Edmonton Daily Digest — Jan 21, 2026

Heads-up if you live on a cul‑de‑sac: the city will start clearing snow from Edmonton’s roughly 3,000 cul‑de‑sacs beginning Thursday, Jan. 22, after residential roads are 87% cleared. Crews will work up to six weeks, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., in two phases (stacking then hauling), and you’ll see yellow “no parking” signs placed at least 24 hours before work.

Big picture on homes: Canada’s housing starts rose 5.6% in 2025 to 259,028 units, while Alberta saw 53,000 starts — up 14% from 2024 — meaning the province (under 12% of the population) accounted for nearly a quarter of national starts. CMHC says far more homes are needed long term (up to 4.8 million over the next decade); names to note include CMHC economist Mathieu Laberge and Alberta Housing Minister Jason Nixon.

Police seek help after home break‑ins: Calgary PD is probing a string of Dec. 5–13, 2025 break‑ins in NW and NE neighbourhoods (Hamptons Grove, Edenwold Drive, California Blvd) where suspects smashed sliding doors and stole jewellery and some luxury items. Investigators say the vehicle is likely a grey/silver 2024–25 Toyota Sienna XSE; anyone with tips should call 403‑266‑1234 or Crime Stoppers.

Recall attempt fell short: Elections Alberta closed the file on a recall petition against Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides after petitioner Jenny Yeremiy submitted 6,519 signatures — about 40% of the 16,000 needed — so no further verification will be done. Elections Alberta has an extra $6.7 million to handle recalls and 25 other petitions remain active (next deadline Feb. 3 for one against Angela Pitt).

Teachers say classrooms are stretched thin: An Alberta Teachers’ Association survey of 5,700 members (Nov–Dec) found over 90% feel stressed or pessimistic, citing burnout, rising student aggression and lack of supports after the government used the notwithstanding clause to end a strike. ATA head Jason Schilling warned public schools face a crisis; teachers also flagged book bans and new pronoun/gender rules as harming school climate.

The Butterdome is getting a facelift: U of A will renovate the Universiade Pavilion starting this spring, replacing cladding and the roof to fix leaks and ice hazards, adding a west entrance, windows, solar panels and new green‑gold panels — work funded largely by a $27‑million Alberta grant and due to finish in fall 2027. The iconic 64,000‑sq‑ft building (built for the 1983 Universiade) should get a modern look while keeping the nostalgic “Butterdome” feel.

Oilers find goaltending help: Tristan Jarry (from Pittsburgh) and Connor Ingram (acquired from Utah) have steadied Edmonton’s net, sharing back‑to‑back shutouts and giving up just three goals in four games; Ingram’s Oilers numbers include a .917 save percentage and 2.22 GAA in recent appearances. Coach Kris Knoblauch says the rotation helps, but the team still can’t string together three straight wins.

Penguin fans rejoice: The Calgary Zoo held its first penguin walk of 2026 — the 14th year of the event — with more than a dozen king penguins (ages 2–27) waddling outside Penguin Plunge; walks normally run Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. if temperatures are between 5°C and −25°C and winds are under 20 km/h. Staff say the walks are natural enrichment and the birds often line up at the gate waiting to go.

Lawyers warn about threats to checks and balances: Two former justice ministers (Ken Rostad and Verlyn Olson) and about 30 lawyers published a letter criticizing the UCP for using the notwithstanding clause multiple times and changing referendum rules retroactively, saying those moves risk authoritarianism. They also oppose shielding justice ministers from discipline; current Justice Minister Mickey Amery defends the government’s actions as protecting official duties.

Cold snap response: Edmonton activated its extreme weather response at 9 a.m. today and will keep it in place until Jan. 28 at 9 a.m., because forecasts call for wind chills of −20°C or lower for at least three days (Thursday could feel like −30°C). That means extra shelter spaces, open rec centres and libraries for warming, and shuttles to emergency shelters.

Second‑degree murder charge on First Nation: Tsuut’ina Nation police charged 40‑year‑old Amanda Audrey Nicole Crane with second‑degree murder after a 29‑year‑old Tsuut’ina member was found dead inside a Wintergreen Road home on Jan. 5. Police say the accused and victim knew each other; Crane was arrested in Calgary and is due in Cochrane court on Jan. 27.

China trade reopens for canola and beef: Federal Ag Minister Heath MacDonald says a Chinese buyer ordered 60,000 metric tonnes of Canadian canola seed and a first beef shipment is slated for next week after Beijing cut tariffs and lifted a beef ban. Tariff reductions start March 1 for canola seed; premiers Scott Moe (supportive) and Doug Ford (critical) reacted, and pork access still faces barriers.

Skier survives avalanche near Lake Louise: Parks Canada says a skier triggered a Size‑2 avalanche on the “Vortex” backcountry run on Tuesday at about 2,450 m, was carried downhill and buried to the waist but was uninjured. Officials warned the slide was a deep persistent slab and reminded backcountry users to carry the right gear and check avalanche reports.

Devils hold on to beat Oilers 2‑1: In Edmonton, New Jersey won 2–1 on Jan. 21 as Arseny Gritsyuk and Cody Glass each recorded a goal and an assist; Jake Allen made 22 saves and the Devils improved to 26‑22‑2 and are 17‑0‑0 when leading after two periods. Matthew Savoie scored for the Oilers (25‑18‑8) and Connor McDavid was held without a point, ending his streak against the Devils.