Alberta News
CBC Calgary

West of Centre in Medicine Hat, Alta.

CBC’s West of Centre convenes a powerhouse panel to dissect the key issues shaping southern Alberta. Industry and local leaders tackle everything from the future of energy to Western alienation. ...
More ...West of Centre podcast graphic

CBC’s West of Centre convenes a powerhouse panel to dissect the key issues shaping southern Alberta. Industry and local leaders tackle everything from the future of energy to Western alienation.

17 Apr 2025 03:03:08

CBC Calgary

West of Centre | Live in Medicine Hat

Tune in for a live broadcast from Medicine Hat as CBC’s West of Centre convenes a powerhouse panel to dissect the key issues shaping southern Alberta. Industry and local leaders tackle everything fr ...
More ...

Tune in for a live broadcast from Medicine Hat as CBC’s West of Centre convenes a powerhouse panel to dissect the key issues shaping southern Alberta. Industry and local leaders tackle everything from the future of energy to Western alienation.

17 Apr 2025 01:00:00

CBC Calgary

Alberta wanted chief medical officer of health to remain in job, premier says

As calls mount for the Alberta government to ensure the province's next top doctor is free to speak publicly, Premier Danielle Smith has confirmed the chief medical officer of health left of his own a ...
More ...A man speaks as a woman with brown hair looks on.

As calls mount for the Alberta government to ensure the province's next top doctor is free to speak publicly, Premier Danielle Smith has confirmed the chief medical officer of health left of his own accord this week.

17 Apr 2025 00:47:16

CBC Calgary

Front-runner Carney faces jabs from all sides at French-language debate

Liberal Leader Mark Carney faced jabs from his opponents at Wednesday's French-language leaders' debate, with accusations he's out of touch with working people and won't offer enough change from his u ...
More ...Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre listen to Liberal leader Mark Carney speak during the French-language federal leaders' debate, in Montreal, Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney faced jabs from his opponents at Wednesday's French-language leaders' debate, with accusations he's out of touch with working people and won't offer enough change from his unpopular predecessor.

16 Apr 2025 23:21:18

CBC Calgary

Ankylosaur footprints from Canada are first of their kind in the world

Scientists have identified fossil dinosaur footprints from a new species in B.C. and Alberta. They're believed to be the first tracks found in the world that were left by club-tailed ankylosaurs, offe ...
More ...Woman with fossil footprints in a rock

Scientists have identified fossil dinosaur footprints from a new species in B.C. and Alberta. They're believed to be the first tracks found in the world that were left by club-tailed ankylosaurs, offering new insights about gaps in the fossil record.

16 Apr 2025 20:52:24

CBC Calgary

ASIRT says Calgary officer not responsible for man's death after police confrontation

An officer who kneed a Calgary man in the torso multiple times was not responsible for that man’s death, the provincial police watchdog said in a new report, while also concluding blunt-force trauma ...
More ...A close-up view of the side of a Calgary police car.

An officer who kneed a Calgary man in the torso multiple times was not responsible for that man’s death, the provincial police watchdog said in a new report, while also concluding blunt-force trauma was the primary cause of death.

16 Apr 2025 20:27:02

CBC Edmonton

United Conservative Party caucus expels Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie

The United Conservative Party caucus expelled Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie on Wednesday, following his resignation from cabinet and his outspoken support for a full judicial public inquiry into ...
More ...a man holds a book with one hand and raises his other hand, woman out of focus in background

The United Conservative Party caucus expelled Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie on Wednesday, following his resignation from cabinet and his outspoken support for a full judicial public inquiry into the provincial government's procurement practices.

16 Apr 2025 19:12:16

CBC Calgary

Watch inaugural NSL season kick off with Vancouver Rise FC hosting Calgary Wild FC

Catch all the live stream action of the inaugural Northern Super League season on CBC Sports and Gem with the first-ever match taking place tonight at 10 p.m. ET between Calgary Wild FC and Vancouver ...
More ...NSL female players/president/ceo.

Catch all the live stream action of the inaugural Northern Super League season on CBC Sports and Gem with the first-ever match taking place tonight at 10 p.m. ET between Calgary Wild FC and Vancouver Rise FC at B.C. Place Stadium.

