Housing Shortfall, Brooks ASIRT Probe & Hailstorm Research — Calgary Thursday

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. City told more than $500 million a year is likely needed to meet Calgary's affordable-housing targets. A briefing note to councillors outlines three funding options: $93M/year for a 400-unit “keeping the lights on” plan, $214M/year to build 1,050 units, or $526M/year to reach the city target of 3,000 new non-market units annually; council will debate these in the four-year budget this fall.
2. Calgary‑Shaw byelection will be scheduled when Albertans can 'pay attention,' Premier Smith says. The seat has been vacant about two months after Rebecca Schulz resigned; both the UCP and NDP have named candidates and the premier said an announcement will come in the coming weeks.
3. Close to 800,000 Albertans have applied for the province's $100 energy rebate, Premier Smith says. The province says about 3.4 million people are eligible, expects first payments in days, and reports it has blocked roughly 35,000 fraudulent applications while reviewing the application process.
4. Quebec has logged 107 cyclosporiasis cases so far in 2026, health officials say. Public-health authorities reported 107 cases by July 11 compared with 30 cases at the same time in 2025; B.C. has reported 93 cases in 2026 and most Canadian cases appear linked to travel.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Researchers say Calgary is 'very uniquely situated' to study hailstorms because of mountains, prairies and the jet stream. Julian Brimelow of the Northern Hail Project cited Calgary's 1.6+ million population and location in “hailstorm alley,” noting the Aug. 5, 2024 storm caused over $2.8 billion in damage and was the second-costliest insured natural disaster in Canadian history.
2. Bow Glacier Falls Trail in Banff has reopened with warning signs after a June 2025 rock slide that killed two hikers. Parks Canada reopened the trail after a geotechnical assessment identified lower-risk zones; the June 2025 collapse killed Jutta Hinrichs, 70, and Hamza Benhilal, 33, and the report warns further rockfalls remain possible.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. ASIRT is investigating after a man died during a confrontation with Brooks RCMP while officers executed a warrant. RCMP say the incident began around 4 p.m. in Greenbrook Village when the suspect attempted to flee, produced a weapon, and an officer discharged a service firearm; the man died at the scene and ASIRT is conducting an independent probe.
2. Edmonton police have charged a woman in a May 27 hit-and-run they say targeted a Muslim woman. Police allege the suspect boxed in the victim, made racist comments, then struck the woman with her vehicle at about 6:45 p.m. near 82 Street and 144 Avenue; the suspect turned herself in June 9 and was released with a court date.

🏈 Sports

1. Draft pick Dariel Djabome has become the Edmonton Elks' starting middle linebacker after Nick Anderson's hamstring injury. The No. 3 pick recorded seven tackles in each of his first two starts and an interception in his first start; coach Mark Kilam said Djabome exceeded expectations early in the 4-1 Elks season.
2. Calvin Tiggle has been named to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, class of 2026. Tiggle, who played eight CFL seasons and helped Hamilton win the 1999 Grey Cup, will be inducted at the ceremony on Sept. 17 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.

📰 Also Today

• Assembly of First Nations questions ministers on major projects, Assembly of First Nations named.
• Alberta regional chief post has been vacant five years, Alberta position empty five years.
• Rules around referendum advertising are drawing scrutiny, referendum-advertising rules debated.
• Police in India allege suspect in high-profile murder fled to Canada, India police say suspect fled to Canada.
• Alberta coal company fined $360,000 after guilty plea in worker's death, $360,000 fine levied.
• Rural Alberta expands virtual ER doctors, rural virtual ER model reported.
• Debate continues over preserving giant roadside attractions across Canada, roadside attractions debated.
• Danielle Smith proposes doubling Alberta oil production, premier's doubling proposal reported.
• Another AI data centre has been proposed for rural Alberta, AI data centre proposed.
• RCMP report an officer-involved death in southern Alberta, RCMP confirmed officer-involved death.
• Quebec and Alberta plan to work together to integrate AI in government, interprovincial AI collaboration planned.
• Alberta launches web portal to take bike-lane complaints, new complaints portal launched.
• Judge extends order freezing separatist lawyer's assets in First Nation dispute, asset-freeze order extended.
• Alberta opens online gambling market amid addiction expert concern, online gambling market opened.
• Married couple in their 80s were the two people who died in a north Edmonton fire, couple in their 80s confirmed.