Alberta ER doc challenges premier to come on shift, see patients wait in hallways
The head of emergency medicine for Alberta's doctors association is challenging Premier Danielle Smith to join him on shift to see the frustration of patients jammed for hours in hallways and the moral injury of doctors looking into the eyes of the those who wait.
“It's this kind of vicarious trauma, this inability to help when we're helpers, that is causing us to leave,” Dr. Warren Thirsk said in an interview.
“Unless you experience it, you don't really get it.
Why Canada may not be ready for 'new reality' of flash flooding and severe storms
Ryan Ness of the Canadian Climate Institute says he's been following the "terrible tragedy" of deadly flash flooding unfolding in Texas, where more than 100 people have died.
But he's also worried Canada isn't doing enough to prevent such disasters here, saying the country needs to invest in flood mapping, infrastructure and early warning systems.
"Luckily, there are many ways that we can protect ourselves, but we have to make the effort," said Ness, who is the research director for adaptation at the policy research organization.
Verse of the day: July 8
Psalm 138:2
"I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame."
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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Perfect Trust
When the Philistines seized David in Gath he said, "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You"(Psalm 56:3).
When he fled from Saul into a cave, he cried out to God. "My soul takes refuge in you; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by"(Psalm 57:1).
Many, many years ago, Felix of Nola was escaping his enemies, and he, too, took temporary refuge in a cave. He had scarcely entered the opening of the cave before a spider began to weave its web across the small opening.
Statistics Canada posts 2026 Ag Census questionnaire
The 2026 Census of Agriculture questionnaire has now been published on the Statistics Canada website.
The census is conducted every five years with the last Agriculture Census being done in 2021.
For the 2026 Census of Agriculture, new categories have been added under the commodity questions to identify emerging agricultural products.
Questions on agricultural practices have been expanded to include environmental practices and environmental sustainability.
Federal Agriculture Minister to visit Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is officially underway, along with the rodeo, midway and live entertainment... the event also showcases agriculture and Alberta's ranching history
It's a chance to step back in time and experience life on the farm and ranch, with the Vintage Tractor Pull and Blacksmith showcase; to the Heavy Horse, Cutting Horse, and Team Cattle Penning competitions; Chuckwagon races, to the Junior Steer Classic, the International Youth Livestock Supreme Championship and Scholarships, the World Stock Dog Championships, and International Livestock Auctioneer Championships.
Foot-and-mouth disease bank one step closer
Industry is applauding the federal government’s progress toward a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank after it awarded supply contracts to two companies.
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Biogenesis Bago SA will supply vaccine products and develop the vaccine bank.
Canadian Cattle Association Saskatchewan director and former Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association president Garner Deobald, who formerly worked for Boehringer, said both companies are well respected and were good choices.
“I think it is important, for sure, to be ready,” he said.
Grande Prairie RCMP arrest youth in taxi stabbing
On June 28, 2025, around 2 a.m., Grande Prairie RCMP responded to a call regarding a taxi driver who had been stabbed in the stomach.
The victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries but has since been released.
Grande Prairie RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) took carriage of the investigation, assisted by Grande Prairie General Duty members and Alberta RCMP Forensic Identification Services.
Thanks to a series of search warrants, a youth suspect was identified and subsequently arrested on July 5, 2025.
Premiers Danielle Smith and Doug Ford to sign agreements in Calgary
The premiers of Alberta and Ontario are set to meet in Calgary today to sign two memorandums of understanding.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she and Ontario Premier Doug Ford will sign agreements on energy priorities, trade and interprovincial co-operation.
The pair were together at a roundtable in Calgary on Sunday, with Ford tweeting that they discussed how to build new pipelines, as well as rail lines to export Canadian critical minerals and energy.
Smith also bumped into Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday.
'What are you doing here?': Carney makes first Stampede visit as prime minister
Canada's new prime minister, best known as a buttoned-down banker, donned a cowboy hat and toured the stables Friday evening at the Calgary Stampede.
Over an hour-long tour winding through the rodeo grounds, Mark Carney crawled into a tank, snacked at food stations and posed for dozens of selfies, marking his first visit to the Stampede as prime minister.