More than a million Albertans have already voted in a referendum that asks fundamental questions about the province’s future, preliminary numbers show.

Elections Alberta says a total of 1,356,873 votes were cast between Oct. 13 and Oct. 17 through advance and special ballots. That’s compared to 809,988 votes cast at the same point during the 2023 provincial election campaign.

Broken down further, the agency says a total of 837,791 votes were cast at advance voting locations, with 519,082 special ballots mailed in.

By comparison, 758,637 advance votes were cast in 2023 and 51,351 special ballots. The agency notes special ballot totals from 2023 are “not directly comparable” to the referendum, as they weren’t available to all eligible electors and weren’t required to be received by mail.

There were a total of 3,148,343 eligible electors for the referendum, with the agency saying 43 per cent cast their ballot during the advance voting period. Only 27.5 per cent did so during the same period in the 2023 election.

A recent poll conducted exclusively for Global News by Ipsos shows proceeding to a binding vote on separation still draws little support.

The poll suggested seven in 10 Albertans planned to vote for Alberta to remain a province of Canada, holding steady from previous polling conducted last month.

The proportion of voters who said they would vote for Alberta to begin the legal process of holding a binding referendum on separation increased three percentage points from September to 23 per cent.

That support is highest among men (27 per cent), those aged 35 to 54 (27 per cent) and those living outside Calgary and Edmonton (29 per cent).

Premier Danielle Smith has said that if voting goes the way polling suggests, she expects everyone to accept it and move on. Leaders of the independence movement contest that.

While separation is one of the questions on the ballot, nine others are related to immigration and the constitution.

A previous poll conducted for Global News in September found a strong majority (76 per cent) of Albertans were aware there were several questions in the upcoming referendum. Eighty-one per cent of Albertans said they planned to vote in the referendum with, 62 per cent saying they will vote on all 10 questions.

How do I watch the results?

Global News will have in-depth team coverage on both broadcast and streaming online.

Anchors Dallas Flexhaug and Carole Anne Devaney will be joined by veteran political reporter and Ottawa bureau chief David Akin for results analysis, along with insights from a political panel hosted by anchor Blake Lough, and reporters on the ground.

From 8 p.m. MT to midnight, our Decision Alberta Referendum 2026 coverage will air on Globalnews.ca, as well as on YouTube and our Global TV app that is available on streaming services Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku, and select smart TVs.

Starting at 9 p.m., the special will also begin airing live on all Global News stations in Alberta.

—with files from Global News’ Rachel Morgan, Jace Maki and Karen Bartko

The precision of Ipsos polls containing online data is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the overall poll of 801 Albertans is accurate to within +/- 4.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all adult Alberta residents been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A preliminary investigation into the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright suggests a munition from a live training exercise sparked a fast-moving grass fire, causing Saturday’s explosion, according to multiple military sources.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that four service members perished and their next of kin have been notified, adding that dozens more were seriously injured.

Separate military sources told Global News that at least seven people died and dozens more were injured at the base, located around 200 kilometres from Edmonton.

The Department of Defence and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are slated to hold a news conference at 3 p.m. MT.

Here are the latest developments (all times local to Alberta):

4 p.m.

The military says soldiers killed and injured while training at CFB Wainwright were caught up in a sudden windstorm that overwhelmed them with fire moving at unbelievable speeds.

Maj.-Gen Wade Rutland says a grass fire had been burning for a while but was considered far enough away and contained so that training could continue.

He says when the storm kicked up, flames moved a kilometre in about 30 seconds and overwhelmed the soldiers.

Premier Danielle Smith says alongside the four who died, 39 are in various hospitals and 19 of those are in critical condition.

Rutland says officials are not sure how the fire started and it could be weeks before that’s determined.

---

3:30 p.m.

Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division has identified the four soldiers killed in the fire at CFB Wainwright.

They are: Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton; Private Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask.; Private Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, and Private Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, B.C.

---

2 p.m.

The head of the European Commission is sending condolences to Canada.

Ursula von der Leyen says on social media that she is saddened by the tragedy at CFB Wainwright.

She writes on the platform X: “My deepest condolences to the families of the service members who lost their lives.”

The commission is the executive branch of the European Union, which is a political and economic union of 27 member states.

---

1:35 p.m.

Alberta health officials say they have ended the Code Orange alert that was invoked Saturday night for some hospitals in Edmonton and elsewhere.

Code Orange is a call for hospitals to essentially clear the decks, find staff and free up beds as necessary to handle a mass casualty incident.

The province says its response to Saturday’s fire involved 22 ground ambulances, six planes and two helicopters, and included help from Saskatchewan.

