Rules for pot sales in Alberta, spike in STI rates, preserving First Nations culture and road clearing envy, all topics covered by our panel this week.

  • The Alberta Government has introduced new legislation around the sale of cannabis once it is legalized, proposing Albertans can buy marijuana both in stores and online. The province will control online sales, but sales in stores will follow a private enterprise model.
  • Nearly 4,000 cases of gonorrhea have been reported in Alberta in 2017 so far, which is already higher than 2016’s total. The province is trying to raise awareness about STI’s among young people, the demographic with the highest rate of cases.Officials say hook-up apps like Tinder, Pure and Grindr are adding to the problem.
  • The Stoney Nakoda would like Calgary to be renamed Wichispa Oyade, which roughly translates to “Elbow Town”. The city is one of numerous names in southern Alberta which the First Nation would like to change as a way to preserve its culture. Others include the Bow River, Bragg Creek and Canmore.
  • Plus, Bike lanes clear of snow has some Edmonton drivers feeling envious. City crews have been treating bike lanes with the same anti-icing solution used on major roadways, but some neighbourhood streets are still covered in snow.

Our Primetime this Week panel includes: Emma Graney, political reporter from the Edmonton Journal, freelance journalist Catherine Ford and Metro Calgary managing editor Darren Krause.