16 Apr 2025 18:53:56

CBC Calgary

Disappointed Flames come up short in bid for playoffs

Despite coming from behind to win yet again on Tuesday night, the red-hot Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention. ...
More ...Vegas Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague (4) and Brett Howden (21) check Calgary Flames' Joel Farabee (86) during third period NHL hockey action in Calgary on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Despite coming from behind to win yet again on Tuesday night, the red-hot Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention.

16 Apr 2025 15:57:45

CBC Edmonton

3 dead, 2 severely injured in collision northeast of Edmonton

Three people are dead and two others are severely injured after a collision between a semi-trailer truck and a minivan near St. Paul on Tuesday afternoon.  ...
More ...Close up of a vehicle.

Three people are dead and two others are severely injured after a collision between a semi-trailer truck and a minivan near St. Paul on Tuesday afternoon. 

16 Apr 2025 15:05:25

CBC Edmonton

I lean centre-left. But as a gun owner, I feel my only choice is the Conservatives

Patrick Osborne is frustrated by the federal Liberals’ gun control measures, arguing they unfairly target law-abiding Canadians like himself while doing little to reduce gun violence in the country. ...
More ...A man wearing beige clothes and a blue cap points a gun on a gun range.

Patrick Osborne is frustrated by the federal Liberals’ gun control measures, arguing they unfairly target law-abiding Canadians like himself while doing little to reduce gun violence in the country. As a gun owner, he’s looking for a party that understands his perspective.

16 Apr 2025 08:00:00

CBC Edmonton

It took 7 years to get my family to Canada. I'm unsure if any party truly supports immigrants

Yasmeen Awadh is a proud Canadian who sponsored her family successfully to also move to Canada. Whether it was Stephen Harper’s bill to distinguish between naturalized and Canadian-born citizens or ...
More ...A smiling family poses for a photo in a kitchen.

Yasmeen Awadh is a proud Canadian who sponsored her family successfully to also move to Canada. Whether it was Stephen Harper’s bill to distinguish between naturalized and Canadian-born citizens or the housing crisis facing newcomers under Justin Trudeau, she has reservations about how genuinely federal parties care about the plight of the newcomers.

2 weeks ago

Election Update - Week 2
The Orchard

Election Update - Week 2

From now until the election day, the Orchard will be releasing weekly election update podcasts with a different guest each episode. The entirety of each election update episode will be free for anyone ...
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From now until the election day, the Orchard will be releasing weekly election update podcasts with a different guest each episode. The entirety of each election update episode will be free for anyone to listen to or watch.

Joining me this week is MacEwan University communications professor and freelance journalist .

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2 weeks ago

CBC Edmonton

Marco Arop goes wire-to-wire, winning 800m on final day of Grand Slam Track in Jamaica

Marco Arop powered to victory in the Grand Slam Track 800-metre race at the organization's inaugural event in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday. ...
More ...A men's runner reacts after finishing a race.

Marco Arop powered to victory in the Grand Slam Track 800-metre race at the organization's inaugural event in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday.

2 weeks ago

CBC Calgary

'Special to the world': Supporters petition to save Drumheller, Alta., dinosaur

A decision to dismantle Tyra the Tyrannosaurus, known as the world's largest dinosaur, has drawn public backlash and a petition to save the structure has more than 20,000 signatures. ...
More ...a large model of a dinosaur is seen from a distance in a small town

A decision to dismantle Tyra the Tyrannosaurus, known as the world's largest dinosaur, has drawn public backlash and a petition to save the structure has more than 20,000 signatures.

2 weeks ago

CBC Calgary

Conservatives target supervised consumption sites, NDP promises rent control

A Conservative government would ban any new supervised consumption sites from opening, while also making it harder for existing sites to operate, as leader Pierre Poilievre provided in greater detail ...
More ...A man stands at a podium with other people standing behind him.

A Conservative government would ban any new supervised consumption sites from opening, while also making it harder for existing sites to operate, as leader Pierre Poilievre provided in greater detail Sunday his approach, if elected, to a form of harm reduction he has repeatedly condemned.

2 weeks ago

CBC Calgary

Brad Jacobs leads Canada to world men's curling bronze for its 4th straight medal

Canada's Brad Jacobs defeated China's Xiaoming Xu 11-2 on Sunday to win the bronze medal at the world men's curling championship in Moose Jaw, Sask. ...
More ...Canadian curlers Brad Jacobs Ben Hebert, Brett Gallant and Marc Kennedy celebrate after winning their bronze medal match against China at the world men’s championship at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on April 6, 2025.