The patients in Wainwright have now been moved to four hospitals: two hospitals in Edmonton, one in Red Deer and one in Calgary.

---

1:30 p.m.

Gil McGowan, organizer of a pro-Canada rally currently underway at the legislature in Edmonton, says the Wainwright tragedy “hangs like a real dark cloud” over the event.

McGowan, the head of the Alberta Federation of Labour, says the way first responders from around Canada selflessly stepped up to offer aid is a poignant reminder of why Canada is better united.

Albertans vote Monday on whether the province should stay in Canada or whether it’s time to hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.

Polls of Albertans before Premier Danielle Smith called the referendum and since then have indicated strong support to stay in Canada.

---

12:30 p.m.

Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh, in an interview, says he knew something was wrong Saturday afternoon when the regular window-rattling boom of artillery that inaugurates the start of military training exercises at CFB Wainwright suddenly fell silent.

Immediately after, he says, there were sirens and the sound of helicopters racing in.

He says that just before midnight military medical personnel literally dropped from the sky to help, their red parachutes illuminated by flare lights.

---

11 a.m.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a statement calling the fire at CFB Wainwright “heartbreaking.”

She paid tribute to the health workers that managed the tragedy.

She says the province has convened its emergency management cabinet committee to co-ordinate the response.

---

10:35 a.m.

The prime minister says he has asked the military to give the public a detailed account of what is known about the fire so far.

Mark Carney says that will be later today in Alberta, with Defence Minister David McGuinty, Eleanor Olszewski, the minister of emergency preparedness, and Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division.

He says they will be joined by provincial ministers and senior officials.

---

10: 30 a.m.

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirms four military members were killed and dozens more were injured in the fire.

Carney called the fire “violent” and fast-moving.

---

10:15 a.m.

The NATO Military Committee is sending its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims at CFB Wainwright.

It says in a statement that Wainwright is where so many Canadian soldiers and allies have trained for the hardest tasks of the profession.

It says those killed served “our common security” and that the committee will honour their memory.

---

10 a.m.

The United States Ambassador to Canada says his “heart is heavy” for the Canadian Armed Forces community.

Pete Hoekstra says on social media that he’s praying for the families of those who died and for the full recovery of the service members injured.

---

9:45 a.m.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says in a social media post that Canadian flags will be flown at half-mast at federal buildings across the country.

He says Canada stands with the service members at CFB Wainwright and their families.

Carney is expected to make a statement later today.

---

9:30 a.m.

The Armed Forces say there’s no indication the fire that erupted at an Alberta military base, resulting in deaths and injuries, was the result of terrorist activity.

A spokesperson also says in an email that the incident at CFB Wainwright remains under investigation and that more information will be provided as it becomes available.

---

9 a.m.

Defence Minister David McGuinty says in a social media post that he’s on his way to Edmonton.

He says he’s being briefed on the latest developments in the “terrible incident” at CFB Wainwright.

He says: “To the families and everyone in Wainwright: Canada stands with you.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to make a statement later today.

With files from Karen Bartko and Jeff Semple, Global News

© 2026 The Canadian Press

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday voiced the public’s “anger” and “shame” over rioting and looting during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. At least 2,400 people were arrested.

Macron echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos.

“Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said in a televised address to the nation.

He denounced “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”

Macron earlier held an emergency meeting with senior government officials, a day after masked groups set fires and attacked city halls in several cities. He said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary.

Flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in the city of Limoges, in central France, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building.

New tensions erupted in Paris on Sunday

In Paris, hundreds of protesters gathered again on Sunday at the Place de la République amid a heavy police presence. Officers used tear gas as tensions flared sporadically in the neighborhood, with small groups of people trying to set bicycles and trash bins on fire.

“The right to protest is a fundamental right. Deliberately and collectively sowing disorder through violence is not,” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez wrote on X, citing the looting of hundreds of businesses across the country.

Authorities estimated Saturday’s marches had a turnout of about 550,000, while organizers put it at 800,000. Demonstrators answered calls from a labor union, student organizations and activists hoping to revive the “yellow vest” movement, which emerged in 2018 to protest social injustice.

Mass protests in France are often marred by violence on the fringes of otherwise peaceful marches, leading to clashes with police. The arrest tally reported Sunday approached the nearly 2,000 recorded nationwide during a single day of yellow vest protests in December 2018.

Paris police said one person died of a heart attack, without providing details. The Paris prosecutor’s office said it was investigating.

Parisians deplore shattered shops and a damaged square

Dislodged cobblestones, shattered storefronts and broken glass littered the area around Paris’ Place de la République on Sunday. Looting and damage were also reported in other tourist and shopping districts.

