Category: Alberta

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Alberta

Seizures of contraband and unauthorized items at Drumheller Institution


August 28, 2026 – Drumheller, Alberta – Correctional Service Canada

On August 19 and 26, 2026, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Drumheller Institution.

The contraband and unauthorized items seized included methamphetamine, cigarettes, nicotine patches, as well as cell phones and accessories. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $143,510.

The police have been notified and the institution is investigating.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.

CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.

CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.

The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous. 



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Alberta

Federal investment helps defend Alberta’s forest sector against U.S. tariffs


$20 million will help Mercer Peace River modernize, protect good jobs and compete as Canada stands up to unjustified U.S. tariffs

August 26, 2026 – Peace River, AB – PrairiesCan

Since commencing operations in 1990, the Peace River pulp mill has become an anchor of northern Alberta’s economy. The mill directly employs 360 people and supports approximately 3,000 jobs across Alberta’s forest sector supply chain, including through long-standing relationships with local forest sector operators and sawmills. Its growth reflects the significant benefits that free trade with the United States has delivered for businesses, workers and communities across Canada.

Last week, Washington imposed additional unjustified tariffs on Canadian goods, creating significant uncertainty for workers, businesses and communities, including those that depend on Canada’s forest sector. Canada negotiated intensively and in good faith toward a fair and comprehensive agreement. However, the terms proposed by the United States asked too much of Canada and offered too little in return. Canada therefore suspended negotiations rather than accept a bad deal that would undermine Canadian workers, businesses, strategic industries and national sovereignty.

In response, Canada is matching the new U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar, including on pulp and paper, and is providing $7.5 billion in new and enhanced support for affected workers and businesses. As part of these efforts, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), today announced a $20 million federal investment to support the modernization of Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd., reduce production costs and strengthen the mill’s competitiveness in changing global markets.

The investment will support upgrades to the mill’s facilities and equipment to improve operational efficiency and enable a shift toward a more profitable mix of hardwood and softwood pulp. Planned improvements include upgrades to heavy black liquor piping, the rebuilding of pulp machine rolls, and improvements to a lime kiln and recovery boiler.

The upgrades are expected to lower production costs, reduce emissions and improve output. They will also position the facility for potential future retrofits related to innovative energy production and carbon capture, creating additional opportunities for Mercer Peace River to diversify its revenue streams and strengthen its long-term resilience.

By supporting productivity, modernization and market competitiveness, the federal government is helping Alberta’s forest sector respond to the immediate pressures created by U.S. tariffs while building greater economic resilience over the long term. Today’s investment will support good jobs, strengthen regional supply chains and help Mercer Peace River remain an anchor of northern Alberta’s economy for years to come.



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Alberta

Helping Alberta farmers facing extreme moisture


August 26, 2026 – Edmonton, AB – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Alberta and Canada governments made strategic changes to AgriStability to help agricultural producers manage business risks from wet conditions this season.

In recognition of excessive moisture conditions that have impacted many producers since the April 30 enrolment deadline, Alberta has opened late participation for the 2026 AgriStability program year. Alberta producers can now sign up for the program until October 1, giving them more time to review and manage business risks associated with extreme weather or other unexpected difficulties. Additionally, the 2026 interim payment rate has been increased from 50% to 75% of the estimated final payment. This change will put money in producers’ hands sooner and improve cash flow during a challenging growing season.

In Alberta producers can sign up for AgriStability and access benefits through the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation. Farmers and ranchers who missed the April 30 deadline and believe they have experienced a significant loss are encouraged to take advantage of the late participation. Late participation is subject to a reduced benefit, and producers must pay the required upfront fee by October 1 to be able to be eligible for the 2026 program. Factors such as reduced income, increased expenses or reduced inventory are used to determine a potential benefit.



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Alberta

Minister Olszewski to announce federal support to advance innovation and competitiveness in Northern Alberta’s forest sector


August 24, 2026 – Peace River, AB – The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), will announce federal funding to support Northern Alberta’s forestry sector that is facing significant tariff related challenges.

Joining Minister Olszewski will be Todd Lowen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, Government of Alberta; Terry Ungarian, Reeve, County of Northern Lights; Shelly Shannon, Mayor, Peace River; Juan Carlos Bueno, President and CEO, Mercer International; and Brett Henkle, Co-Founder & Senior Vice President of Business Development, Svante.

This event is open to media and speakers will be available for questions following the announcement.

Date:
Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Time:
2:00 p.m. MT

Location: 
Mercer Peace River
Woodlands Building
#1 Pulp Mill Site Road, Pulp Mill Site
Peace River, AB T8S 1V7
Map
The mill is approximately 25 km north of Peace River.

When driving to the site from Peace River, take the second left into Mercer Peace River (turning North off Highway 986). There is a sign for the Woodlands Building on the right side of the road visible immediately after turning off the highway. The Google Maps link above and here will direct you to the Woodlands Building.

An optional tour will be available for media following remarks. This tour will be approximately one hour: participants will not be able to depart early. Tour participants must have long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) listed below is required and will be available for tour participants to borrow:

  • Steel-toed boots
  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Hearing protection
  • High-visibility vest
  • Gloves
  • Respirator

If preferred, personal CSA-approved gear will be permitted.



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Alberta

Secretary of State Zerucelli highlights additional funding to support Alberta’s skilled trades workforce


August 12, 2026           Calgary, Alberta           Employment and Social Development Canada

Building a strong economy starts with a strong workforce. As the economy continues to evolve, demand for skilled workers is growing. Across Canada, skilled trades workers are driving economic growth, supporting key industries, strengthening supply chains and building the homes and infrastructure Canadians rely on every day.

To help build the homes, infrastructure and defence capabilities Canada needs, the Government of Canada is making targeted investments that create pathways to training and rewarding careers for young people. Today, the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), announced more than $2.1 million in additional funding over the next year to The Educational Partnership Foundation to expand its Trades Careers program, bringing the total investment in the project to nearly $5.7 million.

The Educational Partnership Foundation, together with its union partners, supports young Canadians in Alberta and British Columbia as they develop skills, gain valuable work experience and pursue apprenticeship certification in the Red Seal trades through a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

This investment, delivered through the Union Training and Innovation Program – Innovation in Apprenticeship, under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, supports high-quality apprenticeship opportunities, helping participants gain the knowledge, experience and credentials needed to succeed in skilled trades.

Today’s announcement aligns with the Government of Canada’s plan to build Canada strong. The 2026 Spring Economic Update announced $6 billion over five years for Team Canada Strong, an end-to-end strategy to recruit, train and hire between 80,000 and 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers by 2033. These efforts were recently amplified with an additional $2 billion for new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to expand access to pre-apprenticeship and technical training. The Team Canada Strong plan will transform the skilled trades, bringing more apprentices into the workforce, and ensure more young Canadians have clear, paid pathways into meaningful careers.



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Alberta

Death of an inmate from the Regional Psychiatric Centre


August 11, 2026 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Correctional Service Canada

On August 7, 2026, Steeve Racine, an inmate from the Regional Psychiatric Centre, died while in our custody.

At the time of death, the inmate was 62 years old and had been serving a life sentence since August 30, 1991.

The inmate’s next of kin have been notified.

As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances. CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified.



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