Recall petitions against Alberta NDP MLA, former UCP cabinet minister dismissed
EDMONTON -- For the first time since October there are no active recall petitions looking to oust Alberta politicians from their seats in the legislature.
Jack Farrell
While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Jack Farrell.
Alberta politicians exploring option to put taxpayers on hook for MLA e-scooter rides
EDMONTON -- An Alberta legislature committee is exploring whether to put taxpayers on the hook for work-related electric scooter and bike rides taken by politicians.
Alberta eyes downtown-to-airport trains as first key projects of passenger rail plan
Alberta's government is eyeing train connections between airports and the downtown cores of its two biggest cities as the first key projects in its new passenger rail plan.
Addressing homelessness should be considered nation-building project: big city mayors
EDMONTON -- Mayors of Canada's big cities say fixing homelessness should also be considered a nation-building project by Ottawa.
Elections Alberta to soon start hiring 60,000 ballot counters for separation vote
Elections Alberta says a massive hiring effort for the fall referendum on the province's place in Canada will get underway early next month. The agency says 60,000 or more elections officers will be needed to hand count the votes, which provincial law dictates must be done within 48 hours after polling stations close. It says all positions are paid and...
Elections Alberta to soon start hiring 60,000 ballot counters for separation vote
EDMONTON -- Elections Alberta says a massive hiring effort for the fall referendum on the province's place in Canada will get underway early next month.
Alberta Premier Smith's government formalizes Oct. 19 separation question
Alberta's upcoming referendum question on separation was made official Thursday, and it mirrors what Premier Danielle Smith announced last week. Smith and her cabinet issued an order in council confirming the date and format of the Oct. 19 referendum, along with the question. It will ask voters to pick one of two options. Option one reads: "Alberta should remain a...
Alberta premier wins standoff with party over position on provincial separation vote
A standoff between Premier Danielle Smith and her own United Conservative Party on the issue of separation is over -- and the premier has won. Premier Smith and party president Rob Smith had been at odds over where they stand on Alberta staying in Canada ahead of a fall referendum on the matter. The premier says she wants Alberta to...
Parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs to Alberta Premier Smith resigns
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says her parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs has resigned.
Western Canadian premiers set to meet in Alberta as province grapples with separatism
Premiers from Western Canada and the northern territories are set to gather in Alberta to discuss business, trade and their neighbouring relationships, all while the host province stews over a monumental question of quitting Confederation. The annual western premiers conference runs Monday and Tuesday in Kananaskis, west of Calgary. Sam Blackett, a spokesperson for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office, says...
Smith says Alberta separatists should focus on fall vote rather than ousting her
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says separatists who are upset that a binding vote on quitting Canada has been put off should focus on the province's fall referendum — rather than campaigning to force a review of her job.
Smith says Alberta separatists should focus on fall vote rather than ousting her
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says separatists who are upset that a binding vote on quitting Canada has been put off should focus on the province's fall referendum -- rather than campaigning to force a review of her job.
Alberta separatists should aim to win fall vote and respect the result: Premier Smith
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says separatists who are upset that a binding vote on quitting Canada has been put off should focus on the province's fall referendum -- rather than campaigning to force a review of her job.
Smith says Alberta separatists should focus on fall vote rather than ousting her
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says separatists who are upset that a binding vote on quitting Canada has been put off should focus on the province's fall referendum — rather than campaigning to force a review of her job. Smith announced in a televised address Thursday that a question on the Oct. 19 referendum will ask Albertans if they want to...
Alberta legislature committee eyes separation vote as meeting hits bizarre roadblock
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA -- Alberta’s journey toward holding a fall referendum on separation took a bizarre turn Wednesday — straight into another roadblock.
Alberta legislature committee eyes separation vote as meeting hits bizarre roadblock
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA -- Alberta’s journey toward holding a fall referendum on separation took a bizarre turn Wednesday — straight into another roadblock.
Alberta legislature committee eyes separation vote as meeting hits bizarre roadblock
Alberta’s journey toward holding a fall referendum on separation took a bizarre turn Wednesday — straight into another roadblock. It occurred when the governing United Conservative members on a bipartisan legislature committee introduced a motion to formally ask Premier Danielle Smith and her cabinet to initiate a provincewide vote on Alberta's status in Confederation this October. The motion was expected...
CP NewsAlert: Alberta committee vote on separation hits bizarre roadblock
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA -- Alberta's journey toward holding a fall referendum vote on separation took a bizarre turn Wednesday straight into a roadblock.
Alberta's finance, hospital ministers stepping down, won't seek re-election
Two of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's longtime cabinet ministers are stepping down. In letters posted on social media Wednesday, Finance Minister Nate Horner and Hospitals Minister Matt Jones both said they are leaving their posts after deciding not to seek re-election in the October 2027 general election. "When the premier offered me this cabinet role, I told her it was...
