Alberta This Week (Your Voice For Choice)
January 3 - January 9, 2026
This is YOUR resource - Share any links here on social media to educate others! - “Your Voice For Choice.” Welcome to your Non-Partisan Information Source of Alberta News - Mainly, we collect the news from around the province, Canada, and the world that affects Alberta!
(If you have a picture you would like to share for our newsletter, please send it to abresistance2027@gmail.com with your name. It helps differentiate it from the other newsletters.
Hospitals and EMS are on :
https://www.change.org/p/alberta-s-ems-crisis-call-to-action (there is something you can do in the link)
We are nine days into the New Year, and the news cycle feels like it has been three months.
The news about ICE in the States killing a woman (another person was killed in another part of the US as well). This is paired with the Alberta Next Panel recommendation that Smith continue to roll out her Alberta Police Service with no say of the citizens of Alberta. Measles cases are still ongoing, Emergency Rooms Are operating at 120% capacity, and people are feeling like they’ve hit the lottery if they get a chair to sit in. You can’t get an ambulance if you need one. Classrooms are still overcrowded and underfunded. The separatists are collecting signatures (they are not being kind or just ignoring the canvassers on #Fund Public Schools or the #Recalls), and the Premier is in Panama (someone should really write a book about that.) There is a lot going on in Alberta: Let’s get started…
If you are new to us or want to check on how the health system is doing, links to other News, Legislature links, videos, etc. they will be available after this segment.
Some Actions you can take:
Protect the CPP for seniors in Canada. Closes March 9, 2026
Tell the federal government to take steps to protect the CPP in light of the Alberta government’s actions.
House of Commons e-6990 Protecting CPC
Keep Alberta schools secular
Tell Alberta’s Education Minister to retract the Christian holiday letter
https://win.newmode.net/abxmasletter
Stop Two-Tier Healthcare
Prime Minister Mark Carney Must ACT Now
https://notwotier.ca/canadahealthact
Trans Rights are Human Rights. Closes Feb. 14, 2026
A Petition asking the federal government to override the anti-trans legislation in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Security Clearances
All Federal, Provincial, and Territorial office holders should have a security clearance.
Let’s get to the News.
It’s been a week! Let’s get started!
The links are in alphabetical order by day, so you can check out the areas you are interested in.
Saturday, January 3,
All-Season resort: Tourism and Sports - a former ski resort, Fortress Mountain, plans to reopen as an all-season resort.
Election: Smith says no spring election in 2026.
Justice: Vandalism in Edmonton is costing $2 million.
Mental Health and Addiction: Opinion: recovery, not consumption, is Alberta’s path forward.
Municipalities: Calgary’s water system is under strain with the water main break.
Separatists: Sturgeon Cree Nation petitions the courts to stop the Separatists’ question.
Technology: New AI Data Center in Peace River proposed. Have your say: Government of Canada link
Sunday, January 4,
Education: Will this $11 million investment in reading tests be helpful? There are concerns related to the validity and reliability of the tests, how they were developed, and their instructional value. Critics also raise concerns over the lack of teacher consultation and involvement, the additional time teachers will need to administer and score the tests, and whether the test results will change teaching and learning practices. (Later this week the ATA releases their survey about the tests)
Health Care: Alberta Flu death totals rise.
Municipalities: Update on the Bearspaw South water feeder main break.
US Relations: Is Venezuela a warning for Canada?
Monday, January 5,
Affordability and Utilities: Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf will travel to Montana to further strengthen cross-border energy ties.
Advanced Education: U of A raising tuition for graduate nursing program by 75%. They cut funding for affiliated child care centers on campus and increased the President’s hospitality expenses by 290%.
Education: Hundreds of school buses across Alberta are not running due to snow.
Energy: Danielle Smith pushes pipelines as Trump moves on Venezuela.
Alberta Premier says Maduro’s capture emphasizes the need for an Alberta West pipeline.
Canadian energy stocks tumble because of the US takeover of Venezuela.
How Venezuela’s oil may affect Alberta and Canada.
Smith interview on City News - pipelines in all directions.
Federal Government: Freeland to step down in the coming weeks to take on the position of Ukraine’s economic advisor.
Health care: Corrupt Care/ Procurement Scandal article updating this event.
More flu deaths and hospitalizations, but new cases have likely reached their peak.
Edmonton is the frostbite capital - amputation numbers don’t include those situations where fingers and toes fall off.
Health care workers are moving to Canada from the US.
Indigenous: Minister of Indigenous Relations Rajan Sawhney issued the following statement on National Ribbon Skirt Day:
Jobs, Economy, Immigration, and Trade: Calgary restaurant owners get jail terms for treatment of foreign workers.
Mental Health and Addictions: Two more Alberta supervised consumption sites shut down in 2025. They plan to close Calgary’s in the New Year.
Municipalities: Lethbridge mayor interview.
Lethbridge mayor sets sights on recruiting doctors to settle in southern Alberta city
Police/Sheriffs: Two charged after a shotgun was found in the trunk during a traffic stop.
There were fatal collisions due to winter weather conditions.
Charges laid against teen in fatal collision in May.
Fatal vehicle crashes spike in December.
Separatist Referendum: Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation sues to stop the separatist referendum.
Tuesday, January 6,
Education: Book ban, Alberta school divisions remove more books from libraries. They are not releasing a list of titles. A newly enacted provincial order on school literary materials prompted some Alberta school divisions to remove a couple of dozen books from school shelves, but the names of those titles are secret. As of Monday, Jan. 5, schools must also arrange ways for parents and guardians to see what materials are in school libraries and in classroom collections.
Energy: Alberta launches a webpage for the proposed Northwest Coast Pipeline.
Will Trump’s Venezuela raid help Danielle Smith get her pipeline?
There is a glut in the oil markets; will they stay there?
Federal Relations: Carney says Freeland’s resignation is consistent with Ukraine’s role.
Health Care: Corrupt Care Scandal deepens.
Safe consumption sites cut crime.
Jobs, Economy, Immigration, and Trade: The end of hybrid work - full-time office return starting.
Municipalities: Canmore scales back the vacancy tax to affect only non-Albertans
Police/Sheriffs: Opinion - Citizens don’t make a distinction between crime and social disorder.
Edmonton police lay more charges in motorcycle gang probe.
Nearly 1,000 tickets were issued in Alberta over the holidays.
Recall: The Education Minister’s recall is short of votes. IF you can sign, please make an effort to do so.
Social Services: AISH/ADAP Alberta’s new disability benefits program fails the fairness test.
A primer on Alberta AISH medical review panels.
Transportation: WestJet has reconfigured its planes, leaving passengers with less legroom. Most passengers don’t like what is happening.
Wednesday, January 7,
Order Approved – January 7, 2026 Orders in Council
Alberta’s Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No. 2) (Bill 26, SA 2024 c16), which received Royal Assent on December 5, 2024.
Section 9(3) of this Act amends the Health Professions Act (RSA 2000, c H-7) by adding sections 1.92 and 1.93 to it. These added sections impose restrictions on gender-affirming medical treatments (specifically hormone therapy, including puberty suppression and hormone replacement therapy) for minors (under 18) in the context of treating gender dysphoria or gender incongruence.
Here are the key details:
Section 1.92 (as added) prohibits regulated health professionals (e.g., physicians) from prescribing certain Schedule 1 drugs (or other specified drugs) to a minor for hormone therapy related to gender dysphoria or gender incongruence, unless it is done in accordance with a Ministerial Order under section 1.93.
Section 1.93 provides the Minister with the authority to make orders setting out exceptions or conditions under which such prescriptions may be allowed.
Education: School boards take more books off library shelves re: Alberta Education bill
Red Deer schools had none of the books on the banned list in their shelves.
Energy: Rethinking pipelines, should Canada invest in refineries instead?
Federal: Canadian word for 2026 “resiliency.”
Health Care: Alberta’s government is investing $3.25 million, matched by the Glenrose Hospital Foundation, to build a new therapeutic pool at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
First responders rise to donate blood.
Cancer deaths are rising worldwide. There are environmental factors that you can control. Stop smoking, healthy eating, and cutting back on sugar intake.
Municipalities: Alberta Emergency Alert re: the water main break.
How much does it cost to clear Edmonton streets?
Social Services: Wetaskiwin to get a permanent homeless shelter, Hope Mission.
Police/Sheriffs: Edmonton Public Transit gets 15 more peace officers to patrol.
Water: First Nations chiefs worried about the feds’ lack of commitment to protect source water.