Paris police said 855 people were arrested in the capital region. Prosecutors said 557 remained in police custody.

“I am actually stunned by the level of destruction and violence that was expressed,” said government employee Marie Peyreigne, 57, wondering what had led to the mayhem.

Parisians inspecting the damage photographed the partially dismantled base of the square’s central monument, a statue of Marianne, a symbol of France.

Jean Foissy, 74, said he had wanted to join the protest but encountered “a wall of riot police and fires everywhere” and returned home.

“I was very scared,” he said. “I’ve been a Parisian since I was born, so when I got here, it almost made me want to cry because I find it so bad, it hurts me.”

Margaux Eude, 26, said she supported the protest movement but “didn’t think it would escalate like this.”

“It’s the troublemakers who came, and it breaks my heart because it delegitimizes the movement,” she said.

Political leaders trade blame ahead of presidential election

Political leaders traded accusations over Saturday’s violence ahead of next spring’s presidential election.

Far-right leader and presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen criticized Macron’s centrist government as “exhausted, disoriented and seemingly incapable of doing anything other than commenting on its own powerlessness,” in a video posted on social media.

Far-left contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu of “playing with fire,” alleging that “by banking on degradation, you have only succeeded in uniting all youths and workers’ unions.”

Mélenchon, who joined the Paris march Saturday, insisted that “my message is clear: those who share our fight have no business in looting or destruction.”

U.S. President Donald Trump posted “France is burning!” on his Truth Social platform, apparently linking the unrest to “the immigration of people from an entirely different world.”

“Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!” he wrote.

French authorities and police have not linked immigrants to the rioting. Macron, speaking about troublemakers, asked: “How can French people do this to France?”

Hundreds of businesses looted across the country

“The scale of the damage is considerable and unprecedented,” Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire wrote in an open letter. “Paris is a city of freedoms, debate and demonstrations. It must remain so. But it must also be a city where everyone can work and run a business safely.”

The mayors of Paris, Marseille and Lyon, the three largest cities, requested a meeting with the prime minister in the coming days “given the extent of the damage and the seriousness of the situation.”

In Marseille, some protesters briefly forced their way into City Hall’s lobby and a group of people wearing hoods and masks damaged a police station. In Lyon, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.

In Limoges, the City Hall was ravaged by flames after “radical troublemakers” broke in while elected officials, employees, security personnel and members of the public were inside, Haute-Vienne prefect Maurice Barate said. “They deliberately set the building on fire. It is an extremely serious and unspeakable act,” he said.

In eastern France, the Mulhouse prosecutor’s office said an investigation has been opened after a 17-year-old girl was injured during the protests and lost an eye. On Saturday, another investigation was opened after a young protester lost a hand in Saint-Etienne.

The injuries come as police have drawn sharp scrutiny over their use of grenades and other riot-control weapons during recent demonstrations.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

A preliminary investigation into the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright suggests a munition from a live training exercise sparked a fast-moving grass fire, causing Saturday’s explosion, according to multiple military sources.

Four soldiers were killed and 19 were left clinging to life after the fire on the base located around 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.

“Yesterday afternoon, a violent fast-moving fire swept through Canadian Armed Forces Base in Wainwright, Alberta, and what followed was one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday.

Carney said flags will be flown at half-mast on all federal buildings across the country.

As the investigation continues, many details remain unknown, but here’s what is known so far about the calamity.

How the fire started

The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed Sunday that the fire ignited within a training area at approximately 4 p.m. MT on Saturday.

“The fire spread rapidly beyond the boundaries of the training area, while military and civilian emergency services responded quickly to control that fire and to support those affected by this tragic event,” the CAF said in a news release.

A source on scene told Global News troops were loading the injured to bring back to the base before going back into the field to collect more of their comrades.

Environment Canada had issued a warning of high winds for Alberta earlier in the day, with a windstorm hitting large areas of the province. Gusts reached up to 100 km/h, toppling trees, sending signs flying, and rolling garbage cans down streets.

It is unclear why military exercises with live munitions continued despite the high winds.

Residents who spoke with Global News said they heard the exercises until they went quiet, then heard sirens.

“There is that emotional piece, definitely; it’s hard our neighbour across the street is a serving member, our neighbours on both sides of us are former serving members,” said Mayor Bruce Pugh. “The CAF is like a family, very similar to this community.”

The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire south of town crossed the base fence earlier in the day and was being actively managed. At approximately midnight, the municipality said the fire was contained, but a fire watch would remain in place overnight.

Where is CFB Wainwright and what surrounds it?

CFB Wainwright is considered one of the CAF’s busiest bases and is used to train Canada’s military and prepare units for combat operations.

