Alberta This Week (Your Voice For Choice)
July 26 - August 1, 2025
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 - Recall, Reclaim, Rebuild
Bringing you a little bit of Alberta History. Immigrants settled this country, but the Alberta Government has always wanted the right kind of immigrants. Three waves of farmers came to Canada from Oklahoma, and one group settled in Amber Valley. When the government of the day saw this, it stopped them from coming to Alberta and getting homesteads. The ones who were already here stayed. It was a thriving community near Athabasca. They added to all the communities around them. Some of the best baseball players who attended the summer community picnics (and came out the winners) came from Amber Valley. There are so many stories of communities being enriched with the different cultures who live there. Let’s celebrate our differences and learn from each other!
Upcoming Events: See our short three-page ABR Resistor for Updates about upcoming events.
Measles Tracker - We now have the highest number of Measles Cases in the world, and to think it was almost eradicated 50 years ago. https://www.alberta.ca/measles We are up to 1,656 cases so far in Alberta.
We will repost information on Athana’s case when there is an update.
ABR Spotlight - At the bottom of the newsletter, we take a look at the ABC Party in Calgary's Municipal Elections. The previous two weeks have focused on Edmonton’s two Parties - PACE and A Better Edmonton Party. Next week, we will look at Calgary’s Communities First Party.
UCP on the Road Again
It’s August, and off we go again to the States after Trump announced 35% tariffs on Canada. They are gone from August 2 to August 7. Five whole days. Smith has to do something to keep those who don’t have a portfolio on her side. You are paying for this, Alberta.
MLAs Angela Pitt, Glen Van Dijken, and Chelsae Petrovic - Parliamentary Secretary for Health Workforce Engagement
They are traveling to Boston, Massachusetts, this time to participate in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
I missed the memo where Alberta is a State Legislature. Anyone else a bit confused by all of this?
While there, they will:
Participate in meetings and roundtables at the NCSL annual summit, including a gathering of the NCSL Agriculture Task Force and a session titled “Building Bridges: 50 Years of NCSL’s Global Partnerships.”
Host key U.S. decision makers at an Alberta government reception.
The UCP will have taken 49 trips and will have been out of Alberta for 216 days since January 1, 2025. Alberta taxpayers have paid for it.
The legislature will be sitting again on October 27, 2025 - That’s 86 days/55 working days from August 1, 2025 (Still more than teachers are off for the summer)
The UCP Caucus is down 2 members and is now at 46. There are 38 NDP MLAs and 2 Independents. If we recall 5 more MLAs we can change this government. Stay tuned for more information.
Ex-UCP MLAs to join, rebrand Alberta Party instead of rebooting Progressive Conservatives from scratch | CBC News
Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair are joining the Alberta Party and rebranding it.
Peter Guthrie has been kicked out of the caucus.
Scott Sinclair has been sitting as an independent since the budget came out.
VIDEOS (there are three this week)
The closing of the Debate: A Northern Perspective with comments. This is who supports Poilievre. If you live in this riding, please get out and vote. It doesn’t have to be Bonnie, but exercise your democratic right.
Crazed & Confused: CBC Pick Bonnie Critchley Ends with a Rant While PPC Candidate Freezes on Stage
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair shares why Trump’s criticism on foreign policy interferes with Canadian sovereignty.
Trump’s criticism of Canada’s foreign policy is a ‘direct attack on Canadian sovereignty’ | Mulcair
This is a long one, about what the US can do to recover from Trump’s administration, and we felt there were lessons in here for Albertans. Even some things we can put into practice today. Robert Reich tells it like it is.
Throwback
From April 2017
After Charlottesville, police and activists look to counter Alberta's extreme right
Alberta's far-right has a long history — and it's growing
A Message from ABR (Alberta Resistance)
Recalls: We are moving closer to a Recall for Change in Calgary Bow and Calgary North West. We would love to hear from you if you are interested in standing up a Recall in your riding. Contact us at: abresistance2027@gmail.com
Build Community: Albertans need to work together to educate and build community.
Town halls will be starting up; watch for one in your area. The Separatists and the Far right, like TBA (Take Back Alberta), are well-organized and have lots of money. (The Breakdown on X is sharing an audio with Dennis Modry’s voice from the APP saying that the US will give the separatists a $500 million loan to separate from Canada - we are not going to become the 51st state right away https://x.com/TheBreakdownAB/status/1948532405431861349 We need to counter that with information and community. Be a part of the change. See our ABR Resistor Update
There are several opportunities to attend rallies and protests this week.
Join our Facebook page or a group in your area that is sharing events, information, and ideas on how to spread the word.
If you want to be part of the group Forever Canada, the link to sign up for information or to collect signatures is here: ForeverCanada.ca
Petitions are out, Canvassers are out. They are looking for your signatures. Check out our Facebook page for locations and times. If you are going to be out in a public place collecting signatures, let us know so we can post it. If you can, join in this activity and promote Forever Canadian.
Knowledge: A couple of interesting links we found this week:
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.
Keeping this one here: The Province has launched another - you guessed it - PANEL Alberta Next Panel. They have scheduled a series of town halls, and you can sign up for them 2 weeks before the event. There is also a survey attached that has you watch a video and then answer 2 - 4 questions. None of the answers allow for any negative feedback, but if you answer the questions, there is an opportunity for you to put in your opinions.
(They only win if we give up!)
Wins this week -
We are working with other groups to show up at peaceful demonstrations around the province. For details, see our ABR Resistor Update.
AB Resistance pays for expenses solely through donations. If you would like to donate to our cause, please etransfer 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.
ABResistance has a “Speaker Series” - check it out on our webpage SPEAKER SERIES - AB Resistance. We are taking the month of July off (unless something emergent comes up) and will be back in August with some new topics. We are also posting the videos on Substack, and you can access them here on YouTube: @abresistance.ca (some nice ab work out videos may show up as well)
We have a merch store! Check out our t-shirts and hoodies.
AB Resistance Merch @ odd-i-tees
It’s been a week! Let’s get started!
Saturday, 26
Alberta Government
It's not looking good, 4 stories from last week that highlight the AB government's missteps.
The Week in Alberta Politics: It’s Not Looking Good | The Tyee
Oil Sands Expansion Hasn’t Brought the Prosperity Alberta's Leaders Promised - DeSmog
Immigration
At Alberta Next Panel meetings, Smith is saying that immigration is adding to Alberta’s problems, and then there is this…. From July 20, 2025, they must be the right kind of immigrants.
Alberta invites hundreds of foreign workers in the most recent immigration draws | CIC News
Sunday, 27
Education
Alberta’s government is working with front-line experts to make classrooms safer for students and teachers.
Aggression and complexity in the Schools Action Team - 25 people. The breakdown is - Catholic School boards - 6, Public School Boards - 10
Charter Schools - 1, Francophone - 1, AB Ed - 1, ATA - 1 School Board Chairs - 3, Office Staff Directors - 4 (Superintendents - 5, Teachers - 5, Ed Assistant - 1)
Chairs Chief Supt. CBE Joanne Pitman and Asst. Dep Minister Alberta Ed. Zoe Cooper. The fact that private and charter schools have a seat at the table when Public Education is under fire with more Admin than frontline workers as part of the frontline experts, tells you it is more about validating underfunding Public Schools and frontline workers, teachers, and EA’s.
Procurement Scandal
MHCare is calling again for the government to release the AHS Procurement investigation.
MHCare renews calls for government to release AHS procurement investigation
Separation
Alberta referendum question sent to the King's bench for a ruling.
Constitutionality of potential Alberta separation referendum question put to judge | CBC News
Monday, 28
AUPE Negotiations
President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Nate Horner issued the following statement about negotiations for government workers represented by the AUPE:
Government worker negotiations: Minister Horner
Oil and Gas
Alberta pays the unpaid rent for oil companies in Alberta. That’s $150 million of taxpayer money!
Alberta covered $150M in oil and gas companies’ unpaid rent | The Narwhal
Parks
Alberta is floating a watercraft pass idea so that boaters have to pay to boat.
Boaters want to drown the new Alberta 'watercraft pass' idea
Restorative Justice
Applications are now open for the Alberta Restorative Justice Grant.
Tuesday, 29
Agriculture
Alberta’s government is investing $1.3 million to strengthen the health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience of the province’s rangelands.
Sustaining Alberta’s rangelands
Danielle Smith
An Op-Ed, the one bird Danielle Smith is most like… it’s Edmonton’s official bird, I am not sure why she doesn’t like us here in Edmonton.
Forest Bathing in Edmonton
Edmonton offers a new program that lets you connect with nature.
New program from the City of Edmonton that lets you connect with nature
Health Care
EMS Overtime up 81% since 2021. The Government’s solution - cancel overtime.
‘System in crisis’: Edmonton EMS overtime up 81 per cent since 2021
Literacy/Books
Library books aren’t the threat; censorship is.
Opinion: In Alberta schools, books aren’t the threat — censorship is | Edmonton Journal
MAGA Christian rocker
Alberta is allowing Sean Feucht to perform at the Legislature Band Shell. Note, he has had his performance licenses cancelled in several other Canadian cities.
Lorne Gunter: Don't go if you don't like Sean Feucht | Edmonton Journal
Police
On April 6, 2019, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was assigned by the Director of Law Enforcement to investigate an RCMP shooting causing injury in Eckville. ASIRT’s investigation showed that, during a stolen property investigation, an RCMP officer shot an occupant of a vehicle in the cheek. (This happened 6 years ago, and they are just charging him now???)
Retired RCMP officer charged with aggravated assault
Referendum question
Smith and Amery ask the EA Chief to withdraw his request for King’s Bench to review the separation referendum question.
Alberta Premier’s request for separation referendum question approval rebuffed
Wednesday, 30
Conservative Government in Alberta
An Op-Ed on how the conservative coalition is collapsing in Alberta.
Alberta’s conservative coalition is collapsing
Education
Alberta’s government continues to invest in more school spaces now with the 2025-26 school year on the horizon.
More classroom spaces on the way | Un plus grand nombre de places en salles de classe à venir
Federal By Election
Not all candidates showed up for the debates.
'Pierre's riding to lose': Candidates in Alberta byelection get together for debate
Forever Canadian
Petition for referendum to ensure Alberta remains a part of Canada gets approval, and the guidelines are outlined.
Petition for referendum to ensure Alberta remains in Canada approved by Elections Alberta | CBC News
Smith is upset about the petition approval.
Health Care
Alberta announces regulatory college for health care aides
Rural health-care aides question impact after Alberta announces regulatory college
Human Trafficking
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir, Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton, and co-chair of the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons Paul Brandt issued the following statement on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons:
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: Joint statement
Indigenous Relations
Lac La Biche County Councillor in trouble for comments towards First Nations.
Alberta county councillor blasts First Nation
Oil and Gas
Canadian subsidies for oil and gas. Why?
Oil and gas subsidies in Canada, explained | The Narwhal
Tariffs
This is the court case that could stop Trump’s Tariffs.
This is the court case that could kneecap most Trump tariffs | CBC News
Waste Water
Alberta’s government is investing $50 million to upgrade Airdrie’s wastewater system, helping meet growing infrastructure demands driven by rapid population growth.
Expanding wastewater services in Airdrie
Thursday, 31
AUPE
Agrees to mediation
The AHS GSS Essential Services Agreement is complete, we have filed for mediation | AUPE
Bike Lanes Calgary
Once again, the UCP steps out of its lane to tell Calgary to get rid of bike lanes.
Bell: Danielle Smith vs. Gondek on Calgary bike lanes — mayor retreats
Education
Edmonton Public Schools hires a new Superintendent.
New superintendent of Edmonton Public Schools readies for potential teachers' strike
Gender Based Violence
Alberta is advancing its 10-year strategy, Building on Our Strengths, by investing in programs that help men and boys prevent gender-based violence.
Breaking the cycle of gender-based violence | Briser le cycle de la violence fondée sur le sexe
Health Care
Who could have predicted this result? (note the sarcasm) Patients who go to clinics that charge fees get better care according to an audit (they really audited this - the UCP wanted to justify clinics charging fees, another step towards privatization.)
Alberta audit suggests patients paying clinic membership fees get more thorough care
Company pitches private medical schools as a solution to the doctor shortage in Canada.
