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.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 25, 2026

Current Editor

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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LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

Published

17 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

NATIONAL STORIES

What New Brunswick’s Latest Unemployment Figures Mean for Your Community

Statistics Canada reports New Brunswick’s unemployment rate reached 7.4% in September, as Canada lost 68,000 jobs nationally, raising the national rate to 6.5%.

Published

17 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

Provincial Labor Market Holds Steady Overall

New Brunswick’s unemployment rate stood at 7.4 per cent in September, up slightly from 7.3 per cent in August, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada. The provincial labor pool decreased by 200 people during the month, while overall employment dropped by 700 positions, including a loss of 400 full-time jobs. These monthly shifts remain within the agency’s margin of error.

On a year-over-year basis, the province’s economy continues to tread water. Although the current unemployment rate is lower than the 7.9 per cent reported last September, the total labor force remains virtually unchanged. Year-over-year employment shows a modest gain of 2,100 jobs, driven by an addition of 3,900 positions that was partially offset by a decline of 1,800 part-time roles.

National Employment Drops for Second Straight Month

Across Canada, the national economy shed 68,000 jobs in September, pushing the countrywide unemployment rate up to 6.5 per cent from 6.4 per cent in August. The contraction included declines of 35,000 full-time positions and 33,000 part-time jobs. September marked the second consecutive month of national employment losses, following a decrease of 42,000 jobs in August. These downturns come after a stretch of net growth from April to July, which had added 181,000 positions. Over the past year, national employment remains up by 95,000 jobs.

Regional Trends and Sector Shifts

Job losses across the country were led by Quebec, which lost 49,000 jobs, alongside British Columbia, down 20,000, and Manitoba, down 4,400. Conversely, gains were recorded in Alberta, up 23,000, Newfoundland and Labrador, up 1,800, and Prince Edward Island, up 1,000 positions.

Nationally, job declines were concentrated in educational services, manufacturing, as well as health care and social assistance. Growth was observed in repair and maintenance alongside personal or household services. Across the provinces, September unemployment rates ranged from a low of 5.0 per cent in Manitoba to a high of 9.1 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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.

Published

5 days ago

October 5, 2026

Current Editor

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.