Standing for Alberta – The Fight for a Fair Deal Within Canada

A new organization called Fairness Alberta has recently joined the ongoing national conversation discussing Alberta’s role in the Canadian landscape as a major contributor to the wealth and general prosperity of the country. Arguments surrounding the value of Alberta, which position it as Canada’s neglected province, have long been a contentious topic at the regional and national levels.

In 2016, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel famously made waves at parliament when she accused the federal government of treating Alberta like a “fart in the room, that no one wants to acknowledge or talk about” (1).
In October 2019, the results of the Canadian Federal Election saw the outrage of many across western Canada, giving rise to the popular Western Exit, better known as WEXIT, movement. Based on fundamental principles of economic liberty and social stability, WEXIT advocates for Western Canadian sovereignty through the secession of the western provinces from the rest of the country.
In January 2020, Alberta Proud hosted The Value of Alberta: A One-Day Conference on Alberta’s Future, featuring keynote topics such as “The Economic Value of Alberta”, “Is there a Canadian Manifesto without Alberta?” and “Reasons Alberta Struggles to fit and Where we go Next”.

On Monday, May 25, Fairness Alberta joined the ranks of Albertans dissatisfied with the federal government’s treatment of Alberta, seeking to take a stand against biased policies and regulations. This Proudly Canadian, Fiercely Albertan organization operates on non-partisan, factual fundamentals, seeking not to deepen the divide between Alberta and the rest of the country, but to bridge the gap through education, discussion and understanding.

Bill Bewick, Executive Director Fairness Alberta, brings extensive experience to the organization with a PhD in Political Science from Michigan State University and years spent working as a political consultant, as well as within the Alberta legislature. “It is entirely outside of our mandate to speculate about separatism,” says Bewick of the WEXIT movement, “our goal is to get a better deal for Alberta, within Canada.”

At the core of their organization, Fairness Alberta believes Canadians should recognize how a prosperous Alberta benefits Canada as a whole. According to Bewick, FA founders and members share a fundamental frustration regarding “how little people and politicians seem to understand about the amount of money leaving Alberta every year.” The Alberta Transfer Meter, operated by Fairness Alberta, features a running total of Alberta’s net contributions to other provinces in the form of federal taxes and EI premiums over the last two decades. According to the Meter, Albertans have seen an estimated total of $324 billion of their tax dollars spent in other Canadian provinces from the year 2000 to 2019.

Dedicated to informing the rest of the country about “the importance of Alberta’s contributions to Canada, and about the unfair nature of various federal policies, actions, and decisions from Ottawa”, Fairness Alberta hopes to help level the Canadian playing field in regards to fiscal, trade, energy, procurement and infrastructure issues.

“Alberta’s contributions are taken for granted,” says Bewick, “We want to encourage investment in a place that has shown high levels of productivity in the past and has a lot of potential for the future.” In achieving this goal, Bewick adds, “we really think education and open discussion are critical in reaching a common ground and having any significant change take place.”

Since their official launch, Fairness Alberta has experienced positive pick-up and feedback from the Alberta public, and is committed to continued growth and expansion throughout the rest of Canada. Dialogue based and donation driven, Bewick encourages the public to reach out, share feedback and join the conversation surrounding Alberta’s future.

For more information on Fairness Alberta and how to get involved, visit https://www.fairnessalberta.ca.

For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary.

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Albertans choose new licence plate design with the “Strong and Free” motto

Published on November 18, 2025

Government of Alberta

First new plate in 40 years hit the road in 2026.

Albertans have chosen beautiful Moraine Lake in Banff National Park as the new design for the province’s licence plate.

After three rounds of voting and more than 240,000 votes cast, Albertans have spoken. The iconic Moraine Lake in Banff National Park will be featured on the province’s new licence plate.

Available in mid-2026, echoing the “Strong and Free” motto of our province, the plate reflects Alberta’s bold identity, economic strength and deep-rooted provincial pride. The motto’s inclusion on the licence plates will also serve as a nod to Canada’s national anthem and Alberta’s position as a strong and sovereign province within a united Canada.

“Albertans know who we are and what we stand for: we are strong, free, resilient and united by the natural beauty that defines our home. Moraine Lake is recognized around the world, and the fact that Albertans chose it makes this new plate deeply meaningful. Thank you to the Albertans who cast more than 240,000 votes and helped choose a design that showcases Alberta’s natural beauty and will stand as a proud symbol of our province for years to come.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

Moraine Lake is one of Alberta’s most iconic destinations, making it fitting that it be on the province’s licence plates for motorists around the country to see. The licence plate depicts the breathtaking panoramic view of Moraine Lake that perfectly displays the province’s beautiful Rocky Mountains, which attract visitors from around the world to Alberta.