It’s considered, according to retired Maj.-Gen. David Fraser, “as real as it can be” in preparing soldiers for combat operations.

The base is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, and approximately 12 lodger units.

It is not yet known what was involved in Saturday’s military training, as previous exercises have involved artillery and armoured vehicles.

But Fraser told The Canadian Press training at the base involves more than just weapons training, with exercises covering everything in the CAF’s arsenal from firearms to aircraft.

Exercises are organized and methodical and Fraser says something went wrong at CFB Wainwright, adding those who undergo this training are well-versed in safety procedures. Safety staff also oversee every exercise.

According to the Government of Canada, more than 200 active gas wells and associated pipelines can be found in the CFB Wainwright area.

The area is also known for livestock grazing and recreational hunting, which has been allowed for more than four decades at the base.

The base is about 609 square-kilometres in size and located about 205 kilometres southeast of Edmonton and found within one kilometre of the town of Wainwright.

Code Orange activations dropped, patients taken to surrounding hospitals

Acute Care Alberta advised Sunday afternoon that all Code Orange activations have been stood down. A Code Orange is issued when a mass casualty incident or external disaster has occurred and many injured patients are expected to arrive.

The agency said regular acute care operations have resumed, “under existing high capacity pressures and some additional staffing pressures.”

It says 30 units from EHS-Alberta were deployed into Wainwright, including 22 ground ambulances, six fixed-wing and two rotary wing units.

An active response was in place across the health-care system for more than 10 hours. Patients at Wainwright Health Centre were transferred to the University of Alberta Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, and Red Deer hospital.

“It is anticipated that care for patients impacted by this incident will be intensive and will add to existing high demand on acute care in Alberta,” Acute Care Alberta said in a statement.

Albertans have been advised to use emergency care resources wisely to make room for the tragedy’s victims.

Residents requiring immediate, emergency care for life-threatening illnesses or injuries were told to go to any of Edmonton’s other acute care facilities, if at all possible.

Ambulances from across Alberta were diverted to the base about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, taking them away from responding to 911 calls in other communities.

STARS air ambulance crews flew in from Edmonton and Saskatoon to provide assistance, Carney said.

Is this the CAF’s most tragic training incident?

Prior to Saturday’s explosion and fire, the Canadian Armed Forces have seen other deadly events.

The most recent occurred in July when a three-person rope team was performing a rescue exercise at the time of the incident. The three members fell into a crevasse in Jasper National Park, dropping about 20 metres. The three were responsive and stable and flown to hospital after being rescued.

One of the deadliest training exercises that happened on Canadian soil was in 1988 at CFB Chilliwack.

Students were practicing explosive cratering in the demolition phase of their military engineer officer training when a charge detonated prematurely during a session. According to the Canadian Military Engineers Association, 29 students and seven instructors were in attendance. Six students were killed and several others were injured.

A coroner’s inquest and board of inquiry concluded the a hotspot developed inside the camouflet tube, triggered by friction and heat generated when the tamping rod was used with excessive force. The hotspot likely ignited a blockage, causing a small detonation that then triggered the main charge. The incident was ruled as accidental.

There has also been a previous incident in the last decade at CFB Wainwright, when Sgt. Robert Dynerowicz died during a training exercise in 2017. He was commanding a light-armoured vehicle when the incident occurred. Three others were injured.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

A humidifier isn’t just an appliance – it’s a quiet companion that makes home feel alive. Every morning, gentle mist drifts into the air, softening the dryness that sneaks in, especially during winter. The subtle hum is oddly comforting, a reminder that self-care can be as simple as breathing easier.

Taking a moment to enjoy the perfectly balanced air is a small but meaningful ritual. Whether reading, working, or winding down in the evening, it transforms space, making it feel cozier and calmer. It’s more than just humidity—it’s a little daily act of care, a quiet luxury.

From small portable models to larger units for the whole home, the right humidifier can make your environment more comfortable and healthier for the whole family. Read on to find your perfect match.

 

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The Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier is perfect for home-decor lovers with its minimalist design and whisper-quiet operation. Its an ultrasonic cool-mist humidifier with a 1.5 L tank that covers up to 602 ft² for 24 hours, featuring a 360° adjustable spout, night mode, and automatic shutoff. The filter removes minerals from tap water, while the removable, dishwasher-safe reservoir ensures easy cleaning and maintenance.[/product_listing]

 

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Say goodbye to dry air with this highly-rated bestselling humidifier — its 2.5-liter tank delivers soothing mist, helping you and your little ones sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed. Its easy top-fill design, adjustable 360° nozzle, customizable mist control, auto shut-off, and BPA-free construction make it safe, convenient, and simple to clean while keeping your space comfortably humidified.[/product_listing]

