It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Canadians, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in our country have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The McLeod Building gets harder without someone by their side. However, as seniors grow older, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, many older Canadians aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Edmonton, AB is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“They have a very flexible schedule and they are very respectful towards there employees,they create”
“We, as a family, are very happy and grateful for the compassionate care that is”
“It's great working with them. They are very transparent and open to communicate. The flexible”
“Gladys has been my nurse for quite sometime. She is always prompt and respectful of”
“I knew Owen via community outreach, and he provided a different approach regarding their company’s”
“The staff are great. They listen to your needs and are well experienced”
“I am so impressed with Always Best Care. My entire experience thus far has been”
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“Such compassionate and experienced caregivers, Always best care senior services was the best choice”
“They have a very flexible schedule and they are very respectful towards there employees,they create”
“We, as a family, are very happy and grateful for the compassionate care that is”
“It's great working with them. They are very transparent and open to communicate. The flexible”
“Gladys has been my nurse for quite sometime. She is always prompt and respectful of”
“I knew Owen via community outreach, and he provided a different approach regarding their company’s”
“The staff are great. They listen to your needs and are well experienced”
“I am so impressed with Always Best Care. My entire experience thus far has been”
“Our family is very pleased with the care that is provided by Always Best Care.”
“Always Best Care has been providing my mom’s personal care since April 2024. They have”
“Awesome Team, all I got is love, understanding and Care. Always Best Care is such”
“They always have the best services both for clients and their caregivers. They are easy”
“Always Best Care Senior Services treats its clients and staff members like family. It offers”
“The team at Always Best Care is very considerate and caring. They are in business”
“Such compassionate and experienced caregivers, Always best care senior services was the best choice”
“Our family is very pleased with the care that is provided by Always Best Care. The staff are punctual and always willing to help with anything that is asked of them. My husband’s personal care aide has become a close friend and companion.”
“Always Best Care has been providing my mom’s personal care since April 2024. They have been very helpful and hands-on in making sure my mom gets the best care possible. They are very open to suggestions and always eager to listen to our family’s needs as my mom’s situation keeps changing. Gladys and her company stands firm with carrying their company’s name - always giving the best care to their clients like my mom. I highly recommend their company. Thanks Gladys, Corrina and to all the caregivers. Our family appreciate all your care and support. ????????”
“Awesome Team, all I got is love, understanding and Care. Always Best Care is such a wonderful family who are out to help persons from diverse backgrounds achieve their dreams along side as we all grow. All they do is listening to everyone and bringing out solutions to every aspects.All thanks to God”
“They always have the best services both for clients and their caregivers. They are easy to communicate with 24/7. They always make sure that they have someone you can talk to whenever you need them. They make sure that everything is good both the client and their workers. 100% the best home care service.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services treats its clients and staff members like family. It offers a flexible schedule and shows great respect for its employees. They create a welcoming environment and make a significant effort to connect you with clients who are within a reasonable driving distance.”
“The team at Always Best Care is very considerate and caring. They are in business for all the right reasons. Their experience and looking out for the seniors they take care of is what sets them apart from the rest.”
“Such compassionate and experienced caregivers, Always best care senior services was the best choice we made to help my grandmother . Definitely, recommended !”
“They have a very flexible schedule and they are very respectful towards there employees,they create a very welcoming environment.They make a lot effort to get you clients within a drivable distances.”
“We, as a family, are very happy and grateful for the compassionate care that is provided to our parents”
“It's great working with them. They are very transparent and open to communicate. The flexible hours are a huge benefit, and they are truly accommodating when it comes to aligning with your availability, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.”
“Gladys has been my nurse for quite sometime. She is always prompt and respectful of my needs. Cant say enough about her other than she is the best I could ever be fortunate enough to have”
“I knew Owen via community outreach, and he provided a different approach regarding their company’s services. The company provides wide-array services with holistic, trauma-informed care that meets our community's needs. The company also strives to provide culturally sensitive care and, if possible, match appropriate employees to their clients’ needs. I recommend that people contact their company regarding home care services.”
