Afternoon front page: Stephen Harper speaks against Alberta separatism; State of the Nation poll finds 45% of Canadians feel worse off than a year ago; and more

Former prime minister Stephen Harper argues political changes within Canada are possible to strengthen Alberta's place in Confederation. Photo by Blair Gable/Postmedia

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It’s Friday, October 2. Here are the top stories we’re following today.

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Stephen Harper: Separatism poses ‘significant risk’ for Alberta

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Referring to the socially and economically damaging Quebec referendums, the former prime minister writes: “I see no benefit and significant risk for Alberta to go down that path today. I believe Albertans’ energies are far better employed pushing for change in Ottawa and for the exercise of greater power by Alberta itself. Such efforts are far more likely to produce actual, positive results.”

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How Canadians view other countries. Photo by Lord Ashcroft Polls/Brice Hall/National Post

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Poll of 10,000 Canadians finds half consider U.S. to be an adversary and 45% feel worse off today than a year ago

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith listens to Prime Minister Mark Carney speak during an announcement that the Pacific Link pipeline has been listed as a project of national interest, in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. Photo by Itoro Umanah/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia

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John Ivison: Carney pipeline boosting hasn’t yet convinced investors that Canada has changed

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Ivison notes that the private sector has been virtually absent from the Pacific Link pipeline project, in terms of binding financial commitments. By designating the project as being in the national interest, the federal government is explicitly implying that it believes there is a high likelihood of it being completed. “It remains to be seen whether private sector investors agree,” he adds.

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A screengrab taken from a video shows passengers inside the rerouted Flydubai flight FZ 1073, ahead of its departure to Tel Aviv from Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport on Sept. 30, 2026. Photo by AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images

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‘He’s stabbing the pilot’: How terror unfolded on Flydubai Flight 1073

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Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members from Dubai to Tel Aviv, about a three-and-a-half-hour flight. But with an hour left before landing, the trip turned terrifying.

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A Newfoundland judge has granted Rodney Philpott an absolute discharge for hanging a seven-year-old boy on a coat hook. Photo by Andrew Robinson//St. John's Telegram/Postmedia

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Newfoundland bridal shop owner who hung boy on a coat hook gets absolute discharge

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The bridal shop owner was convicted of assaulting the rambunctious seven-year-old, who had been running around in the dressing room “tormenting” the man. Although, the boy’s face turned purple and he struggled to breathe from the hook, the judge concluded the shop owner “did not act in anger or with an intention to harm.”

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