 

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If you love smart home features, the Dreo humidifier offers app, voice, and touch controls, precise humidity sensing, and ultrafine mist that spreads evenly, ensuring healthier air for babies, plants, and your entire home.[/product_listing]

 

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Say goodbye to dry air. This compact cool air humidifier from Honeywell is easy to use, easy to clean, and even has an essential oil tray for a burst of extra relaxation. With a 1.9L tank, it has a 24 hours run time and is ideal for smaller rooms.[/product_listing]

 

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This petite humidifier may be small, but don’t let its size fool you—it delivers continuous, soothing mist while operating quietly. Its compact design, simple controls, and auto shut-off make it ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, or any personal space that needs a bit of extra fresh air.[/product_listing]

 

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The DREO Humidifier is ideal for quiet spaces, thanks to its sleep mode that reduces noise while maintaining consistent, even humidity throughout the room. Its 6L tank, precise smart controls and gentle ultrasonic mist create a calm environment perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, or any space where peace is a priority.[/product_listing]

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The AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier (2.2L) uses ultrasonic technology to quietly deliver soothing mist for bedrooms, nurseries, and large rooms up to 400 sq ft, featuring a 360° rotating nozzle and adjustable mist settings. Its 2.2 L tank provides over 24 hours of continuous operation with auto-shutoff, making it safe and convenient for babies and whole-house use.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

Premium Aroma Essential Oils Blend – $145.00

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Mini Portable White Noise Machine – $24.99

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Helen’s Kiwi Pavlova

• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 small tsp vanilla
• 1 small tsp cornflour
• 1 small tsp vinegar

Beat egg whites until stiff; add sugar slowly and continue beating until very stiff.

Stir together vanilla, cornflour, and vinegar in a cup and then stir into egg white mixture.

Place parchment on a cookie sheet and pile the mixture on top, shaping it into a circle (with a spatula or spoon) creating a slight indentation in the center.

Bake one hour at 200 degrees F.

Let cool completely.

Serve topped generously with whipping cream and sliced, ripe kiwi fruit.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Condolences continue to pour in from across Canada and the world as emergency crews maintain the deadly fire that broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.

Separate military sources told Global News that at least seven people died in the incident, and dozens more were injured at the CFB Wainwright, located around 200 kilometres from Edmonton.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that four service members perished and their next of kin have been notified, adding that dozens more were seriously injured.

“Those we lost, those who were injured, were training to defend Canada. To serve Canada. And now Canada serves them. We will be there for their families for as long as they need,” Carney said.

Carney went on to say that flags would be flown at half-mast at federal buildings across the country.

The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed Sunday that the fire ignited within a training area at approximately 4 p.m. MT on Saturday.

A preliminary investigation suggests a munition from a live training exercise sparked a fast-moving grass fire, which caused an explosion, multiple military sources said.

“The fire spread rapidly beyond the boundaries of the training area, while military and civilian emergency services responded quickly to control that fire and to support those affected by this tragic event,” the CAF said in a news release.

Chief of the Defence Staff Jennie Carignan said the CAF and Department of National Defence are working with partners across the federal, provincial and municipal governments to “mobilize all necessary support.”

“Our soldiers, civilian personnel, and emergency responders are working closely with local authorities to respond to this situation,” she said in a statement. “On behalf of the Canadian Army, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.”

Condolences pour in

Numerous leaders of all levels of government offered condolences overnight, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi.

But as the night wore on into the morning, more leaders paid tribute.

“As Commander-in-Chief, and on behalf of all Canadians, I extend my support to the military members, families, and community affected by the fire at CFB Wainwright,” said Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour in a statement Sunday morning. “My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and all those affected by this tragedy.”

The tributes poured in from municipal mayors, provincial premiers and from officials outside Canada.

“Canada is mourning a terrible tragedy at CFB Wainwright,” said Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas Sunday morning. “Our soldiers put their lives on the line in service to our country, and to lose them here at home is devastating.”

In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford and NDP Leader Marit Stiles both urged Canadians to come together.

“As Canadians, let’s come together to support our brave men and women in uniform, who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and our country,” Ford said on social media. “Ontario stands ready to help the recovery efforts however we can.”

“I cannot imagine the weight of this news for families with loved ones in the service. Canadians stand with you,” Stiles said.

Condolences were also offered from outside the country.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic incident and devastating fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta,” said Andril Sybiha, minister of foreign affairs for Ukraine. “My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.”

Fire remains held south of Wainwright

When the fire broke out, much of Alberta was under wind warnings with up to 100 km/h wind gusts fuelling the flames.