Thursday, January 8,
Arts, Culture and the Status of Women: Two rare, luxury vehicles are racing to the Reynolds Museum as the newest additions to its classic car collection.
Arena Explosion: The Taber Rink explosion was caused by a propane leak.
Advanced Education: The President of the U of A’s expenses. $506,901.01
Corrupt Care: Who knew what? When?
Canada Census: This is happening this year, 32,000 jobs up for grabs.
Economy: Canadian exports rose 2.1% in October.
Education: Government report confirms teachers’ concerns about mandatory testing.
Employment: Canada’s unemployment rate dropped 0.4% in November. It was at 6.5%
NAIT employees to take a strike vote.
Energy: Alberta’s budget relies on oil; we may be looking at lower oil prices and more cuts.
An Alberta budget crisis? It may be closer than you think - The Hub
Trump’s Venezuela oil grab is pushing Chinese refiners to Canada | Calgary Herald
Federal: Poilievre’s support for Maduro’s arrest undermines the international rule of law.
MP Garnett Genius did not tell the truth about the reason his event was cancelled at York University. Used as a reason for his supporters to disparage the University.
Healthcare: Primary Care: A medical outpatient unit within the UofA has been moved several times due to overcrowding in the Emergency Department.
Alberta measles cases
Acute Care: Doctors call on the Alberta government to call a State of Emergency.
Alberta Medical Association details overcapacity of Alberta hospitals. They are 120% capacity/
EMS not available, an Edmonton man drives an injured stranger to the hospital himself. Police were called and showed up, but they did not help load the man into the vehicle; the good Samaritan had to do it himself.
Municipalities: Delayed inspections, risk of more ruptures.
Police/Sheriffs: Edmonton has budgeted for 30 more Peace Officers to work in the transit area. 15 are starting work this month.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) continues to investigate an incident in which a man was injured while in the custody of the High Level RCMP.
Recalls: Citizen-led petitions are shaping Alberta’s political landscape.
Separatism: Danielle Smith’s separatist games come at a dangerous time.
United States: Is Trump’s attitude influencing what is happening here in Alberta? He sees himself as the arbiter of any rules the US follows nationally and internationally.. What stop gaps do we have in Alberta?
Friday, January 9,
Affordability: Auto insurers lost $1.2 billion in 2024.
Agriculture: Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement about proposed amendments to the federal livestock traceability regulations: Federal traceability regulations: Minister Sigurdson
Education: Nicolaides says he wants to build trust, yet he is going after an Edmonton school board re: the book “Flamer”
Does the privatization of education in the US have any parallels to Alberta?
Elections Alberta: David Parker says he has no intention of paying the fines levied by EA, claims they will be dropped.
Employment: The Canadian economy added 8,200 jobs in December.
More people were looking for jobs in December. Unemployment rate up to 6.8%
Employees seek thousands in missing wages.
Energy: Alberta’s former Energy Minister says the chance of building a pipeline is zero unless the Alberta government backs it.
Federal: Freeland’s resignation shakes up the Liberals’ hold on government.
Since the Liberation Day (Tariff intro by the US), Canadian job growth has outpaced the US.
Conservatives to debate policies on DEI, abortion, and MAID at Polievre’s Calgary leadership convention.
Healthcare: An 84-year-old woman with a broken hip waited outside for an hour for an ambulance to come.
Alberta’s overcrowded hospitals need system-wide fixes. Siloing them, dual practice, ordering your own tests, none of that will fix what is happening. Listen to the experts.
Municipal: Calgary City Council was not told there were concerns about the Bearspaw feeder line in 2017.
Tapping out: Why Calgarians might not be cutting water use during this latest crisis.
Edmonton office vacancy rates are down; one of the reasons might be the conversion of offices to apartments and condos.
Olympics: Canadian women relying on connection to continue their winning style
Separatists: Are very prepared to canvas as their movement gets underway.
The Second First Nation files suit against Alberta’s independence movement.
Alberta’s independence would go terribly wrong.
Western alienation has declined in the last four years.
Social Services/Municipalities: Libraries like Red Deer’s are changing their focus to support the community. Red Deer is hiring people who have soft skills in dealing with people.
Water: glaciers: Western Canada glaciers suffer ice loss in Western Canada.
