Alberta

Wildfires that levelled neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray slowed their rampage through tinder dry forest in northern Alberta on Sunday, allowing firefighters in the oilpatch city to focus on hotspots.

Did the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline buckle on its deadline as a result of 209 approval conditions?

Alberta's woes persisted as it lost 20,800 positions in April — the most of any province.

Alberta hopes to airlift 8,000 evacuees to safety in the south this afternoon, and open up the roads for the remaining 17,000 stranded in the north.

Humans are the leading cause of wildfires in Canada, says a forest fire researcher who believes the latest blaze that has ripped through parts of Fort McMurray, Alta., is no exception.

This is the second cabinet retreat Trudeau has held.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s pleas to the federal cabinet to give the province a pipeline and enrich employment insurance seem to be gaining little traction.

"My kids are fifth generation here and it's devastating that you think all of this will be ripped from us. It's homes, families, heritage and businesses."

The retreat, which officials argue is an important exercise in regional outreach and bonding for Trudeau's still relatively new ministers, includes a meeting Sunday evening with the Alberta premier.

Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Monday he will hold firm on his promise not to introduce a sales tax even as a business audience expressed interest in such a revenue−raising measure.