Albertans to Pay Higher Wine Prices Starting April 1 This is the final weekend to stock up on wine before Alberta's new tax increases take effect on Tuesday. The province will implement a 15-cent flat-rate increase per 750 ml bottle of wine, along with a new value-added tax for more expensive bottles. For example, a $2...

Trump Flip-flops on Auto Tariffs Again The auto industry is sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump's latest trade announcement, which will impose a 25 per cent tariff on automobile imports and auto parts to the U.S., effective April 2. The sweeping tariffs, which will now apply to all foreign-manufactured vehic...

Airlines Cut Flights as Demand Drops Sharply Between Canada and U.S. Several airlines are reducing flights between Canada and the U.S. as passenger demand plummets. New data from OAG, a leading global travel data provider, shows bookings are down more than 70 per cent compared to last year, with over 320,000 fewer pass...

Alberta Moving Ahead with Photo Radar Cuts, Creates $13 Million Traffic Safety Fund Alberta is dramatically scaling back its use of photo radar, restricting Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) to specific areas while introducing a new $13-million Traffic Safety Fund to help municipalities improve high-risk intersection...

Four people from Fort McMurray are facing a list of charges, after police attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. Tuesday afternoon patrolling officers spotted a red GMC Acadia speeding from the downtown area. Police tried to stop the vehicle on Thickwood Drive. The vehicle kept going onto Timberline Drive, and then on...

Wood Buffalo RCMP arrested a Fort McMurray Resident early Sunday morning after an alleged confrontation with a local taxi driver. Just after 1:30 a.m., Mounties responded to a report of a passenger who had physically assaulted and threatened the driver. When officers arrived at the scene, the taxi had stopped in the ne...

RMWB Council has approved a new Land Use Bylaw, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The updated bylaw aligns with the Municipal Development Plan and aims to support local businesses, responsible development, and economic growth. Key updates include simplified language, more flexible regulations, new land use distric...

Today and tomorrow, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is in sunny Florida, but not for a vacation. She's speaking at a PragerU event, pushing back against U.S. tariff threats on Canadian goods and energy. Earlier this month, the U.S. threatened to slap a 25% tariff on Canadian imports and a 10% tariff on energy. In respon...

A Petro Canada gas station in Grassland, has been fined over $164,000 for breaching migrant labor rules, including poor recordkeeping, underpaying workers, and failing to provide a safe, abuse free workplace. The operator was also barred from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for the next five years. The violations ...

This weekend marks the last chance to travel the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road before it closes for the season on March 31. Until then, vehicles up to 45,000 kg can only use the road overnight. Daytime use by vehicles over 5,000 kg is prohibited and subject to fines. Light vehicles can still travel at any time. Drivers sh...

RCMP seize stolen vehicles and firearms in rural property search Smoky Lake, Alta. - A Smoky Lake man is in custody and 35 firearms have been seized following an RCMP search of a rural property about three hours south of Fort McMurray. Mounties say they searched a farm on Township Road 594 on March 19 as part of an ong...

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Announces Retirement Edmonton - After nearly four decades of public service, Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill is retiring from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Hill, who took command of the Alberta RCMP last year, announced he is stepping down after 27 years with the police force and severa...

FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2025 Business Awards, which recognize outstanding businesses and individuals who make a significant contribution to the region's economy and community. Nominations are open until April 30, 2025, and can be submitted online throu...

Energy East and GNL Québec could have redirected $38.4 billion worth of energy products per year to markets other than the United States, according to the MEI A new study by the Montreal Economic Institute shows Canada missed out on nearly $40 billion a year in energy exports by failing to build two major pipeli...

Federal Emissions Cap Sparks Heated Debate Between Ottawa and Alberta The Federal Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has released its impact assessment of the upcoming oil and gas emissions cap, calling it essential for Canada to meet its promised greenhouse gas (GHG) targets. The report stresses the need for the cap to...

Alberta Budget Adds $1.1B for Education, but Critics Say More is Needed Alberta's Budget 2025 is adding $1.1 billion over three years to help schools manage rising enrolment, with the province saying the funding will allow school divisions to hire more than 4,000 teachers, educational assistants, and support staff. Edu...

Wood Buffalo RCMP Seek Help Locating Missing Woman FORT MCMURRAY - Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking for the public's help in locating a missing woman who has not been seen or heard from since Christmas. Angie Lee McGunigle, 45, is a Fort McMurray resident, and police say they are concerned for her safety and well-being. Sh...

