Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press

Alberta is fundamentally changing how it funds hospital surgeries, but critics say the change won't improve the public system and will only accelerate more care in the privatized system.

Premier Danielle Smith announced Monday a new "activity-based" model is on the way, to be implemented for some surgeries in 2026. The model ties public funding to the number and type of procedures performed.

Smith said the program will drive costs down by fostering competition among public providers and those who perform publicly funded procedures in private clinics.

Alberta’s government is taking another step toward giving municipalities the option of ditching the RCMP in favour of a new provincial police service.

Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis says an independent Alberta service could step in to help address concerns he's heard about the Mounties' staffing shortages and rising costs.

If passed, a proposed bill would mean a new agency must operate under a Crown corporation that would be at arm's length from the government.

The head of Alberta Health Services says the agency is halting a proposed food-reduction policy after public outcry over patients potentially being cut off from snacks and drinks.

The agency's interim president and CEO, Andre Tremblay, said the policy was set to go into effect Tuesday to change how food is stored and delivered in an effort to reduce waste -- not to deprive patients of food.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's efforts to defuse an escalating trade war with the United States should be commended.

Moe's comment comes as Smith heads to Florida for an event at an undisclosed location with a far-right U.S. influencer who has mocked Canada as a "silly country" and spoken about it being annexed as the 51st state.

Amid continued tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, Moe says Smith is one of Canada's strongest advocates.

Mounties in Alberta have launched an investigation following a complaint regarding the province’s front-line medical care provider, Alberta Health Services.

RCMP won’t provide details, but the investigation follows allegations from the agency's former CEO that there was high-level arm-twisting, possible conflicts of interest, political interference and corruption in multimillion-dollar health deals.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions Wednesday on booze, gambling machines and government purchasing to fight back against sweeping U.S. tariffs.

She said there won’t be any change to oil and gas shipped south.

And she echoed comments from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are the vanguard of a plan to crater Canada's economy in a takeover bid.

The Alberta government has hired a former head of Manitoba's provincial court to investigate allegations of high-level arm-twisting in lucrative government contracts. 

The government said Monday that Raymond Wyant's work is to begin immediately with an interim report to go to the government by the end of May.

He is to review multimillion-dollar Alberta Health Services contracts for children's medication and for surgeries done by for-profit providers.

Alberta has a new minister of infrastructure.

Martin Long has been appointed to the cabinet post after the previous minister resigned earlier this week.

Long, the member for West Yellowhead, says he will continue building infrastructure to keep up with population growth.

First elected in 2019, Long has served as a parliamentary secretary for various files, including small business, and most recently, rural health.

Alberta is set to introduce its budget Thursday, with rumours swirling that Premier Danielle Smith's government will deliver on her promised personal tax cut amid the looming threat of devastating U.S. tariffs. 

Finance Minister Nate Horner told reporters at the legislature Wednesday it's always challenging to build a budget in Alberta, which is dependent on the peaks and valleys of oil and gas prices.

Horner said addressing affordability is a "prime concern" this time around.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith removed her government's deputy minister of health Wednesday but bucked calls for a public inquiry into allegations of government interference in lucrative medical contracts.

Speaking to media in Calgary for the first time since the allegations surfaced two weeks ago, Smith said Andre Tremblay is being replaced in the Health ministry.

However, he is to continue as the head of Alberta Health Services, the province's front-line health agency.