In the news today: Alberta passes bill on teacher strike

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Alberta passes bill to use notwithstanding clause to end teacher strike

Premier Danielle Smith’s government has passed a bill using the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to order 51,000 striking teachers back to work to end the largest walkout in Alberta history. Members of Smith’s caucus, using their majority in the legislature and passing procedural rules to curtail debate, voted and passed the bill through three debate stages in six and a half hours late last night and into the early hours this morning. The Alberta Teachers’ Association and other unions say they are considering their options on how to respond, saying that governments invoking the notwithstanding clause in labour disputes is an existential threat to workers’ ability to bargain.

Carney’s visit to Singapore focuses on investment

Prime Minister Mark Carney travelled to Singapore on Tuesday, as his first official visit to Asia enters its second leg. Carney has been pitching Canada as a reliable trading partner for Southeast Asia as he works to expand exports to non-U.S. markets, and also as an attractive place for investment. On Tuesday, he lined up a series of private meetings with potential investment partners including with the head of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, a sovereign wealth fund that has existing investments in Canada. The Prime Minister’s Office said he planned to encourage more investment in areas like AI, clean technology, critical minerals and nation-building projects in Canada.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Number of signatures to be revealed on petition to keep Alberta in Canada

Thomas Lukaszuk says he’s reasonably optimistic as he gets set to announce how many people signed his petition to keep Alberta from splitting from Canada. The former deputy premier started his “Forever Canadian” campaign three months ago to collect almost 300,000 signatures on a petition that asks, “Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” Lukaszuk says he will drop off boxes of signed petition sheets to Elections Alberta today and reveal the final number of signatures. Premier Danielle Smith’s government has pursued a two-track policy of urging Alberta to stay in Confederation while making it easier to hold a referendum on quitting Canada.

Canada worries Russian tankers could harm Arctic

More than 400 shadow vessels smuggling Russian oil to evade western sanctions have been added to a blacklist maintained by Canada and its allies. Since Russia came under international sanctions for invading Ukraine, Moscow has been trying to export oil using unregistered ships, or ships that are registered to other countries. That’s led to vessels coming close to places like Finland and Poland without proper radar detection. Canada and its European allies say they fear these substandard tankers, which lack insurance, will pollute their waterways and require costly cleanups.

Jays to face Ohtani on the mound, plate tonight

Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will start on the mound in Game 4 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium tonight, aiming to give the defending champions a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Fall Classic. The Dodgers won 6-5 in Game 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays last night on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer leading off the 18th inning. Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer was pulled in the seventh inning after fouling off a pitch. Shane Bieber will be on the mound for the Jays, who will either need to win tonight or tomorrow to force the World Series back to Toronto.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ take over this Halloween

Earlier this year, eight-year-old Betsy Schruder had a tough decision to make: Glinda, Benson Boone, or Zoey from “KPop Demon Hunters”? Ultimately, her choice was clear: she’d join the legions of kids dressing up as characters from Netflix’s runaway hit this Halloween, donning black space buns, a turquoise tank top and purple pants to embody the bubbly popstar-by-day, demon slayer-by-night. The seasonal retailer Spirit Halloween last month listed “KPop Demon Hunters” as the trendiest costume of the year, followed by “Wicked”-themed looks. Meanwhile, Netflix aimed to cash in on some of the Halloween by sending the animated film to theatres for special sing-a-long showings across the U.S. and Canada between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2025.