THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
1980 — The federal government ignites widespread alienation in Alberta with the National Energy Program, which keeps domestic oil prices below world levels to promote Canadian energy security and increase the federal share of oil revenues. Alberta views it as an unjustified attack and a federal money grab. The issue is later settled, but discontent with Ottawa continues.
1982 — Separatism enjoys a brief heyday. Gordon Kesler of the Western Canada Concept Party wins a provincial byelection in central Alberta on a separatist platform. Later that year in the general election, he loses a spot in the legislature. The party receives 12 per cent of the vote but no seats.
2019 — The anti-Ottawa mood ramps up as the United Conservative Party under Jason Kenney wins power in Alberta, capitalizing on discontent over federal rules and policies deemed to impair Alberta’s ability to create wealth, particularly in oil and gas. Premier Kenney fights for more independence from Ottawa but remains a staunch advocate for the province staying in Confederation.
2022-23 — Kenney is replaced by Danielle Smith, who wins government in the 2023 election on a platform of further asserting independence from Ottawa. Unlike Kenney, Premier Smith, while stressing her preference for a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” refuses to characterize separatists as fringe extremists, saying they have valid grievances that deserve to be aired.
April 28, 2025 — Mark Carney and the Liberals defeat the federal Conservatives to win a minority government.
May 5, 2025 — Smith announces a panel to discuss Alberta's future in Canada. She says her government won't itself put separation on a ballot but would honour a successful citizen petition seeking such a vote. At the same time, her government takes steps to eventually pass rules to lower thresholds for citizen-led petitions.
June 2025 — Former Alberta Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk launches a “Forever Canadian” petition to affirm the province stays in Canada. It eventually collects more than 400,000 names — enough to validate the petition. But by the spring of 2026, the petition is tied up in a legislature committee as Smith questions whether Lukaszuk gathered the names for a referendum or as a trigger for a vote among legislature members.
Former Deputy Premier, MLA and spokesperson for the Forever Canada petition, Thomas Lukaszuk, at a Forever Canadian rally, in Edmonton, Saturday, May 23, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amanda Erickson.
January 2026 — Mitch Sylvestre of the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project is given the green light by election officials to launch a petition asking whether Alberta should leave Canada. Months later, the petition is deemed successful, having gathered about 223,000 signatures.
Feb. 19, 2026 — Smith announces nine referendum questions about immigration and constitutional concerns will be put to Albertans in an Oct. 19 referendum.
May 13, 2026 — An Alberta Court of King's Bench judge quashes the separatist petition, ruling Smith’s government didn't properly consult First Nations as required in the Constitution. Smith later promises to challenge the ruling, and it remains in legal limbo.
Mitch Sylvestre hold boxes of signatures before submitting signatures for a separation referendum to Elections Alberta in Edmonton, on Monday, May 4, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
May 21, 2026 — Smith announces a 10th referendum question asking whether Alberta should stay in Canada or hold a binding vote on separation. Smith cites the legal uncertainty of the court decision on the separatist petition as the driving force, saying it unduly deprives thousands of Albertans of having a say. Smith later cites Lukaszuk's petition, too, as a reason. She says both show hundreds of thousands of Albertans want the issue decided.
Sept. 10, 2026 — The Alberta government launches a $4-million advertising campaign for the referendum and urges citizens to vote to stay in Canada. The move comes as polls suggest a broad majority of Albertans want to stay.
Sept. 14, 2026 — Smith's UCP loses a byelection to the Opposition NDP in their conservative stronghold of Calgary-Shaw. Critics across the political spectrum say the referendum was a factor in punishing Smith’s UCP. Her office says the party lost due to right-centre vote splitting.
Sept. 16, 2026 — Smith's government publishes a report it commissioned from the University of Calgary to determine what fiscal challenges and benefits an independent Alberta could see. It estimates an initial five-year price tag of $50 billion to $170 billion, noting that figures could swing sharply depending on factors outside Alberta's control.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
That includes chocolate like Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Caramilk, Mars and Twix, candy like Twizzlers, Swedish Berries and Sour Patch Kids and chips like Ruffles.
Narcity went to all three stores, looked for similar products, checked prices and then compared costs.