The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire south of town crossed the base fence earlier in the day and was being actively managed.

A fire watch for the community is in place, with the municipality urging residents to continue to avoid the incident area and keep roads clear.

—with files from Global News’ Karen Bartko, Amy Judd and Ashleigh Stewart

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Going on tour as a major artist is like mobilizing an army for an offensive that will last months, if not years. A battalion of semi-trucks needs to be wrangled to transport gear from city to city. Buses need to be rented for the act and crew. Hotels, airfare and/or private jets have to be booked. Often, multiple stages plus sound and lighting rigs must be assembled, so that while a show is happening in one venue, things are already being set up at the next. Support staff, from caterers to chiropractors, have to be mobilized. Backstage amenities must be organized. Merch needs to be sourced, transported and replenished throughout the tour.

Audiences demand a spectacle for their concert dollar, so productions have to be wilder and more technologically advanced while remaining portable. And because touring is an artist’s major source of revenue, everyone is on tour, driving up the cost of renting gear, trucking and roadies. Touring has never been more expensive and fans are very close to that red line when it comes to what they’ll pay to see a show. Raising prices isn’t an option anymore, yet expenses keep climbing. Of great concern is the skyrocketing price of diesel fuel for all those trucks and buses.

Then there’s all the red tape and paperwork. Having to advance shows in different cities and different countries. Crossing borders with loads of gear and personnel who may have, er, issues. Visas. Currency conversions. Settlements. The accounting complexities are enormous.

Then there’s the human toll. Being away from home and living out of hotels, backstage lounges and airports is very hard on the mind, body and spirit. It’s to the point where many musicians are questioning whether touring is worth it anymore, especially when it comes to emerging talent, indie musicians, or those in the middle class of the music industry.

What if there were a better way that was cheaper, easier on the artist and could provide a superior experience for the audience? Enter the residency.

Las Vegas was the pioneer in this area. As far back as the 1950s, casinos and hotels began booking long-term engagements for entertainers ranging from Sinatra and the Rat Pack to Liberace to Elvis. Since people were already flocking to the city to gamble, why not give them another way to spend their money? Artists loved it because everyone came to them. Vegas is still king of the residency, hosting strings of shows by Céline Dion, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Bruno Mars, Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Adele, Shania Twain and dozens more.

The Sphere is the latest iteration of the Las Vegas residency, providing an immersive experience that you can’t get anywhere else in the world (well, until the new one opens in Abu Dhabi). It’s also very lucrative for artists. U2 played 40 shows over weekends and grossed US$245 million. The Eagles made US$290 million over 58 shows (so far), pulling in around US$5 million per gig. By the time their stand finishes in January, the overall gross will be close to half a billion. Metallica, No Doubt, Dead & Company, Phish and a few others have also had great paydays, all without having to move from a single venue. Margins expanded. ROI went through the roof.

The live music industry is falling in love with residencies for this reason. Why spend money going to fans when you can entice the fans to come to you?

Live Nation experimented in Munich in the summer of 2024. A temporary stadium was built within a space dubbed “Adele World.” Construction cost €40 million and featured 250 tons of stage equipment and the biggest LED video screen ever constructed, all for just ten shows. Through the month of August. It was an insane success, attracting 750,000 people. Gross sales were never released to the public, but it’s whispered that Adele walked away with US$50 million. Then the whole venue was taken down.

Long stays in arenas and stadiums have become increasingly common. Taylor Swift’s Eras tour had two stretches: one for three nights and another for five, at Wembley Stadium in London. Coldplay did 10 nights at Estadio River Plate Buenos Aires before completing a 16-night run at Wembley Stadium. Shakira completed a 13-show stint in Madrid in a temporary venue attracting 55,000 people per night, grossing at least US$200 million. To put it another way, she attracted more money and people to the city than F1 and a visit by Pope Leo XIV.

Next year, the Backstreet Boys have 12 shows booked for the Rogers Centre in Toronto. And Oasis has 11 sold-out nights at Etihad Stadium in Manchester along with four grand finale shows at Knebworth Park in September 2027. And Céline Dion is set for a 26-concert residency at Plentitude Arena in Nanterre, France.

In each case, the act commands the fans to come to them. And because transportation/setup/teardown costs are greatly reduced, profits must be astronomical.

While this is all fine and good for the artist, this isn’t much of a deal for fans. While residencies may hold down the price of a concert ticket due to lowered operating costs (well, we’ll see), fans increasingly have to pony up for new expenses like airfare and hotel. Wanna see your favourite band live? Forget about them coming to you. You now have to go to them.

