What changed lately in Halifax, Toronto and Calgary, from official and trusted sources.
Alberta added 23,100 jobs in September 2026, mostly full-time, the largest gain of any province. The provincial unemployment rate fell from 6.8% to 6.4%. The statement gives no separate figures for Calgary.
The province ordered Edmonton to roll back its 2024 high-density infill zoning rules. Calgary can keep its current approach, since council already repealed blanket rezoning effective August 4, 2026, but must map the lands that went back to low-density zoning. The rules affect what kind of housing can be built in established neighbourhoods.
A Calgary Chamber of Commerce report says recent or proposed immigration changes could make hiring harder in a province where 65% of businesses already have trouble finding workers. In a survey of 137 members, 51% said immigrant employees are important to their business. The chamber recommends better foreign credential recognition.
Referendum Question 3 asks whether people without permanent status should have to live in Alberta for at least 12 months before they can get provincial social support programs. Calgary's Centre for Newcomers says many of its clients use the provincial child care subsidy, which could be affected if the policy goes ahead.
The deadline for the one-time $100 Alberta Energy Rebate has moved to October 31, 2026. Applicants must be Alberta residents aged 18 or older as of July 1, 2026, have filed a 2025 tax return, and have a household income of $225,000 or less.
This piece looks at referendum Question 1, which asks whether Alberta should take more control over immigration to lower it, put economic migrants first and give Albertans priority for new jobs. A yes vote would not change any law on its own, but it could shape future provincial policy toward newcomers.
Premier Danielle Smith said the province is considering charging temporary residents a health-care premium of about $1,900 per worker, linked to a question on the October 19 referendum. Nothing has been decided yet. The proposal would mainly affect temporary workers, international students and their families.
Alberta released draft curricula including CALM 10, which adds career planning and personal finance topics such as budgeting, banking and debt. Teachers can field-test the drafts this school year, and they become mandatory in September 2028.
Alberta's 13-cent-per-litre provincial fuel tax on gasoline and diesel is suspended from October 1 to the end of 2026, under the province's oil-price-linked fuel tax rules. Anyone buying fuel in Alberta pays less while it lasts.
CMHC says Calgary is one of the few large Canadian cities where the gap to get back to pre-pandemic housing affordability is shrinking, after several years of record construction. Housing starts are slowing, from about 27,000 last year to a pace of about 19,000 this year.
Alberta is extending its math and reading screening to Grades 4 and 5 and putting $20 million into screening and supports for 2026-27. Schools must now share screening results with parents and provide intervention to students who need it. This applies to all K-6 families.
For 2026-27, the Calgary Board of Education expects about 143,475 students and the Calgary Catholic School District about 64,876. The province has fast-tracked 16 new school projects in Calgary. CBE yellow bus fees go up from $360 to $500 per rider, and qualifying families can apply for fee waivers.
Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) received 200 more provincial nomination spaces from IRCC, bringing its 2026 total to 6,603. The change affects foreign workers and graduates in Alberta who are waiting in or applying to AAIP streams.
Summaries are written by MoreLife. Always check the original source before making decisions.