Wildlife: Fireguards to protect residents also offer wildlife benefits.
EXTRAS: This is where you will find all of our information that appeared first in our previous newsletters. New video and article links that we have found, links to health dashboards in Alberta and
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WE have heard there is some confusion about our purpose. We are here to help Albertans recall their MLAs if they are not acting in your best interests. Here is a slide show that outlines how recalls work. ABResistance.ca Recalls As part of our process, we started sharing information through our newsletters and research articles, as well as building community.
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Upcoming Events: See our short three-page ABR Resistor for Updates about upcoming events:
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Links for Health Information:
Measles Tracker - We now have the highest number of Measles Cases in the world, and to think it was almost eradicated 50 years ago. Thanks in part to Alberta, Canada has lost its Measles Eradication Status. https://www.alberta.ca/measles We are up to 2014 cases (up 7 from last week) so far in Alberta. This is the highest per capita measles count in all of North America (possibly the world). Unfortunately, we have more measles cases. There were questions in the legislature about 2500 measles cases in Alberta in 2025… Apparently, some cases were not officially reported??
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Drug stores are administering COVID vaccines for an Alberta government administrative fee of $100 + a dispensing fee.
Here is a map you can check for availability.
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Respiratory Dashboard - Here is a link to Alberta’s respiratory virus dashboard - including RSV, Flu, and COVID-19 cases. The influenza rate has dropped from last week to 29.4%
COVID-19, RSV, and Flu wastewater testing: Check out the major population areas in Alberta here: COVID TRACKER
Canada COVID Tracker: Wastewater monitoring dashboard – Respiratory virus activity
If you live in the country, you may want to check this out if you need to go to an Emergency Room. Alberta AHS Facilities Temporary Service Disruption website AHS Facilities Temporary Bed / Space Reductions - Map | Alberta Health Services. (36 hospitals have had some closure either their ER or Obstetrics unit or both since the beginning of January.)
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UCP Travels: Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities (yes, the one with an inactive recall), was off to Helena, Montana, for Business Days at the Capitol from Jan 5 - Jan 7. Here is the agenda: Montana Chamber Final Agenda, Business Days at the Capitol. There doesn’t look like much there for Alberta.
Here is a link to the 2026 calendar, Legislative Assembly of Alberta *Days in yellow are the days they were at the Legislature.
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* There are 26 Recalls - 24 are against UCP MLAs, one of which may be sketchy, and 2 against NDP MLAs - So half of the UCP constituencies are being canvassed for recalls.
The UCP Caucus has 46 members. There are 38 NDP MLAs and 1 Alberta Tory Party MLA, and 1 Independent MLA.
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If you want to support a party in Alberta, here are the links:
Alberta Progressive Tory Party Memberships: Membership - Alberta Party
NDP Memberships: Membership EN | Canada’s NDP
The UCP is having its annual general meeting in Edmonton this year.
UCP Memberships: Membership - United Conservative Party of Alberta
Liberal Party memberships: https://www.albertaliberal.com/membership
Republican Party of Alberta: https://albertarepublicans.com/actionhub/membership/
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Is My MLA a Separatist:
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Here is our list of money wasted up to
+ August 2025: HOW THE UCP IS COSTING ALBERTANS BILLIONS OF $$$.docx
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Some Articles we found that you might be interested in.
Canada’s sovereignty: Canada looks to bolster Arctic Security Sovereignty.
COVID-19 Information: More links from around the world that talk about the impact of COVID-19.
Long COVID may be fueled by inflammation and tiny clots | ScienceDaily
COVID-19 onset linked to rise in fall-related deaths at home for seniors.
Alberta’s Health Care Emergency - shared by Dr. Raj Sherman
Corrupt Care Scandal:
Information on Sam Mraiche and the Corrupt Care Scandal.
The separatists’ website for signing - who is threatening Alberta’s freedom, you ask? I had the same question.
They are asking canvassers to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Nothing suspicious here…
George Orwell’s observation and quote on why history repeats itself:
Videos:
Ryan Jespersen, President of the Alberta Medical Association, and Dr. Brian Wirzeba
Ryan Jespersen’s exclusive Athana Mentzalopoulus interview.
Energi Media Venezuela is being invaded by the US Markham Hislop
Should Canada be Worried About Trump’s Invasion of Venezuela?
