HighRiver

Canada's finance minister says the country could be a "supplier of choice" for European markets looking to bolster energy security and defence capabilities. 

Following a meeting in Denmark with European Union finance ministers, François-Philippe Champagne said Saturday that Canadian critical mineral and energy exports could help European economies become more resilient while diversifying Canada's trade relationships. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney's promise to cut the public service through attrition is "misleading" and "reckless," says the head of a federal union.

Carney was asked by reporters last week whether he plans to keep his election promise to cap — not cut — the public service as his government looks to find operational savings. The prime minister responded that the cap "relates to the overall level and the adjustments that will happen naturally through attrition."

The rollout of the national dental care program is improving, industry representatives say — but political statements are still driving a misconception among patients that the program will cost them nothing.

"When the plan was initially announced, the government of the day continually talked about free dentistry, free dental care," said Dr. Bruce Ward, president of the Canadian Dental Association.

The Liberal government has introduced legislation to create four new hate-related criminal offences — including one criminalizing the use of Nazi and terrorist-related symbols.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser said Friday the bill would make it a criminal offence to wilfully promote hate through the use of hate symbols.

That designation would apply to two Nazi symbols — the swastika and the SS bolt — and symbols of designated terrorist entities. The maximum penalty would be two years in prison.

Liberal MP Kody Blois says to expect more high-level visits to China, as Canada tries working out a trade spat targeting Canadian canola.

Blois is the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and he joined Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on a visit to China earlier this month to advocate for Beijing to drop its tariffs on Canadian canola.

China imposed significant tariffs on Canadian canola this year following Ottawa's move to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

The Alberta government and the teachers’ union are back at the bargaining table with under three weeks to go before a possible provincewide strike.

Finance Minister Nate Horner’s office confirmed in a Friday statement that bargaining with the Alberta Teachers' Association has resumed and the government is presenting its deal.

The union, in an update to its members Thursday, said the government's deal will be a response to the union's latest proposal tabled last week. Union president Jason Schilling hasn't said what the latest offer includes.

The Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) Better Together town hall came to Okotoks on Thursday (Sept. 18) evening.  

The discussion gave residents a chance to vote on the topics that matter the most to them.  

“These are not serial monologues where people get the mic and speak their piece and sit down,” Naheed Nenshi, Alberta NDP Leader, said. “We're asking people to talk to their neighbours.”  

The Town of Okotoks has welcomed back a beloved piece of art.  

The bronze buffalo head sculpture was repaired and reinstalled on Sept. 16, after it went missing and was found damaged earlier this year.  

An act of kindness has restored one Nanton resident’s faith in humanity.   

While running errands in Okotoks, Christina Muldoon accidentally dropped $120 in cash without noticing.  

She had planned to use the cash to get gas, groceries, and pay a few bills.   

However, when she got to Nanton, the cash wasn’t in her bag.   

A stolen vehicle investigation led to the injury of an RCMP officer and an arrest on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Foothills County RCMP spotted a stolen GMC Sierra in the Eden Valley area, speeding along Stoney Trail.

The suspect swerved into a stopped police cruiser, causing major damage to both vehicles and injuring the officer inside.

Despite the injury, the officer arrested 18-year-old Eden Valley resident Shantaya Lefthand.

She faces the following charges: