Calgary Daily Digest — Feb 24, 2026

Big downtown transit question: Calgary city council voted unanimously to launch a comprehensive review of the downtown free fare zone after a close 8–7 budget vote earlier this year; councillors John Pantazopoulos and Andrew Yule asked the review to look at operational, financial, ridership and safety impacts and options including making it a fare‑paid zone. This zone has existed since 1979 along 7 Avenue (Downtown West/Kerby to City Hall/Bow Valley College), the review will gather feedback (including from the Calgary Downtown Association and police) and Calgary Transit’s own survey runs until March 8, with recommendations due before summer.

A family of six living in a car needs help: The Dawe family have been sleeping in their vehicle for six months and recently spent a night out in −21°C after their car battery died; shelters have repeatedly told them the eldest child (18) would make them split up, which they refuse. Local volunteers got the car started and the family was offered temporary shelter late Tuesday, but advocates say more resources are needed for unhoused families.

Quick police action after downtown violent kidnapping attempt: On Feb. 17 just before midnight a patrol sergeant interrupted an alleged assault/kidnapping near First Ave and 19 St SW; the victim, a man in his 20s, is now released from hospital. Officers stopped the suspects’ Toyota Camry with a tire deflation device, arrested two men (aged 23 and 22) who face charges including kidnapping, assault and possession for the purpose of trafficking after police seized about 89 grams of suspected cocaine (street value ~$5,000); both return to court Feb. 26, 2026.

Small towns mourning two young hockey players: Two girls aged 17 and 18 from the U18 Jasper Bearcats died at the scene after a pickup and a semi collided around 7:15 p.m. on Highway 16 east of Jasper while they were driving the 75‑km route home to Hinton. The deaths shocked the close‑knit region (Hinton pop. ~10,000); schools closed Feb. 24–25 for grieving, identities haven’t been released, and slippery road conditions are believed to be a factor.

Calgary volunteer describes wartime misery in Ukraine: Paul Hughes, a Calgarian running H.U.G.S. (Helping Ukraine Grassroots Support), says four years into the war (since Feb. 23, 2022) he’s never seen such suffering — cities like Kharkiv have fallen from ~1.5 million people to 600,000–700,000 plus ~200,000 IDPs. Hughes — who stayed after his son MacKenzie was badly burned in a July 1, 2025 Shahed drone attack — is delivering aid on the long frontline and says Ukrainians want peace but won’t give up their country.

Mortgage debt climbs and starter homes slip away: Equifax Canada reports total mortgage debt reached $1.95 trillion in Q4 2025 (up 2.6% year‑over‑year) as a large wave of renewals continues; CMHC estimates 1.5 million households renewed by end of 2025 with another million due in 2026. Average new loan amounts rose (to $363,778 overall and $441,301 for first‑time buyers), producing payment shock for some; researchers warn lower‑end home prices are up 265% since 2004 while incomes rose 76%, and fixing affordability will take major policy and zoning changes.

CFL pickup: Jamal Parker joins the B.C. Lions: The 28‑year‑old defensive back from Pennsauken, N.J., signed with the Lions (terms not disclosed) after posting 36 tackles, one interception and a 60‑yard fumble‑return TD in 11 games with Winnipeg last season. Parker missed 2024 with a torn ACL but has prior CFL experience (50 tackles across 2022–23) and has played in Grey Cup games; report published Feb. 24, 2026.

Nurses win pay and benefit gains with Covenant Health deal: The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says members ratified the collective agreement Monday with an 89.2% yes vote; the agreement is retroactive to April 1, 2024. Highlights include a 12% pay increase over four years, market adjustments and improved benefits — the pact runs until the end of March 2028.

New Liberal MP joins PM’s trade and security trip: Prime Minister Mark Carney added newly crossed‑over MP Matt Jeneroux to his delegation as “special advisor on economic and security partnerships” for a trip to Mumbai, New Delhi, Sydney, Canberra and Tokyo running through March 7. Jeneroux will travel with ministers including Defence Minister David McGuinty and others (Anita Anand, François‑Philippe Champagne, Maninder Sidhu) as Carney seeks trade ties while also raising rule‑of‑law and security concerns (including past threats to Sikh activists such as Moninder Singh and the Nijjar case).

Alberta legislature back with big bills on immigration and MAID: The spring sitting opened Feb. 24 with up to 18 government bills expected, including a Project Delivery Office for large industrial approvals, a bill to limit MAID for some groups (e.g., mental‑illness‑only cases) and new controls on international recruiters. The government also moved to transfer all ~1,200 Alberta Sheriffs into a new Alberta Sheriffs Police Service, signalled a budget with a multibillion‑dollar deficit and said it will boost doctor spending by ~22%, while debates continue over triage doctor hiring and petitions on separatism.