Alberta is building more homes, resulting in almost 14,000 new housing starts in the first four months of the year a historic record for the province.The province is building the homes Albertans need. New data from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows total housing starts in Alberta have reached 13,560 to date from January to April 2024 ,setting a new record for the most new homes under construction during this time in Alberta’s history. April was an especially strong month, with 3,816 housing starts reported, with one third being rental homes. This growth means that housing starts in Alberta increased by more than 60 per cent in April 2024 from April 2023, while the rest of Canada is seeing a decrease of almost 10 per cent over the same period.

Alberta is investing more than $50 million in the Designated Industrial Zone to help boost investment, create jobs and attract major petrochemical projects to the province.The Designated Industrial Zone in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland launched in 2022 to streamline regulatory approvals and support infrastructure development while maintaining world-class environmental standards. The program is helping attract major new projects, including Dow’s Path2Zero facility.

New funding from Alberta’s government will support cutting-edge genomics research in health, agriculture and environmental technology. Genomics, the study of the genetic information in humans, plants, animals and microbes, helps scientists learn patterns and functions that can be used to improve environmental stewardship and health care treatment or create more robust crops for agriculture.

 A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a man wanted for murder after a woman was found dead in an Oshawa home. Officers responded to a wellness call at the residence in the area of Rideau Street and Saguenay Avenue, near King Street West and Park Road North. When police arrived they found the woman deceased inside the home. She has been identified as 29-year-old Dona Sajan.

Toronto police have released an image of a suspect in a sexual assault from last summer, hoping to gain leads on his whereabouts. Investigators say a person was assaulted and sexually assaulted at a residence in the Brimley Road and Eglinton Avenue East area.

Alberta’s government is reminding drivers that motorcyclists are back on Alberta’s roads and highways, and to share the road to ensure everyone gets home safe.

 Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis issued the following statement on National Police Week . Every day, members of Alberta’s law enforcement work diligently to protect Albertans, exemplifying strength, commitment and courage in the name of keeping our province safe. While we appreciate their work all year round, National Police Week offers a particularly opportune time to recognize the men and women who risk their own well-being to protect ours – and to say thank you.

Alberta’s government is launching a new task force to defend the province from zebra and quagga mussels, and other aquatic invasive species. Zebra and quagga mussels are not native to Canada and can wreak havoc on ecosystems and infrastructure. Alberta is currently free of invasive mussels; however, if introduced these kinds of aquatic invasive species could cause millions in damage to lakes and waterways. More and more detections are being reported across Canada and the United States, increasing the threat to Alberta.

Alberta’s government is supporting organizations across the province to target the roots of gender-based violence and prevent it before it begins. All Albertans should be able to live their lives free from fear or violence. In Alberta, two in three females and one in three males have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Alberta’s government continues to work to reduce those numbers and improve safety.

Alberta Sheriffs will ramp up commercial vehicle inspections as part of International Roadcheck, a three-day commercial vehicle safety campaign. Alberta will join jurisdictions across North America in taking part in a safety inspection blitz. From May 14 to 16, members of the Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol will inspect hundreds of additional commercial vehicles and their drivers for compliance with federal and provincial regulations at vehicle inspection stations throughout the province.