1. Alberta tabled its 2026 budget with a $9.4-billion deficit and higher health and education spending, but new fees and levies (including a tourism levy hike and registry/driver fines) mean many households will pay more this year.
2. Calgary city hall is furious the province’s education property tax increase (part of the budget) will cost the typical Calgary homeowner about $340 more in 2026, and Mayor Jeromy Farkas has called a special council meeting on March 4.
3. The City launches a Backyard Suites Incentive Program on March 2 offering up to $15,000 (plus 40% of underground service costs up to $20,000) to help Calgarians build garage suites.
4. Calgary council voted unanimously to do a comprehensive review of the downtown free-fare CTrain zone — city staff will study safety, ridership and revenue impacts and report back before summer.
5. Councillors are also asking for options to crack down on shoplifting under $100 after thousands of calls for service since 2023; the motion asks for a summer report on municipal approaches.
6. Two men were arrested after officers interrupted an alleged violent assault and attempted kidnapping downtown on Feb. 17; police seized about 89 grams of suspected cocaine and charged both men.
7. Calgary police and ALERT are probing two extortion-related shootings over the weekend tied to an ongoing series of threats targeting the South Asian community; no injuries reported but investigators urge anyone with info to call 403-266-1234.
8. Iconic Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall (open 54 years) will relocate in 2027 because of redevelopment, but will operate at its current Macleod Trail site through 2026.
9. Return-to-office mandates are creating "renewed demand" for office space — Royal LePage says Calgary is focusing on rightsizing and premium collaborative space, even as downtown vacancy patterns shift.
10. Bridgeland Distillery must pull some products after a CFIA compliance review; owners say labels and social posts are under discussion while the agency reviews next steps.
11. Environment Canada warned southern Alberta of rapidly changing conditions with up to 30 cm of snow in places and tricky travel — Calgary saw about 6 cm by midday Friday and transit snow detours were activated.
12. An avalanche at Nakiska (about 100 km west of Calgary) trapped two skiers on Feb. 27; one youth was transported to Alberta Children’s Hospital in life-threatening condition and an investigation is underway.
13. An Innisfail RCMP officer was hospitalized after an alleged drunk driver crashed into a parked cruiser on the QEII late Feb.; the Edmonton woman accused blew nearly double the legal limit and faces impaired-causing-harm charges.
14. Two teenage hockey players from the Jasper Bearcats died in a crash east of Jasper on Feb. 23; communities are grieving, schools closed for counselling, and a memorial game and fundraisers are planned.
15. Sentencing in the manslaughter of eight-year-old Nina Napope (found in Maskwacis) drew outrage when the judge cited police actions as a mitigating factor; the offender got an effective 3 years, 9 months after credit for time served.
16. RCMP say a handcuffed suspect stole an Alberta Sheriffs cruiser, led officers on a 100 km pursuit from Whitecourt to Spruce Grove, and was eventually stopped after spike belts and vehicle interventions.
17. Alberta nurses who work with Covenant Health ratified a new collective agreement by 89.2% — the deal includes a 12% wage rise over four years and improved benefits, retroactive to Apr. 1, 2024.
18. Researchers at the University of Lethbridge identified a key role for RMRP RNA in cancer cell energy production, a discovery that could open new treatment research paths.
19. Calgary-based Pembina sanctioned two pipeline expansion projects worth $425 million (95 km line in B.C. and a Taylor–Gordondale phase) while reporting a dip in Q4 earnings.
20. China will suspend some tariffs on Canadian canola meal, peas, lobsters and crabs from Mar. 1 through the end of 2026, easing pressure on agricultural exporters.
21. Some Canadians — including families bound for Edmonton — remained stuck in Puerto Vallarta after violence shut the airport; airlines have added flights but travellers report long delays and mounting costs.
22. Mortgage debt in Canada climbed toward $2 trillion in 2025 and starter homes are getting farther out of reach — average new loan sizes rose to about $364k (up 4.1%), and first-time buyers averaged $441k.
23. The Edmonton Oilers placed forward Andrew Mangiapane on waivers after he scored 14 points in 52 games this season; Mangiapane signed a two-year, US$7.2M deal last summer.
24. Guardian Sports launched a new Guardian Flex chinstrap (retail $69) aimed at reducing facemask impacts by up to 35% and the CFL and university leagues are reviewing the safety gear.
25. A WWE Hall of Fame ring belonging to the late British Bulldog was recovered at a Lloydminster pawn shop and is being returned to his son Davey Boy Smith Jr. after a reported break-in.