Alberta's finance, hospital ministers stepping down, won't seek re-election
EDMONTON -- Two of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's longtime cabinet ministers are stepping down.
Alberta ditching 'Wild Rose Country' on welcome signs in favour of 'Strong and Free'
EDMONTON -- Alberta is ditching another reference to its provincial flower in favour of its official motto.
Best place for Alberta is in Canada, PM says after judge tosses separation petition
The best place for Alberta to be is in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday after a judge's decision to throw out a separatist petition in the province.
Judge quashes Alberta separation petition, Smith calls ruling 'anti-democratic'
EDMONTON -- A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations -- a decision quickly declared "anti-democratic" by Premier Danielle Smith.
Judge quashes Alberta separation petition in favour of First Nations
EDMONTON -- A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations — a decision quickly declared "anti-democratic" by Premier Danielle Smith.
Judge quashes Alberta separation petition in favour of First Nations
A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations — a decision quickly declared "anti-democratic" by Premier Danielle Smith. Justice Shaina Leonard also said Alberta's chief electoral officer should never have issued the referendum petition. The premier promised an appeal. "This is a decision by one judge," said Smith...
Scope of access to leaked Alberta voter list may be incomplete: Elections Alberta
Elections Alberta says the separatist group at the centre of a massive voter information breach may not have shared the full list of individuals who accessed its public database. The group, called the Centurion Project, created an app containing the names and addresses of nearly three million Albertans, which Elections Alberta traced back to an official voter list the group...
Separatist leader behind voter list leak unco-operative: Elections Alberta
The man at the centre of a massive public data leak isn't co-operating with an investigation by Elections Alberta, says the agency. Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure said in a statement that David Parker, leader of the Centurion Project, has so far refused to comply with a cease-and-desist letter sent last week. The letter says Parker is required to sign...
Separatist leader behind voter list leak unco-operative: Elections Alberta
EDMONTON -- The man at the centre of a massive public data leak isn't co-operating with an investigation by Elections Alberta, says the agency.
Separatist leader behind voter list leak uncooperative: Elections Alberta
EDMONTON -- Elections Alberta says the man at the centre of a massive public data leak isn't co-operating with their investigation.
Alberta rejects raise for elections chief dealing with unprecedented workload
EDMONTON -- Alberta's chief electoral officer says he's swamped with so much extra work -- petitions, referendums, preparing for an election -- that he deserves a raise.
Alberta rejects raise for elections chief dealing with 'unprecedented' workload
EDMONTON -- The Alberta government has shot down a request for a raise from the province's top elections official.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith granted security clearance for CSIS briefings
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she has been granted security clearance to receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Smith's office is providing few details but says the clearance allows her to be briefed on national security issues.
More than 550 people accessed renegade voter list database: Elections Alberta
Alberta's elections agency said Thursday it believes 568 people accessed a voter list at the heart of a massive privacy breach involving a separatist group. The group, called the Centurion Project, had made a publicly accessible database featuring the names and addresses of nearly three million Alberta voters. The website was shut down last week after Elections Alberta secured a...
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith granted security clearance for CSIS briefings
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she has been granted security clearance to receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
Alberta's Smith says Opposition should have warned her of privacy breach at a meeting attended by one of her caucus staffers
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is criticizing the Opposition for not telling her about a massive privacy breach at a meeting attended by one of her caucus staffers. Smith says the United Conservative Party caucus staffer didn't realize a database shown at the virtual meeting three weeks ago involved a privacy breach with the personal information of three million Alberta voters.
Alberta UCP staff attended meeting about voter database before app was shut down
Alberta's United Conservative Party caucus says staff attended a meeting to discuss how to access a website that's now the focus of investigations into a massive breach of personal data. The caucus says in a statement that staff regularly attend meetings of political interest and, in this case, organizers told them the database was obtained legally. The database contained the...
'First step': Alberta separatists deliver referendum petition, tout 300K signatures
Alberta separatists handed in a massive petition Monday to try to trigger a referendum on the province leaving Canada, touting a final tally of nearly 302,000 signatures after months of campaigning. Waving Alberta flags and sporting matching blue hoodies, more than 300 supporters gathered at the Elections Alberta office in Edmonton as a convoy of trucks delivered the paperwork. Mitch...
Alberta premier says law changes to be assessed after probes into voter list breach
EDMONTON -- Premier Danielle Smith says her government will look at new legislation depending on what comes out of investigations into claims a separatist group breached the personal information of nearly three million Albertans.
