Feds hope new program fills skilled trades void from abroad

CALGARY Ottawa has announced a new immigration program that it says will make it easier for Canadian business to hire the workers most urgently needed — skilled tradespeople. The new […]

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Skilled tradespeople to get speedier immigration queue

With Alberta’s economy steaming ahead, industry leaders are welcoming a new federal immigration program designed to ease a shortage of skilled tradespeople. The federal government announced Tuesday it is creating […]

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Ottawa targets skilled trades

Feds launch new immigration program CALGARY — Ottawa has announced a new immigration program that it says will make it easier for Canadian business to hire the workers most urgently […]

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Send a message to the Tories, yes! But do your research first!

April 10, 2012 Dear Fellow Union Members: Send a message to the Tories, yes! But do your research first! Recent opinion polls are suggesting that the long-ruling Progressive Conservative party […]

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Alberta Election 2012: Social issues bring insults

‘Muzzling’ accusations fly The Alberta election turned into a war of ideas Saturday, with accusations of hidden agendas, stifled opinions, retrograde notions and stolen platform planks. In Calgary, Progressive Conservative […]

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Latest poll shows Alberta election battle in dead heat

Thursday’s TV debate shapes up as key to victory, experts say The provincial election race is tightening, according to a new poll that puts the Wildrose and Progressive Conservatives in […]

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Federal government to create speedy immigration queue for skilled tradespeople

New immigration criteria focuses on practical training and work experience rather than education The federal government announced Tuesday it is creating a separate queue for foreign tradespeople, to ease labour […]

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Leaders get ready for key debate

Televised forum offers chance to change voters’ minds Alberta’s provincial politicians are preparing for a rough and tumble two weeks as the election campaign passes the midway point and party […]

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Health-care battle rages on

Push for competition won’t bring two tiers, Smith says Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith fended off accusations Friday that her party’s push for more competitive health care would create a two-tiered […]

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Thomson: NDP’s Mason attacks campaign cynicism

Party setting up as single choice on left, not the far left If you’re feeling a bit harried watching the Alberta election campaign, I invite you to take a deep […]

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Gunter: Tory ad blocking ‘anti-democratic’

During the ongoing provincial election campaign, I’m unlikely to agree very often with Liberal Leader Raj Sherman. But on the subject of third-party advertising, Sherman is one of the few […]

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Royalties and upgrading: Two words that politicians dare not utter

In the Harry Potter stories, characters are too afraid to utter the name of the villain, Voldemort. Something similar appears to be happening in the Alberta election when it comes […]

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Alberta Election 2012: Panic mode or bumps in the road?

First week assessments of the campaign all depend on perspective EDMONTON – After a dozen years in provincial politics, NDP Leader Brian Mason said he’s noticed something new and unusual […]

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Mason maintains focus on issues rather than personalities

EDMONTON — NDP Leader Brian Mason expressed confidence Saturday his party’s focus on issues such as health care, education and environment rather than personal attacks is a winning strategy. “We’re […]

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War chests fund advertising blitz

Tories, Wildrose lead way on record election spending spree Political war chests are brimming with millions of dollars and Alberta parties are poised to smash campaign spending records during the […]

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Alberta election rivals applaud fiscal blueprint

NDP opposes environmental rule changes While Ottawa and the province have clashed in the past, the Conservative federal budget released Thursday received a warm reception from Alberta’s two main contenders […]

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Alberta Election 2012: Albertans OK with tax increases to fund essential services: poll

EDMONTON – Are Albertans ready to embrace the idea of tax increases? New polling suggests they might be, as long as the money is used for essential services and infrastructure. […]

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Alberta labour leaders react to federal budget

Unions fear attack on jobs will undermine economy, throw seniors into poverty Labour leaders from across Alberta will be keeping a close eye on the federal budget today to assess […]

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Harper budget proves the old adage: “Tory times are tough times”

Spending cuts, OAS changes and giveaways to corporations are unnecessary and irresponsible, say Alberta unions Based on the magnitude of the cuts and changes contained in today’s federal budget, you’d […]

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NDP leader hopes to jolt voters by raising concerns over electricity costs

EDMONTON – NDP Leader Brian Mason said Wednesday his party would regulate power rates if they win the provincial election. Seated at the dining room table at a retired couple’s […]

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Health care, education primary concerns of voters, poll says

EDMONTON – Health care and education are among Albertans’ top concerns heading into the provincial election, while government trust and accountability is another hot topic, particularly for Wildrose party supporters, […]

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Albertans support investigation into doctor bullying, poll find

Albertans overwhelmingly want a public inquiry into doctor intimidation – a probe the governing Tories have refused to call – but a slim majority think PC Leader Alison Redford has […]

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Wildrose plan would hurt transit

Killing $2B GreenTrip fund could drive away urban votes There’s plenty to like about Danielle Smith and the Wildrose party. Smith is smart, tough, charismatic. She will stand up for […]

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Sherman cites nurse’s tale of patient abuse as need to reform health care (with video)

CALGARY — Liberal Leader Raj Sherman kicked off his party’s campaign in Calgary on Tuesday with charges that the intimidation of health-care workers extends far beyond doctors. Sherman sat side-by-side […]

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