Calgary police are looking into what they believe are two separate arsons linked to Tesla vehicles in the city this week.

Residents of Steinbach, La Broquerie and the surrounding area may have noticed smoke billowing from a property along Highway 52 Thursday evening.

According to the La Broquerie Fire Department, they are conducting a controlled burn just east of the City of Steinbach.

The department made a post on their Facebook page, informing residents of their activity and asking them not to call 911 to report this fire. 

In addition, firefighters on the scene are asking motorists to stay in their vehicles and to avoid running across Highway 52 to get closer to the blaze.

The former chief executive of Alberta’s health authority, in a court document, says Health Minister Adriana LaGrange has crafted a “false, vindictive, and malicious” narrative about her to distract from allegations of political interference in health contracts.

An 11-page document was filed on behalf of former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta on Thursday. It is an official response to the statements of defence filed last week by AHS and Ms. LaGrange, both of which allege Ms. Mentzelopoulos was terminated because of poor job performance, not her investigations into potential impropriety.

A Halifax-based folk music duo say police who pulled them over on a highway in the U.S. Midwest earlier this month accused them of having drugs in their rental car and questioned them about their allegiance in a strange interaction that lasted nearly an hour.

The intersection of Highway 52 and Highway 59 has been closed all evening this Thursday as a result of a serious two-vehicle collision. 

Hanover Fire Chief Paul Wiebe says his crews were called to the crash at about 5:15 p.m. He notes there were three occupants in one of the vehicles and one occupant in the other. 

Wiebe says all four of the individuals were transported to hospital by ground ambulance with significant injuries. 

An RCMP traffic analyst is investigating the collision and Wiebe says traffic is being rerouted to give them room to work. 

As of 8:00 p.m., the intersection remains closed.

Rev. Alexa Gilmour, a United Church minister since May 2011, won the riding of Parkdale-High Park in Toronto for the New Democratic Party in Ontario’s election in February. She talks about her journey from the pulpit to politics with Rev. Christopher White.

Christopher White: Can you tell me about your journey from ministry in The United Church of Canada to running for election?

Alexa Gilmour: For me, it’s just a new form of ministry, really a continuation of God’s call. I have always known that I was being called to difficult and risky ministry right on the edge. I’ve been an activist minister and for me the edges of faith and politics grind together. I fully recognize that the charity part of the church is important, but we are experiencing incredible suffering because of bad public policy. Poverty kills, addictions kill, we have seen no rise in Ontario Works (welfare) or the Ontario Disability Support payment rates [editor’s note: the Ontario government began tying Ontario Disability Support Program payments to inflation in 2023] in years, and they only pay enough for people to afford to live in tents. Our social services are completely inadequate for the challenges that people are facing and all of this had me ask the question: “What would Jesus do now?” And that is what has led me to Queen’s Park [Ontario’s legislature].

CW: How has your faith supported you through all of this?

AG: People asked me for years to run and I always refused. I felt useful in my work and felt that my gifts were being well used in my ministry. But a year ago something shifted in my prayer life and I felt that God was calling me to a new ministry, which to be honest I was not thrilled about. We are living in a time of regressive roll-backs and I felt that God was calling me to stand in the breach and say that there is another way, that housing and food are human rights and that gender rights are human rights and that we are called to hold the beacon of what we can be. Parkdale-High Park has been my home for many years and I am following in the tradition of Rev. Cheri DiNovo who also has a vision of compassion. We live in tumultuous times and we have to hold onto loving our neighbour as ourselves.

Want to join the Broadview community and make sure you don’t miss a story? Sign up for one of our newsletters.

CW: You won an impressive victory in the election with about 45 percent of the votes. But your party had a tough night. While the NDP held on to its status as the official opposition, it lost seats and dropped in the popular vote, now resting at just under 19 percent. Why has the NDP not connected to more voters given our current crises? Why do you think that so many working class and blue-collar votes went to Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives?