Danielle Smith is Quiet About Trump’s Invasion of Venezuela. Why?
Nate Pike and the Breakdown. If you haven’t found this yet, it is well worth it!
For Your Information:
Tenant Support Edmonton
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Other Alberta News you can check out:
Alberta News - Keeping Albertans Informed
Alberta Views puts out a weekly synopsis of happenings in Alberta: This week’s version. (The Week in Alberta archives)
None this week
The Tyee puts out a weekly round-up of happenings in Alberta - Check it out.
A round-up of this week’s Tyee Alberta stories. They are a non-profit; if you can afford to donate to this amazing news source,
Calgary’s The Sprawl - Slow News for curious Calgarians
Alberta Municipalities News
News from the Municipalities - has an update on bills being passed.
Alberta Conservative News
Alberta Government Links
The Legislature’s sitting has been extended two weeks: They will be on break from December 11, 2025, until February. They have not released the 2026 calendar yet.
The Government is making its news announcements user-friendly. Here is the non-government branded version.
Here is the government version.
Hansard - The Alberta Government
Hansard Transcription
Legislative Assembly
Here is the sunshine list document for Alberta.
Here are the MLA payouts for wages/expenses for 2024 - March 31, 2025
If you have events coming up in your area or have a group you would like to promote, email us at abresistance2027@gmail.com
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If you are new here, you may find this interesting.
A Message from ABR (Alberta Resistance)
Recalls: We are up to 24 approved recalls, collecting signatures.. OperationTotalRecall.ca has all the details on their page for you to check out who is recalled, what the recall websites are (to register as canvassers and to find out where to sign petitions) WE are doing it, Alberta - Together.
Build Community: Albertans need to work together to educate and build community. Finding your people is important. We are starting to host Zoom meetings and setting up to connect people in communities across Alberta.
Town halls like the Accidental Advocate and Friends of Medicare are hosting Dr. Paul Parks. The Separatists and the Far right, like TBA (Take Back Alberta), are well-organized and have lots of money. We need to counter that with information and community. Be a part of the change. See our ABR Resistor Update.
Join our Facebook page or a group in your area that shares events, information, and ideas on how to spread the word.
The Public Funds for Public Education campaign is off and running. At the Legislature on Thursday, there were canvassers with petitions and smiles! Each one of us can make a difference. Sign up to canvass here:
https://abfundspublicschools.ca/
or sign the petition; every signature counts.
If you haven’t joined our webpage yet, please do. We are sending out newsletters specifically for different areas of Alberta to get support for recalls. There are many jobs you can do. If you join our volunteer list, I will invite you to our “Recall Connect” group so you can connect directly with recalls that are looking for assistance.
Knowledge:
Talk to your friends and share what you know. Watching the Socials, we see more outrage and anger about what is happening to Health Care, Education, Social Services, and the Environment in this province. These areas affect everyone! It’s time to speak up.
(They only win if we give up!)
Wins this week -
We are continuing to work with other groups to show up at peaceful demonstrations around the province. For details, see our ABR Resistor Update.
AB Resistance is a small group of volunteers that pays for expenses solely through donations. Hosting town halls, printing, paying for websites, and social media software all cost money. If you would like to donate to our cause, please transfer to abrdonate@gmail.com. We are a third-party advertiser, which means we report to Alberta Elections. When you donate, please include your name, address, and postal code in the message. The question is “What province do we live in? = Alberta, even if you don’t live here. It makes it easier for our CFO to accept your money. Thanks to everyone who has already donated. You can now sign up for our Substack. We will be publishing extra articles that uncover what the government is doing. By joining, you help us to fund townhalls, print materials, and get the word out to the public.
ABResistance has a “Speaker Series” - They are coming! January Speaker Series Line up is: Dr. Jared Wesley, Nigel Banks, and Corb Lund with Laura Lang. We are not sure of the exact dates, so stay posted.
There are more being posted as we get them ready, so keep checking our YouTube channel, and we will post them in the newsletter as well (See the video section)
We have a merch store! Check out our t-shirts and hoodies.
AB Resistance Merch @ odd-i-tees *****************************************************************
Just posted a deep‑dive teaser on how foreign powers weaponize America’s internal chaos:
https://substack.com/@geopoliticsinplainsight/note/c-198193128