91Ô­´´

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A defence lawyer for one of two men accused of conspiracy to commit murder at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., has suggested some of the guns seized by police were rifles used for hunting small game.

EDMONTON — Renowned artist Alex Janvier has died at the age of 89. Officials at the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting announced his death and held a moment of silence on Wednesday.

CALGARY — As Alberta considers an overhaul of its troubled auto insurance system, a global credit rating agency is warning a "clear long-term solution" must be found or more insurers will depart the province.

CALGARY — Hockey Canada has hired Trevor Murphy as vice-president of hockey development. The governing body said in a statement Wednesday that Murphy will be tasked with leading the development of grassroots hockey across Canada.

Efforts are underway to combat growing rat populations in two of Ontario's largest cities, as the rodents that typically lurk underground become more visible thanks to a combination of construction and climate change.

A prominent Alberta company has agreed to pay $3 million in fines for misleading the province's utilities watchdog about its costs in two separate projects.

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A firearms expert told a murder-conspiracy trial Tuesday that a rifle seized in raids near the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., was a prohibited weapon. Bryan Hui with the RCMP national firearms lab in Surrey, B.C.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Hydro, the province's Crown-owned energy corporation, has named a new president and chief executive officer to guide the utility through challenges that include a high debt load and a need for new energy production.

Heavy rainfall is expected in parts of southern Ontario and Quebec as Environment Canada warns remnants of Hurricane Beryl could cause downpours starting late Tuesday or Wednesday.

CALGARY — A third animal has been euthanized at the Calgary Stampede's rodeo competition. The Stampede says a steer was injured Monday night during the steer wrestling event. "Medical attention was immediately provided.