Canada's Brad Jacobs defeated China's Xiaoming Xu 11-2 on Sunday to win the bronze medal at the world men's curling championship in Moose Jaw, Sask.

2 weeks ago

CBC Edmonton

Sexual predator Lance Blanchard denied parole in decision that finds 'no gains' in addressing risk

With Blanchard's seven-year parole ineligibility period now over, the Parole Board of Canada says he can't be safely managed in the community, and has refused to engage in recommended sex offender pro ...
More ...A man looks into the camera.

With Blanchard's seven-year parole ineligibility period now over, the Parole Board of Canada says he can't be safely managed in the community, and has refused to engage in recommended sex offender programming.

6 Apr 2025 12:00:00

CBC Calgary

Some small Alberta villages say voting themselves out of existence may be a path to prosperity

There are two fewer villages in Alberta this year and a third may soon emerge. Caroline and Halkirk are now hamlets within their respective rural municipalities, while Delia is set to vote on its futu ...
More ...A welcome to Delia, Alta. is shown.

There are two fewer villages in Alberta this year and a third may soon emerge. Caroline and Halkirk are now hamlets within their respective rural municipalities, while Delia is set to vote on its future later this month.

6 Apr 2025 11:00:00

CBC Calgary

How much greener did Canada's homes get? Report takes a closer look at federal rebate program

The federal government provided $2.6 billion for heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and other green upgrades to Canadians' homes through the Canada Greener Homes Grant. But did it make enough of a d ...
More ...A man with grey hair, wearing a grey sweater stands next to a grey heat pump

The federal government provided $2.6 billion for heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and other green upgrades to Canadians' homes through the Canada Greener Homes Grant. But did it make enough of a difference? A new report takes a closer look.

6 Apr 2025 08:00:15

CBC Edmonton

Foundation launches database of BIPOC maternal health professionals

An Edmonton-based foundation is launching a first-of-its-kind resource to connect new mothers with culturally-appropriate health professionals for the BIPOC community. The Mesh of Mothers Foundation h ...
More ...Millicent Asiedu laughs while speaking about the Mesh of Mothers Foundation.

An Edmonton-based foundation is launching a first-of-its-kind resource to connect new mothers with culturally-appropriate health professionals for the BIPOC community. The Mesh of Mothers Foundation has over 150 practitioners in their new database and is looking to expand across Canada.

6 Apr 2025 02:58:00

CBC Calgary

Calgary-based team falls to Scotland, will play China for bronze at world curling playdowns

Brad Jacobs and his Calgary-based team dropped a 7-4 semifinal decision to Scotland's Bruce Mouat on Saturday at the Temple Gardens Centre. ...
More ...Male curler stands on ice with broom in one hand and other hand up near face.

Brad Jacobs and his Calgary-based team dropped a 7-4 semifinal decision to Scotland's Bruce Mouat on Saturday at the Temple Gardens Centre.

6 Apr 2025 00:33:50

CBC Edmonton

Science Olympics inspires next generation of engineers

For more than 40 years science enthusiasts from grade 1 through 12 have gathered for the science olympics. Hundreds of curious and creative students have been working on their projects for months, hop ...
More ...Students at the APEGA Science Olympics, in matching red shirts, shows off their project.

For more than 40 years science enthusiasts from grade 1 through 12 have gathered for the science olympics. Hundreds of curious and creative students have been working on their projects for months, hoping to take home the top prize.

6 Apr 2025 00:25:38

CBC Edmonton

Alberta's emergency pediatricians are sounding the alarm over long wait times

Nearly 30 of the province's emergency pediatricians are calling on the government to address long wait times for children in hospitals. They say the system is chronically underfunded, and as Ishita Ve ...
More ...A doctor in a white coat holds a stethoscope to a Black toddler.

Nearly 30 of the province's emergency pediatricians are calling on the government to address long wait times for children in hospitals. They say the system is chronically underfunded, and as Ishita Verma reports, doctors are having to do more, with less.

5 Apr 2025 23:24:37

CBC Edmonton

Jasper preps for slower summer tourism, as it continues recovery from 2024 wildfire

Jasper, Alta., is preparing for summer tourism, as the town continues to recover from a monster wildfire that ripped through last July. ...
More ...A woman looks outside a park gate building window.

Jasper, Alta., is preparing for summer tourism, as the town continues to recover from a monster wildfire that ripped through last July.