So, here's what you need to know about the Halloween candy, chocolate and chips and which store has the cheapest products.
Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties
Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties at Costco. Centre: Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties at Walmart. Right: Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties at Loblaws.
All three stores have packs of Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties chocolate, but Costco has full-sized bars, while Walmart and Loblaws have treat-sized bars.
It costs $21.99 for a 1.08-kilogram box of 24 full-sized bars at Costco, which works out to $2.03 per 100 grams and $0.91 per chocolate.
It costs $15.97 for a 977-gram box of 100 treat-sized bars at Walmart, which is $1.63 per 100 grams and $0.15 per chocolate.
It costs $24 for a 977-gram box of 100 treat-sized bars at Loblaws, which breaks down to $2.45 per 100 grams and $0.24 per chocolate.
Walmart is $0.40 cheaper per 100 grams than Costco and $0.82 cheaper per 100 grams than Loblaws for this product.
Caramilk, Dairy Milk Oreo and Twirl
Dairy Milk Oreo, Cadbury Toffee Crunch, Twirl and Caramilk at Costco. Centre: Dairy Milk Oreo, Caramilk, Wunderbar and Twirl at Walmart. Right: Dairy Milk Oreo, Caramilk, Wunderbar and Twirl at Loblaws.
These stores have the Cadbury treat-size bar variety pack with Caramilk, Dairy Milk Oreo and Twirl chocolate, but Costco includes Cadbury Toffee Crunch, while Walmart and Loblaws include Wunderbar.
It costs $17.99 for a 1.3-kilogram box with 120 chocolates at Costco, which breaks down to $1.38 per 100 grams and $0.14 per chocolate.
It costs $15.48 for a 993-gram box with 90 chocolates at Walmart, which works out to $1.55 per 100 grams and $0.17 per chocolate.
It costs $22 for a 993-gram box with 90 chocolates at Loblaws, which is $2.21 per 100 grams and $0.24 per chocolate.
Costco is $0.17 cheaper per 100 grams than Walmart and $0.83 cheaper per 100 grams than Loblaws for this product.
Ruffles chips
Ruffles chips at Walmart. Right: Ruffles chips at Loblaws.
Both Walmart and Loblaws have boxes of snack-sized Ruffles chips.
It costs $12.97 for a 640-gram box of Ruffles chips with 40 snack-sized bags at Walmart.
It costs $12.99 for a 640-gram box of Ruffles chips with 40 snack-sized bags at Loblaws.
Walmart is $0.02 cheaper than Loblaws for this product.
Mars, Twix, Snickers and peanut M&M's
Mars, Twix, Snickers and peanut M&M's at Costco. Right: Mars, Twix, Snickers and peanut M&M's at Walmart.
Both Costco and Walmart have the treat-sized Mars, Twix, Snickers and peanut M&M's chocolates for Halloween.
It costs $23.99 for a 1.48-kilogram box with 140 treat-sized chocolates at Costco, which works out to $1.62 per 100 grams and $0.17 per chocolate.
It costs $14.97 for a one-kilogram box with 95 treat-sized chocolates at Walmart, which breaks down to $1.49 per 100 grams and $0.15 per chocolate.
Walmart is $0.13 cheaper per 100 grams than Costco for this product.
Twizzlers
Twizzlers at Costco. Centre: Twizzlers and Jolly Rancher gummies at Walmart. Right: Twizzlers and Jolly Rancher gummies at Loblaws.
Each store has treat-sized Twizzlers, but the Costco pack has more flavour varieties, while the Walmart and Loblaws packs have Jolly Rancher gummies.
It costs $14.99 for a 1.3-kilogram bag with 109 pieces at Costco, which works out to $1.15 per 100 grams and $0.13 per piece.
It costs $12.97 for a 1.02-kilogram bag with 100 pieces at Walmart, which is $1.27 per 100 grams and $0.12 per piece.
It costs $20 for a 1.02-kilogram bag with 100 pieces at Loblaws, which breaks down to $1.96 per 100 grams and $0.20 per piece.
Costco is $0.12 cheaper per 100 grams than Walmart and $0.81 cheaper per 100 grams than Loblaws for this Halloween candy.