AG: In times of great uncertainty, people are afraid and right now there is a great deal of fear. U.S. President Donald Trump absolutely played a part in the election results; people turned to what was familiar and comfortable. It is very hard in times of fear to engage people’s empathy and explain how their lives are inextricably linked to the common good. When people feel under threat it’s easy to lose sight of that. We have to speak to people’s very real fears and come alongside folks. When Jesus sat at the table with others, he didn’t tell them; he showed them how to be with one another. That’s what I hope to do in our riding and to move people from a sense of scarcity to one of abundance. We live with an extreme scarcity mindset now and we need to speak to that fear and show another way.

 We also need to be very clear about an alternative economic structure. The current capitalist system gives power and wealth to the one percent and has eroded the middle class. We need fundamental change to limit corporate power and to support workers through unions and a focus on the common good. We are proposing a policy in the face of Trump’s tariffs in which the government employs laid-off workers to build homes using Canadian steel, wood and aluminum. That’s how we strengthen the Canadian economy.

More on Broadview:

• Whose Christianity does Trump want to protect?
• Why harm reduction is actually compassionate care
• What will it take to fix our economy?

CW: What are your hopes and dreams for the next four years?

AG: I have two. The first is to effect policy that supports what I value most – especially for the most vulnerable among us – and to safeguard people’s rights. The second is to do politics differently, I won’t participate in the polarization that is degrading and eroding our democracy. I know I may be asked to compromise in politics, but I also need to know that there is a line in the sand that I cannot cross. A mentor told me to write myself a letter about who I am and what I would never compromise on and take it out from time to time to see if I am still that person.

CW: What message do you have for all Canadians as we face tariffs and a very real threat to our sovereignty from Donald Trump?

AG: It is very important that we don’t lose sight of who we are. There is a lot of hate out there, but we can embody our values and live them out. It’s more important than ever that we don’t lose hope in the midst of all of this.

***

Rev. Christopher White is a United Church minister in Toronto.

Thanks for reading!

Did you know Broadview is the only media organization in Canada dedicated to covering progressive Christian news and views?

We are also a registered charity and rely on subscriptions and tax-deductible donations to keep our trustworthy, independent and award-winning journalism alive.

Please help us continue to share stories that open minds, inspire meaningful action and foster a world of compassion. Don’t wait. We can’t do it without you.

Here are some ways you can support us:

• Donate 
• Subscribe 
• Give a Gift Subscription

Thank you so very much for your generous support! Together, we can make a difference.

Jocelyn Bell, Editor/Publisher, CEO and Trisha Elliott, Executive Director

The post New Ontario MPP Rev. Alexa Gilmour on her call to politics appeared first on Broadview Magazine.

Police in Calgary are investigating after two Tesla vehicles are believed to have been intentionally set on fire.

Officers were called to a downtown charging station Tuesday night and found a Tesla car on fire.

The fire is believed to have been intentionally set with an accelerant.

The Yukon and federal governments have signed off on a deal that will provide universal access to birth control and diabetes medications for Yukoners.

Saskatchewan RCMP are looking for ten individuals, all of which who have active warrants.

These ten are all listed as having lived in Saskatchewan most recently, according to the RCMP. 

They are John Alfonso Anasarias, Eldon James Cone, Izaiah Zachary Nippi, Jamie Daniel Jude Sheedy, Dallas Fulton, Seagun Laliberte, Dalyn Rae Janvier, William Albert Charles, Gerry Lloyd Roberts, and Darius Ryell NcNab.

RCMP are hoping that by reaching out to the public, they can get a fresh wave of information through tips and sightings. They ask they anyone who spots these people does not approach them. Call 310-RCMP, or 911 in an emergency. 

Anonymous information may be provided to CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

WHITEHORSE — The Yukon and federal governments have announced a $9.5-million pharmacare agreement over four years, giving universal access to contraceptive and diabetes medications for the territory’s residents.

A joint news release says the agreement will support reproductive freedom for up to 12,000 Yukoners and make sure that over 3,000 residents with diabetes can access essential medications at little or no cost.

