Alberta separatists meet with US Officials — Alberta

Junia Alsinawi, Deputy News Editor

Leaders from the Alberta Prosperity Project, a separatist group that wants Alberta to be independent from Canada, have met three times with US State Department officials in Washington since April, a new Financial Times report reveals. 

The group’s first founding principle is to hold a referendum on “Alberta sovereignty,” and it has reported that members of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus have signed the petition. A referendum has not yet been called.

At a time of heightened US-Canada tension, the group appears to want the US as an ally, and is trying to meet officials in Washington again next month to discuss a $500 billion credit facility to financially support the province, should the referendum for independence be passed.

Following these reports, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects US President Donald Trump will “respect Canadian sovereignty.”

Canada announces new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit — Ottawa

Nguyen Bao Han Tran, Varsity Contributor

On January 26, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will replace the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit. Starting in July 2026, the benefit will increase by 25 per cent for five years, alongside a one-time payment in 2026 equivalent to a 50 per cent increase.

According to the federal government, a family of four could receive up to $1,890 in 2026 and approximately $1,400 annually for the next four years. Single individuals could receive up to $950 in 2026 and about $700 per year for the next four years. The benefit is expected to support more than 12 million Canadians.

Pierre Poilievre passes leadership review with 87 per cent support — Calgary

Nguyen Bao Han Tran, Varsity Contributor

On January 30, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre passed his party’s leadership review with 87.4 per cent support following a vote held at the Conservative Party’s national convention in Calgary. According to a Conservative spokesperson, approximately 95 per cent of eligible delegates participated in the vote.

The leadership review was the most significant internal test of Poilievre’s leadership since he became Conservative leader in September 2022.

Marineland granted conditional approval to export captive beluga whales and dolphins to US — Niagara Falls

Arunveer Sidhu, UTM Bureau Chief

On January 26, the Canadian government granted conditional approval for Marineland — an amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario that shut down in 2024 — to export 30 captive beluga whales and four dolphins to US facilities.

On January 22, Marineland provided the Canadian government with a deadline to approve its export permits to ship its remaining beluga whales and dolphins abroad. They threatened to move forward with their plan of euthanizing the animals if the deadline was not met. 

Marineland has been the subject of controversy for many years — a total of 20 whales have died at the amusement park since 2019.