Lisa Johnson

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 Lisa Johnson.

Two cabinet ministers say money a key factor in using Charter override on teachers

Two cabinet ministers say money a key factor in using Charter override on teachers

EDMONTON -- Two Alberta cabinet ministers say money was a key factor in the United Conservative government's decision to use the Charter's notwithstanding clause to override teachers' rights and shut down a provincewide strike.

Alberta urges prosecutors to think twice before charging in cases of self-defence

Alberta urges prosecutors to think twice before charging in cases of self-defence

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is urging Crown prosecutors to think twice about charging someone who acts to defend themselves or others in their own homes.

Alberta's economy remains in the red with tweaked $6.4B deficit

Alberta's economy remains in the red with tweaked $6.4B deficit

EDMONTON -- Falling oil prices and trade troubles continue to threaten Alberta's finances, but the province's deficit is expected to shrink only slightly.

Alberta's economy remains in the red with tweaked $6.4-billion deficit

Alberta's economy remains in the red with tweaked $6.4-billion deficit

EDMONTON -- Falling oil prices and trade troubles continue to threaten Alberta's finances, but the province's deficit is expected to shrink only slightly.

Alberta to insulate AIMCo from liability, companies from greenwashing allegations

Alberta to insulate AIMCo from liability, companies from greenwashing allegations

EDMONTON -- Alberta is moving to insulate its Crown investment corporation from potential legal liabilities and protect companies in the province from lawsuits accusing them of greenwashing.

Alberta bill allows doctors to toggle between public and private pay for surgeries

Alberta bill allows doctors to toggle between public and private pay for surgeries

EDMONTON -- The Alberta government has tabled a bill that would open the door for surgeons to charge patients for privately-delivered procedures while keeping a foot in the public system and billing taxpayers.

Alberta teachers union welcomes classroom complexity proposals, demands funding

Alberta teachers union welcomes classroom complexity proposals, demands funding

EDMONTON -- The head of the Alberta Teachers' Association says a report on classroom aggression and complexity largely vindicates its longstanding calls for more support and money to fix the problem.

Alberta tables bill to limit oversight power of regulatory bodies on member behaviour

Alberta tables bill to limit oversight power of regulatory bodies on member behaviour

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is limiting what behaviour professional regulators can police in the name of strengthening freedom of expression.

Alberta tables bill to limit oversight power of regulatory powers on member behaviour

Alberta tables bill to limit oversight power of regulatory powers on member behaviour

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is limiting what behaviour professional regulators can police in the name of strengthening freedom of expression.

Smith details Alberta plans to open door for doctors to work publicly and privately

Smith details Alberta plans to open door for doctors to work publicly and privately

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith revealed her government's plan to introduce legislation to let doctors choose to work in the public and private health systems simultaneously.

Alberta to search for a new auditor general even as Wylie offers two-year extension

Alberta to search for a new auditor general even as Wylie offers two-year extension

EDMONTON -- The Alberta government is on the hunt for a new auditor general, but the Opposition NDP says they're forcing him out before he finishes investigating a health-care contracting scandal.

Alberta dispensing promised money for parents affected by teacher strike

Alberta dispensing promised money for parents affected by teacher strike

EDMONTON -- The Alberta government is starting to roll out compensation for the families of children who were kept out of classrooms during a three-week teachers strike.

Alberta doctors say province's attempt to save on COVID shots could cost more

Alberta doctors say province's attempt to save on COVID shots could cost more

EDMONTON -- Alberta doctors say the province's effort to save money on COVID-19 vaccines could end up costing taxpayers far more in public health-care costs.

Alberta updates plan for upcoming legislation to combat long ballot initiatives

Alberta updates plan for upcoming legislation to combat long ballot initiatives

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government is providing more details about a bill it says will prevent long ballot protests during provincial elections.

Alberta government to introduce bill limiting who can run in provincial elections

Alberta government to introduce bill limiting who can run in provincial elections

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is planning to introduce legislation this fall to limit who can run in provincial elections.

