Alberta's United Conservative government passed a motion Wednesday urging legislation to enact a controversial new 91-seat electoral map published this week. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the boundaries process was independent and defended more rural-urban hybrid ridings as reflecting shared community services. Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi called the map the most gerrymandered in Canadian history and said it dilutes urban votes. Debate was limited to one hour before the motion passed 45 to 36. Nenshi has vowed a court challenge unless the map changes, while Elections Alberta warns the timing leaves little room before the scheduled October 2027 provincial election.
Alberta's United Conservative government has introduced Bill 38, which would require universities and colleges to stay institutionally neutral on political issues and protect freedom of expression. Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall said students, faculty and staff would remain free to voice opinions. The bill follows a court ruling that the University of Lethbridge wrongly cancelled a 2023 lecture by Frances Widdowson. The bill would also cap tuition increases for Canadian students at two per cent in 2027-28 and set minimum standards for student conduct codes. Separately, McDougall said parental income will no longer count when assessing eligibility for student loans.
Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta will assemble a legal team if the Opposition NDP follows through on a constitutional challenge to proposed new electoral boundaries. An advisory panel's report, released Monday, would stretch some Calgary ridings beyond city limits and give Lethbridge one urban seat plus three hybrid urban-rural districts reaching up to 140 kilometres away. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called the report illegal and unconstitutional, while two panel members dissented. Smith said she hopes the issue can be settled through debate in the legislature, arguing hybrid ridings work well elsewhere. The next provincial election is scheduled for October 2027.