5 Apr 2025 22:18:51

CBC Calgary

Singh promises more doctors, Carney supports the trades, Poilievre vows to cut red tape

Jagmeet Singh promised to hire more doctors Saturday, while Mark Carney announced measures for trades workers and Pierre Poilievre pledged to cut red tape. ...
More ...A man with a beard stands in front of several flags.

Jagmeet Singh promised to hire more doctors Saturday, while Mark Carney announced measures for trades workers and Pierre Poilievre pledged to cut red tape.

5 Apr 2025 16:54:16

CBC Calgary

Crossfield rallying to end Alberta's Hockeyville title drought

As voting wraps up on Saturday to crown the next Kraft Hockeyville, Crossfield is bidding to claim Alberta's first grand prize in more than a decade.  ...
More ...The front of an arena is pictured. A large sign reads "Pete Knight Memorial Arena."

As voting wraps up on Saturday to crown the next Kraft Hockeyville, Crossfield is bidding to claim Alberta's first grand prize in more than a decade. 

5 Apr 2025 15:31:29

CBC Edmonton

Oilers' Draisaitl expected to return from injury 'well before' playoffs

Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl is "out short term" but should return "well before" the playoffs begin after sustaining a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks Thursday night, says head ...
More ...A male ice hockey player wearing number 29 touches his face with his left glove while looking to his right during a stoppage in a game.

Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl is "out short term" but should return "well before" the playoffs begin after sustaining a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks Thursday night, says head coach Kris Knoblauch.

5 Apr 2025 14:50:18

CBC Edmonton

The most important election of our lifetime? These Albertans say it's high stakes

People of all political stripes are weighing the stakes of the upcoming federal election as they make their choice for who Canada should have at the helm in the midst of the U.S. trade war. CBC asked ...
More ...A collage of election related images.

People of all political stripes are weighing the stakes of the upcoming federal election as they make their choice for who Canada should have at the helm in the midst of the U.S. trade war. CBC asked Albertan voters, experts, and businesses if this election feels different.

5 Apr 2025 12:00:00

CBC Calgary

Group saves native plants from being bulldozed, gives them 2nd chance in Fish Creek Park

A Calgary group is leading the effort to restore native plants to Fish Creek Provincial Park — by rescuing them from private development sites. ...
More ...A woman wearing a brown coat and glasses is pictured on her knees, bending toward a cluster of red plastic cups filled with soil.

A Calgary group is leading the effort to restore native plants to Fish Creek Provincial Park — by rescuing them from private development sites.

5 Apr 2025 11:00:00

CBC Edmonton

DNA test introduces Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., man to half-cousin and part of his family history

Brenda Schofield and Mervin Chicksi discovered they were half-cousins in 2023 after submitting their DNA to an ancestry website. Schofield visited the North for the second time late last month. ...
More ...A man and a woman standing next to each other.

Brenda Schofield and Mervin Chicksi discovered they were half-cousins in 2023 after submitting their DNA to an ancestry website. Schofield visited the North for the second time late last month.

5 Apr 2025 08:00:00

CBC Edmonton

Edmonton piano teacher facing new sexual offence charges involving a child: police

An Edmonton piano teacher, who was already facing sex charges involving a 10-year-old girl, is now facing charges involving another child, police say. ...
More ...A close-up of an Edmonton Police Service patch with the police crest on the shoulder of a police officer.

An Edmonton piano teacher, who was already facing sex charges involving a 10-year-old girl, is now facing charges involving another child, police say.

4 Apr 2025 23:31:38

CBC Calgary

City committee approves new communities for Calgary's outskirts as population grows

Calgary is one step closer to getting four new communities on the city’s outskirts, after a city committee approved four applications for council to consider during budget adjustments in November. ...
More ...Default Headline Image - News

Calgary is one step closer to getting four new communities on the city’s outskirts, after a city committee approved four applications for council to consider during budget adjustments in November.

4 Apr 2025 23:19:46

CBC Calgary

Canada's Jacobs beats Austria to clinch top seed at men's curling worlds, secure Olympic quota spot

The Canadian team skipped by Brad Jacobs ticked a few boxes with its victory Friday afternoon at the BKT World Men's Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask. ...
More ...A male curling skip representing Canada delivers a stone with his right hand.

The Canadian team skipped by Brad Jacobs ticked a few boxes with its victory Friday afternoon at the BKT World Men's Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask.

