Alberta This Week (Your Voice For Choice)
June 14 - June 20, 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
Events:
Thank you to everyone holding weekly protests at their MLA’s office on the weekends. Medicine Hat and Red Deer! Week 19
If you have been following our newsletter, you know that former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired from AHS for investigating government contracts with private surgical groups and the procurement of acetaminophen (Turkish Tylenol) from overseas, as well as PPE. To find out the truth, this case needs to be brought to court. We want the truth! Albertans deserve the truth. She needs money to fight back. Check out this video. It's a righteous cause you would be supporting. Let's do it! We Are Stronger Together! ❤️
Update May 23: Athana has been sued for $12 million by former Smith Chief of Staff, Marshall Smith, for alleged defamation of character.
Update May 29: Athana was in court because the Province wanted her to reveal what evidence she had shared with the RCMP and with the Auditor General. The AG had a special intervenor's status to stop the Government lawyers from getting that information before the case goes to court.
Update June 13: Athana has asked for the courts to settle her wrongful dismissal suit quickly. The Breakdown is releasing some of the emails that outline the amount of money that the UCP paid in the procurement scandal, over $1 billion to MH Care and the Private Surgery Groups. It all points to Jitendre Prasad as the procurement officer for AHS. (See last week’s newsletter for the screen grabs)
Update June 24: The court has blocked the Auditor General from receiving two emails from Athana. He has asked for extra money and support to continue the investigation, including legal advice. Auditor general granted $1M more for private surgical contracts probe | CBC News
Here is a CHAT GPT dive into the procurement scandal and what some repercussions might be.
Robots predict UCP Investigation, and eventual Dismissal of charges — OWL NEWS
The longer the UCP is in charge, the more damage can be done, not just healthcare, but all levels of education, social assistance, renewable energy, infrastructure, affordability - everything!!!!
The UCP knew what was going on, and they tried to cover it up! $1 billion that could have gone to improving health care. This does not include the 10 private nursing agencies that are receiving premium dollars to supply nurses to Alberta Health, while trained nurses in Alberta are looking for work and can’t get hired by Alberta Health.
ABR Spotlight
We are going to look at some articles on Oil and Gas
Oil Wells
The number of orphan wells in Alberta that are abandoned.
'A lost opportunity': Alberta has to give back $137 million to the Federal Government because it didn’t use it to clean up oil wells.
Old, inactive oil and gas wells are a much bigger problem than previously thought.
UCP Caucus Travels: Everyone is back in Alberta - The UCP is participating in a series of townhalls this week.
The UCP has taken 35 trips and has been out of Alberta for 166 days since January 1, 2025. Alberta taxpayers have paid for.
The UCP Caucus is down 3 members and is now at 45. There are 36 NDP MLAs, 2 Independents, and 3 vacant seats. (The 3 by-elections are Monday, June 23, 2025
Peter Guthrie has been kicked out of the caucus.
Scott Sinclair has been sitting as an independent since the budget came out.
Nathan Cooper (Speaker) - resigned and will move to Washington in June as Alberta’s emissary. (IF you are interested in seeing the number of foreign offices Alberta has, check the Freedom Strategy below - We list the offices and the Albertans employed there)
The UCP has called by-elections in three ridings.
The UCP has nominated Darby Crouch to run against Naheed Nenshi in the Edmonton Strathcona Riding -
The UCP Nominated Tara Sawyer for Olds-Didsbury. The NDP candidate is Bev Toews - Alberta’s New Democrats Nominate Bev Toews for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills By-Election. The Alberta Republican Party is nominating Cam Davis as their leader to run in this riding.
The UCP nominated Naresh Bhardwaj as their candidate for the Edmonton-Ellerslie. The NDP has nominated Gurtej Singh Brar.
If you live in a constituency where your MLA is a UCP backbencher, there is something you can do. Check out this video.
The UCP Backbencher Phone Book - feat. MLA Marlin Schmidt - YouTube
Videos of The Week
Canada vs the US
Are Harper's Religious Beliefs guiding Alberta and Saskatchewan?
