1. Pipeline talk heats up: With the Trans Mountain line near full capacity by April, TMX CEO Mark Maki and Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel say demand and investment interest are rising, while B.C. leaders like Adrian Dix and Premier David Eby — and Coastal First Nations led by Marilyn Slett — warn of costs and tanker risks; Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plans to submit a new pipeline proposal to Ottawa in June.
2. Man sentenced after Disney sting: James Hjelmeland, 31, of Red Deer pleaded guilty in November and was sentenced last week to 17 years in a U.S. prison after a Florida undercover sting aimed at a fake 12-year-old; he was arrested at Orlando airport in January 2025 and his lawyer David Haas says he will appeal.
3. Alberta to add two MLAs after boundary review: The Electoral Boundaries Commission recommends increasing MLAs from 87 to 89, creating new Calgary ridings (Calgary-Nose Creek, Calgary-Confluence, Calgary-McKenzie), changes around Airdrie and Edmonton, and consolidation in central Alberta; the commission began March 28, 2025, held 30+ hearings and released a draft in Oct. 2025 — but two members filed a minority report and the Opposition NDP warns of gerrymandering.
4. Provincewide council conduct rules coming: Alberta will introduce a Councillor Accountability Framework and changes to the Municipal Government Act, with independent investigators and published municipal salaries, says Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams, after Premier Danielle Smith banned local codes last year; NDP leader Naheed Nenshi calls the move the "fox guarding the hen house."
5. CFB Suffield to see more summer activity: Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright says Canada will increase training and tech testing at CFB Suffield this summer — the nearly 2,700 km² base near Medicine Hat — and the U.K. is investing (about £17 million / C$31 million) to keep using the site for allied exercises through 2027.
6. Bill 21 aims to cut interprovincial red tape: Alberta tabled the Interprovincial Trade Mutual Recognition Act to implement the November trade pact and make it easier for businesses to sell goods across provinces this summer; Bill 21 keeps exemptions (alcohol, food, tobacco, gift-card expiry rules) and comes with praise from Jobs Minister Joseph Schow and the Edmonton Chamber’s Heather Thomson.
7. Reports say Trans Mountain expansion paid off — more pipelines needed: MEI found the price gap narrowed 37.5%, giving a US$16.7-billion boost between June 2024 and Nov. 2025 and raising non-U.S. exports from 3% to 14% in Q4 2025; Clean Prosperity says even with a higher carbon price (MOU sets $130/tonne vs $95) oilsands profits and Alberta royalties would rise by billions if a West Coast pipeline opens.
8. Drumheller's giant T. rex needs care but can stay: Engineers say Tyra, the 25-metre attraction built in 2000 that draws about 150,000 visitors a year, is structurally sound but needs an initial $154,000 repair and ongoing upkeep into the hundreds of thousands; the lease runs to 2029 and the town (pop. ~8,400) is reviewing options after a 25,000-signature petition.
9. Homicide unit probes Crestwood altercation: Police found a person with life-threatening injuries around 9 p.m. Wednesday in the 2300 block of Crestwood Road North and the homicide unit says the incident appears domestic-related; no arrests yet, and Calgary saw 4,929 domestic-related assaults in 2025 (up ~5% from 2024) with five domestic homicides last year.