Airdrie

A vehicle engulfed in flames Tuesday evening caused a traffic jam on the northbound QEII near Airdrie. The scene has since been cleared.

A vehicle fire scene has been cleared on the QEII, with traffic resuming. Earlier this evening, traffic slowed to a crawl due to a vehicle fire in the northbound lanes of the QEII Highway. The incident was just south of Yankee Valley Boulevard. 

Airdrie fire crews attended the scene and the vehicle was extinguished. While earlier reports indicated a highway closure, fire department officials confirmed that they had previously opened two northbound lanes.

Traffic was backed up for some time, though shortly before 8 Tuesday evening, traffic flow resumed. 

The union representing thousands of Alberta government workers has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said members have voted 90 per cent in favour of hitting the picket lines.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Smith said the goal remains to get a deal at the bargaining table.

"We do not want to have to use the clear strike mandate we have received, but we will, if necessary," he said, calling it a historic strike vote.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's chief of staff is sounding the alarm over Prime Minister Mark Carney's pick to head up the government's environment portfolio.

Rob Anderson took to social media Tuesday to air his misgivings about new Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin.

"Sit down for this one Alberta...Meet Canada's new Environment Minister," he writes.

Calgary legislature member Ric McIver is the new Speaker of the Alberta legislature.

McIver resigned as municipal affairs minister early Tuesday and soon after was voted into the Speaker's job by his peers, defeating Opposition NDP candidate Heather Sweet.

After the vote result was announced, McIver was ceremoniously dragged to the Speaker's chair by Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition NDP house leader Christina Gray.

Some jovial heel dragging on McIver's part meant Gray dropped his elbow and started pushing him from behind while Smith led the way.

A distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba will be invested into the Order of Manitoba this summer.

Dr. Digvir S. Jayas, an engineer and agrologist, has received multiple awards for his 30-year research and teaching career. He conducts research related to drying, handling and storing of grains and oilseeds and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in the Agri-Food industry.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his new cabinet today.

One of the new faces at the cabinet table will be 59 year old Heath MacDonald an MP from Prince Edward Island, as he takes on the role of Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister.

MacDonald was first elected as an MP in 2021 after previously serving in the Provincial Legislature

Kody Blois, who was appointed ag minister in early March following Carney's leadership win i
 was left out of cabinet.

Other key ministers of note relating to the ag industry :

Rocky View County has downgraded its fire ban to a fire advisory for both East and West regions.

The County said it will continue to monitor conditions and fire risk across the region, and restrictions may be updated. Fire permits will not be issued, and all outstanding permits are cancelled.

"Although conditions have changed with the recent precipitation, we ask for the public’s continued assistance in remaining vigilant when burning under what restrictions allow," the County said Tuesday in a Safe & Sound alert.

Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has resigned from cabinet amid speculation he will run for the vacant position of Speaker of the house.

Premier Danielle Smith, in announcing his resignation, said in a statement Tuesday that she's grateful for McIver's commitment and hard work in serving Albertans.

Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver's portfolio on an interim basis, Smith said.

"Minister Schow will be available to municipalities around the province as they continue to navigate the uncertainty of the wildfire season," she said.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is giving his cabinet a major shakeup, moving several key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces to the front bench.

Carney's cabinet — 28 full ministers and 10 secretaries of state — retains prominent figures from former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government, including Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne.