Alberta judge denies effort to amend court challenge against province's trans law
EDMONTON -- Advocates in Alberta have lost a court battle in their fight against provincial restrictions on medical treatment for transgender youth.
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.
Trump approves major Canada-U.S. oil pipeline expansion project
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a key approval for a cross-border oil pipeline project to deliver more of the province's crude to the United States is coming after years of advocacy from her government. U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a presidential permit authorizing the Bridger Pipeline expansion, considered a partial revival of the Keystone XL pipeline project. The Keystone...
Trump approves major Canada-U.S. oil pipeline expansion project
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a key approval for a cross-border oil pipeline project to deliver more of the province's crude to the United States is coming after years of advocacy from her government.
Alberta's Smith lauds new major Canada-U.S. oil pipeline permit, citing advocacy
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a key approval for a cross-border oil pipeline project to deliver more of the province's crude to the United States is coming after years of advocacy from her government.
Alberta upping prevention efforts to keep invasive mussels out of province
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government says it's upping its defences against invasive mussels, hiring more dogs to sniff out the shellfish and preparing to levy hefty fines for boaters who skip inspections this summer.
Alberta launches website pushing referendum proposals on immigration, Constitution
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has launched a website to put the weight of the government's persuasive powers behind getting a democratic mandate for sweeping immigration reform.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith set to update fall referendum question plan
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to deliver an update today on a provincewide referendum scheduled for the fall.?? Smith announced in February she will put nine questions to Albertans in October, including proposals to restrict social services from some immigrants. Since last April's federal election, the province has also been embroiled in a heated debate over Alberta separating from...
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith set to update fall referendum question plan
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to deliver an update today on a provincewide referendum scheduled for the fall.??
Alberta government to lower age of eligibility for free breast cancer screening
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government is lowering the age for breast cancer screening to those as young as 40, a move that opens the door to self-referral so more people can access publicly funded mammograms by next year.
Alberta's 'Forever Canadian' petitioner says UCP making 'sham' of democratic process
EDMONTON -- The former politician who gathered more than 456,000 signatures to keep Alberta in Canada says he watched first-hand Tuesday as the legislature committee tasked with a review continued to strangle the democratic process.
Alberta's government says it will do away with twice-a-year time change
Premier Danielle Smith's government says Albertans will soon be ditching twice-a-year clock changes. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally confirmed Monday the province plans to stick with daylight time year-round. "We'll be moving forward with having an extra hour of daylight in the evenings," he told reporters in the legislature. That means Albertans would stay on the current time and no...
Alberta's government says it will do away with twice-a-year time change
EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith's government says Albertans will soon be ditching twice-a-year clock changes.
Alberta's Smith says province will do away with twice-a-year time change
EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans will soon be ditching twice-a-year clock changes.
Alberta's governing UCP to revisit proposed riding changes before next election
Alberta's governing United Conservatives are looking to take another run at redrawing provincial riding boundaries - a move the Opposition NDP calls a cynical backdoor scheme to rig the October 2027 general election. Premier Danielle Smith's caucus is set to introduce a motion in the house today to revisit a recent bipartisan panel report to add more seats to reflect...
National libraries group urges Alberta to ditch 'political interference' in libraries
EDMONTON -- An organization representing large public libraries across Canada warns Alberta's proposed bill affecting libraries threatens "unprecedented" government overreach into organizations meant to be shielded from political control.
Alberta sticking to its gas tax formula as Ottawa announces cut amid high prices
EDMONTON -- The Alberta government says it won't axe its fuel tax yet, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced federal measures to give Canadians relief at the pumps.
Alberta proposes legislation to open door to more access to private medical tests
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government is laying the legislative groundwork to let more people pay in order to bypass their doctor to get faster access to everything from CT scans to blood tests.
Alberta's access restrictions threaten privacy, democratic role of libraries: critics
EDMONTON -- Critics of Alberta's proposed rule changes to public libraries say the true danger lies in the fact they give the province power to dictate access and potentially snoop on Albertans to see exactly which books they are checking out.
Alberta introduces bill to reduce child access to sex images in public libraries
EDMONTON -- The Alberta government has introduced legislation to ensure children and young teens won't be able to access sexually graphic images in books at public libraries.
CP NewsAlert: Alberta tables bill to reduce child access to sex images in libraries
EDMONTON -- The Alberta government is looking to make changes in all public libraries to ensure children and young teens don't have access to graphic sexual images.
