Stephen Magusiak

1 week ago | pressprogress.ca | Stephen Magusiak

Analysis by Stephen Magusiak, Reporter Right-wing figures are floating Alberta secessionism if Mark Carney’s Liberals win the federal election, threatening a referendum on independence if the election doesn’t turn out the way they hope it does. As Pierre Poilievre’s chances of winning continue dropping, right-wing voices across the province, from fringey convoy figures to the opposition leaders alike, are starting to bang the drum for Alberta’s separation from the rest of Canada. Alberta...

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Stephen Magusiak

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is making friends with American far-right media figures and creating headaches for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre after recent comments suggesting Poilievre will bring Canada closer to Donald Trump. Smith drew heavy criticism over the weekend following an interview with Breitbart News where she admitted to talking with Trump officials about how best to get Poilievre elected.

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Stephen Magusiak

Public education funding is not keeping pace with inflation, advocates say, and the situation is getting worse with the latest budget. Classroom conditions are deteriorating in Alberta public schools while private and charter schools received a funding boost in the 2025 budget which passed Thursday, according to the teacher’s association president.

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Stephen Magusiak

Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government quietly signed off on an $11 billion budget item to backstop banks, but no one is quite sure why. The Order in Council, which massively increases the amount of public money available to backstop financial institutions, is dated January 29, 2025 and was issued without any public announcement explaining the reason for the change.

2 months ago | pressprogress.ca | Rumneek Johal |Stephen Magusiak

NEWS by Stephen Magusiak, Reporter The far-right group Take Back Alberta has taken yet another hit with a large number of fines issued over the embattled far-right organization’s financial reporting. This week Elections Alberta levied over $100,000 in fines against the group and its leaders for failing to report their donation records. The exact sources of TBA’s finances are still undisclosed but a number of items stick out, for example a $13,500 fine was levied for unreported foreign...