“The staff are great. They listen to your needs and are well experienced”
“I am so impressed with Always Best Care. My entire experience thus far has been amazing. I initially heard about this company from family friends who are using their services, and also saw their advertisement on social media. I required care for my elderly Uncle, who has early stage dementia and requires assistance at times. I called Always Best Care and spoke with Corrina, the company coordinator. She asked several questions to determine our needs and then arranged a time for Gladys, the company’s Registered Nurse to come to our home for a full assessment. It was the most pleasant visit and my Uncle felt at ease the entire time. We were given every opportunity to ask all the necessary questions to determine how much care my uncle required, the cost and what schedule would best suit his needs, and I was comfortable knowing that he would be able to remain in his own home, instead of having to go into an assisted living facility. This was so important to him. Gladys was able to provide the name of his caregiver, tell us our the caregivers qualifications and coordinate a set schedule for home visits. She reassured us this would all work within our budget. My Uncle’s caregiver is pleasant and compassionate, has great attention to detail and is very well suited for this role. We feel very relieved to know he can be helped with his personal hygiene, ensuring his medication is being taken on time, his shopping, his meal prep and so much more. Even if he requires a companion just to sit and have a chat with, or play a game, Always Best Care is here to help. I would highly recommend Always Best Care. From the first phone call you make , your first home assessment or daily or weekly home visits, you’ll certainly have such a sense of relief knowing your loved one is cared for by such a wonderful team.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Rundle Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local La Ronde Revolving Restaurant or visit Rutherford House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
When it comes to non-medical home care, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
Studies on aging have found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Edmonton, AB, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the CBC, aging in place can be more affordable than living in a retirement home, which can cost thousands of dollars a month, with no extra care included.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With ABC's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Edmonton, AB understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced ABC Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your Care Plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Edmonton, AB 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Alberta is forecasting it will end the next fiscal year with a $5.2 billion deficit but that could soar to $8.7 billion under a worst-case tariff scenario outlined in Thursday's provincial budget.Finance Minister Nate Horner introduced the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year amid great uncertainty for Alberta and Canada, just days before the U.S. tariffs are set to come into effect."Alberta's government is making responsible, though difficult, decisions to fund the priorities of today," Horner said at a news conference...
Alberta is forecasting it will end the next fiscal year with a $5.2 billion deficit but that could soar to $8.7 billion under a worst-case tariff scenario outlined in Thursday's provincial budget.
Finance Minister Nate Horner introduced the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year amid great uncertainty for Alberta and Canada, just days before the U.S. tariffs are set to come into effect.
"Alberta's government is making responsible, though difficult, decisions to fund the priorities of today," Horner said at a news conference prior to tabling the budget. "We must do the right things to ensure we remain steadfast in the face of oncoming headwinds."
U.S. President Donald Trump said the tariffs — 10 per cent for Canadian oil and gas and 25 per cent for all other exports — are coming on Tuesday.
The Alberta budget outlines three scenarios. There are best-case, worst-case and middle ground scenarios that the document is based on.
Alberta government officials estimate the worst scenario could result in a loss of $3.5 billion in revenue in the 2025-26 fiscal year and cost 90,000 jobs over the next three years.
Estimates in the budget are based on the assumption that average tariff rate for sectors outside of oil and gas will be 15 per cent over the year.
Horner said he thinks that assumption for the non-oil and gas sectors is a "reasonable place to be," given the uncertainty.
"We think 15 per cent is a sustainable rate that could be left in," Horner said. "It could be 25 per cent for a few months and come back to zero. This has to be an average of the entire fiscal year. So we think this is a prudent place to budget from."
The government is introducing a lower, eight per cent personal tax rate on income under $60,000, which was promised by Premier Danielle Smith in the 2023 election campaign. The government says it will save Albertans as much as $750.
The tax cut will cost the government $1.2 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
There will also be a tax hike on the portion of municipal property taxes that goes toward education.
The budget predicts three years of deficits, largely due to a $4.4 billion decrease in oil and gas revenue from what was forecasted in the current year's budget. Non-renewable resources make up 23 per cent of the province's current revenue.
WATCH | Here are five key takeaways from the Alberta budget:
5 takeaways from the 2025 Alberta budget
24 days ago
Duration 1:24
The CBC's Nancy Carlson outlines some key points from the 2025 Alberta budget.
The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate oil, the benchmark Alberta uses for budgeting, is estimated at $68 US in 2025-26. That's a drop of $6 from the previous year's budget.
This is the first deficit budget for an Alberta government since the 2020-21 fiscal year, presented during the early days of the pandemic.
The debt is forecasted to reach $83 billion by the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The government also doubled its contingency fund to $4 billion to cover the effects of tariffs, wildfires and wage increases from public sector bargaining.
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the budget has little guidance for how to navigate the rocky economic waters that lie ahead with tariffs.
Even the cut to personal income tax doesn't offer much relief as it will be offset by increases to education taxes and other increases, Nenshi said.
Lower-income Albertans will see less relief from the cut than those with larger salaries, he said.
Nenshi said the budget shows that the government is unable to manage its finances.
"Even if somehow we skated free of the tariffs, we would still have a $3 billion deficit this year," he said. "I have never seen a government waste money like this. I have never seen a government that is this bad with money and I've seen a lot of bad governments."
The province is restoring the grants in lieu of taxes on provincially owned properties, after cutting them in half in 2020. The funding will go up to 75 per cent in 2025-26 and be fully restored in 2026-27.
While the cut affected many Alberta communities, the City of Edmonton sustained the largest impact as the provincial capital.
While the province is offering a lower tax bracket for income under $60,000, education property taxes will go up over the next two years so that they cover one-third of education funding.
On average, people in Calgary will pay $239 dollars more. In Edmonton, where property values are lower, the average is $92.
The budget allocates $25 million for border security initiatives announced last month. Increased patrols along the border between Alberta and Montana were introduced to address security concerns raised by Trump.
Education spending is budgeted at $10.4 billion, which includes $9.9 billion for operating expenses. The province is changing a controversial funding formula introduced in 2020 that critics said hurt fast-growing urban schools at the expense of rural schools.
The budget allocates $2.6 billion over three years to build and modernize school spaces.
Health care spending is estimated to be $24 billion. The funding covers the four health care organizations the government is creating from Alberta Health Services.
Provincial affairs reporter
Michelle Bellefontaine covers the Alberta legislature for CBC News in Edmonton. She has also worked as a reporter in the Maritimes and in northern Canada.
Just when you think a provincial boundary is set in stone, the geological whims of the Rocky Mountains have other ideas.Laws dating as far back as 1866 say the mountainous portion of the Alberta-British Columbia boundary is determined by how the water flows — eastward into Alberta, or westward into B.C.Erosion, landslides and other natural processes nudge the provincial dividing line all the time. But...
Just when you think a provincial boundary is set in stone, the geological whims of the Rocky Mountains have other ideas.
Laws dating as far back as 1866 say the mountainous portion of the Alberta-British Columbia boundary is determined by how the water flows — eastward into Alberta, or westward into B.C.
Erosion, landslides and other natural processes nudge the provincial dividing line all the time. But changing the description of the border on paper is a slog, with even a slight tweak necessitating a referendum in Alberta.
Now, the Alberta government is trying to eliminate the need for a boundary change referendum. The change is included in Bill 38, which would modify seven pieces of legislation in an effort to reduce regulatory burdens.
"Obviously, we're not talking about a significant carving up of the border," Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said at a news conference in Edmonton. "That still would fall under the Constitution, and a referendum will be required."
Nally's ministry is tasked with axing or simplifying laws and regulations that put bureaucratic hurdles in the way of people accomplishing what should be straightforward paperwork.
The bill would allow the provinces to draw a straight-line "conventional" border in small areas where the landscape is in flux, but a business wants clarity about which province they're operating in.
Nally gave the example of a ski hill, where owners need to know which provincial regulations to follow.
Banff's Sunshine Village ski resort, for instance, has the Great Divide chairlift, which chugs skiers across the provincial boundary twice on their way up the mountain.
Nally said the change would help with survey work that's currently underway on the boundary.
Shawn Marshall, a glacier researcher who studies the Continental Divide, says the "most wiggly border" in Canada is influenced mostly by glaciers melting unevenly on each side of the border — a process that's exacerbated by climate change..
Glacial melt has reduced the height of some mountainous land by as much as 40 metres since the border was originally drawn, he said.
"Right now, the Continental Divide follows a very indirect route and for actual governance of those lands, maybe it's easier to draw a line through those," Marshall said.
Legally changing what land belongs to which province also affects who owns the potentially valuable resources underground, he said
Even if the need for a referendum is eliminated, Alberta can't orchestrate a land grab without negotiating with B.C., he said.
According to the Land Title and Survey Authority of B.C. website, the question of the boundary's location a century ago was murky enough for coal companies and foresters that the federal government and provinces agreed to establish a provincial boundary commission in 1913.
The federal government has updated the statute a few times, but a 1974 law, now in effect, says a representative from B.C., Alberta and the federal government now comprise the Alberta-British Columbia Boundary Commission.
The commission is in charge of record-keeping, settling disputes about the boundary, maintaining and restoring monuments marking the boundary, and surveying the provincial line for changes.