Alberta to compel employers hiring temporary foreign workers to register provincially
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government is proposing changes to give it more oversight of who hires temporary foreign workers.
Alberta moving to regulate temporary foreign worker program registration rules
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government is proposing changes to give it more oversight on who hires temporary foreign workers.
Alberta moves to designate official Alberta whisky label
EDMONTON -- Alberta is aiming to regulate who can slap an Alberta whisky stamp on spirits produced in the province.
Alberta proposes election blackout on citizen-led proposals for referendum questions
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is proposing major changes to its law governing citizen-led petitions for the third time in less than a year.
Alberta proposes election blackout on citizen-led proposals for referendum questions
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is proposing major changes to its law governing citizen-led petitions for the third time in less than a year. Justice Minister Mickey Amery introduced Monday a bill that, if passed, would make it impossible to start a petition for a constitutional or policy referendum a year before or a year after a provincial election. Petitions...
Alberta premier's constitutional affairs lead supports separatist petition
Premier Danielle Smith's parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs is encouraging Albertans to sign a petition that calls for a vote on separation from Canada. Jason Stephan, a United Conservative Party legislature member, penned his opinion for the online conservative media outlet "Western Standard." In it, Stephan argues signing the petition to have a referendum on separation is different from signing...
Alberta premier's constitutional affairs lead supports separatist petition
EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith's parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs is encouraging Albertans to sign a petition that calls for a vote on separation from Canada.
Alberta legislation to come imposing provincewide conduct rules for local councils
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government says it's soon instituting universal provincewide rules to regulate behaviour among local municipal councils.
Alberta committee recommends Phillip Peters to replace Wylie as auditor general
EDMONTON -- An Alberta legislature committee has reached into the auditor general's office to pick a new person to lead the watchdog agency.
Alberta's 'infamous' gold-coloured cat statue sparks legislature hissing match
EDMONTON -- The mystery of a gold-coloured cat perched in the office of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is now a full-on hissing match.
Former Alberta cabinet minister accuses government of killing key tool for scrutiny
EDMONTON -- New rules are now in effect in the Alberta legislature that one opposition member has warned will effectively allow Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative government to duck some queries for years.
Alberta's Smith says not contacted by RCMP amid police searches during contract probe
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she's not been contacted by the RCMP as Mounties execute search warrants amid a probe into allegations of misconduct in multimillion-dollar government health contracts.
Alberta's Smith says not contacted by RCMP amid police searches in contract probe
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she's not been contacted by the RCMP as Mounties execute search warrants in a probe into allegations of misconduct in multimillion-dollar government health contracts.
Alberta's Smith defends gift of Saudi jet tour against accusations of entitlement
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rejecting Opposition accusations of entitlement for using a private jet courtesy of the Saudi government last fall. Smith and members of her United Conservative Party government staff travelled to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for meetings about potential collaborations on issues, including energy development and artificial intelligence. Smith says she's very transparent about...
Alberta's Smith defends gift of Saudi jet tour against accusations of entitlement
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rejecting Opposition accusations of entitlement for using a private jet courtesy of the Saudi government last fall.
Alberta's Smith hopes to balance budget even with moderate oil prices
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her long-term goal is to be able to balance the province's books even with moderate oil prices.
Alberta health agency makes 16 recommendations in wake of December ER death
EDMONTON -- The Alberta agency in charge of hospitals has released a review making 16 recommendations to the government in the wake the death of a man who waited for hours for care in an Edmonton hospital.
Two more Alberta petitions get green light to collect signatures to oust politicians
EDMONTON -- Recall petitions aiming to oust two opposition members of Alberta's legislature have been approved by Elections Alberta.
Alberta's premier says conflict in Iran underscores need for new Canadian pipeline
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the war in Iran underscores the need for a new pipeline connecting her province's oil reserves to the West Coast. The threat of shipping disruptions has seen global oil prices jump since American-Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend. Smith says any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil choke point at the...
Alberta's premier says conflict in Iran underscores need for new Canadian pipeline
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the war in Iran underscores the need for a new pipeline connecting her province's oil reserves to the West Coast.
Multibillion-dollar budget deficit on tap as Alberta introduces its 2026 budget
It's budget day in Alberta, and the overarching question is not whether the budget will show a deficit, but exactly how many billions of dollars in the red it will be. Premier Danielle Smith has signalled for weeks that the deficit is going to be, in her words, "significant" but has not provided a dollar figure. She says the main...