Winter Maintenance Zones Relaxed Across Fort McMurray FORT McMURRAY - The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) has relaxed all Winter Maintenance Zones, meaning no on-street parking restrictions will be in effect across Fort McMurray from March 24 to 28. Crews will continue to maintain primary and feeder roads ...

Autism Society of the RMWB Faces Funding Crisis, Respite Program at Risk FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Autism Society of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is facing a $50,000 funding shortfall that could force the closure of its social respite care program by March 31, 2025. The program, which has operated for six y...

Fort McMurray Rotary Club Extends a Helping Hand to Fire-Ravaged Jasper FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Fort McMurray Rotary Club is paying forward the support they received after the 2016 wildfire by helping their counterparts in Jasper rebuild after last summer's devastating fire. Dan Sorensen, president of the Fort McMurra...

Its been the worst kept secret in Ottawa for more than a week, after Mark Carney was elected Liberal Leader, and sworn in as prime minister. Mark Carney made the journey to Rideau Hall in Ottawa where he met with Governor General Mary Simon. Simon agreed to Carney's request to dissolve parliament and being the five wee...

Tesla recalls nearly all Cybertrucks as body panels risk falling off Tesla's Cybertruck is quite literally falling apart, and now the company is scrambling to put it back together. The EV maker is recalling nearly all of its futuristic-looking pickups-more than 46,000 in total-after discovering that exterior panels can...

Fort Chipewyan Winter Road Load Limit Drops as Temperatures Rise FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Warmer weather is once again bringing load restrictions on the Fort Chipewyan winter road. Starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 21, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) will reduce the daytime load limit on the route to 5,...

Calgary man charged after CBSA seizes 108 kg of cocaine at Coutts border A Calgary man is facing drug trafficking charges after border officers seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine from a transport truck at the Coutts border crossing. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said officers stopped the commercial ve...

Fort McMurray Man Wins $100,000 on Instant LOTTO MAX Scratch Ticket FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Karanpreet Singh's quick decision to scratch a lottery ticket in-store has turned into a life-changing moment. The Fort McMurray man is now $100,000 richer after winning one of the top prizes on a LOTTO MAX Instant Scratch & Wi...

Trump Says he Prefers Liberals, Lashes Out at Canada in Fox News Interview In a now typically inflammatory interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on Canada's federal election landscape, endorsing the Liberal Party while levelling a barrage of grievances against Canada...

Portage College students take first place at business case competition FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Business students from Portage College took first place at the Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition, hosted last week by Keyano College. The competition brought together 11 teams from post-secondary schools across Alberta ...

Alberta Endorses Energy CEOs' Call for Infrastructure Expansion EDMONTON - Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Brian Jean are throwing their support behind a call from 14 energy and pipeline CEOs urging Ottawa to fast-track oil and gas infrastructure projects across the country. In an open letter to federal part...

Province Invests in Fort McMurray Schools, Health Care and Infrastructure FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Alberta government will be investing nearly $5 billion to strengthen northern communities, with Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo set to receive funding for key infrastructure, education, and healthcare initiatives. Among the in...

FORT MCMURRAY, AB - Measles cases continue to rise in Alberta, prompting Alberta Health Services (AHS) to issue a public alert and request that schools in our region distribute an information letter to parents and caregivers. The latest outbreak includes confirmed cases in Edmonton, Calgary, Little Red River Cree Natio...

CUPE Releases Vote Results on School Support Staff Contracts FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - With school support staff back on the job Wednesday, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has released the voting results from its recently ratified collective agreements with Fort McMurray's Catholic and Public School Divisions....

OECD Slashes Growth Forecasts for Canada, Mexico, and US Amid Trade Turmoil The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has significantly downgraded its economic growth forecasts for Canada, Mexico, and the United States, citing escalating trade tensions and the inflationary impact of tariffs. In ...

Support Staff to Return to Work Wednesday Updated: 9:00 p.m. March 17, 2025 Fort McMurray, AB. - Education support workers with both the Fort McMurray Public and Catholic School Divisions have voted to accept new collective agreements and will return to work this week. The agreements come after a weekend of bargaining ...

RCMP Seek Public's Help to Locate Missing Fort McMurray Man Fort McMurray, AB. - Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating Evan Michael Orr, a 33-year-old man who was last seen on Sunday, March 16, in Fort McMurray. Orr is described as 6'1" tall, weighing 168 pounds, with black hair, bro...

