Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

A judge has denied an application to quash a review of a proposed Alberta referendum question on separation.

Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby says it will benefit democracy to have a full hearing on the constitutionality of the question.

Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the question to court last month so a judge could determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights.

The group that submitted the question applied to have the referral quashed.

A judge is expected to decide today whether a special court review of a proposed Alberta referendum question on separation should go ahead.

Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the question to court last month for a judge to determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights.

The group that submitted the question applied to have the referral quashed, and Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby heard arguments last week.

Alberta's government is creating fines and rules meant to curb predatory tow truck drivers.

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says concerns have been raised about tow truck drivers showing up at car accidents and pressuring those involved to unnecessarily accept their services.

Dreeshen says in some cases tow truck drivers charge excessive fees and don't provide necessary information to those whose vehicles are towed.

An audit of Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant cases of patients paying out of pocket for covered medical treatment but paying members are likely getting more thorough care.

The province launched the audit in 2023 in response to concerns over a Calgary medical clinic switching to a membership model and planning to charge annual fees of about $5,000 for families and $2,000 for an adult.

Alberta's chief electoral officer is rebuffing calls from Premier Danielle Smith and her justice minister to reverse course and sign off on a proposed referendum question on separation.

On social media, Smith and Justice Minister Mickey Amery said earlier Tuesday that Albertans should be able to embark on gathering signatures "without needless bureaucratic red tape or court applications slowing the process."

Premier Danielle Smith and one of her ministers are calling on Alberta's electoral officer to reverse course and sign off on a proposed referendum question on separation, saying it shouldn't be held back by red tape.

This week, chief electoral officer Gordon McClure announced he had referred the proposed question to the courts so a judge could decide if the question contravenes Canada's Constitution.

A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution.

The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to whether people agree with Alberta becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be a province in Canada.

Alberta's chief electoral officer says in a news release that provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Alberta's auditor general says the provincial government has not done the work to ensure daycares getting public funds use them to lower fees for parents or top up staff wages.

Doug Wylie, in a report released Thursday, says without proper verification, Alberta could be overcompensating operators with federal and provincial funds meant to lower the average cost of daycare to $10 per day.

"There is a risk that public funds may not be used as intended — leading to parents overpaying for child-care and educators being under-compensated," the report says.

An Alberta First Nation is asking a judge to review the provincial government's decision earlier this year to end its moratorium on coal mining.

In an application for judicial review filed this week, Siksika Nation says Alberta failed in its duty to consult when in January it lifted its moratorium on new coal mining projects on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Siksika Nation, 95 kilometres east of Calgary, says the effects of coal mining in the Rockies threaten Treaty rights and the land that supports its livelihood.

Two coal companies suing Alberta's government over its mining policy flip-flop say they've reached a settlement agreement with the province.

Notices published online by Evolve Power and Atrum Coal dated last month say details are confidential, and no dollar figures are disclosed.

Atrum, in its notice, said its agreement is definitive, though Evolve's notice says the terms of its own settlement are being finalized.