In a technical briefing with reporters, Alberta officials said surveying work done on the boundary in 1979 and 1980 resulted in a new set of boundary markers plotting the line, but legal changes making the border move official were never done.
Alberta officials said they couldn't think of a time when any change to the B.C.-Alberta border had been legalized.
Bill 38, the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, also proposes to change the mandate of the province's Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA).
If passed, the legislation would prevent the advocate from reporting on deaths of young people age 20 and older. Right now, the advocate's mandate compels them to look into the deaths and serious injury reports of young people who are or were involved with the child intervention system within the previous two years. This mandate includes people up to age 24.
In advocate Terri Pelton's most recent report on the deaths and injuries of 48 young people in 2023-24, 13 of the young people were adults. It's unclear how many were age 20 or older.
Children's Services Minister Searle Turton told reporters at the legislature Wednesday that young adults have access to many other programs and services.
"Having those resources focus on those ages of children under the age of 18, I think it's going to pay huge dividends for children here in this province," he said of the advocate's proposed new mandate.
The changes would also compel the advocate to report to legislators less frequently.
Turton said his office did consult with Pelton and that "she's very supportive of many of the items that we put forth in the bill."
In a statement, Pelton said her office is the only provincial organization that consistently reviews the deaths of young adults who were previously in government care.
"I remain deeply concerned about young people aged 20-24," her statement said. "The transition to adulthood is a critical period, and we continue to see a significant number of young adults who were in government care as children, dying."
Although the bill may change investigation requirements, Pelton said it doesn't stop her office, or the advocate's youth council, from raising awareness about the challenges young people face when transitioning from childhood in government care into adulthood.
Among the seven pieces of legislation that would be modified by Bill 38 is the Residential Tenancies Act. A proposed modernization would allow landlords to use electronic means, such as email, to serve tenants with documents about rent increases and eviction notices.
Nally said landlords should still attempt to communicate this information with tenants on paper, either in person or posted inside buildings.
The law allows landlords to try other methods — like faxing — when they can't locate the tenants.
Nally says the amendment proposes to future-proof the law by allowing communication by electronic methods that have a time and date stamp of delivery and allow the sender to know when the recipient has read the message.
Provincial affairs reporter
Janet French covers the Alberta Legislature for CBC Edmonton. She previously spent 15 years working at newspapers, including the Edmonton Journal and Saskatoon StarPhoenix. You can reach her at [email protected].
With files from Emily Williams
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1 month agoDuration 1:42A Court of King's Bench justice has granted an injunction on an Alberta government ministerial order, that allows schools to not offer in-person learning for students with disabilities while school support staff are on strike. CBC's Travis McEwan speaks with one the parent’s behind the legal challenge.Social SharingAn Alberta judge has granted an injunction to a ministerial order that allowed the Edmonton public school division to keep some students with disabilities from going to s...
1 month ago
Duration 1:42
A Court of King's Bench justice has granted an injunction on an Alberta government ministerial order, that allows schools to not offer in-person learning for students with disabilities while school support staff are on strike. CBC's Travis McEwan speaks with one the parent’s behind the legal challenge.
An Alberta judge has granted an injunction to a ministerial order that allowed the Edmonton public school division to keep some students with disabilities from going to school.
The injunction comes five weeks into a strike between Edmonton Public Schools and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3550, which represents educational assistants and support staff.
In a decision filed Thursday, Court of King's Bench Justice Anna Loparco said it's in the public interest to ensure all students can go to school, even during a labour shortage — and that the four families in the lawsuit have suffered irreparable harm.
"It's, in our view, a huge win for children with disabilities. It's very rare to have cases that reach a written decision like this for equality rights," Orlah O'Kelly said, the lawyer representing the families who brought the case forward.
One of the plaintiffs is Martin Doyle, whose 11-year-old son Ryan has been asked to stay home from school three days a week. Ryan has ADHD and autism that makes him nonverbal.
"Sometimes he's upset, or he's just crying for unknown reasons. We presume he's just bored and wants to go to school," Doyle said.
"When he sees the bus go by, that's really hard on him."
In addition to the impact on his son, the situation has been challenging financially, Doyle said, adding that he takes unpaid leave from work and pays out of pocket for respite care.
The provincial regulation requiring schools to always offer an in-person class option came into effect in 2022.
According to Loparco's decision, Edmonton Public Schools superintendent Darrel Robertson requested an exemption to that requirement in October, in anticipation of the strike.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides made a ministerial order in January, one day before the strike began at Edmonton schools. The order exempted the school division from having to provide in-person learning, in the name of health and safety for students and staff.
