Alberta’s plan to add citizenship markers raises concerns

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Readers voiced serious frustrations with the city's transit system on Tuesday, from unreliable bus tracking apps that show arrivals then disappear without warning to safety concerns that keep many off the LRT after 6 PM. One reader described being "verbally abused, harassed" on transit, while another noted even bus drivers feel unsafe addressing problems on their own routes.

👀 In today's edition:

• Bomb threats on three Calgary flights

• Weed sales at all-ages events

• A 19-year-old fraudster gets caught

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Alberta’s plan to add citizenship markers raises concerns

Starting next fall, Alberta will put Canadian citizenship markers on driver's licences and ID cards. Premier Danielle Smith says the change will make life easier for Albertans by creating one card that proves both identity and citizenship, so people won't need to carry multiple documents when applying for government services. The province also hopes it will help prevent voter fraud and address problems with Alberta's health-care system.

Legal and privacy experts are raising serious concerns about the unprecedented policy. They worry that people without citizenship markers on their IDs could face discrimination in everyday situations like getting pulled over by police or applying to rent an apartment. "You really shouldn't need to disclose the fact that you're not a Canadian citizen whenever you get ID-ed at a restaurant," Tamir Israel from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association told CBC News, calling the measure "disproportionate."

The timing of the change raises questions about what problem it's actually solving. Since 2015, Elections Alberta has only issued four warnings to people who voted illegally, suggesting voter fraud isn't a widespread issue. University of Calgary law professor Jennifer Koshan suggested the province may struggle to justify the policy under Charter challenges without evidence of actual problems it's meant to address. The province says the new system will cost nothing extra beyond regular licence fees and follows practices used in other countries.

Need to know

🗳️ CBC News surveyed over 100 Calgary voters and found housing affordability, transit reliability, blanket rezoning, and infrastructure capacity are top concerns heading into the October 20 municipal election.

🌿 Calgary updated its bylaws to allow cannabis sales at all-ages events in designated areas separated from minors, following recent provincial regulatory changes.

✈️ NORAD scrambled Canadian and American fighter jets over Calgary on Monday after bomb threats targeted three flights from Germany, showcasing the integrated North American aerospace defence partnership.

📚 Alberta teachers face an October 6 strike deadline after rejecting the government's 12% wage increase over four years, arguing their salaries now lag behind other provinces and haven't kept pace with inflation.

💰 Police charged a 19-year-old man after seizing nearly $60,000 in counterfeit currency from a northwest Calgary home, alleging he used fake bills at local businesses in mid-July.

🛒 Sobeys locked out Balzac distribution workers starting Thursday after they rejected a contract offer, potentially disrupting grocery supplies as the union sought just $1 more per hour.

🏍️ A motorcyclist was hospitalized in stable condition after colliding with a truck at 17th Avenue and 14th Street SW on Wednesday morning.

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CIFF kicks off with Hollywood heavyweights

Get ready, movie lovers! The Calgary International Film Festival kicks off today, bringing an impressive lineup packed with Hollywood heavyweights like Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ethan Hawke. The 26th annual festival runs from September 18-28 and brings back the popular CIFF Centrepiece Gala on September 23 at The GRAND, featuring the Alberta premiere of "The Pitch," a Canadian documentary about building a professional women's soccer league.

Film fans can look forward to several high-profile Canadian premieres, including Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt" starring Julia Roberts and "In Cold Light" featuring Academy Award-winner Troy Kotsur. Olympic soccer legends Diana Matheson and Christine Sinclair will walk the red carpet for "The Pitch," which takes viewers behind the scenes of creating Canada's professional women's soccer league.

The festival wraps up with "Sentimental Value," the Cannes Grand Prix winner directed by Academy Award-nominee Joachim Trier and starring Emmy-nominee Elle Fanning. "This is one of the strongest line-ups in the festival's history," said Brian Owens, CIFF's Artistic Director, highlighting that nearly every section features films with major stars and award-winning filmmakers.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Salt & Pepper: Dive into authentic Mexican flavours at this Food Network-featured restaurant where everything is made from scratch, from house-made salsas and slow-roasted pork to indulgent cuatro leches dessert, with both indoor and outdoor dining plus daily happy hour from 2-5pm.

🍴 Seasons of Bowness: Enjoy artfully presented seasonal cuisine in a bright, airy dining room that connects community with nature, featuring a waterside deck perfect for Sunday brunch or casual drinks while soaking in the historic charm of one of Calgary's most beloved park destinations.

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Things to do

🎟️ The Barn Artisan Market: Discover unique, handcrafted Alberta-made products from local artisans at this curated monthly market that focuses on authentic, made-in-province goods while supporting independent creators in a community-focused shopping experience.

🎟️ Harvest Fair: Experience two weekends of fall festivities combining four beloved festivals into one celebration featuring eating contests, face painting, pony rides, and fresh produce shopping for the whole family at this annual harvest celebration. 

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