Calgary Daily Digest — Feb 27, 2026

Alberta’s budget hits Calgary wallets: The province’s new budget (unveiled Thursday) raises the education property tax to generate $3.6 billion, with $1.2 billion requisitioned from Calgary — meaning 42 cents of every Calgary property-tax dollar goes to the province and the typical homeowner faces about $340 more this year. Mayor Jeromy Farkas and council are demanding transparency and have called a special council meeting for March 4, 2026, while the province points to big investments including 14 of 40 new schools in Calgary and funding for the Green Line and other projects.

Got a garage? The city will help you build a suite: Calgary’s Backyard Suites Incentive Program starts March 2, offering up to $15,000 plus up to 40% of underground service costs (max $20,000) to encourage more backyard suites; about 400 already exist, and homeowners like Jia Cheng say a 900 sq ft two‑bed garage suite changed their family life. The program includes extra help for heritage homes and accessibility needs and hopes to make these suites widespread, builders say.

Recall push loses steam: Elections Alberta says four more recall petitions against UCP MLAs failed, including efforts against Agriculture Minister R.J. Sigurdson (about 9% of the ~16,000 signatures needed), Muhammad Yaseen (about 7%) and Speaker Ric McIver (about 13%); one petition against Jackie Lovely was withdrawn. That brings half of the roughly two dozen petitions to fail so far, though 12 active petitions remain — several due next month — including one targeting the premier.

Family outraged after manslaughter sentence in little Nina’s death: In the case of eight‑year‑old Nina Napope (disappeared April 2023, found in Maskwacis), Ashley Rattlesnake pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years minus 4.25 years already served (so about 3 years 9 months to go); Judge Jody Fraser said Edmonton police actions were a mitigating factor, which shocked family members in court. The autopsy found blunt‑impact trauma and chronic abuse; four others were also charged in the case.

Family heirloom found: the British Bulldog’s Hall of Fame ring recovered: The WWE Hall of Fame ring of the late Davey Boy Smith was recovered after someone tried to pawn it in Lloydminster, and Harry Smith (Davey Boy Smith Jr.) and family say the ring is being returned after being stolen during a break‑in involving Canadian Wrestling’s Elite.

Winter storm warning — up to 30 cm possible: Environment Canada put southern Alberta under a yellow snowfall warning with up to 30 cm possible in places (snow began around 8 p.m. Thursday; Calgary airport saw ~6 cm by noon Friday; Ghost Lake/Canmore areas saw 12–20 cm). Drivers are warned about changing conditions, Calgary Transit activated snow detours, and temperatures will swing from about −15°C overnight to +11°C by Tuesday in a roller‑coaster spell.

Avalanche at ski area leaves youth critically injured: Rescue crews responded to an avalanche in the Naskiska area (about 100 km west of Calgary) after a 12:49 p.m. call; two skiers were caught, one got out uninjured, the other — a youth — was found unresponsive and taken to Alberta Children’s Hospital in life‑threatening condition. Avalanche Canada warns danger is high after strong winds and fresh snow, and there have already been four avalanche fatalities in western Canada this season.

Mountie hurt when alleged drunk driver hits cruiser on QEII: Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday near Innisfail, a parked RCMP cruiser was struck by a white Ford Explorer; the officer was taken to hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries and a 26‑year‑old Edmonton woman was arrested after breath samples showed nearly double the legal limit. She faces charges including impaired operation causing bodily harm and is due in Red Deer court on March 31.

$50K Cash Vault contest rules posted — with fine print: A $50,000 “Cash Vault” contest is being run in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.; the rules say no purchase is necessary and entrants must be of the age of majority in their province, but much of the posted document is sparse. If you’re interested, check the official rules for eligibility and how to enter.

China suspends some tariffs on Canadian farm goods starting March 1: Beijing announced tariffs won’t be imposed on canola meal and peas (previously 100%) and lobster/crab (25%), effective March 1 through end of 2026 — the notice didn’t mention canola seed. The move follows a visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney and a deal that also saw Canada agree to import up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a 6.1% tariff in exchange for lower duties on canola seed.

Alberta’s big deficit sparks tax‑structure questions: Finance Minister Nate Horner tabled a 2026 budget with a $9.4‑billion deficit (blamed partly on a $3.1‑billion drop in non‑renewable resource revenue) and asked Albertans to consider whether the province’s tax system is right for today. The budget keeps personal and corporate tax rates unchanged but raises fees (tourism levy to 6% from 4%, rental car taxes) and projects WTI at US$60.50, with deficits of $7.6B in 2027 and $6.9B in 2028‑29.

Travellers stuck in Puerto Vallarta after violence halts flights: Families bound for Edmonton — like the Wywrot and Benson groups — were delayed after a military operation sparked violence, road and airport closures and flight cancellations, leaving some Canadians stranded and facing missed school, lost wages and running out of medication. WestJet says it added 12 extra flights and is looking for more options, while passengers point to federal rules that require rebooking within 48 hours or refunds.