This approach, Loparco said, assumed minimal disruption to the system by only targeting students who use an educational assistant. But she still found it discriminatory.
"This approach failed to consider that non-disabled students might suffer the least amount of harm since they do not have the same disadvantages as the students and could adapt to an at-home learning program more easily," she wrote.
She concludes that the Education Ministry should take an approach that considers all students and all resources.
The injunction won't come into effect until Feb. 27 to give the ministry time to consider a new order that complies with Loparco's decision.
Nicolaides is reviewing the judge's decision, according to a statement CBC News received Thursday afternoon.
According to a letter to families from Robertson, the current arrangements will remain while the division awaits further direction from the Education Ministry.
"Students who are presently on alternative learning arrangements will continue with those arrangements. We are currently examining the decision and conversations have already started about potential adjustments to our contingency plans," the letter says.
Doyle hopes to see a change.
"We're always hopeful they will make better decisions to include all children equally in disruption — and make sure that there's a place for the most vulnerable students that need it the most," he said.
CUPE Alberta president Rory Gill said the union is pleased with the court's decision.
"All children have the right to learn and the minister's order was unjust and cruel," Gill said.
The court also clarified that its decision does not demand the hiring of replacement workers.
Gill was heartened to see that conclusion.
Emily is a reporter with CBC Edmonton. She can be reached at [email protected].
Get kids active, involved, or continue the learning over spring break in Edmonton this year. Over the break, there are several activities planned across the city just for kids.Backlight O/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedThese activities, day camps, drop-in programs, and city attractions cover a variety of kids’ interests. There are things to do for rainy days, sunny days and time in nature, as well as plenty of ways to get kids moving.These activities ...
Get kids active, involved, or continue the learning over spring break in Edmonton this year. Over the break, there are several activities planned across the city just for kids.
Backlight O/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed
These activities, day camps, drop-in programs, and city attractions cover a variety of kids’ interests. There are things to do for rainy days, sunny days and time in nature, as well as plenty of ways to get kids moving.
These activities range in price and include several free options for fun over spring break in Edmonton.
Spring Break 2025 is March 24 to 28. (including Weekends – March 22 to 30)
Spring Break Getaways:
Edmonton’s local musical and theatre scene will be on full display this spring break through some of the local theatres. These experiences make for an excellent family night out, ladies’ nights, or date nights.
Count on some of the toy stores around Edmonton for kids’ entertainment and fun during Spring Break. The two biggest toy stores in Edmonton both have fun planned at every one of their locations for March 24-28, 2025.
Each of these movie-going experiences offers its own features and things to look forward to besides a new movie. Cineplex, for example, has two theatres located beside two Rec Room locations, while Landmark have created a luxurious experience for movie-goers in Edmonton. Plus, Edmontonians can take in a larger-than-life show through IMAX, or Indie flicks on the smaller screen.
Spring Movie Break at Landmark Cinemas!
Whether you’re looking for an event to start the break with, or with which to end the Spring Break, Edmonton will have both! This includes a signature but new annual event in downtown Edmonton intended for people of all ages.
Some of Edmonton’s attractions have feature spring break activities planned, and fun spring break day camps. These are experiences that are unique to each location!
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Explore the past in several different ways this Spring Break. These Edmonton attractions will have you exploring deep into the ancient past, into the recent past, and into the best of the Art Gallery of Alberta’s exhibits and kids’ programming.
There are some pretty cool and unique indoor attractions around Edmonton perfect for all ages, especially for families or groups of kids. These cover activities, games, and recreation.
There are a large number of community parks, county parks, provincial parks, and even a national park, within a day trip from Edmonton. Plus, many of the small towns and rural areas around Edmonton can make for a fun-filled day trip over Spring Break 2024- especially with this warm spring weather!
15 Spring Day Trips From Edmonton
Day Trips From Edmonton: 100+ Day Trip Ideas
The spring programming is fully scheduled for the Edmonton Public Libraries with events varying between branches.
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Edmonton’s River Valley offers people of all ages and athletic abilities a huge abundance of recreational opportunities. All along the park system you will find picnic shelters, playgrounds, off-leash areas, walking paths, and cycling paths. Pick your adventure!
Edmonton has two large indoor go-karting tracks to visit or try this spring break. Plus, each track is attached a host of other activities and attractions.