Reese's, Oh Henry, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme and Whoppers
Reese's, Oh Henry, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme and Whoppers at Walmart. Right: Reese's, Oh Henry, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme and Whoppers at Loblaws.
Walmart and Loblaws have bags of Reese's Cups, Reese's Pieces, Oh Henry, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme and Whoppers chocolate for Halloween.
It costs $12.97 for a 962-gram bag with 100 chocolates at Walmart.
It costs $20 for a 962-gram bag with 100 chocolates at Loblaws.
Walmart is $7.03 cheaper than Loblaws for this product!
Swedish Berries and Sour Patch Kids
Swedish Berries and Sour Patch Kids at Costco. Right: Swedish Berries, Sour Patch Kids, Fuzzy Peach and Swedish Fish at Loblaws.
Costco and Loblaws have Halloween candy boxes with Swedish Berries and Sour Patch Kids, but the Loblaws pack also has Fuzzy Peach and Swedish Fish.
It costs $23.99 for a 1.9-kilogram box with 150 pieces at Costco, which breaks down to $1.26 per 100 grams and $0.15 per piece.
It costs $19 for a 1.12-kilogram box with 90 pieces at Loblaws, which is $1.78 per 100 grams and $0.21 per piece.
Costco is $0.52 cheaper per 100 grams than Loblaws for this Halloween candy.
Cheetos
Cheetos at Walmart. Right: Cheetos at Loblaws.
Walmart and Loblaws have boxes of snack-sized Cheetos for Halloween.
It costs $12.97 for a 640-gram box with 40 snack-sized bags at Walmart.
It costs $12.99 for a 640-gram box with 40 snack-sized bags at Loblaws.
Walmart is $0.02 cheaper than Loblaws for this product.
WHICH STORE HAS THE CHEAPEST HALLOWEEN CANDY?
Now that we've compared prices for eight Halloween candy, chocolate and chips at Costco, Walmart and Loblaws, let's break down which store has the lowest prices.
Costco is the cheapest store for the box of Dairy Milk Oreo, Cadbury Toffee Crunch, Twirl and Caramilk, the bag of Twizzlers and the box of Swedish Berries and Sour Patch Kids.
Walmart is the cheapest store for the box of Coffee Crisp, KitKat, Aero and Smarties, the box of Ruffles, the box of Mars, Twix, Snickers and M&M's, the bag of Reese's, Oh Henry, Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme and Whoppers, and the box of Cheetos.
None of the Halloween candy, chocolate or chips at Loblaws that Narcity compared have the lowest prices.
READ NEXT: Costco has Kirkland Signature Halloween candy that's cheaper than name-brand items
Ce nouvel outil te permet de voir le temps d'attente dans les bureaux de Passeports Canada
Ça va t'éviter d'attendre des heures en file!La crise du passeport est bien réelle au Canada. Après deux années où les voyages à l'étranger étaient déconseillés, plusieurs Canadien.nes qui ont des plans de vacances cet été se voient obliger de renouveler leurs passeports échus. Le hic c'est qu'un nombre impressionnant de personnes sont maintenant dans le même bateau et les services de Passeport Canada sont complètement engorgés.
Les vaillant.es qui se sont levé.es à l'aurore pour être les premier.ères aux portes des établissements gouvernementaux témoignent de files interminables, du stress et de longues heures d'attente pour recevoir leur « précieux ». En réponse à cette problématique, Passeport Canada a annoncé, le 9 juin dernier, sur ses réseaux sociaux, avoir ajouté un outil afin de permettre aux utilisateur.trices de voir les temps d'attente dans les bureaux de passeport.
Tu peux donc désormais vérifier combien de temps ta visite pourrait te prendre avant de te pointer dans les centres de Passeport Canada. Le temps d'attente dans les bureaux de la province de Québec, au moment d'écrire ces lignes, tourne autour de trois à cinq heures. Cette donnée est mise à jour trois fois par jour.
Il est important de noter qu'il s'agit d'une estimation seulement. Cela pourrait donc te prendre plus ou moins de temps sur place pour effectuer ton renouvellement.
Afin de permettre aux équipes de Passeport Canada de procéder le plus rapidement possible et de ne pas te présenter pour rien, assure-toi d'avoir tous les documents nécessaires lors de ta visite.