Calgary Daily Digest — March 2, 2026

Thinking about quitting the twice-a-year clock flip? Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it’s time to reconsider after B.C. (Premier David Eby) moved to permanent daylight time — B.C. will spring forward one last time this Sunday — and Alberta may re-examine the issue after a 2021 referendum narrowly failed 50.2% to 49.8%; a 2020 survey of 141,000 Albertans showed 91% wanted to stop changing clocks.

Calgary is angling for a big hockey moment. Mayor Jeromy Farkas meets NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Tuesday to discuss a joint Calgary-Edmonton bid for the Feb. 2028 World Cup of Hockey (eight nations), with Calgary’s new $1.2-billion arena (city upfront $515 million) due for 2027–28 — the province may offer support but has made no agreements yet.

Alberta wants easier access to nicotine pouches. Premier Danielle Smith and Minister Dale Nally wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney asking Ottawa to loosen 2024 federal rules that limit pouches (only Zonnic approved) to behind-the-counter pharmacy sales, arguing the limits push people to an illicit market and may increase youth exposure.

Three people charged in linked extortion and shooting cases. BC RCMP say Avtar Singh (charged with unlawful discharge Dec. 8, 2025 and extortion Feb. 27), Sandeep Singh (28) and Jagdeep Singh (24) face charges after shootings in Surrey on Nov. 8 and 12, 2025 and related shootings near Edmonton in late Oct./Nov.; Jagdeep is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and a seized gun links to seven other shootings.

Calgarians are being asked to cut water use before a major repair. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main shutdown starts March 9 for about four weeks and that line normally supplies roughly 60% of the city’s water; the city asks residents to save ~3% daily (~25 litres per person) to meet a new target of 500 million litres per day and avoid low pressure or boil-water risks.

Beware the ‘hugging bandit’ distraction thefts. An 87-year-old woman, Peggy Duby, had her gold chain taken after being hugged in a curbside scam — police say similar distraction-theft patterns targeted hundreds of people across Edmonton and Calgary in 2025, often replacing real jewelry with cheap pieces; community groups urge not engaging with strangers.

Alberta says Iran tensions reinforce the need for a West Coast pipeline. Premier Danielle Smith pointed to higher oil prices after American-Israeli attacks on Iran and Strait of Hormuz risks as reasons to press for a new pipeline to Pacific ports; she also said market moves could affect Alberta’s expected $4.1-billion deficit and the government previously projected a $9.4-billion shortfall for the coming year.

B.C. will stop changing the clocks after one last spring-forward. Premier David Eby announced B.C. will adopt year-round daylight saving time (Pacific Time, UTC‑7) — the move means B.C. will match Alberta Nov.–Mar. but be one hour ahead of WA/OR/CA in winter; business groups like the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and CFIB warn the unilateral change risks confusion.

A plan to revive parts of Keystone XL faces big hurdles. Calgary-based South Bow’s proposal could lift Canada’s crude exports by more than 12% if U.S. approval (including a presidential permit) and new links are built; Bridger has filed a 1,038 km plan carrying up to 550,000 bpd to Guernsey, WY, but extra legs (e.g., a ~684 km Guernsey–Steele City link) and permits would be needed amid likely legal and environmental fights.

Alberta is spending $40 million to patch old software after a cyber spike. The budgeted funds will upgrade or patch 66 legacy applications after nearly 3,000 cybersecurity incidents last year (about a 35% rise); the province also logged ~20,000 malware attacks (97% blocked) and set aside $17.5 million for its wider cybersecurity program.

Look up — a “blood moon” is coming. NASA says a total lunar eclipse will be visible across Canada: penumbral phase begins 3:44 a.m. ET (12:44 a.m. PT), totality starts 6:04 a.m. ET (3:04 a.m. PT) and lasts about an hour, with the eclipse ending by 9:23 a.m. ET; no special equipment is needed to watch.