Multibillion-dollar budget deficit on tap as Alberta introduces its 2026 budget
EDMONTON -- It's budget day in Alberta, and the overarching question is not whether the budget will show a deficit, but exactly how many billions of dollars in the red it will be.
Alberta to boost doctor spending by 22 per cent as detail of new budget shared
EDMONTON -- Alberta's government says it plans to increase physician spending by more than 20 per cent in its upcoming budget.
Alberta Premier Smith can't quantify savings from referendum proposals on immigration
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government isn't sure how much it might save if referendum questions proposing restrictions to social services for some newcomers are approved in the fall. Smith announced in a TV address Thursday that her United Conservative Party government is putting nine questions to a provincewide referendum on Oct. 19. They include proposals to restrict social...
Alberta's Smith blaming immigrants for her own failures: Opposition NDP
Alberta's Opposition NDP says Premier Danielle Smith is stoking hatred by blaming her government's financial "mismanagement" on newcomers. Smith announced in a TV address Thursday night that her government is putting nine questions to a provincewide referendum on Oct. 19. They include proposals to restrict social services from some immigrants and to open up Constitutional negotiations on abolishing the Senate...
Alberta's Smith to put immigration, Constitution questions on fall referendum
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is putting nine questions to a provincewide referendum on Oct. 19, including proposals to restrict social services from some immigrants.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to address province in pre-budget TV broadcast
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to address the province in a TV broadcast Thursday evening and is expected to discuss immigration.
Alberta's Smith to address province in live pre-budget TV broadcast
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to address the province in a TV broadcast Thursday evening and is expected to discuss immigration. Smith said Wednesday that rapid population growth coupled with slagging oil prices have put an unsustainable strain on the province's finances. "You have to be a taxpayer before you start using our services," she told reporters at an...
Alberta's Smith to address province in live pre-budget TV broadcast
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to address the province in a TV broadcast Thursday evening and is expected to discuss immigration.
Alberta pauses health-care coverage change for some international work permit holders
EDMONTON -- The Alberta government is hitting pause on a recent policy change cutting off health coverage for some temporary foreign workers, including youth coming to Canada on working vacations.
Canadian Bar Association speaks out against Smith's judicial appointment demands
The Canadian Bar Association is speaking out against Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's call for more input on the selection of federal judges. Smith says if Alberta doesn't get more say on future judicial appointments to the province's superior courts and the Supreme Court of Canada, her government would hold back money those judges need to do their jobs.
Alberta sets budget date for Feb. 26, warns will be tough one amid global uncertainty
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government says it will bring in the new budget on Feb. 26 and is warning it will be a tough one.
Extra Alberta ER doctor shifts delayed amid talks between government, physicians
EDMONTON -- Alberta's recently announced effort to add physician shifts to help triage patients in crowded emergency rooms has been delayed.
Independent Alberta legislature member says he isn't joining Progressive Tory party
EDMONTON -- A former United Conservative member of Alberta's legislature says he will remain an Independent MLA when the house reconvenes in February.
Alberta judges urge respect after Smith said she wants to 'direct' them
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,"...
Massive Edmonton care home battling mice infestation, droppings
EDMONTON -- The operator of one of the province's largest long-term care homes says it's working to address serious concerns about an infestation of mice and mice droppings.
Alberta emergency doctors detail waiting room horrors, preventable deaths to minister
EDMONTON -- Alberta's emergency room doctors, in a letter to the provincial government, have detailed front-line horror stories of preventable deaths along with indignities and suffering by patients in what one physician describes as "death zones."
Alberta teacher's rant sparks school division review, criticism from Premier Smith
EDMONTON -- An Alberta school division has launched an investigation after the premier shared on social media an audio recording, purportedly of a teacher disparaging the province's conservative political culture.
Alberta NDP calls on Premier Smith to acknowledge, address ER capacity 'crisis'
EDMONTON -- Alberta's Opposition NDP is calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to face a "crisis" of overcrowded hospitals head-on as doctors plead for emergency measures to help cope.
Alberta doctors say leadership lacking amid crisis of overcrowding in hospitals
EDMONTON -- Doctors who have been pleading for help as Edmonton hospitals are being overwhelmed by patients say Alberta's health-care leadership is missing in action.