Canada's defence minister says some Canadians are rolling up their sleeves to give blood as the military town of Wainwright, Alta., mourns the four soldiers killed in a weekend training exercise gone fatally wrong.
Strong and sudden winds on Saturday sent flames from a nearby grass fire across the Prairie landscape at lightning speed, stopping 84 soldiers at CFB Wainwright in their tracks and sending 39 to hospital, 19 critically.
Among the dead are Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask., Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, B.C.
Defence Minister David McGuinty says people have been lining up to donate blood, bring meals to first responders, and open their homes to those grieving.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith listens in Fort McMurray on Thursday Oct. 1, 2026. Prime Minister Mark Carney declared the Pacific Link pipeline project to be in the national interest.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Halinda
Albertans head to polls in historic referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada
Albertans head to the polls today for a historic vote on whether they want to stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.
More than 1.3 million Albertans have already cast ballots by mail or in advance polls in a referendum called by Premier Danielle Smith.
The vote caps months of rallies, speeches and analyses from both sides.
Smith says some Albertans were angry with the state of affairs under former Liberal prime minister Justin Trudeau, and a referendum is now necessary to resolve the matter once and for all.
The separation question is one of 10 on the ballot, as the first nine focus on immigration and Constitutional reform.
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A person pumps fuel in Toronto after gasoline prices rose overnight on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michelle Siu
Statistics Canada set to release September inflation figures
Statistics Canada is set to report inflation data for September today.
A Reuters poll of economists expects inflation accelerated to 3.2 per cent last month, up from three per cent in August.
Economists say persistently high energy prices are the main forces pushing inflation higher right now and they'll be looking for evidence of cost pressures broadening beyond the gas pumps.
The September inflation report will be the Bank of Canada's last look at price data before its next interest rate decision on Oct. 28.
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A group of allied New Brunswick residents opposing what could be the first hyperscale data centre in Atlantic Canada say theyâve uncovered a proposal for a second, smaller one nearby. People in opposition to AI data centres demonstrate outside the council chambers at city hall in Hamilton, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
New Brunswick data centre debate highlights cross-country tension over AI facilities
A New Brunswick man fighting a data centre project near his Saint John home says he's deeply disappointed by what he found in government records.
Chris Watson reviewed documents released by Opportunities New Brunswick and discovered an undisclosed proposal from a U.S. firm seeking power for a large-scale data centre campus in his area.
NB Power confirms it has 10 applications from data centre projects that would need up to 900 megawatts of power, but that applications are confidential.
The Liberal government sees the facilities as an economic opportunity and is developing a policy framework, though Watson wants a moratorium until stronger protections are in place.
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the Meta Connect conference, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Menlo Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AI agents are only as good as the personal information you share. That raises privacy concerns
A Toronto man says Meta's new artificial intelligence agent shared his home address with a stranger without his knowledge.
Matt Robb let the AI agent, called Muse, handle a Facebook Marketplace listing for his keyboard, but within a day an unknown buyer showed up outside his house late at night.
The agent had accepted an offer, shared Robb's address and even sent an automated message telling the buyer he was home, all without Robb's approval.
Experts say AI agents perform better with more personal information, raising privacy concerns, since data the agents have already seen cannot be taken back even if users later withdraw access.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Private Shaun Farrell
Farrell, a member of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based at Edmonton, was from Prince Albert, Sask.
In a social media post, his mother asked for privacy as the family navigates "this profound loss."
"We want to thank everyone for your love, support, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," said Patricia Farrell.
She also posted a photo of her smiling son in uniform, standing by a pickup truck. "Love you my darling child."
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said flags in the province would be lowered to half-mast in Farrell's memory.
"Shaun was a young man full of promise who chose to serve his country. His loss will be felt deeply by his family, friends, fellow service members, and all who knew him," Moe said in a statement.
"To Shaun's family, to the families of the other fallen service members, and to everyone carrying the weight of this loss today, please know that Saskatchewan stands with you, and that you are in our prayers in the difficult days ahead."
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Private Aidan Goulding
The 23-year-old, of North Vancouver, was also a member of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
His family said he was an exceptional athlete and, after high school, became a mechanic.
He later quit to join the army.
"Although he was making excellent money and had a good life, he decided he wanted to defend his country. His goal was to work for Special OPs and then onto CSIS," his mother, Sonia Monk, and older brother, Wylder Goulding, said in a statement.
"He was the guy that kept people's spirits up, a contagious laugh and a cheeky smile, he took his role in the army seriously, and our family and his dear friends have suffered a great loss."
They said he loved his adopted new army family and was looking forward to peacekeeping in Latvia.
"Before he went to basic training, he said, ‘I know I have one life to live, and I’m gonna make the best out of it.' That was our Aidan."
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Private Hayden Lykkemark
Lykkemark was from Langley, B.C., and with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
B.C. Premier David Eby recognized Lykkemark and Goulding in a social media post.
"In this moment of profound heartbreak, as British Columbians and Canadians, let's wrap our arms around their families, supporting them and joining in the mourning of this horrible tragedy," he said.
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Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, is shown in an undated handout photo. Wong was one of four Canadian Armed Forces members who was killed in an out of control grass fire during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright Saturday night.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Canadian Armed Forces (Mandatory Credit)
Sgt. Morgan Wong
The 26-year-old from Edmonton was a reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, serving with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
"He was an incredible person who was always there whenever anyone needed him," his family said in a statement.
"He loved being active and spending time with his friends and family. He was extremely proud to serve with the Canadian Armed Forces."
They said he earned a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Alberta, as well as certificates in real estate and civil-military leadership.
He joined the Forces in 2017, and for the last four years worked as a financial analyst and manager with the Alberta government. He also served as a first responder with St. John Ambulance.
He served in Latvia from October 2024 to June 2025, and was preparing for a second tour in Europe.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sergeant Morgan Wong of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, and all those who lost their lives yesterday at Wainwright," the 49th Battalion Loyal Edmonton Regiment Association said in a social media post.
"Our thoughts and prayers are also with the injured, their loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy.
"We will remember them."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
— By Dayne Patterson in Edmonton, Bill Graveland in Calgary and Nick Murray in Ottawa
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.