Airdrie

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.

On Saturday, a successful fundraiser was held for the Mountain View Food Bank Society.

Several public figures in Carstairs were detained, and the only way to secure their release was for residents to bring donations for the food bank.

Andrea Young, a community peace officer in the Town of Carstairs, explained that a food drive is held every year, and this time, they tried doing a Jai and bail for food event.

"Everyone went above and beyond. The detainees and their supporters did an outsounding job of bringing in food and cash donations."

At the latest Rocky View Schools (RVS) Board of trustee meeting, it was shared that on March 25, RVS received its funding profile from the government.

The funding profile outlines the various grants and projected operational funding RVS is expected to receive for the 2025/26 school year.

"This information is used by the administration and the Board to draft, finalize and ultimately approve the 2025/26 divisional budget for submission to the government by the end of May."

With only three weeks away to the Canadian federal election, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) are ensuring that agriculture is top of mind for campaigning parties by announcing a new strategic agenda called Unleashing Agriculture for Canada's Growth. Jeremy Welter, vice-president with APAS, talks about the need to improve Canadian agriculture and make it a point of focus for the federal government. 

Ottawa police have released the name of the person they say was behind a massive security incident on Parliament Hill over the weekend.

Police say Tyler Hall-Worthington, a 31-year-old Ottawa man, has been charged in connection with the lockdown Saturday afternoon at East Block, a building in the parliamentary precinct that mainly houses offices for senators and their staff.

An Ottawa police spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the suspect was still in custody as of Monday morning.

The Liberal and Conservative leaders both started the third week of the federal election campaign in British Columbia — a battleground province with 43 seats up for grabs when Canadians go to the polls.

The Liberals pledged environmental conservation measures and support for seniors, while the Tories offered more efficient approvals for resource projects.

On a hillside in Kayonza District, eastern Rwanda, nine children with disabilities learn on an exposed concrete porch—rain or shine. Some have epilepsy. Others are immunocompromised. None have walls to protect them. Two women from the area are working to change that.

Julia Deimert of Airdrie and Esther Mbatuyimana, a survivor of genocide against Tutsi now living in Calgary, co-founded the Canadian charity Living Channel Services in 2016. Together, they're fundraising to build a proper school—one of the first in Rwanda designed specifically for children with disabilities.

Alberta Health Services has lifted a boil water order for the Village of Beiseker, saying tap water is once again safe to drink.

The advisory, issued April 2 following a scheduled village-wide water shutoff, officially ended Sunday, according to a notice from the Village of Beiseker. AHS confirmed the lifting of the order on Monday.

Residents and businesses may resume normal water use but are advised to flush plumbing systems before initial use.

AHS recommends the following steps:

Two people were arrested in Olds after a drug trafficking investigation led to the seizure of 238 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

According to RCMP, on March 27, the Olds Crime Reduction Unit observed drug trafficking activity in the town. With the assistance of Olds RCMP, officers conducted a traffic stop and, following an investigation, located the suspected methamphetamine.

Shaylene McCauley, 26, of Innisfail, faces charges including:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking

• Failing to comply with an undertaking