Alberta News

EDMONTON — The Alberta government says it will fund 25 per cent more cataract surgeries this year in privately-run surgical facilities in an effort to reduce surgery backlogs.

CALGARY — The University of Calgary named former CFL player Jon Cornish as its 15th chancellor-elect Friday. The 37-year-old native of New Westminster, B.C., will begin his four-year term July 1.

CALGARY — Matthew Tkachuk's milestone night on Thursday came in a division-clinching win.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oil Kings kicked off the Western Hockey League post-season with a 4-1 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Thursday night. Four different Edmonton players scored as the Oil Kings fired 48 shots on net.

CALGARY — Police have released the name of a man who died after being shot in a northeast Calgary neighbourhood. An autopsy has identified the victim as Hisham Ahmed, who was 24.

EDMONTON — A group representing Muslims in Canada is asking mosques in Edmonton to be on the lookout after mail containing a white powdery substance was delivered to two places of worship.

EDMONTON — Alberta plans to expand bereavement leaves and time off for reservists taking part in training or military operations. The province currently allows three days unpaid leave for an employee when a family member dies.

EDMONTON — Premier Jason Kenney says Albertans are unimpressed with the intraparty melodrama of his United Conservative government and adds that, if anything, he has been too soft on dissenters.

EDMONTON — Alberta Investment Management Corp. says it earned a 14.7 per cent return last year to post its strongest year ever. The result easily beat the investment manager's benchmark of 8.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers are on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot. Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists to move back into the league lead for points as the Oilers earned a 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night.