Premier Danielle Smith’s office says he’s sorry for publicly calling for a high school student to be spanked.

Canadian energy minister, Alberta premier disappointed with Imperial Oil job cuts

Canadian energy minister, Alberta premier disappointed with Imperial Oil job cuts

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Imperial Oil's "very disappointing" plan to lay off roughly 20 per cent of its workforce by 2027 reinforces the need to build more pipelines. Smith is blaming Ottawa for the layoffs at the Calgary-based company. "The industry for the last 10 years has been hampered and hobbled by federal government decisions," she told an unrelated...