Chamber of commerce says Alberta teachers strike straining businesses

Chamber of commerce says Alberta teachers strike straining businesses

EDMONTON -- The head of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce says a provincewide teachers strike is putting a strain on businesses.

Alberta government to release report into health contract scandal in 'a few days'

Alberta government to release report into health contract scandal in 'a few days'

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government says it expected to receive a final report Wednesday from the investigation into allegations of corruption over health contracts, but it won't be immediately released.

Alberta government set to receive report into health contract scandal

Alberta government set to receive report into health contract scandal

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government says it expects to receive a final report today from the investigation into allegations of corruption over health contracts.

'We'll be moving': Alberta transgender children, families brace for legal changes

'We'll be moving': Alberta transgender children, families brace for legal changes

EDMONTON -- Football decals plaster the walls of his bedroom. A San Francisco 49ers bedspread and a binder full of trading cards make it clear the seven-year-old loves sports.

Alberta Premier Smith says Ottawa is dodging responsibility for pipeline decision

Alberta Premier Smith says Ottawa is dodging responsibility for pipeline decision

EDMONTON -- The Alberta government says Ottawa is dodging responsibility by not standing behind the province's planned proposal for a pipeline that would bring oil to the B.C. coast.

Alberta anti-separatist petitioners tout more than two-thirds of required signatures

Alberta anti-separatist petitioners tout more than two-thirds of required signatures

EDMONTON -- The former Alberta politician trying to keep the province from splitting up with Canada says his campaign is zeroing in on its goal, but he's not slowing down.

Premature baby dies of measles in Alberta after pregnant mother contracts disease

Premature baby dies of measles in Alberta after pregnant mother contracts disease

EDMONTON -- A newborn in Alberta has died of measles marking the province's first death from the disease this year, the government said Thursday.

Alberta Premier Smith dismisses critics who say she's misleading public on trans law

Alberta Premier Smith dismisses critics who say she's misleading public on trans law

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says those who question her rationale for the government's law restricting health care for transgender youth need to read up on puberty.

Notwithstanding clause won't stop court challenges of Alberta trans laws: groups

Notwithstanding clause won't stop court challenges of Alberta trans laws: groups

EDMONTON -- Doctors and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups challenging Alberta laws affecting transgender people say they aren't backing down, after learning the province plans to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause.

Premier Smith's Alberta Next panel met with praise, pushed to act in Grande Prairie

Premier Smith's Alberta Next panel met with praise, pushed to act in Grande Prairie

EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel, aimed at wrenching more political control from Ottawa, was spurred to take action in Grande Prairie Wednesday.

Premier Smith's Alberta Next panel town hall tour arrives in Grande Prairie

Premier Smith's Alberta Next panel town hall tour arrives in Grande Prairie

EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel is in Grande Prairie tonight to brainstorm potential referendum questions aimed at wrenching more political control from Ottawa.

Immigration lawyer, critics raise concerns about citizenship marker on Alberta ID

Immigration lawyer, critics raise concerns about citizenship marker on Alberta ID

EDMONTON -- Critics are questioning what problem the Alberta government's move to add mandatory citizenship markers to provincial identification aims to solve, and say it opens the door to potential privacy breaches and discrimination.

Alberta's Smith says tight budget means teachers face a stark choice in bargaining

Alberta's Smith says tight budget means teachers face a stark choice in bargaining

EDMONTON -- With a provincewide teachers strike looming, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says their union has a stark choice between heftier pay hikes and more teachers.

Alberta's Smith says she found unprecedented common ground in meeting with Carney

Alberta's Smith says she found unprecedented common ground in meeting with Carney

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her latest meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney has inspired optimism and he is demonstrating a "real shift" from the previous Justin Trudeau-led Liberals.

Alberta's Premier Smith to meet Prime Minister Carney in Edmonton, repeat her demands

Alberta's Premier Smith to meet Prime Minister Carney in Edmonton, repeat her demands

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is expected to reiterate her policy demands face-to-face with Prime Minister Mark Carney Wednesday while he's in Edmonton to meet with his Liberal caucus.