Yukon Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee and federal Health Minister Kamal Khera made the announcement on Thursday.

McPhee says the health system becomes more inclusive and equitable when ensuring those with diabetes can get essential medicine and supplies, and people wanting contraceptives don’t have financial barriers.

The statement says no one should have to chose between paying for their medicine and buying groceries.

The Pharmacare Act received Royal assent in October last year and immediately came into force. Since then, Manitoba, B.C. and Prince Edward Island have also reached similar agreements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2025.

The Canadian Press

The Manitoba government is fighting back in the ongoing trade war with the United States by ending its provincial parks pass contract with a Texas-based company and kicking electric vehicles made by Elon Musk's company Tesla out of its rebate program.

With Manitoba’s 2025 budget now rolled out, the province has made a strong commitment to supporting Northern and First Nation communities.

This includes over $420 million in funding for Municipalities and Northern Affairs communities, along with $155 million allocated for Rural Municipalities.

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service Program will receive $11.9 million, while over $450 million will go towards new school projects and renovations.

The province also plans to train more teachers, introduce a new Land-Based Curriculum, and expand Treaty education across Manitoba.

“We remain optimistic we can continue having this relationship with the government to ensure the north is equipped with dialysis machines and I commend them for having that mobile MRI unit that’s a start, but we have some ways to go to meet the needs of First Nations when it comes to health,” said Garrison Settee, the Grand Chief of MKO.

“This is a budget that was announced with a lot of consideration for Manitobans but also includes First Nations.”

End Homelessness Winnipeg CEO, Jason Whitford was pleased to see the budget focus on increased investments when it comes to homelessness in the city, especially when it comes to our Indigenous population.

“If I was going to give it a grade, I would say B plus,” said Whitford.

“It’s very promising there’s a commitment towards Indigenous-led investments in capacity building and acquiring capital.”

Meanwhile, Travel Manitoba saw a $4.5 million increase, which CEO Colin Ferguson says will not only help generate more money for the province but will also help ongoing funds for Indigenous Tourism Manitoba.

“It’s pretty much A plus isn’t it,” said Ferguson. “They have shown incredible growth even during tough times like the pandemic, we are there to support them, and this a unique advantage this province has.”

The post Manitoba promises to invest in Northern and First Nation communities in 2025 budget appeared first on CityNews Winnipeg.

Donn Austin Gauthier has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, arson and interference with a dead body in the homicide of Ronald Bell.

For the last nine years, Barb Broome had a family doctor to help her navigate her changing calcium levels. Since her physician retired in November 2024, Broome had to go on the P.E.I. Patient Registry and become an advocate for her own health.

President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, citing a need for change in the education system. Key programs like Pell Grants and Title I will be preserved, while other responsibilities will shift to states. Critics say class sizes will soar, teachers will be fired, special ed programs will be lost, and college will get more expensive. (UPI)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the eighth recall for Tesla Cybertrucks due to a risk of an exterior panel detachment near the windshield, potentially leading to road hazards and crashes. Over 46,000 Cybertrucks from 2024 and 2025 model years are affected. This adds to a long series of safety recalls impacting Cybertrucks. (AP)

Scientists are making progress in understanding dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up 70% of the universe and is driving stars and galaxies apart. Recent findings suggest dark energy may be weakening, challenging previous theories. Research supports this idea, hinting at a potential major discovery about the nature of the universe. (CBS News)

U.S. citizen George Glezmann, a Delta Airlines mechanic detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for over two years, has been released with the assistance of Qatar. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed his freedom and highlighted ongoing efforts to secure the release of other detained Americans. Afghanistan remains a high-risk travel destination. (ABC News)

A federal judge criticized the Justice Department's response to his request for information about deportation flights conducted under the Alien Enemies Act, deeming it 'woefully insufficient.' The DOJ's submission did not provide new details, and the judge requested an explanation for non-compliance with the court's orders. (NBC News)