News

zmason@medicinehatnews.com School boards and civil liberties advocacy groups are responding to amendments proposed to the Education Act under new legislation tabled last week that will give the province more control over ideology and operations in Alberta’s schools. Bill 25 mandates neutrality in classrooms and imposes new restrictions on the kinds of statements allowed to be [...] Read More »

zmason@medicinehatnews.com Another legal challenge has been launched against the proposed separation referendum by an Alberta First Nation while the Forever Canadian policy proposal continues to stall in the house. The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation appeared before the Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton on Tuesday to seek an injunction against the separation referendum petition drive. [...] Read More »

Cypress county councillor Robin Kurpjuweit will make his bid to be on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities board, as to better represent the region at the federal level. The agenda item came in as a notice of motion at the previous regular council meeting, with intent to be discussed on Tuesday. The motion asked for [...] Read More »

The Art Room on 2nd is preparing for its first feature show, highlighting Alberta artist Megan Weir. Weir has been capturing the beauty of everyday life out on the prairies since 2017, exploring themes of heritage, resilience and authenticity along the way. This show, “Intentions,” builds on these ideas, exploring the beauty and meaning that [...] Read More »

Edmonton-based Métis artist Kaeley Jade will help the Medicine Hat Public Library end its Home Routes Concert Series on a high note. The concert, set for Apr. 12 at 7 p.m. in the library theatre, will take place only two days after the release of her new album, “The Great Unknown.” “I’m very much looking [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Thousands of federal public servants have applied for early retirement since the program was launched late last month. Mohammad Kamal, spokesperson for the Office of the President of the Treasury Board, says 3,700 federal workers have applied for the program. The program, which was announced in the fall, is part of the government’s [...] Read More »

QUÉBEC — The Quebec government has prorogued the legislature as the Coalition Avenir Québec gets ready to choose a new leader this weekend. The cabinet of outgoing Premier Francois Legault says the national assembly will return with a new session — and new premier — on May 5. Christine Fréchette, a former economy minister, and [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives are calling on Ottawa to return some of the revenue from higher gasolines prices to give Canadians a break at the pumps but some economists say cutting gas taxes isn’t the only way to deliver relief. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday [...] Read More »

Next week marks the 10th anniversary of the declaration of a public health emergency in response to British Columbia’s drug overdose crisis, which has since claimed more than 18,000 lives. Grieving friends and families, former policy makers, medical workers and those who use drugs are reflecting on the disastrous decade and what could have been [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Thousands of Liberals will be in Montreal this weekend for the party’s annual convention just as voters in the suburban riding of Terrebonne, about 40 km north, get ready to cast ballots in a key byelection on Monday. The nearby location is coincidental, said Marjorie Michel, the minister of health and a longtime [...] Read More »

Over 200 Blood Tribe members took part in The Blood Tribe Resource Fair Thursday in Standoff. The event was the first of its kind, says Levi Little Moustache, Director of Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training (BTEST). “The event today was a collaboration of all the HR departments (including) all the departments under Blood Tribe, [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com Misconduct allegations from more than five years ago finally culminated in a disciplinary hearing for Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh this week. The Lethbridge Police Commission held the hearing Thursday at City Hall to address misconduct allegations against Mehdizadeh regarding an incident that took place in March 2021. The allegations were made [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDjmanio@lethbridgeherald.com A perpetual challenge for not-for-profit organizations is funding for their charitable work. In support of its continuing mission, Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) is hosting an inaugural gala called “Spring to Light” on April 25 at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Center, featuring Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist, and author Rick Mercer. “This [...] Read More »

Some Lethbridge homeowners might be surprised to see an almost 14 per cent increase in their education taxes when they get their property tax bill this spring. According to the Government of Alberta website, education property taxes are increasing for 2025-2026 after being frozen in 2024-2025. For Lethbridge residents, this will amount to a 13.8 [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com Efforts to raise $30 million to improve cardiac care in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat are paying off. Three new donation commitments totalling $350,000 mean a fundraiser to establish the Southern Alberta Cardiac Centre of Excellence has reached about a third of its goal. Campaign manager Jordan Cleland said Wednesday about $10 million has [...] Read More »