Alberta

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.—A Burger King franchise was issued a public health order because Alberta Health Services said its inspectors found foreign workers were sleeping in the basement of the Lethbridge restaurant.Burger King said in an emailed statement that it had spoken with the independent owner of the location.“He has confirmed that the accusations regarding accommodations are not true,” said the company. “However, we will continue to ensure compliance with our high operational standards.”The Alberta Health Services order, dated Jan. 10, said the inspection found evidence of “sleeping/living accommodations for foreign workers.”It said allowing sleeping or living accommodations in a restaurant is a health code violation. Food-handling services must be separated from living quarters and other areas that may be “incompatible with the safe and sanitary handling of food.” … [Read more...] about Inspectors found foreign workers sleeping in a Burger King basement: Alberta Health Services

EDMONTON—Alberta and Saskatchewan have a date for a meeting to discuss their trade issues, but Alberta says it will come too late to resolve a standoff over licence plates.Alberta Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous says Saskatchewan has agreed to meet on Jan. 31 — more than a week after a Jan. 22 deadline for Saskatchewan to reverse its ban on Alberta licence plates at its job sites.If not, Bilous said, a panel under the New West trade partnership takes over the dispute and can’t be stopped until it makes a ruling that could cost Saskatchewan up to $5 million in penalties. Read more: Opinion | Alberta license plates a no-no in Saskatchewan … [Read more...] about Alberta, Saskatchewan set date to meet on licence plate dispute, but can’t agree on location

Protests, labour unrest and a public feud between Tim Hortons and the premier of Ontario have erupted in the wake of the province’s recent minimum wage hike, raising questions about the wisdom of raising the standard by 30 per cent in just two years.The experiences of Alberta and Seattle, two jurisdictions that share Ontario’s $15 an hour goal, offer some lessons on how to adjust to a higher minimum wage: that is, if Ontario businesses can weather the short-term storm.Ontario’s rate increased to $14 per hour from $11.60 — a 21-per-cent jump — on Jan. 1. The province aims to get to $15 by Jan. 1, 2019.Measures taken to offset Ontario’s changes have landed several businesses, including the country’s iconic Tim Hortons, in hot water after it was revealed that some franchisees cut employee benefits, breaks or tipping to offset the impact of minimum wage hikes.A similar scene unfolded three years ago in Seattle when that city’s minimum wage … [Read more...] about Alberta, Seattle offer lessons for Ontario on ‘Fight for $15’ min wage hike

RED DEER, ALTA.—Two men have been found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting one of the men’s parents and sister on a central Alberta farm.Jason Klaus and Joshua Frank sat silently with no expression as the verdicts were read.Justice Eric Macklin told court in Red Deer, Alta., that both men repeatedly lied about what happened to Klaus’s family and their stories were full of inconsistencies.Gordon Klaus and his daughter, Monica, were found in their burned-out farmhouse near Castor, Alta., in December 2013.Sandra Klaus was never found, although police believe her body was also in the house. … [Read more...] about Two men found guilty in murders of family on central Alberta farm