Throw Back - None this week.
A Message from ABR (Alberta Resistance)
Recalls: are moving closer to a Recall for Change in Calgary Bow and Calgary North West.
Build Community: Albertans need to work together to educate and build community.
Townhalls 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. We need to counter that with information and community. Be a part of the change.
Knowledge: A couple of interesting links we found this week:
Calgary Indigenous Gathering Place. We are all Treaty people.
Charlie Angus shared a quote that inspired us.
We know these have passed, but we can still share our opinions on them. Bills 53, 54, 55 Status:
Passed Royal Assent on May 15, 2025. outside of the House sitting
Comes into Force: on proclamation with exceptions SA 2025 cC-21.5
Link to a letter you can forward/modify re: Bills 53, 54, and 55.
Do Albertans still have avenues to protest Bills 53, 54, and 55 in Alberta?
(They only win if we give up!)
Wins this week -
By-elections have been called in 3 constituencies. Voting day is June 23, 2025. If you know people in those constituencies, please share some of the information you have learned. - The UCP is for Oil and Gas, People are not their priority. We need to look out for each other.
We are closer to recalls in Calgary Bow, Nicolaides, and Calgary North West, Sawhaney - if you want to/can volunteer, please let us know at info@abresistance.ca. We need people in Bow and the North West. Even if you don’t live there, we have jobs you can do. We can support anyone who wants to do a recall in their constituency. Our website has a recall package that will show you the steps to doing a recall.
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.
ABResistance has a “Speaker Series” - check it out on our webpage SPEAKER SERIES - AB Resistance. (Our page is still migrating to the new site)
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! (There are a lot of government announcements on their Alberta News Webpage - possibly to take the pressure off of Coal and the Health Procurement scandal)
Saturday, 14
Education
Schools call for HVAC updates to deal with too hot and smoky schools, instead, they get book bannings.
Opinion: Our kids' schools are too hot and too smoky for learning | Calgary Herald
Health care
$135 million worth of wasted medical products influenced Smith to charge for COVID-19 vaccines.
Sunday, 15
COVID 19
Alberta Premier defends charging Albertans for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Monday, 16
COVID vaccines
Alberta Doctors advocate for the COVID-19 vaccine in the fall.
Health Care Unions and Doctors advocate for Alberta to continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines
The Alberta Government has stated that Albertans will have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The majority of Albertans will have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine - Red Deer Advocate
Pharmacists speak out against restricted access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Calgary pharmacists speak out against restricted access to the COVID-19 vaccine
Smith says Alberta’s new COVID policy is not about saving money or cost recovery.
Federal politics
MP Kurek resigns so that Poilievre can run.
Conservative MP resigns Alberta seat where Poilievre will run in byelection | Globalnews.ca
TBA
Take Back Alberta refuses to pay Elections Alberta Fines.
Take Back Alberta facing collection notice as it appeals $112K in Elections Alberta fines
Wildlife
The Alberta Government didn’t use scientific evidence to open up cougar hunting in Alberta.
Alberta cougar hunting increases ‘not based on science’: docs | The Narwhal
Tuesday, 17
COVID Vaccinations
Smith cites the US failure policy to denounce the COVID-19 vaccines.
Premier Smith in lockstep with U.S. 'failure of policy and science' | Calgary Herald
Health-care unions call for Alberta to reverse plans and make COVID-19 available to all Albertans.
Health-care unions call for Alberta to reverse plan to limit free COVID-19 vaccines | CBC News
Smith is looking to save money by limiting access to COVID-19.
Employment
A new mission: helping heroes find civilian success
Helping veterans find civilian success
Federal Government
Canada voted the most positive leader on the world stage.
Canada is named the most positive leader on the world stage
Federal MP steps down so Poilievre can run in Alberta
G7
What happens if Alberta separates? No more G7s in Kananaskis.
Braid: Testy G7 summit in Kananaskis stopped short of blow-up — and made Alberta look gorgeous
Health Care
Alberta is decentralizing decision-making to the hospital level.