Alberta urges teachers back to bargaining, union says old offer not good enough

Alberta urges teachers back to bargaining, union says old offer not good enough

EDMONTON -- While the Alberta government is urging teachers to get back to the bargaining table to get out of an ongoing stalemate, their union says the province needs to move beyond reiterating a deal that teachers have already rejected.

Alberta's UCP to fight a legal challenge that aims to scrap school pronoun law

Alberta's UCP to fight a legal challenge that aims to scrap school pronoun law

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative government says it will fight hard to defend a court challenge to its school pronoun law.

Alberta parents brace for potential teacher strike amid confusion over school policy

Alberta parents brace for potential teacher strike amid confusion over school policy

EDMONTON -- Alberta parents are bracing for a potential teacher strike or lockout as shifting provincial policies on books and sports also add confusion and chaos to the school year.

Premier Smith draws approval, punts criticism at Fort McMurray town hall

Premier Smith draws approval, punts criticism at Fort McMurray town hall

EDMONTON -- Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel in Fort McMurray Tuesday night drew more approval than pushback, and the premier insisted Ottawa is the rightful target of much of the criticism coming her way.

Former Alberta deputy premier takes pro-Canada petition fight to driveways, dog parks

Former Alberta deputy premier takes pro-Canada petition fight to driveways, dog parks

EDMONTON -- Former Alberta politician Thomas Lukaszuk is a man on a not-so-lonely mission to keep Canada from splitting.

'Lost in translation': Alberta premier says unaware of controversial expense changes

'Lost in translation': Alberta premier says unaware of controversial expense changes

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she was unaware of her government's changes that resulted in the removal of publicly disclosed expense receipts earlier this month.

Taxpayers advocate applauds Alberta new expense reporting rules

Taxpayers advocate applauds Alberta new expense reporting rules

EDMONTON -- An Alberta taxpayers advocate is applauding the provincial government's latest expense disclosure policy.

Alberta government again shifting expense disclosure policy after widespread backlash

Alberta government again shifting expense disclosure policy after widespread backlash

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is again shifting its expense disclosure policy after critics from across the political spectrum accused her of dodging responsibility.

Alberta government to cover COVID-19 shots for health-care workers in policy reversal

Alberta government to cover COVID-19 shots for health-care workers in policy reversal

EDMONTON -- In a partial policy reversal, Alberta's government said Tuesday it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers.

CP NewsAlert: Alberta to pay for COVID shots for health workers in policy reversal

CP NewsAlert: Alberta to pay for COVID shots for health workers in policy reversal

EDMONTON -- Alberta's government says it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers in a partial policy reversal.

Alberta COVID-19 vaccination program triggers confusion, criticism

Alberta COVID-19 vaccination program triggers confusion, criticism

EDMONTON -- Health experts, advocates and unions are sounding the alarm over Alberta's plan for paid COVID-19 shots, calling it concerning and confusing.

Premier Smith, Alberta Next panel face hecklers, supporters at fiery Edmonton event

Premier Smith, Alberta Next panel face hecklers, supporters at fiery Edmonton event

EDMONTON -- A travelling panel collecting public feedback on Alberta's grievances with Ottawa struggled to keep an emotionally-charged crowd on topic at its third summer town hall on Thursday night.

Premier Danielle Smith, Alberta Next panel to get feedback at third town hall

Premier Danielle Smith, Alberta Next panel to get feedback at third town hall

EDMONTON -- A travelling panel collecting public feedback on Alberta's grievances with Ottawa is set to make its third summer town hall stop tonight.

Former Alberta health agency CEO says false claims may compromise investigation

Former Alberta health agency CEO says false claims may compromise investigation

EDMONTON -- The former head of Alberta's front-line health agency says she's aware of misinformation that may compromise a third-party investigation into a multimillion-dollar health contracting scandal.

