Calgary Daily Digest — Feb 11, 2026

Heads up: CMHC told Calgary it could lose federal housing money if city council fully repeals citywide rezoning. The federal Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation warned that repealing rezoning could make Calgary non‑compliant with the Housing Accelerator Fund (Calgary was awarded $251.3 million, with $122.9 million paid so far and the next instalment due end of March 2026); councillors like DJ Kelly and Dan McLean disagree on the risk, and a public hearing is set for March 23, 2026.

On patrol: Police launched “Operation Order” to clamp down on drug use, trafficking and social disorder downtown and on Calgary Transit. Officers, transit peace officers and community safety reps issued warnings, some tickets and arrests, made referrals to supports like the Calgary Drop‑In Centre and Alpha House, and said the sweep ran into Wednesday night as part of the Safer Calgary initiative.

Troubling youth case: A 13‑year‑old in Alberta was sentenced to three years in an intensive rehab program after pleading guilty to attempting to stab his seven‑year‑old brother last August. Justice Ryan Anderson split the sentence into two years secure custody and one year conditional supervision under the Intensive Rehabilitation and Custody Supervision program, citing psychiatric diagnoses and a focus on treatment rather than punishment.

Warm moment: A 90‑year‑old Calgary resident, Louise Barnett, got to fulfill a ‘living wish’ when the Calgary Flying Club flew her from Springbank to view Ha‑Ling Peak and the resting place of her husband and daughter. The trip was arranged by Rocky Ridge Retirement Community and the club and was celebrated locally as a touching community gesture.

Big bill ahead: Calgary needs roughly $5.7 billion over the next 10 years to fix critical assets, city officials say, as part of a larger $18 billion of city assets in poor or very poor condition. The report flags $1.7 billion in critical assets at risk, recommends boosting road, water and transit budgets (including $1.2 billion for water redundancy) and warns of tough decisions on taxes, rates and capital spending.

Policy background: Recent mass shootings — including a deadly April 2020 Nova Scotia attack and Tuesday’s Tumbler Ridge shootings that killed nine — have driven decades of gun‑law changes in Canada. Officials say two firearms were recovered in Tumbler Ridge; since May 2020 the Liberals have banned about 2,500 firearm types and taken steps on handguns, trafficking and ghost guns, while the SKS rifle remains under review.

Hope on the ice: Players at the World’s Longest Hockey Game in Strathcona County are fundraising $1 million to buy equipment that would let Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute make CAR T‑cell therapy a permanent program. Survivors like Don Goss — who received CAR T in 2022 — say the personalized immunotherapy has been life‑changing, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation hopes the new lab will treat more patients locally and cut costs.

Crime scene: A man was shot outside the Cactus Club on Macleod Trail around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in an incident Calgary police say appears tied to organized crime; he was rushed to hospital and later stabilized. Investigators reviewed CCTV, counted at least 15 shots, closed the scene and are asking witnesses or dashcam footage to call 403‑266‑8477 or Crime Stoppers.

Tragic crash: One person died after a single‑vehicle crash early Wednesday in the 7000 block of 84 Street SE; police say the driver was ejected and speed may have been a factor. The automatic crash alert went out about 2:45 a.m., the stretch between 74 Ave and 61 Ave SE was closed for reconstruction work and RCMP assisted the Calgary Police traffic team.

Deep sorrow: B.C. officials called the Tumbler Ridge school shooting “one of the worst mass shootings” in Canadian history after nine people were killed on Tuesday and many injured. Minister Nina Krieger and Premier David Eby praised first responders, confirmed schools will stay closed for the week in the 2,000‑person town, and pledged long‑term support for victims and the community.