Airdrie

A judge is scheduled to rule today on whether to grant bail to three men facing terrorism charges in an alleged plot to forcibly seize land in the Quebec City area.

Quebec court Judge René de la Sablonnière heard evidence and arguments over three days.

Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, face charges of facilitating a terrorist activity, and other charges related to the illegal storage of firearms and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, as long as the Palestinian Authority holds elections next year.

"Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism. And it means honouring their innate desire for peaceful coexistence," Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill.

He said Ottawa intends to officially recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

RCMP say a 14-year-old boy who was reported missing in Airdrie has been located safe. The youth had last been seen on July 29.

Mounties issued a public appeal for assistance Wednesday evening.

No further details were released.

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Alberta's transportation minister says the province plans to learn from an Ontario court ruling that found a law seeking to remove some Toronto bike lanes unconstitutional.

Devin Dreeshen says Alberta will be watching the case with interest, especially since Ontario's government plans to appeal the ruling. 

Dreeshen says being the second province to go down the same path is helpful, as it gives Alberta the opportunity to analyze the "good and bad" parts of Ontario's legislation.

Crossing arms at the Yankee Valley Boulevard rail tracks were stuck down Wednesday afternoon, causing major traffic congestion and transit delays.

Airdrie Transit issued a service alert just before 3:30 p.m., citing a “light malfunction at the train tracks” affecting both eastbound and westbound lanes at Yankee Valley Boulevard and Main Street. All local and on-demand bus routes experienced delays.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) crews arrived around 3:40 p.m., and peace officers were on site directing traffic.

Today in Airdrie, Alberta’s government announced that they are investing $50 million to help upgrade Airdrie’s wastewater system.

According to a provincial press release, Airdrie’s population has grown by over 25 per cent since 2022. Now exceeding 90,000 residents, the city's increasing demand for infrastructure has prompted a $50 million investment. The funding will go toward building a new 7-kilometre wastewater pipeline linking Airdrie to Calgary’s existing treatment system.

Australia has officially opened its market for fresh and frozen beef from Canada for the first time since BSE in 2003.

The Canadian Cattle Association is pleased noting its one of the last remaining countries to have maintained bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) restrictions, complete their risk assessment and open their market for Canadian beef. 

CCA President Tyler Fulton says Canadian beef farmers and ranchers are proud to produce the highest quality and safest beef in the world. 

Silage is one way to preserve harvested forage for use throughout the rest of the year. The underlying principle of making silage is allowing bacteria to multiply and produce acid – specifically acetic acid.   

A former deputy premier's petition to have Alberta declare that its official policy is to remain in Canada can start rolling out across the province.

Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure says canvassers with the Alberta Forever Canada citizen initiative can begin gathering signatures.

Submitted by Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, the petition is for a policy proposal asking people: "Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?"

Canvassers have three months to gather around 294,000 signatures on the petition.

Alberta has announced plans to invest $1.3 million to strengthen the health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience of the province's rangelands. 

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson says healthy rangelands are the foundation of a strong agricultural sector.