Company pitches private medical schools as solution to doctor shortage
MLAs travel to the US
MLAs will push for a barrier-free trade relationship between Alberta and U.S. partners while at the National Conference of State Legislators in Boston, MA, from Aug. 2 to 7. FYI, Alberta is not a Nation. Keep your eye on the ball. The government wants to destabilize the negotiations between Canada and the US.
Advocating to unleash our nation’s economic power
Municipal Elections
Former UCP candidate is running for Mayor in Fort McMurray.
Ex-UCP candidate Zulkifl Mujahid running for RMWB mayor | Fort McMurray Today
Police
On July 27, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate an RCMP shooting in Lac La Biche that happened earlier that day.
RCMP officer dragged while trying to stop the driver of a stolen vehicle.
Political Party
The Alberta Party rebranding and pivot to the PC's
Guthrie outlines PC party pivot plans - Cochrane News
Recycling
Alberta invests nearly $50 million in recycling.
Alberta invests nearly $50 million in recycling | Meridian Source
Red Tape
Alberta’s government is reducing red tape for agriculture organizations so producers can spend more time doing what they do best: putting food on tables across Alberta.
Cutting red tape, cultivating growth
Research
The Research Capacity Program’s Small Equipment Grant ensures Alberta’s universities have what they need to fuel the next generation of innovation and research.
Supporting innovation research
Separatist lawyer
Jeffery Rath, the separatist lawyer who visited the US on behalf of Alberta separation, has been reprimanded and fined $10,000 by the law society.
Alberta separatist lawyer reprimanded, ordered to pay $10K in costs
Sports and Tourism
Alberta will host the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Tour and Women’s Series, welcoming 200 of the world’s top athletes.
Triple threat, FIBA 3x3 is a slam dunk for Alberta
Water
Communities and businesses can now spend more time restoring watersheds and less time filling out government forms.
Northern Alberta Municipality declares farm disaster due to drought, government approves water-guzzling data center plan.
Alberta Municipality Declares Farm Disaster Due to Drought, Approves Water-Guzzling Data Centre Plan
Friday, 1
Agriculture
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement recognizing Food Day Canada in Alberta:
Celebrating Food Day Canada: Minister Sigurdson
Business
An insulation and metal cladding contractor has been fined $210,000 related to a workplace death.
Company fined for workplace fatality
Coal
Alberta's old coal mines are contaminating rivers and lakes
Alberta's old coal mines contaminating rivers and endangering fish, study finds | CBC News
Health Care
A great Op-Ed that explains what is happening in health care by 3 experts.
Opinion: When ideology trumps evidence in health care, everyone pays | Calgary Herald
Oil and Gas
Alberta seeks input on potentially replacing marked fuel with a tax exemption on clear fuel. Marked fuel is provided to eligible purchasers at a partially exempt tax rate of four cents per litre when vehicles are used for farming purposes or in unlicensed off-road equipment. This includes industries such as agriculture, oil and gas, and forestry.
Unmarked potential: Consulting on fuel tax rules
Sports and Tourism
Alberta’s government will welcome international volleyball teams to the Men’s U21 Pan Am Cup.
Alberta serves up the Pan American Cup
Tariffs
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement upon the July 31 U.S. tariffs announcement:
Premiers Smith and Moe are disappointed by Trump tariffs and encourage Carney to remove countermeasures.
Wild Fires
Wildfire activity is set to increase this weekend. Albertans are urged to take precautions to prevent wildfires caused by human activity.
Update 18: Alberta wildfire update (Aug. 1, 3 p.m)
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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)
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,
Alberta Municipalities News
News from the Municipalities - has an update on bills being passed.
Alberta Conservative News
Municipal and School Board Elections - October
Election News - If you are wondering who is running, and what party they represent, as we move into a new political space in Municipal Politics
Calgary - Sprawl - Calgary Candidate Tracker for Municipal Elections
Edmonton - Troy Pavlek - Who’s running in Edmonton’s Municipal Election?
List of all candidates running in the Edmonton Municipal and School Board elections. Running as a Candidate in the 2025 Edmonton Election
We will be breaking this down in future issues as the nomination processes get completed.
