Alberta
Premier Smith asks CBC and opposition NDP to apologize for “defamatory” article

Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on a defamatory article published by CBC:
“Last week, the CBC published a defamatory article containing baseless allegations that Premier’s Office staff had sent a series of emails to Alberta Crown prosecutors concerning charges related to the Coutts protest and other pandemic-related matters before the courts. The CBC admitted that it had not seen any of the emails.
“This article was then used and editorialized by the Official Opposition to smear the reputations of the Premier, her office staff, Alberta Crown prosecutors and the Alberta Public Service.
“The Premier calls on the CBC to retract its outrageous story and, further, that the CBC and the Official Opposition apologize to the Premier, Premier’s Office staff, Alberta Crown prosecutors and those in the Alberta Public Service, for the damage caused to their reputations and that of Alberta’s justice system.

“The Premier publicly campaigned for seven months on exploring ways to grant legal amnesty for individuals charged with non-violent, non-firearms, pandemic-related violations.
“After taking office, the Premier and her staff had several discussions with the Minister of Justice and ministry officials, requesting an explanation of what policy options were available for this purpose. After receiving a detailed legal opinion from the minister to not proceed with pursuing options for granting amnesty, the Premier followed that legal advice. All communications between the Premier, her staff, the Minister of Justice and Ministry of Justice public servants have been appropriate and made through the proper channels.
“The CBC’s allegations and insinuations to the contrary are, once again, baseless.”
Alberta
Japan to resume imports of Canadian processed beef, 20 years after mad cow disease

OTTAWA — Japan is lifting the last of its restrictions against Canadian beef, 20 years after BSE, often called mad cow disease, devastated this country’s cattle industry.
The federal government says Japan is reopening its doors to processed beef and beef patties from Canada.
The move puts an end to the market access barriers Japan put in place in 2003, after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, was discovered in Alberta.
While Japan initially shut its border to all Canadian beef, it has been lifting restrictions in stages over the years, most recently with its 2019 decision to begin accepting Canadian beef from cattle older than 30 months of age.
The federal government says Japan is now Canada’s second-largest market for beef, with exports worth $518 million in 2022.
Around 40 countries closed their borders to Canadian beef during the height of the 2003 BSE crisis, resulting in billions of dollars in losses for the industry.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2023.
The Canadian Press
Alberta
Statements from the family members of Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan

Statements submitted by the Edmonton Police Service
Ryan Family Statement
We want to thank the public for the overwhelming outpouring of support they have provided our family, and Brett’s EPS and first-responder family, during this extremely difficult time. Grieving the sudden loss of a beloved member of our family is ineffable. Brett was a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a father-to-be. He was a multi-talented individual, dedicated friend, respected colleague, active community member and volunteer, and compassionate first responder whose calling was to help those in need. His absence is profound, and we, along with his brothers and sisters in blue, will miss him. We have had the incredible experience of witnessing the extraordinary support a city can provide a family in their most significant time of need. Thank you for your selflessness expressed through thoughtful words, blue ribbons, touching tributes, acts of kindness, and much more. As we prepare to say our farewell, we thank you for respecting our privacy and for continuing to do so in the coming days and weeks as we grieve this tremendous loss.
Jordan Family Statement
We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the public for the extraordinary lengths you have gone to support our family, and Travis’ EPS family, in this time of great tragedy. We are beyond words as we continue to grieve this unspeakable loss. Travis’ sense of adventure was boundless and led him to a life well-lived. He was a son, a husband, a brother, and a loyal friend. Alberta may have called to his heart, but the East Coast ran through his veins. His family roots in Nova Scotia have deep ties to the province filled with friends, family and loved ones. We want to extend our thanks for their continued love and support and pay homage to them for the profound effect they had on his life. He was passionate about giving back to his communities, and his willingness to help was limitless—all the makings of a great police officer and an even greater human being. This loss has cast an enormous void in our lives, and we, along with his EPS brothers and sisters, will miss him fiercely. The incredible outpouring of support we continue to receive in this city and across the country has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated. We thank you for respecting our family’s privacy during this difficult time and for continuing to do so in the days ahead as we prepare to say farewell to a great man.
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