4 Apr 2025 22:37:58

CBC Calgary

Family of Stoney Trail hit-and-run victim offers 'heartfelt thanks' to those who tried to save her

The woman who was killed on Stoney Trail as Good Samaritans tried to save her life has been identified as Heather Brent, 57, a registered nurse from Calgary.  ...
More ...A smiling woman with short blonde hair.

The woman who was killed on Stoney Trail as Good Samaritans tried to save her life has been identified as Heather Brent, 57, a registered nurse from Calgary. 

4 Apr 2025 21:18:55

CBC Calgary

Global crude prices plunge, dragging down Canadian energy stocks

Fears of a tariff-driven recession have led to a steep drop in the price of crude oil, walloping Canadian energy stocks and stoking worry about the sector's outlook should the weakness persist. ...
More ...2 oil pumpjacks with blue sky and 2 clouds behind them

Fears of a tariff-driven recession have led to a steep drop in the price of crude oil, walloping Canadian energy stocks and stoking worry about the sector's outlook should the weakness persist.

4 Apr 2025 20:06:11

CBC Calgary

Alberta's top doctor should be given green light to speak publicly on measles, health experts say

As the spread of measles shows no sign of slowing in Alberta, some health experts are calling for stronger public health messaging and are questioning why the province's top doctor isn't front and cen ...
More ...a bespectacled man speaks at a lectern while a woman looks on. Canadian and Alberta flags in the backdrop.

As the spread of measles shows no sign of slowing in Alberta, some health experts are calling for stronger public health messaging and are questioning why the province's top doctor isn't front and centre.

4 Apr 2025 19:45:36

Alberta Views

March 31-April 4, 2025

Monday, March 31: The Ministry of Children and Family Services announced it would stop funding the Child & Youth Support Program. The program primarily provided financial and me ...
More ...

Monday, March 31: The Ministry of Children and Family Services announced it would stop funding the Child & Youth Support Program. The program primarily provided financial and medical benefits to children whose parents or guardians are unable or unwilling to care for them.


March 31: After Alberta Health Services (AHS) cut funding for “nourishment” for hospital and ER outpatients in late March, an upset Calgary mother posted on Facebook that the Children’s Hospital had denied her 11-year-old son, who has brain cancer, his usual post-treatment ginger ale or popsicle. An AHS memo said the cut would “improve efficiency” and that patients can use vending machines. On March 31 Health Minister Adriana LaGrange responded to the Facebook post, saying the information was “incorrect or being misrepresented.”


Tuesday, April 1: Andre Tremblay, interim president and CEO of AHS, announced that AHS would not proceed with the changes to food policy in ERs and other non-inpatient areas.


April 1: Premier Danielle Smith celebrated the removal of the federal consumer carbon tax and the average of $215 in fuel savings and $480 in home heating savings a year for Alberta families the move represents. The consumer carbon tax rebate, also removed April 1, previously provided a family of four with up to $1,800 a year via quarterly tax-free payments.


Wednesday, April 2: Premier Smith responded to President Donald Trump’s announcement of new, sweeping global tariffs, calling the lack of new tariffs on Canada “an important win for Canada and Alberta.” Tariffs on Canadian cars, steel and aluminum remain in place.


April 2: AHS released a health advisory about a confirmed measles case in Lethbridge. As of the announcement, the province has recorded 24 cases of measles.


Thursday, April 3: The United Nurses of Alberta, representing over 30,000 nurses, reached a four-year deal with the province representing a pay increase of around 20 per cent by 2028.


Friday, April 4: After Reform Party founder Preston Manning wrote in a Globe and Mail op-ed that “a vote for the Carney Liberals is a vote for Western secession—a vote for the breakup of Canada as we know it,” Liberal leader Mark Carney replied at a news conference. “I think such dramatic comments are unhelpful at a time when Canadians are coming together,” he said, adding that he grew up in Edmonton. “I’m part of a government that governs for all of the country, and very much for the West.”


April 4: Statistics Canada’s March 2025 Labour Force Survey showed that Alberta was one of only two provinces where employment fell from the month prior, and that Alberta now ranks fourth in unemployment in the country with a rate of 7.1 per cent. The decline is largely found in manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade.


 

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The post March 31-April 4, 2025 appeared first on Alberta Views.

4 Apr 2025 19:18:32

CBC Calgary

Calgary filmmaker dreams up a big gay Bollywood wedding in new rom-com

Queer films were a catalyst for Roshan Sethi's coming out. Now, the doctor-turned-director has made his own with A Nice Indian Boy. ...
More ...A man wearing an orange suit and a scarf stands in from of a clapping crowd.