“Having the iconic Moraine Lake on our licence plates is something we can all be proud to show off. Thank you to every Albertan who cast their vote in our tournament. Because of you, the beauty and strong and free spirit of our province will be on display for motorists across the country.”

Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction

If an Albertan wants to replace their current plate for the new licence plate once it is released, they can voluntarily pay a $28 fee. Alternatively, Albertans could obtain a new plate on their vehicle registration renewal date at no additional cost. Motorists may also continue using the previous licence plate once the new licence plate is brought onboard, provided it is still in good condition.

Quick facts

Alberta’s current licence plate was designed in 1984.
In 2021, Alberta began a transition from painted to reflective plates with the same design.
The new design incorporates reflective technology to improve readability for law enforcement and automated systems in low-light conditions, and to meet international standards for visibility, legibility and counterfeit resistance.

Alberta

Edmonton and Red Deer to Host 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship

Published on November 18, 2025

Todayville

News release from the Red Deer Rebels and Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has announced that the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be played in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2027.

The successful bid represents a partnership between OEG Sports & Entertainment, the Red Deer Rebels, Hockey Alberta, the Cities of Edmonton and Red Deer, and the Province of Alberta, which made an $11 million commitment in February 2024 to host events in communities throughout the province.

“We are excited to bring the IIHF World Junior Championship back to Edmonton and Red Deer, and to give hockey fans in Alberta and across the country the opportunity to watch the top under-20 players compete for a gold medal right here in Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact with Hockey Canada. “Both cities have been successful hosts of IIHF and other high-profile international events, and we know our partners in Edmonton and Red Deer will host a world-class event for players, teams, fans and volunteers alike.”

The 18,500-seat Rogers Place, home of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers and Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings, will serve as the primary competition venue and host 17 games, including both semifinals and the medal games. The additional 14 games are set for the 7,050-seat Marchant Crane Centrium, home of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels.

“Alberta is ready to welcome visitors from around the world for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship,” said Andrew Boitchenko, minister of tourism and sport for Alberta. “This event celebrates the spirit of international competition and our province’s passion for hockey, while showcasing Alberta as a world-class destination for sporting events.”

“Edmonton is thrilled to co-host the IIHF World Junior Championship. This tournament is a fantastic opportunity to watch the world’s best junior hockey players right here in our community, showcasing emerging talent and inspiring a new generation of athletes,” said Andrew Knack, mayor of Edmonton. “Hosting world-calibre events like this also injects vital tourism dollars into our local economy, boosts our city’s vibrancy, and solidifies Edmonton’s reputation as a premiere sports tourism destination.”

Edmonton last hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship in August 2022, which was rescheduled from its traditional winter slot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gold medal game at the 2022 event was an instant classic, with Mason McTavish making a game-saving play in overtime and Kent Johnson netting the game-winner just over a minute later to give Canada its 19th World Juniors gold medal. The city also hosted in 2021 without fans, and was a co-host with Calgary for the 2012 edition of the event. Red Deer was a co-host for the cancelled 2022 World Juniors, and first hosted the annual under-20 tournament in 1995.

“We are proud to welcome the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship back to our region,” said Jesse Smith, chief executive officer of Tourism Red Deer. “Red Deer’s love for the game and our hospitality will ensure an unforgettable experience for every athlete and fan.”

“The World Juniors give Edmonton an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our city on the world stage,” said Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development and venues management with Explore Edmonton. “This event strengthens our global reputation as a premier international sport destination while delivering more than $90 million in total economic impact to our community and inspiring the next generation of hockey players and fans. Edmonton loves hockey and we cannot wait to welcome global athletes and fans.”

Pre-tournament games for the 2027 World Juniors are expected to take place throughout Alberta, allowing fans across the province to watch the best junior hockey players from 10 countries before the puck officially drops in Edmonton and Red Deer on Boxing Day.

With demand for tickets expected to exceed availability, more information about a priority ticket draw and tournament ticket packages will be announced in the coming months. Fans looking to receive updates about the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship as soon as they become available can sign up to become a Hockey Canada Insider today.

“On behalf of all of us at OEG Sports & Entertainment, we are proud to once again be hosting the IIHF World Junior Championship and the best young stars on the planet,” said Stu Ballantyne, president and chief operating officer of Rogers Place and ICE District. “The World Juniors is one of the most celebrated tournaments in hockey, and bringing it back to Edmonton is an honour for our city, our fans and our entire organization. ICE District and Rogers Place were built to facilitate and showcase the very best in sport and entertainment, and we look forward to working closely with Hockey Canada and other partners to deliver an unforgettable experience for the athletes, fans and the global hockey community.”

“We are beyond excited for our fans, partners and community to once again welcome the hockey world to Red Deer,” said Merrick Sutter, senior vice-president of the Red Deer Rebels. “This is a community that loves events, and we know their passion will be on full display once again next December.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.