Meanwhile, governments are loving residencies because of the economic impact they can have on a city. The promotion of music tourism has become a priority in some spots. In the U.K., for example, people traveling to shows brought in £11.2 billion at last count. Since the ABBA Voyage avatar show debuted in London in May 2022, it has brought in nearly US$3 billion.

Other countries are getting on board with music tourism, too. Egypt (the pyramids are always a great venue), Chile, India and Australia are all working on plans. Just this past week, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the American Music Tourism Act into law. By creating a welcoming atmosphere for music tourists, you just know that managers, promoters and artists are going to try to capitalize on the opportunity with more residencies.

The one hold-out might be U2, a band that, outside of The Sphere opportunity, has always been determined to bring their music to their fans around the world, even though the operating costs of their tours has been insane. Both The Joshua Tree Tour and the ZooTV Tour almost bankrupted the band. The 360 Tour required three “claw” stages to be custom-built at the cost of US$30 million each. Rumours are that their next tour in 2027 will run over several years and consist of up to six legs. It sounds like an old-school world tour that will travel the planet like the old days.

Meanwhile, everyone else might want to get used to budgeting for more than just a concert ticket to see your favourite band. You may have to go to them.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

For the second time in five days, the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens went to overtime at the Bell Centre, and for the second time, the Canadiens won it. Cole Caufield with an absolute stunner of a shot upstairs on a breakaway led the Canadiens to a 4-3 win.

 

Wilde Horses 

It was the first game of the season for Oliver Kapanen. He looked solid. The last time Kapanen looked as talented as he did on Saturday was about game 60 last season, before he hit the wall for the rest of the season and the playoffs.

Kapanen had that trademark intelligence. He was on a two-on-one looking confident with Kirby Dach. With Kapanen, Dach looked good for the first time this season.

If Kapanen finds his better game, it would be a giant boost for the Canadiens who are looking for a 12th forward that doesn’t bring the team down.  Another night and another goal for Bolduc. On the power play, it was Bolduc in the bumper position, and he deflected a point shot from Nick Suzuki for a tally.

The top line was in outstanding form. They scored on strong work from the first-forechecker Juraj Slafkovsky. He managed to get behind the net right after the defender on the dump-in. He chipped it to Cold Caufield who scored his fourth goal of the season. Once again, it was from an angle most players wouldn’t even attempt to shoot.

Even after a 51-goal season, goalies still aren’t prepared for Caufield to shoot from anywhere. Caufield understands that he’s got a great chance when the goalie isn’t prepared. He’s pretty good, too, when they are prepared.

Caufield won it on a breakaway away from centre in overtime. He looked shot all the way and sniped it so quickly in and out of the top corner, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen didn’t even move.

The Suzuki line had its best contest of the season. The Expected Goals total was stunning. They had a 99.3 per cent share. Suzuki is one of the best players in this league. It’s a rare night that he is outdone by his opposite, even though he faces the best centres in hockey.

Injuries are always bad, there’s no argument to that, but, strangely, injuries can also lead to some accidental discoveries. The day-to-day injury of Mike Matheson has led to the returning Kaiden Guhle lining up with Alexandre Carrier.

The result is both of these defenders are playing their best hockey. They look right together. They compliment each other. They understand each other. They have great chemistry. Midweek, Guhle played 25:25 in one of this highest ice times on record for a game.

He was the game’s first star. Guhle has returned to action looking like he didn’t have surgery at all; nor miss training camp. With Carrier, they dominate the game. They rarely get into trouble. Carrier doesn’t get hit as much either.

Their best moment of the night was on the penalty kill in a tied game with one minute remaining. Both boxed out beautifully to keep the shots to the outside. They are becoming a shutdown pair.

Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson also look good together. Both pairs had a 60 per cent share in Expected Goals.

The only reason the Canadiens have these two outstanding pairs going right now is the Canadiens were destroyed by the Carolina Hurricanes when Dobson and Matheson were together. It was that awful night that was step one in this positive change.

Wilde Goats

It’s been interesting to watch the Canadiens try to bring another defender into the fold since trading Jayden Struble. It has not gone as well as planned. The Canadiens felt that they could trade Struble because Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher are ready to go.

Engstrom auditioned first, and he was abysmal. In one contest, two goals went off his body when he wasn’t boxing out, and he had very little awareness of the danger. Engstrom continued to make terrible decisions when he had plenty of time and space.

Saturday night, they tried Reinbacher. He was a mess on the first Sabres goal. He retrieved the puck just inside his own blue line. He felt so panicky he threw the puck up ice only about ten feet, without looking who happened to be there. Sadly, for Reinbacher, it was two Sabres.

Buffalo, immediately, came back on the counter-attack, and the Canadiens were caught believing they had possession. Reinbacher then compounded the first error by making another one just as bad.