Centre of Hope Purchases Marshall House, Securing Future for Homeless Support Services FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Centre of Hope (COH) has transitioned from renter to owner of Marshall House, a downtown property that has served as a lifeline for the region's homeless population for nearly two decades. The purchase marks ...

RMWB Encouraging Canada Day Light Displays FORT MCMURRAY - The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) will encourage residents to decorate their homes with lights for Canada Day this year after a motion passed at last week's council meeting. Councillor Dogar initially proposed that the municipality install light ...

RMWB Relaxes Winter Maintenance Zones Despite Heavy Snowfall FORT MCMURRAY, AB - Despite a recent heavy snowfall, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is relaxing all winter maintenance zones from March 17 to 24, meaning no on-street residential parking restrictions will be in place on a sub-zone's designat...

Update: 9:30 a.m. March 17, 2025 Wood Buffalo RCMP report Angie Lee McGunigle has been located and is safe. Wood Buffalo RCMP would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance. Wood Buffalo RCMP Seek Help Locating Missing Woman FORT MCMURRAY - Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking for the public's help in locati...

Deals Reached in Fort McMurray Education Strikes, Ratification Vote Expected Monday FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - Education support workers in Fort McMurray may return to work as early as Wednesday following the announcement of tentative agreements between CUPE locals and the Fort McMurray Catholic and public school divisions...

RMWB seeking volunteers for new police oversight committee FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is looking for volunteers to help guide local policing priorities as part of a new civilian oversight body. The 11-member Municipal Policing Advisory Committee will work with RCMP leadership to ensu...

MADD Canada Calls for Action as National Impaired Driving Prevention Week Begins National Impaired Driving Prevention Week kicks off Sunday, and MADD Canada is urging Canadians to make responsible choices behind the wheel. The organization is also pushing for stronger measures to prevent impaired driving. "Prevent...

Police arrest suspect after break-in at Fort McMurray taphouse FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - A Fort McMurray man is in custody after police say he broke into a downtown brewery and made off with bottles of booze. Wood Buffalo RCMP responded to an alarm at Drum Brewing Sunday around 7:45 a.m. and found the business had been brok...

Mark Carney to Be Sworn In as Prime Minister Amid Election Speculation Mark Carney will officially become Canada's 24th prime minister on Friday, stepping into the role without a seat in Parliament and facing immediate pressure to call a general election. Carney, a former Bank of Canada governor and close advisor to ou...

Canadians in for a late-night celestial show with total lunar eclipse FORT MCMURRAY, AB - Stargazers across Canada may have a chance to witness the only total lunar eclipse of the year late Thursday night and into Friday morning. The eclipse, sometimes called a "Blood Moon," will begin just before 10 p.m. MT ...

Smith and Jean Secure Energy Deal with Japan at CERAWeek Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Energy Brian Jean are in Houston for CERAWeek, one of the world's most significant energy conferences. The event opened on Monday with a potentially promising development for Alberta's energy sector as U.S. Energy Secretary ...

"The Art of Connection": YMM Showcases Local Artists in Digital Exhibit FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Fort McMurray International Airport is set to launch its 2025 Digital Art Exhibit. The series will take flight on April 4, featuring the work of three local artists in a showcase that highlights the connection bet...

Indigenous Resource Council Demands Inclusion in Canada's Tariff Response As Canada's political leaders push back against U.S. tariffs, the Indian Resource Council (IRC) is calling for Indigenous voices to be included in any response. The council, founded in 1987, represents First Nations involved in the oil and gas in...

Indigenous Resource Council Demands Inclusion in Canada's Tariff Response As Canada's political leaders push back against U.S. tariffs, the Indian Resource Council (IRC) is calling for Indigenous voices to be included in any response. The council, founded in 1987, represents First Nations involved in the oil and gas in...

Indigenous Resource Council Demands Inclusion in Canada's Tariff Response As Canada's political leaders push back against U.S. tariffs, the Indian Resource Council (IRC) is calling for Indigenous voices to be included in any response. The council, founded in 1987, represents First Nations involved in the oil and gas in...

Indigenous Resource Council Demands Inclusion in Canada's Tariff Response As Canada's political leaders push back against U.S. tariffs, the Indian Resource Council (IRC) is calling for Indigenous voices to be included in any response. The council, founded in 1987, represents First Nations involved in the oil and gas in...