Alberta Government Links
Here is a link to the assembly website, with a calendar of upcoming events at the Legislature and a list of all the bills this government has passed, as well as bills in progress. Please note that all the UCP members have voted to support these bills.
Legislative Assembly of Alberta Assembly Dashboard - Has links to each day’s events at the Legislature. The legislative sitting is done from May 15 until October 27, 2025, so 165 days off from the Legislature, and they complain about Educators and other public employees.
The Government is making its news announcements user-friendly. Here is the non-government branded version.
Here is the government version.
If you have events coming up in your area or have a group you would like to promote, email us at abresistance2027@gmail.com
Hansard - The Alberta Government Hansard
Hansard Transcription
Calgary Municipal Political Parties:
Calgary First Up ABC - A Better Calgary Party
An article about how the Calgary Municipal Parties split in a spat over candidates.
Calgary municipal parties split in spat over candidates
A Better Calgary (ABC) announced it has been certified by Elections Calgary as a municipal political party, with candidates confirmed in seven of Calgary’s 14 wards in October’s election.
So far, those candidates are Gordon Elliott in Ward 1 (Unofficial), John Garden in Ward 2, John Grant Barron (withdrawn) in Ward 4, Anthony Ascue in Ward 7 (Unofficial), Tony Dinh in Ward 9, Mike Jamieson in Ward 12, and Keener Hachey in Ward 14.
Thank you to the Sprawl, whose write-ups on the candidates we have included in their descriptions.
A Better Calgary
John Garden - Ward 2
John Garden (@john_garden) / X - Alberta, Canada. Staunch supporter of oil and gas. Not a climate alarmist! Calgary, Alberta,
http://johngarden.ca/
John Garden (A Better Calgary Party)
Official Candidate
Garden is the president and CEO of Ellisboro Energy, a Calgary oil and gas company. He is also a freelance engineer with Ulysses Engineering, an oil and gas project management company. Garden has said he is running to get answers from Calgary’s city council and mayor regarding their decisions.
Mike Jamieson - Ward 12
Official Candidate
Jamieson ran in Ward 11 in the 2021 election, finishing fourth. He has worked as a project manager for Calibre Construction and Coverco Buildings, and has sat on the UCP boards of Ric McIver and Tanya Fir. Jamieson says recent councils have been “disasters” and the council needs to focus on core services instead of “radical ideologies and pet projects.”
Keenan Hachey - Ward 14
Keener Hachey (A Better Calgary Party)
Official Candidate
Hachey has worked as a senior systems analyst and software developer since moving to Calgary in 1991. He campaigned for the UCP in the most recent provincial election and sits on the UCP’s Calgary-Fish Creek board of directors. Hachey is calling for lower taxes and an organizational review of all city departments “to effectively ascertain where wise cuts should be made.”
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Unofficial Candidates
These people are listed, but they are not on the A Better Calgary Party Page.
Gordon Elliot - Ward 2 President of the ABC Party
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gord-elliott-72a52b19/
Gord Elliott (A Better Calgary Party)
Unofficial Candidate
Elliott is the president of A Better Calgary Party. A veteran political campaigner and retired engineer, he worked in Calgary and Red Deer for NOVA Chemicals. A member of the federal and provincial conservative parties, he has served on the board of directors of the Conservative Party of Canada for seven years. He has also sat on boards of the UCP and the Wildrose Party.
Anthony Ascue (A Better Calgary Party) Ward 7
Anthony Ascue (A Better Calgary Party)
Unofficial Candidate
Ascue is the CEO and co-owner of Wild Rose Property Solutions, offering renovation and janitorial services for businesses. He is also a member of the Calgary Renovation Contractors Association, which works to connect businesses and homeowners with construction professionals. Ascue describes himself as an entrepreneur who wants to ensure local small businesses are represented in the city council.
Tony Dinh - Ward 9
Unofficial Candidate
Dinh ran for Ward 10 councillor in 2021, where he finished third. He campaigned on issues such as increasing green spaces, safe, accessible transit, supporting small businesses, and increasing mental health supports. He is currently the CEO of Mount Royal Capital, a real estate development company. On his Facebook page, Dinh describes himself as a “common-sense conservative” who wants to bring accountability back to City Hall.