He didn’t take his man at all, basically, standing in front of the net by himself looking around. The result was a Josh Norris goal. Reinbacher is a much better player than this, but he was anxious, and his decision making completely left him.

The rest of the evening Reinbacher was acceptable, and the coaching staff thought he was reliable enough because with five minutes left, in a 3-3 game, Reinbacher was on the ice. That’s as big a vote of confidence that a player in his first game at home in the NHL can get.

 

Wilde Cards 

It hasn’t been a great start to the season for Montreal. They are near the bottom of the standings in the Atlantic Division. However, they shouldn’t fret. Underneath the surface, the Canadiens have metrics that show they are playing extremely well.

Using analytics, such as Corsi and Expected Goals, the tale of the tape is excellent. The Canadiens made the playoffs the last two seasons with shockingly bad Corsi. They were 28th in 2025 and 23rd in 2026. They made the playoffs on the back of good goaltending.

This season, it’s the complete opposite. The Canadiens are one of the best teams in the league in advanced metrics. They have won the Corsi and Expected Goals battle all season long, except in the Carolina Hurricanes game when they were dominated.

Overall, Montreal this year is fifth in Corsi. The Canadiens are playing more in the other team’s end than they have in a decade and a half. The longer the season goes, the more this statistic matters. The last three winners of the cup were first, fourth, and second in Corsi.

The issue is goaltending where the Canadiens have had a terrible time so far. Montreal is 29th of  32 teams in Goals Saved Above Expected this season. Jakub Dobes will find his game. When he does, the excellence in Corsi will show up as wins on the scoreboard.

Brian Wilde, a Montreal-based sportswriter, brings you Call of the Wilde on globalnews.ca after each Canadiens game.

 

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Less than one-quarter of Albertans support proceeding to a binding vote on separation, but support for the other nine questions on Monday’s referendum may be higher, a new survey shows.

An Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News suggests seven in 10 Albertans say they plan to vote for Alberta to remain a province of Canada in the upcoming referendum, holding steady from previous polling conducted in September.

The proportion of voters who said they would vote for Alberta to begin the legal process of holding a binding referendum vote on separation increased three percentage points from September to 23 per cent.

That support is highest among men (27 per cent), those aged 35 to 54 (27 per cent) and those living outside Calgary and Edmonton (29 per cent).

“We’re seeing only about a quarter of people in Alberta saying they give support for this, but there’s a fair amount of diversity in the opinions among the people that we interviewed depending on where they lived and what their demographic background is,” Darrell Bricker, chairman of Ipsos Canada, told Global News.

Ipsos conducted online interviews with 801 Albertans between Oct. 13 and 16.

Only five per cent of voters remain undecided and two per cent say they will not vote, but Bricker said even if all of those respondents ultimately voted yes on referendum day, it would not be enough to trigger a separation vote.

“Whether or not it is only a quarter of the population that decide that they’re going to vote yes. Still not a small number. That’s a pretty big number,” Bricker said.

Premier Danielle Smith has said that if voting goes the way polling suggests, she expects everyone to accept it and move on. Leaders of the independence movement contest that.

But the premier has also asked Albertans to vote yes to the first nine questions, saying it would give her more leverage to negotiate for the province with the federal government.

“What we’re seeing is that the status quo relationship with the rest of the country is not something that’s particularly popular in Alberta at the moment,” Bricker said. “They don’t see the solution to that status quo situation as being separating from the country. But I expect that some of those other questions might get themselves majorities on election night.”

The first nine questions are related to immigration and the constitution.

A previous poll conducted for Global News in September found a strong majority (76 per cent) of Albertans were aware there were several questions in the upcoming referendum. Eighty-one per cent of Albertans said they planned to vote in the referendum with 62 per cent saying they will vote on all 10 questions.

How do I watch the results?

Global News will have in-depth team coverage on both broadcast and streaming online.

Anchors Dallas Flexhaug and Carole Anne Devaney will be joined by veteran political reporter and Ottawa bureau chief David Akin for results analysis, along with insights from a political panel hosted by anchor Blake Lough, and reporters on the ground.

From 8 p.m. MT to midnight, our Decision Alberta Referendum 2026 coverage will air on Globalnews.ca, as well as on YouTube and our Global TV app that is available on streaming services Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku, and select smart TVs.

Starting at 9 p.m., the special will also begin airing live on all Global News stations in Alberta.

The precision of Ipsos polls containing online data is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the overall poll of 801 Albertans is accurate to within +/- 4.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all adult Alberta residents been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

– With files from Global News’ Jace Maki and Karen Bartko

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.