Alberta

A new Angus Reid Institute poll shows that if a referendum were held tomorrow, one in four Albertans would vote to leave Canada.

The federal government just increased support for individuals with major disabilities by $200/month. Smith and the UCP are clawing it back by reducing AISH by the same amount.

I've volunteered with folks on AISH - they aren't getting by. They have to beg and plead for the basic supports to live life with the hand they were dealt. The UCP thinks they can do this because most of us don't have a close friend or family member who depends on AISH.

We need to prove them wrong.

A public inquiry seems pretty justified given the magnitude of the financials involved...

I enjoyed how this was handled.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58962998

"University of Alberta is researching how to utilize coal to feed livestock. However, the animals wouldn’t technically be eating coal, instead the research team collects methanol from the coal being burned and then mixes it and dries it with bacteria protein.

“We can produce a higher quality product without having to make those trade-offs, while helping the environment,” said Mark Lawley, researcher at Cvictus Fermentation Group.

Lawley says it’s perfect for a carbon capture site, seeing it as a greener alternative."

University story about it here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/03/alberta-researchers-aim-to-revolutionize-animal-feed.html

"Campers Village first opened in 1963 in Edmonton as a storefront for Northwest Tent & Awning, which since 1921 had been selling and manufacturing supplies and basic shelter for settlers new to Alberta via their factory on Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton."

As camping became more popular, the company evolved to offer recreational supplies. In 2021, it rebranded as Breathe Outdoors “to promote the many benefits of getting outside, exploring, trying something new and taking a moment to simply breathe outdoors.”

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https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-alberta-insider-rcmp-launch-investigation-into-ahs-contract-and/

According to available information, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have initiated an investigation into procurement practices at Alberta Health Services (AHS), focusing on contracts awarded to private surgical clinics and medical supply companies. This probe follows allegations made by former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was dismissed on January 8, 2025. Mentzelopoulos claims her termination was linked to her internal investigation into these procurement practices, including over $600 million awarded to MHCare Medical.

In her wrongful dismissal lawsuit, Mentzelopoulos alleges that Health Minister Adriana LaGrange issued directives preventing AHS from negotiating private surgery contracts and mandated rates exceeding those of comparable agreements. She also raises concerns about a private clinic in Edmonton, Alberta Surgical Group (ASG), which, despite underperformance, was reportedly on track to overbill AHS by approximately $3.5 million.

Additionally, the lawsuit highlights potential conflicts of interest involving Jitendra Prasad, particularly his influence on AHS contracts related to MHCare. Prasad was reportedly referred to as "his guy" by Marshall Smith, then chief of staff to Premier Danielle Smith, and was allegedly positioned at Alberta Health to ensure the government could "get contracting right."

Both Health Minister LaGrange and Premier Smith dispute these claims. The RCMP investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.

Seriously, do it. Go get your Jack (bleah), your Aviation gin, your California wines, whatever you want.

Every store with those items on the shelf has already bought the products from AGLC. They can't ship it back, and they can't recover their costs except through sales.

The AGLC is no longer buying booze from the US, which means every bottle available is money already sunk - and for small stores, it can be a lot of money.

So go to your local shop, buy what you want, and tell the owner that you know it's not on them to throw away their purchased inventory.