Edmonton Daily Digest — 2026-03-25

Big hit to wallets: Diesel prices have jumped to nearly $2.30 per litre in Canada — more than 50% higher than three months ago — and experts warn that a shutdown at the Strait of Hormuz (about 13 million barrels/day normally pass through) and bans on refined-product exports could tip supply chains into trouble. Richard Masson says diesel-specific shortages are possible because not all crude makes diesel, and small businesses like Ernie Tsu’s brewpub may face higher freight and menu prices in the coming weeks.

Fed up after decades: Nick Spina, owner of Central Auto and Truck Parts, says a pool of meltwater at 170th Street and 129th Avenue has flooded his lot for 30 years and left staff and customers stranded; he’s worried after getting a $130,000 tax bill due in June. EPCOR says a blocked culvert on private land and tricky rail alignment contribute, and crews are reviewing longer-term fixes — but Spina doubts quick action.

Recall efforts fall short: Elections Alberta says the final four recall petitions against UCP MLAs (including Mickey Amery, Justin Wright, Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and Ron Wiebe) didn’t get enough signatures — Amery’s had under 500 vs roughly 9,000 needed (60% of 2023 votes). That means all two dozen petitions tied to last year’s teachers’ dispute have now failed or been withdrawn; only two petitions remain active (targeting Peter Guthrie and Marie Renaud).

Kenney joins separatism debates: Former premier Jason Kenney will debate lawyer Keith Wilson on Alberta separatism in Edmonton on May 1 at a Civitas Canada event, with a second debate planned in Calgary by the Aristotle Foundation. The debates come as a petition (launched in January) races to collect nearly 178,000 signatures by May 2 to force a referendum this fall if successful.

New pick for auditor general: A legislature committee recommended Phillip Peters — currently the auditor general’s general counsel and ethics officer — to replace Doug Wylie, with Peters expected to start on April 29. Peters will be asked to finish Wylie’s high-profile probe into multimillion-dollar health contracts, a file that drew RCMP interest and political dispute over Wylie’s contract not being extended.

Town bans decorative flags and rainbow crosswalks: Didsbury passed a “public spaces neutrality” bylaw limiting municipal land to government flags and standardized crosswalks, a move Mayor Chris Little calls inclusive but Calgary Pride warns erases LGBTQ+ visibility. Similar bylaws popped up in Westlock and Barrhead in 2024, and critics say this trend risks sidelining marginalized groups.

Surprise spring snow causes chaos in Calgary: An intense morning storm dumped heavy, wet snow (about 3 cm/hr in spots) and left roughly 287 crashes between 8 a.m. and noon; Calgary airport recorded about 16 cm and dozens of flight delays. Meteorologist Terri Lang says these small but intense spring systems are hard to predict — another 5–8 cm was possible overnight.

Man arrested over dating-app assaults: Edmonton police arrested 56-year-old William McMullin on March 17, charging him with sexual assault, administering a stupefying substance and other offences after multiple women reported being drugged and assaulted after meeting via Facebook Dating, Bumble and Tinder. Police (Staff Sgt. Christa Laforce) believe there may be more victims and ask anyone affected to call EPS at 780-423-4567.

Two charged in St. Albert killing: Alberta RCMP charged 44-year-old Mouhamad Fadi Orfahly with first-degree murder and arrested 43-year-old Mahmoud Ali Abdallah Mansour (charged with indignity to human remains and accessory after the fact) after the Feb. 19 house fire where 59-year-old dentist Mai Diab was found dead. RCMP say Diab was targeted for financial gain; both suspects are in custody pending court appearances.