Queer films were a catalyst for Roshan Sethi's coming out. Now, the doctor-turned-director has made his own with A Nice Indian Boy.

4 Apr 2025 18:28:13

CBC Edmonton

Carney calls Preston Manning's Western independence comments 'dramatic'

Liberal Leader Mark Carney says he governs for all of Canada and called prominent conservative Preston Manning's comments on Western independence "dramatic" during a campaign stop in Montreal on Frid ...
More ...Liberal leader Mark Carney responds to a question during a campaign stop on Friday, April 4, 2025 in Montreal.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney says he governs for all of Canada and called prominent conservative Preston Manning's comments on Western independence "dramatic" during a campaign stop in Montreal on Friday. 

4 Apr 2025 15:38:22

CBC Edmonton

Alberta's plan to manage inactive oil wells now leaves taxpayers off the hook

A new version of a government-commissioned report about Alberta's inactive oil wells and what to do about them now says the province should manage a new insurance fund, rather than backstop it with ta ...
More ...An oil pumpjack operates at night beneath the northern lights.

A new version of a government-commissioned report about Alberta's inactive oil wells and what to do about them now says the province should manage a new insurance fund, rather than backstop it with taxpayer funding.

4 Apr 2025 15:11:50

CBC Edmonton

Liberals drop Rod Loyola as Edmonton candidate with less than a month to go before polls open

The Liberals have dropped Rod Loyola as an Edmonton-area candidate in the federal election race, the latest dismissed from party ranks since the campaign began. ...
More ...A man in a grey suit with a blue background.

The Liberals have dropped Rod Loyola as an Edmonton-area candidate in the federal election race, the latest dismissed from party ranks since the campaign began.

4 Apr 2025 14:05:19

CBC Edmonton

Affordability, health care crucial election issues for seniors

Seniors enjoying karaoke night at Edmonton's Norwood Legion told CBC what matters to them in the upcoming federal election. Their issues? The cost of living, pension security, affordable housing and t ...
More ...William MacInnis shares his concerns regarding the upcoming federal election while attending karaoke night at the Norwood Legion in Edmonton.

Seniors enjoying karaoke night at Edmonton's Norwood Legion told CBC what matters to them in the upcoming federal election. Their issues? The cost of living, pension security, affordable housing and top-notch health care.

4 Apr 2025 06:30:00

Shootin’ The Breeze

Dry horizons: a focus on the source of our water

Opinion Lorne Fitch — Lethbridge, AB A local politician opened a conference on water with what he thought was a witty observation. He said he wasn’t sure why the conference was being held since w ...
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Opinion

Lorne Fitch — Lethbridge, AB

A local politician opened a conference on water with what he thought was a witty observation. He said he wasn’t sure why the conference was being held since water is basically colourless, odourless and tasteless and didn’t evoke much enthusiasm on his part since it is so commonplace. There was muted applause.

Water is part of our language and holds a unique place in the tapestry of metaphors: a drop in the bucket, a sea of trouble, drowning in work, a flood of emotions, and a wave of relief. In the span of a daily conversation, one of many water metaphors will rise to the surface or float past you.

Despite being an integral part of our language and communication, water lies below the surface of our sensibilities. When that happens we can become all dried up. That’s the tone and tenor of an essential message about water and where it comes from.

All of us need to learn more about our water — maybe something new, reactivate something we knew but forgot — and, most importantly, understand the implicit need to protect the headwaters from which most of our water comes. One essential message is that the Eastern Slopes provide the rest of Alberta with over 80 per cent of our water.

Call the Eastern Slopes our headwaters, the water towers, the rain barrels, the essential taps or just the well, there is a growing recognition the well is running dry. Or, at least the headwaters are not acting as they once did, as a reliable and predictable source of water. The past does not adequately reflect the future.

The reasons are varied for that reality. Climate change is resulting in significant modifications in how much water the Eastern Slopes receive, how it is received, as snow or rain, how it is stored, the changing seasonality of water delivery, and the nature of wicked, unpredictable storms. Climate change also is priming the forests for more and bigger fires that change the nature of the absorptive sponge tree cover represents.

