Edmonton demonstrators gather to protest against COVID-19 measures and support the ‘freedom convoy’ in February 2022. Research suggests Alberta separatist sentiments have as much to do with antipathy about the federal government and Justin Trudeau as actually leaving Confederation.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Even though they lack the profile of Québec sovereigntists, Alberta separatists are positioned to exert significant political influence on intergovernmental relations in the years to come.
More animals, including wolves, are shifting their patterns to adjust to human activity.
(Thomas Bonometti/Unsplash)
Woodland caribou populations are on the decline because human activity changes their habitat and exposes them to predation by wolves. But changing wolves’ hunting habits may protect the caribou.
The chestnut-collared longspur spends the winter in Mexico and the southern United States; the Canadian prairies are its breeding grounds.
(Jeremy Price)
Noise created by the oil industry impacts songbirds. Research found that constant noises, like those produced by oil wells, are less disruptive than the shorter bursts of noise produced by drilling.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks in response to the results of the United Conservative Party leadership review in Calgary on May 18, 2022.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley
Alberta premiers can become era-defining personalities or quickly cast aside. Jason Kenney’s fall from grace is a vivid illustration of the volatility of the province’s political landscape.
Staten Island’s Amazon distribution centre union organizer Chris Smalls celebrates with union members after getting the voting results to unionize their warehouse on April 1, 2022.
(AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Staten Island’s Amazon union has proven that one of the most powerful anti-union companies in North America can be unionized.
Alberta’s approach to fiscal management involves a nauseating cycle of big spending followed by massive cuts — almost entirely due to the outsized influence of oil and gas revenues. The rollercoaster at the West Edmonton Mall is seen in this photo.
(Jerry Bowley/Flickr)
Every time Alberta’s energy-based economy goes into a tailspin, it’s because the price of oil has declined precipitously, and when it booms, it’s because the price has soared.
The truckers’ protest began as a cross-country convoy protesting a federal vaccine mandate for truckers.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The truckers’ convoy has travelled from out west to Parliament Hill and Toronto. Along the way, the responses of law enforcement agencies are affected by both internal and external politics.
A recent study found oilsands producers could be four times more likely to default on loans by 2050 if global temperatures stay within 2 C of warming.
(Jennifer Grant/Pembina Institute)
Given low levels of turnout and high levels of “no” support in urban areas, Alberta lacks a clear mandate to press for changes to Canada’s Constitution after its equalization referendum.
Phasing out fossil fuels means that today’s production is the peak, and that from here on out extraction and infrastructure must decline over time.
(Green Energy Futures/flickr)
If Canada chooses to keep its oil in the ground, it doesn’t mean turning off the tap overnight. Skilled trades will be key to winding down the industry and building up new lines of work.
Even if Alberta was motivated to increase vaccination rates through direct government intervention, the measures may not succeed given conservatives’ lack of faith in the province, the premier and the cabinet.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
We surveyed Albertans, and while most were vaccinated, we found certain groups were less likely to be vaccinated than others. Those being people facing economic hardship and political affiliation.
Wildfires not only trigger evacuations, they limit the possible escape routes.
(BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, TranBC/flickr)
Efforts to predict wildfire risk and to prioritize mitigation efforts aren’t enough. We must prepare for fire disasters wherever possible and decide what we’ll do when they happen.
People wearing masks attend a rally opposing discrimination against Asian communities in Toronto in March 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Sibo Chen, Toronto Metropolitan University; Henry Yu, University of British Columbia e John Price, University of Victoria
Banning research ties with China, as Alberta just did, should be vetoed not only by the academic community but also the general public for its recklessness in fanning the flames of anti-Asian racism.
Literacy is much like learning to ride a bike: young kids can only advance to “tricks” when they learn how to balance a number of other complex and inter-related activities.
(Shutterstock)
Despite outbreaks, some church leaders in Alberta have continued to downplay the severity of COVID-19. Choosing to double down on pandemic skepticism.
The contradictory responses to the recent attack of a Black teenager in an Edmonton school demonstrate the urgent need for more equitable practices in schools.
(Shutterstock)
Jason Ng, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology e Andrea Sedgwick, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Throughout human history, clay has played a role in many different industries. Its unique properties make it suited for a wide applications in widely ranging industries.
Travel in to and out of small and rural communities is spreading COVID-19.
(Shutterstock)
Regional and inter-provincial travel have contributed to the spread of COVID-19 in small and rural communities. Restricting people’s movement is more challenging than it seems on the surface.
Indigenous people with experience guiding culturally safe talking circles in an online environment can work with students to nurture safe virtual spaces.
(Shutterstock)
Student respondents to a survey discussed memories of historical trauma of infectious disease and displacement, financial hardship related to Alberta tuition hikes and mental health concerns.
A circus of political theatre shouldn’t determine what children learn at school.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canadians for the most part have been well served with dispassionate professional judgements about matters of public interest, except when it comes to what kids learn at school.