The former head of the Alberta Medical Association says Premier Danielle Smith's latest finger pointing at the province's front-line health agency has created a "draconian" chill among workers.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith removed her government's deputy minister of health on Wednesday but bucked calls for a public inquiry into allegations of government interference in lucrative medical contracts.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said late Monday the tariffs will be paused for "at least 30 days" while Canada appoints a "fentanyl czar" and works with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking and organized crime.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling for a joint Canada-U.S. Norad military base in Northern Canada, expanding the organization's aerospace and maritime defence efforts.

Trump said late Monday he is thinking of instituting 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods starting Feb. 1, rather than on his first day in office.

In a letter to the Alberta Energy Regulator posted to its website Monday, Energy Minister Brian Jean said lifting a 2022 moratorium will "reduce regulatory confusion" around coal mining.

Danielle Smith will be attending Trump's inauguration next week. She has been on a diplomatic offensive of late, meeting with American elected officials and appearing on news media south of the border. She has argued that the tariffs would harm both Canadians and hit American consumers, particularly with higher gas prices at the pump.

A report from Canada's chief actuary suggests Alberta would not be entitled to more than half of the Canada Pension Plan's assets that the province has argued it should get if it were to leave the investment fund.

It says it will ban new mountaintop removal mining and new open-pit mining on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

The province has been waiting for months for the review and a figure from the province's actuary