Edmonton Daily Digest — Feb. 2, 2026

Emergency-room help delayed: Alberta’s plan to add physician triage shifts was due to start over the weekend but has been postponed as doctors and the government negotiate pay, billing, liability and paperwork; Dr. Brian Wirzba says he’s hopeful the roles will start being filled "by the end of this week or next week." This is meant as a temporary "Band‑Aid" (two extra shifts per day, seven days a week) after the Dec. 22, 2025 death of Prashant Sreekumar, 44, at Grey Nuns Hospital, but nurses warn it won’t fix broader capacity problems.

Former cadets instructor charged in historical assaults: Charles Bernatchez, 37, arrested Jan. 30 and charged with multiple counts including two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault with a weapon, two counts of sexual interference, three counts of sexual exploitation and invitation to sexual touching, is accused of assaulting three teenage cadets between 2009 and 2016. Bernatchez had volunteered with the 2551 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Army Cadets and received a Governor General’s volunteer medal in 2013; police say anyone with information should call EPS or Crime Stoppers.

Harper, Chrétien on national unity and sovereignty: Former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien spoke at a Royal Canadian Geographical Society panel in Ottawa about Arctic sovereignty and national pride; Harper denied signing a petition calling for an Alberta referendum on separation as separatist sentiment resurfaces. The visit also marks Harper’s portrait unveiling on Parliament Hill and the 20th anniversary of the modern Conservative party’s first federal win.

Three junior hockey players killed in crash: Three members of the Southern Alberta Mustangs died Monday around 11 a.m. in a crash at Highway 2 and 55 Avenue near Stavely when their small vehicle was hit by a northbound semi; two victims were 18 from Kamloops, B.C., and one was a 17‑year‑old from Alabama, U.S. The Mustangs — who play in the U.S. Premier Hockey League — called the loss "unimaginable," and police say the semi driver, a 40‑year‑old Stavely man, suffered minor injuries.

Worker killed by rolling pipe at Cenovus site: Cenovus Energy says one contractor worker was killed and another injured late last week at the Christina Lake North site near Conklin after a pipe rolled off a truck during unloading; Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is investigating. Cenovus expressed condolences and noted operations have continued in other areas; this follows a recent fatality at Suncor’s Fort Hills oilsands site.

Recall petition against MLA falls far short: Derek Keenan ended his recall drive against UCP MLA and deputy speaker Angela Pitt after collecting an estimated 2,200 signatures — well under the roughly 15,000 needed by the Tuesday deadline to trigger a constituency vote. Keenan says the campaign (started in November) raised local awareness, and he felt positive despite failing to force the recall; this is the second of 26 petitions so far to miss the mark.

12‑year‑old’s candy business finds TikTok success: Edmonton pre‑teen Lylah Janvier launched Candy Craze in early 2025 and now has about 20,000 TikTok followers, 4,000 Facebook followers, dozens of daily orders, and has shipped over 4,000 orders worldwide — all while packing orders with her dad, Lorenzo. Lylah hopes to inspire other Indigenous youth and dreams of getting her candy into stores and eventually opening a shop.

Balzac Billy predicts six more weeks of winter: On Groundhog Day (Feb. 2) Balzac Billy — a human‑sized mascot outside Balzac north of Calgary — emerged and, seeing his shadow on a sunny day (forecast high about 9°C), signaled six more weeks of winter; this is the mascot’s 23rd year making the call. Puxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania also saw his shadow, while Ontario’s Wiarton Willie did not.

Thousands of Alberta government workers return to offices: The province ended its hybrid‑work option on Sunday, bringing many employees back full time; about 12,000 workers had used hybrid arrangements and roughly 9,000 of approximately 23,000 AUPE members participated. Union members protested with brown paper lunch bags reading “Hybrid work tastes better,” saying some were unhappy the change wasn’t negotiated; the government says returning staff will strengthen collaboration and service delivery.