- Kitten injured after sheltering in engine compartment
- An eight‑month‑old kitten named Kaedra was rescued by the Edmonton Cold Weather Animal Rescue Society (ECWAR) after being found along a road in Fort Saskatchewan. Veterinarians at Groat Veterinary Clinic report extensive burn injuries to her face and front end, soot‑covered body, likely smoke inhalation and severe frostbite. Dr. Gary Dhillon says recovery could take about six months.
- Separatist petition launched: nearly 178,000 names needed
- Elections Alberta has issued citizen‑initiative petition sheets to Mitch Sylvestre and the Alberta Prosperity Project. They have until May 2, 2026 to collect just under 178,000 signatures to qualify a referendum question on Alberta leaving Canada. Elections Alberta previously approved the question but delayed signature collection until campaign details (including a CFO) were finalized.
- Water main rupture — politics and impacts
- The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which supplies about 60% of Calgary's treated water, ruptured for the second time in less than two years. Around 3,000 homes were reported affected and Stage 4 water restrictions and boil water notices remain in place. Premier Danielle Smith blamed former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi (now NDP opposition leader); her government says it will review municipal water‑utility oversight.
- Calgary housing: sales and prices fall
- Calgary Real Estate Board: December home sales down 14.2% year‑over‑year to 1,126 units. Benchmark residential price fell 4.7% y/y to $554,700. New listings in December: 1,219 (down 1.5% y/y); inventory rose 28.9% to 3,860 homes. CREB chief economist Ann‑Marie Lurie called 2025 “a year of transition.”
- Remote‑work rollback for many public servants
- Ontario provincial employees must return to the office five days a week starting Jan. 5, 2026. Alberta’s public service will return to full‑time in‑office work in February. Tens of thousands of provincial staff are affected; other provinces keep more flexible hybrid approaches.
- Calgary coach poised for Olympic first
- Karine Dazé, based in Calgary, will coach Brazilian halfpipe rider Augustinho Teixeira at the 2026 Milan Olympic Winter Games, becoming the first Canadian woman to coach Olympic snowboard halfpipe. Dazé is a top certified coach who trains athletes at WinSport events.
