NATIONAL STORIES

Why Alberta’s Tightening Political Race Matters to Voters as UCP and NDP Tie in New Poll

A new Janet Brown poll shows Alberta’s UCP and NDP tied at 41% support, with Premier Danielle Smith’s approval dropping ahead of next year’s provincial vote.

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Voter Intentions Shift as UCP Drops Eight Points

A statistical dead heat has emerged in Alberta politics, with both the governing United Conservative Party and the opposition New Democratic Party drawing 41 per cent support among decided voters, according to fresh survey data.

The survey, conducted by Janet Brown Opinion Research between Sept. 8 and Sept. 21, indicates an eight-point decline for the UCP since April, alongside a five-point gain for the NDP. In the same period, support for alternative parties rose by six percentage points, accompanied by an increase in voters who feel politically unaligned with either major party.

Referendum Stance Drives Regional Declines

The reduction in UCP support was particularly pronounced outside major urban centers, where the party fell 14 points, as well as in Calgary, where voter intention decreased by 10 points following a recent NDP victory in the Calgary-Shaw byelection.

Pollster Janet Brown explained that the party faces pressure regarding its approach to a controversial referendum. Brown noted that support appears to be eroding from both separatists seeking stronger backing and federalists opposed to the vote itself.

“She’s trying to walk the middle of the road, between the moderate, business conservatives and the far-right populist base that’s still angry over COVID restrictions,” said John Santos, a data scientist with Janet Brown Opinion Research. “And she’s getting hit by traffic on both sides of the road.”

Calgary Positioned as Key Battleground Ahead of Election

Favorable impressions of Premier Danielle Smith have also decreased, with positive responses dropping six percentage points and negative views rising by seven. Meanwhile, 25 per cent of participants reported being very impressed with NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi.

University of Calgary political science professor Lisa Young pointed out that Calgary will serve as a crucial area of focus for both parties. “But we’re a year away from the election. If the referendum is in fact what’s driving support away from the UCP, the government will have an opportunity to try to win that support back,” Young said, adding that strong provincial revenues from elevated oil prices could provide spending capacity.

Federal Leaders Show Contrasting Approval Numbers

At the federal level, Prime Minister Mark Carney saw his approval rise to 52 per cent among respondents, up six points from the spring, driven by his response to U.S. trade relations and a pipeline commitment to the Pacific coast. In contrast, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recorded a 25 per cent rating for being very impressed.

“We’re in this strange universe where a Liberal Prime Minister is doing better than either the premier, or the leader of the Opposition here, and doing much better than the leader of the federal Conservative Party in terms of popularity,” Young observed.

The random survey sampled 1,200 Albertans via telephone and online options through Trend Research. It carries a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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NATIONAL STORIES

Search Continues After Ontario-Based Medical Flight Vanishes Near Massachusetts Coast

U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching near Nantucket for a missing Latitude Air Ambulance jet carrying four Canadians and two passengers from Bermuda.

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Emergency Search Underway Off Nantucket

Air and ground search teams are scanning waters approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Boston after a medical transport aircraft vanished early Saturday morning. Contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet was lost around 1:30 a.m. as it made its approach toward Boston from Bermuda, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard following notification by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flight Carrying Crew and Patients

The aircraft is operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. According to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for the company, six individuals were aboard the flight. The crew consists of two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff members. They were transporting two Bermuda nationals, identified as a patient and a family member.

Response and Ongoing Inquiries

Togeretz confirmed that the company contacted American authorities after the plane failed to land on the tarmac as scheduled. He noted that this marks the first instance where the operator has lost contact with one of its aircraft, adding that the team is holding onto optimism while praying for a safe resolution. Latitude Air Ambulance has reached out to Transport Canada regarding the incident. Meanwhile, provincial air ambulance provider Ornge expressed support via social media, stating it hopes the aircraft and everyone on board are located safely and quickly.

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NATIONAL STORIES

Why Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Questions Mark Carney’s New Pipeline Stance

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes Mark Carney’s pipeline proposal, calling him an illusion and questioning his shift on oil and gas.

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Poilievre Dismisses Carney’s Fast-Track Pipeline Proposal

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed strong skepticism regarding Mark Carney, describing him as an “illusion” ahead of an upcoming major announcement. Poilievre questioned Carney’s recent backing of a proposal to fast-track and construct a West Coast pipeline project.

Contrasting Past Record with Recent Statements

Poilievre highlighted Carney’s history over the past decade, pointing out that the former banker worked to defund oil and gas, established an alliance aimed at shutting down the sector, opposed a Pacific pipeline, and advocated for higher carbon taxes.

“I don’t know how you can go in three years from believing oil and gas is going to end the world to believing you support oil and gas,” Poilievre stated. “I guess miracles are possible. He claims to have changed his mind but he hasn’t really changed the results. There’s been a lot of talk.”

Comparisons to Foreign Project Delivery

In assessing the situation, the Conservative leader observed that large-scale infrastructure projects are completed rapidly in nations like Germany and the United States.

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NATIONAL STORIES

Michael J. Fox Earns Canada’s Highest Civilian Distinction for Parkinson’s Work

Michael J. Fox was elevated to companion of the Order of Canada alongside 50 other honourees, including UBC engineering professor Yusuf Altintas.

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National Honours Presented at Rideau Hall

During an investiture ceremony on Friday morning at Rideau Hall, Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour formally elevated celebrated actor and advocate Michael J. Fox to the companion level of the Order of Canada, drawing a standing ovation from attendees. Rideau Hall cited his unflinching honesty and powerful global advocacy concerning Parkinson’s disease for the elevation. Fox, who publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 1998, has helped generate $2.5 billion for research into the progressive nervous system disorder, which causes tremors, slowness, stiffness, memory difficulties, and depression.

Distinguished Inductees Recognized Across Fields

A total of 51 individuals joined or advanced within the Order of Canada during the Friday event. Arbour praised the group in French for directing their skills, influence, and effort toward the public good rather than personal gain alone, noting that Fox serves as a shining example of using courage, imagination, and determination to foster lasting progress.

The newly honoured members and officers include noteworthy figures across various disciplines. University of British Columbia mechanical engineering professor Yusuf Altintas was inducted as an officer alongside McGill University professor Nada Jabado, who was recognized for her contributions to pediatric neuro-oncology. Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz became an officer for his efforts supporting international trade and economic stability. Sculptor Ruth Elsie Abernethy entered as a member for her worldwide bronze statues exploring heritage, gender, and nation-building, while Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Susanne Craig was named a member for her impactful reporting across major American and Canadian news outlets.

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