Alberta's United Conservatives call in lawyers in Progressive Conservative name fight

Alberta's United Conservatives call in lawyers in Progressive Conservative name fight

EDMONTON -- Alberta's governing United Conservative Party has brought in its lawyers to challenge a rogue splinter group in a fight over resurrecting the province's legacy Progressive Conservative party brand.

Report on Alberta city council finds dysfunction, rancour, culture of fear

Report on Alberta city council finds dysfunction, rancour, culture of fear

EDMONTON -- A new report commissioned by the Alberta government says the City of Medicine Hat has been hobbled for years by a hostile dysfunctional city hall and something must be done.

Alberta rainy day Heritage Fund hits $30B after injection of $2.8B from surplus

Alberta rainy day Heritage Fund hits $30B after injection of $2.8B from surplus

EDMONTON -- Alberta's rainy-day Heritage Fund is getting an extra $2.8 billion, hitting a record high of $30 billion, which is almost double what it was five years ago.

'A sham': Alberta Opposition NDP questions town hall feedback on federal concerns

'A sham': Alberta Opposition NDP questions town hall feedback on federal concerns

RED DEER -- Alberta's Opposition NDP says the provincial panel seeking citizen input on concerns with the federal government is not getting a representative sample of sentiment.

Smith, Alberta Next panel's first town hall hears support, calls for separation vote

Smith, Alberta Next panel's first town hall hears support, calls for separation vote

RED DEER -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her hand-picked panel heard from several Albertans Tuesday who argued the only way to get the province a fair deal from Ottawa is to leave confederation.

Alberta Next panel set to begin hearings on public concerns with federal government

Alberta Next panel set to begin hearings on public concerns with federal government

EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith's hand-picked panel hearing how to fix relations with the federal government is set to get down to work this week with back-to-back town halls.

Alberta's transgender ban in women's sports exempts visiting out-of-province athletes

Alberta's transgender ban in women's sports exempts visiting out-of-province athletes

EDMONTON -- Alberta is rolling out new regulations this fall banning transgender athletes from playing women's sports, but the province will still welcome out-of-province transgender competitors.

Alberta to ban explicit sex books in school libraries starting Oct. 1

Alberta to ban explicit sex books in school libraries starting Oct. 1

EDMONTON -- Alberta's education minister says sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but the move is not about book banning.

Alberta bans explicit sex books in school libraries starting Oct. 1

Alberta bans explicit sex books in school libraries starting Oct. 1

EDMONTON -- Alberta's education minister says sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but the move is not about book banning.

Alberta bans explicit sex books in schools, limits who reads about kissing, hugging

Alberta bans explicit sex books in schools, limits who reads about kissing, hugging

EDMONTON -- Alberta's education minister says sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but says the announcement is not about book banning.

Estranged United Conservative MLAs aim to create new party to challenge Premier Smith

Estranged United Conservative MLAs aim to create new party to challenge Premier Smith

EDMONTON -- Two sitting Alberta legislature members kicked out of Premier Danielle Smith's governing United Conservative caucus seek to form a rival party to challenge her.

Former United Conservative MLAs resuscitating Alberta's once-dominant PC Party

Former United Conservative MLAs resuscitating Alberta's once-dominant PC Party

EDMONTON -- Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party.

Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect

Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect

EDMONTON -- As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own.

Alberta company at the centre of allegations on health contracts urges audit release

Alberta company at the centre of allegations on health contracts urges audit release

EDMONTON -- An Alberta company swept up in allegations of government corruption says it's being further harmed by the suppression of a report it believes could clear the name of its CEO.

Alberta company at the centre of corruption allegations calls for release of audit

Alberta company at the centre of corruption allegations calls for release of audit

EDMONTON -- An Alberta company swept up in allegations of government corruption says it's being further harmed by the suppression of a report it believes will exonerate them.

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe

Alberta's auditor general granted extra $1M for health procurement probe

EDMONTON -- Alberta's auditor general has been granted his request for nearly $1 million in extra funding to dig deeper into allegations of corruption in private health care contracts.