Alberta's privacy commissioner calls for law changes after alleged voter list breach
EDMONTON -- Alberta's privacy watchdog is calling for law changes in light of claims that a separatist group obtained and illegally used the province's official voter list.
Injunction granted to shutter database of Alberta voter info published by separatists
EDMONTON -- A judge has granted an injunction ordering an Alberta separatist group to remove from its website a database of private information - including names and addresses -- of close to three million provincial voters.
CP NewsAlert: Injunction granted to shutter database of Alberta voter information
EDMONTON -- An Edmonton judge has granted an injunction ordering a separatist group to remove from its website a database of private information - including names and addresses -- of close to three million Alberta voters.
Elections Alberta investigating illegal use, obtaining of provincial voter list
EDMONTON -- Elections Alberta says it's investigating the possibility that a provincial party or a party official illegally used or shared an official voter list.
Elections Alberta investigating illegal use, obtaining of provincial voter list
Elections Alberta says it's investigating the possibility that a provincial party or a party official illegally used or shared an official voter list. Such lists contain the personal information of Albertans, including names, addresses and phone numbers. Under provincial law only political parties, members of the legislature, prospective candidates and constituency associations are given access to the list to solicit...
Lawyer says Alberta premier exploiting loophole with referendum site, wants ad ban
An Edmonton lawyer is calling on Elections Alberta to close a loophole allowing Premier Danielle Smith's government to advertise in favour of her fall referendum on sweeping immigration reform. Provincial law prohibits the government from advertising or publishing certain information related to a referendum if the vote is taking place alongside a general or municipal election. Legislation passed last year...
Lawyer says Alberta premier exploiting loophole with referendum site, wants ad ban
EDMONTON -- An Edmonton lawyer is calling on Elections Alberta to close a loophole allowing Premier Danielle Smith's government to advertise in favour of her fall referendum on sweeping immigration reform.
Alberta tables bill to bump legislature seat count to 91 for boundaries redraw
EDMONTON -- Alberta is formally moving to boost its number of legislature seats.
'Alberta Time': Bill tabled to ditch clock changes, keep daylight time all year
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government introduced on Thursday proposed legislation that would see the province abandon clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round.
Alberta introduces bill to ditch clock changes and stay on daylight time year-round
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has introduced legislation that would see the province abandon clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round.
Alberta NDP to participate in new boundaries review after calling it illegitimate
EDMONTON -- Alberta's Opposition NDP say they will participate in a new review of provincial riding maps even though they believe Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservatives are using the review to rig the next election.
'Get a gauge': Alberta's Smith says first year without time changes will be telling
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says only time will tell whether ditching twice-a-year clock changes is the right call.
Alberta's Smith says first year with no time changes will be telling
EDMONTON -- ?Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says only time will tell whether ditching twice-a-year clock changes was the right call.
Government motion passes to take second run at redrawing Alberta's electoral ridings
A controversial motion to send recently proposed changes to Alberta's electoral maps back to the drawing board has passed in the legislature, leading the Opposition NDP to accuse Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservatives of undermining democracy. "What we're seeing before us is something that's never been tried before by any Canadian Parliament, by any Canadian legislature," NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi...
Government motion passes to take second run at redrawing Alberta's electoral ridings
EDMONTON -- A controversial motion to send recently proposed changes to Alberta's electoral maps back to the drawing board has passed in the legislature, leading the Opposition NDP to accuse Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservatives of undermining democracy.
Motion to take second run at redrawing Alberta's electoral ridings set to pass
EDMONTON -- Alberta's Opposition NDP says Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservatives are undermining democracy with their plan to revisit election maps.
Alberta legislature members expected to vote to revisit riding maps for 2027 election
Politicians in the Alberta legislature are expected to vote today on a controversial motion that directly affects next year's general election. Premier Danielle Smith's governing United Conservatives have put forward a motion to revisit a panel report on how the ridings should be redrawn ahead of the 2027 vote. Smith says they are acting on the recommendation of the panel...
Alberta legislature members expected to vote to revisit riding maps for 2027 election
EDMONTON -- Politicians in the Alberta legislature are expected to vote today on a controversial motion that directly affects next year's general election.
Alberta premier rejects Opposition claims UCP interfering on electoral boundaries
EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is rejecting Opposition accusations that her United Conservatives are pulling the strings behind the scenes to rejig election ridings in their favour.
Alberta's governing UCP to revisit proposed riding changes before next election
Alberta's governing United Conservatives are looking to take another run at redrawing provincial riding boundaries - a move the Opposition NDP calls a cynical backdoor scheme to rig the October 2027 general election. Premier Danielle Smith's caucus is set to introduce a motion in the house today to revisit a recent bipartisan panel report to add more seats to reflect...