Alberta Health is decentralizing decision-making.
Oil and Gas
Alberta is investing up to $50 million from the TIER fund into new technologies to help reduce oil sands mine water and reclaim tailings ponds.
Alberta is offering $50 million to develop new technologies for tailing ponds.
Oil and gas tailings ponds
Alberta announces new challenge aimed at transforming tailings ponds
Wednesday, 18
The APP Survey has finally been released after a two-year delay. Surprise, the majority of Albertans don’t want an APP.
Alberta releases its pension survey results,63% opposed to leaving CPP | Edmonton Journal
Health Care
There is no plan to run healthcare in the province - we have four entities, 7 corridors, and multiple hospitals - they will all be vying for resources. What could go wrong?
Vaccines
There is a call for the government to subsidize or cover the seniors' shingles vaccine.
Experts call on Alberta to make shingles vaccine accessible to seniors | Calgary Herald
Calgary
Calgary's liability ranking drops from 5th to 18th under the UCP.
Calgary’s livability ranking drops significantly amid health-care ‘strains’: report
Alberta Publicity Office
Smith now controls the communications office. Giving her 228 employees and $38 million to add to her budget.
Alberta government PR branch moved under the Premier’s Office
Thursday, 19
Hospital-based decision making - on the road to contractors taking over hospitals?
Hospital-based decision making raises privatization fears, hope for efficiencies | CBC News
Environment
A rockslide happened in Banff.
One dead after rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park
Taxes
Income tax cut coming in July.
Alberta's promised income tax cut is coming in July — here's what you need to know
Friday, 20
AIMCo
Restructuring and hiring are ongoing. Harper is still the chair of the board.
AIMCo seeks new CIO amid push to expand Calgary office
Education
Nicolaides announces 16 new Collegiate programs for Alberta Schools
Alberta government to fund 16 new collegiate programs for career preparation | CBC News
First Day of Summer
Sunshine Village welcomes the first day of summer with snow
How voters in rural conservative ridings feel about the Three Hills byelection
How voters in rural conservative heartland wrestle with Alberta separatism | CBC News
Oil and Gas
Dormant oil and gas wells are more of a problem than previously thought.
Measles
Alberta babies have been born with measles.
Alberta babies have been born with measles due to outbreaks, worrying doctors | CBC News
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Have a great week, everyone, and remember - “We Are Stronger Together!”
Remember to check in with each other, get enough sleep, and continue to apply pressure to the UCP. We need 4 more MLAs to sit as Independents, and Smith no longer has a majority. We also need 3 by-elections called. Keep the pressure on!
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Alberta News - Keeping Albertans Informed
Our latest find: Alberta Native News
Alberta Views puts out a weekly synopsis of happenings in Alberta: This week’s version.
Alberta Views June 14 - 20 Alberta government to charge for COVID-19 vaccine
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 Edge News and Insights from the Tyee June 14-20 (The Dangerous Role of Separatist Delusions)
Catherine Griwkowsky publishes AB Today. It is one of Alberta’s leading political newsletters and routinely breaks news. You can read some of our biggest scoops below, but to get all of our daily coverage, you have to subscribe. View a sample newsletter here. She shared pictures of the papers that Peter Guthrie tabled in the legislature re: Corrupt Care.
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, 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.
What can you do to make some “Good Trouble” this week? Check out:
Calgary and Area
Edmonton and Area
If you have events coming up in your area or have a group you would like to promote, email us at info@abresistance.ca
Education
Public education in Alberta faces several significant challenges. These issues reflect systemic problems impacting students, teachers, and the overall quality of education.
ATA Report on Issues at Schools.
Health Care
From the Government’s perspective
FACT SHEET: Health System Refocus Legislative Amendments
Dr. Parks' interpretation taken from X/Twitter (We have put the information into a pamphlet you can print and share if you wish)
Wow. You the best! Thank you! Don't forget egale and Skipping Stones win for yrans kids!