Our human land-use footprint in the Eastern Slopes continues to grow, especially the extent of logging and roads. This exacerbates the effects of climate change. The cumulative effect of this footprint changes how the headwaters respond to water delivery from rain and snow. Water has less time to soak into the shallow groundwater aquifers, runs off faster, causes more erosion, and leaves us with less water later in the season. A large land-use footprint provides a double whammy of flooding and drought.

As the amount of water declines, we need to be doing much more to steward what we have. Rather than treating our headwaters as warehouses to be ransacked, we need to engage in planning efforts to define what we want the Eastern Slopes to be and do for us. We had the template for that in the 1970s with the Eastern Slopes Policy, which defined watershed protection as the primary directive. This crucial direction has been ignored for the past five decades.

We need to get back to the future with a sense of restraint, reclamation, and critical management to reduce and repair the footprint of over five decades of industrial-strength land use like logging, and longer with the legacy of coal mining. 

Blind boosterism and benign neglect will not take us into a desirable future. The Eastern Slopes are temples for water, not just a place to unsustainably extract other resources. That recognition might start to prepare us for a dry horizon.

The Eastern Slopes aren’t just our headwaters, they are so for much of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Alberta is a headwaters province with responsibility and obligation to our fellow downstream Canadians.

Without water we will all return to cosmic dust. It’s that simple. Knowing this now might create a trickle of understanding, a wash of concern and a river of change to get us out of a mudhole of complacency.

 

Shootin’ the Breeze welcomes submissions about local issues and activities. Personal views expressed in Mailbox items are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Shootin’ the Breeze ownership and staff. Mailbox articles include letters to the editor, op-eds, news releases and notes from our readers.

The post Dry horizons: a focus on the source of our water appeared first on Shootin' the Breeze.

2 Apr 2025 18:00:37

CBC Edmonton

Multiple collisions, poor driving conditions prompt partial closure of Whitemud Drive

A large section of a major road in Edmonton has been closed due to collisions and wintry weather. ...
More ...Cars driving with visible snow.

A large section of a major road in Edmonton has been closed due to collisions and wintry weather.

28 Mar 2025 03:09:18

CBC Calgary

Speeding, noise pollution targeted by Calgary's new traffic safety team

A new 12-month pilot program will see peace officers more closely monitor and educate on traffic safety around Calgary. ...
More ...A new Traffic Safety Team is launching in Calgary, as part of a 12-month pilot program, to respond to concerns around speeding and noise violations on residential roads around the city.

A new 12-month pilot program will see peace officers more closely monitor and educate on traffic safety around Calgary.

28 Mar 2025 02:31:28

CBC Edmonton

Red Deer overdose prevention site set to close after judge rules against extending injunction

Justice C.A. Rickards of Court of King’s Bench denied a request by Aaron Brown, a man with opioid use disorder, to keep the OPS open beyond March 31.  ...
More ...Mental Health and Addictions Minister Dan Williams said Red Deer's overdose prevention site will be closed starting Tuesday.

Justice C.A. Rickards of Court of King’s Bench denied a request by Aaron Brown, a man with opioid use disorder, to keep the OPS open beyond March 31. 

28 Mar 2025 00:42:43

CBC Edmonton

Fear of measles has some Alberta parents taking precautions, seeking early vaccination for infants

The fear of measles has some parents with infants in Alberta looking for ways to avoid exposure and take advantage of early vaccination opportunities. ...
More ...A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is shown on a countertop

The fear of measles has some parents with infants in Alberta looking for ways to avoid exposure and take advantage of early vaccination opportunities.

28 Mar 2025 00:01:24

CBC Calgary

Two new measles cases reported in Alberta's central zone

With the discovery of two new measles cases in central Alberta, the virus has now found its way into all five of the province's health zones. ...
More ...A baby's foot showing symptoms of measles is held by adult hands.

With the discovery of two new measles cases in central Alberta, the virus has now found its way into all five of the province's health zones.

27 Mar 2025 23:35:30

CBC Calgary

Top Conservative strategist says Poilievre needs to urgently pivot or he will lose

One of the country's top Conservative strategists who just helped Ontario Premier Doug Ford win a sizable majority government says Pierre Poilievre urgently needs to make a pivot and start talking mor ...
More ...Kory Teneycke

One of the country's top Conservative strategists who just helped Ontario Premier Doug Ford win a sizable majority government says Pierre Poilievre urgently needs to make a pivot and start talking more about the issue voters care about most — the U.S. threat — or he risks losing the federal election.

27 Mar 2025 22:24:57

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