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There are a few key locations around Edmonton, which make for a perfect stargazing trip all thanks to the dark sky preservation of the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Area east of the city. Each of these locations has washrooms, walking trails, and picnic amenities. And as we are over the hump of daylight savings, the nights will become darker a bit later. This gives you more time for picnics, exploring the parks, and building a fire before the stargazing. These parks are under the dark sky preserve:
Discover the wilder side of Edmonton with the city’s best nature attractions this spring. You can choose between indoor or outdoor adventures form these spots in the city.
Take kids and explore a trade exhibition, see what is new or shop local at the markets:
Check out some of Edmonton’s Public art features! You can see many of them from your car or on a walk around the city.
With spring setting in, see whether you can spot baby birds on your day out! This is also an awesome way to get to know your city and find some new parks in and around Edmonton. Here is a list of 15 places to go birding in Edmonton.
Get your kids to plant and maintain a summer garden this year. It’s time to start planting seeds indoors and planning what your summer will have in store. Visit Garden Centres in and around Edmonton with kids.
Edmonton Seedy Sunday is happening on March 23. Seedy Sundays bring together home and community gardeners, seed savers, native plant collectors and agricultural conservation groups. Local seed companies sell open-pollinated varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, grains and herbs.
There are a ton of things that you and your kids can do to have a blast from morning until night. And, to top it all off, you can do all of these things without your TV or your phone, unless you’re watching a tutorial video.
Here are a few easy, fun science activities/experiments that are easy and super fun in addition to being educational.
Do some spring cleaning this school break and donate your clothes. Donating is a great way to give back, reduce waste, and get those feel-good vibes flowing. Keep your good deeds on the straight and narrow with this list of places where you can donate your goods in Edmonton.
There is much to discover in Canada’s National Parks and not being able to get to them physically shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the fabulous natural areas our country has to offer.
Alberta’s capital city will see some new funding from the Government of Alberta this year, plus some repeatedly-requested property tax payments.Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner on Thursday introduced the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, forecasting a deficit of $5.2 billion on revenues of $74.1 billion. They come after a surplus of $4.6 bi...
Alberta’s capital city will see some new funding from the Government of Alberta this year, plus some repeatedly-requested property tax payments.
Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner on Thursday introduced the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, forecasting a deficit of $5.2 billion on revenues of $74.1 billion. They come after a surplus of $4.6 billion last year on revenue of $80.7 billion.
Property tax payments have been a point of contention between Edmonton and other Alberta municipalities since the Grant in Lieu of Taxes was reduced by 50 per cent between 2019 and 2020.
The province said it will be increasing the grants by $17.2 million this fiscal year, which will bring funding up to 75 per cent of eligible property taxes on provincially owned buildings. The grant is set to increase to 100 per cent in 2026.
“Our persistent and data-based advocacy on behalf of Edmontonians is paying off,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said. “I am glad that the province will start finally paying their full share of property taxes”
Sohi said the increased grant funding for property tax will be used to lower property taxes for Edmonton homeowners.
“That would help us reduce the burden on taxes and make people’s living more affordable.”
Sohi estimates the City of Edmonton is owed more than $90 million in unpaid provincial property taxes since the grant was reduced five years ago.
Finance Minister Nate Horner said there will “absolutely not” be any back pay on the properties.
“The premier, she was very clear on this. She wanted this program reinstated, we’re going to reinstate it,” Horner said. “The City of Edmonton is the biggest beneficiary of that return to that policy change, but no – $5.2-billion deficit and not a path back, no retroactive payments.”
Sohi said he’s also glad to see $106 million for downtown revitalization efforts in Edmonton, with $16.4 million to begin servicing land for housing in Edmonton’s Ice District and $52 million for a previously unannounced facility at the Fan Park east of Rogers Place.
The province said the indoor-outdoor community event centre is a collaboration between Alberta, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Oilers Entertainment Group.
It also includes $37.5 million for the demolition of the former Northlands Coliseum, which city administration previously estimated would cost about $35 million.
Calgary and Edmonton will share a combined $2.9 billion in provincial and federal funding for LRT projects.
Sohi has been pushing the province for years to bring Edmonton spending more fairly in-line with Calgary. He said he’s glad to see the province listening but that there’s a “long way to go.”
“I have identified a number of inequities that still exist, and I will continue to work with (the) provincial government and premier Smith and her ministers and staff to ensure that Edmonton receives full equity moving forward.”
All Alberta municipalities will receive $820 million this year to advance local priorities, for an increase of just over 13 per cent from last year.
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