Calgary Weekly Digest — Mar 30 to Apr 5, 2026

Edmonton Oilers continue hot stretch — rookie Matthew Savoie scored the winner as the Oilers beat Chicago 3-1 on April 2, extending a season-high win streak and keeping Connor McDavid in the NHL scoring race while Leon Draisaitl remains out for the season.

Distraction theft at Marlborough Mall — Calgary senior Ruth Patterson lost a gold necklace made from her and her late husband’s wedding bands after a man offered a ring outside Walmart; police warn these cross‑country scams are recurring.

Gas prices surge, calls for tax relief — oil near US$114/barrel pushed Calgary pump prices to about $1.75/L on March 26, sparking renewed requests to cut fuel taxes even as the province says tax relief needs a 20‑day monitoring period.

Province tables law to limit children’s access to sexual images in public libraries — the bill (introduced April 2) would require explicit visual material be controlled or kept behind counters for those 15 and under and also includes councillor accountability, fast‑tracking housing and other municipal measures.

New school rules aim for teacher neutrality — Alberta’s education bill would force teachers to present issues “in a balanced and neutral way,” set rules on flags and weekly anthem play, and limit political statements by school boards; teachers’ union says the mandate is offensive.

Spring snowstorm snarls Calgary roads — heavy wet snow and a yellow snowfall warning on Thursday (up to localized 20 cm earlier forecast) led to at least 163 crashes and 22 injuries, with melt expected Friday and Saturday.

Water restrictions lifted after Bearspaw feeder main repair — the city ended emergency conservation after nine damaged sections were fixed and testing confirmed the pipe is back in service; replacement work continues on a $381M project to be finished by December.

Calgary Police preparing a “significant” four‑year budget ask — Chief Katie McLellan says CPS has 830 funded positions but only 653 filled and plans to hire 660 officers over four years to address gaps in homicide, sexual‑assault and domestic‑violence units.

Two dead in Highway 2 crash near Granum — RCMP report a collision involving a semi and another vehicle on March 25 that killed two people; neither alcohol nor drugs appear involved.

Man charged after fatal Stoney Trail crash — a 39‑year‑old faces dangerous operation and obstructing a peace officer charges after a late‑night crash on Stoney Trail; investigators also say another driver drove through the taped crime scene and was arrested.

Minimum‑wage increases still fall short — provinces across Canada are raising minimums (Alberta remains $15/hr) but advocates say new rates don’t keep up with rising costs of housing, food and gas.

Two charged in fatal QEII highway shooting — RCMP charged Jimmy Gassner (18) and Deon Libsekil (23) with second‑degree murder after Barinder Singh was shot March 14 near Leduc in what police call a senseless, partly random attack.

Alberta proposes registration for employers hiring temporary foreign workers — a bill would require businesses to register with the province before using federal programs, add licensing for recruiters and set fines up to $1.5M for abuses; rules to take effect in early 2027.

CFL players eye Olympic flag football — twins Tyson and Jalen Philpot (Stampeders/Alouettes) and CFL QB Nathan Rourke say they’d love to compete as flag football debuts at LA 2028; Canada can qualify at this summer’s world championships in Germany.

Extortion probe leads to first Calgary arrest — Rana Cheema, 45, charged with extortion and uttering threats in a series of crimes targeting Calgary’s South Asian community (41 attempts since Jan 2025); police urge more victims to come forward.

Screening age for colorectal cancer under review — P.E.I. and Nunavut have lowered screening to 45 and other provinces (including Alberta and B.C.) are studying the change as cases rise in under‑50s.

Shelter‑in‑place lifted after search north of Edmonton — RCMP lifted an advisory for Atikameg First Nations after arresting three of four reportedly armed men; investigation is ongoing.

Canadian astronauts part of Artemis II lunar mission — Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist) and Calgary’s Jenni Gibbons (backup) are tied to NASA’s Artemis II launch window starting April 1, the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo.

RCMP still searching for baby’s remains in St. Albert case — investigators ask the public for help locating Braylee Beasley’s remains and any large furniture discarded between mid‑Sept and mid‑Nov after her mother was found dead in January.

Lethbridge police seize 2.25 kg of fentanyl — ALERT and Lethbridge Police made the city’s largest fentanyl seizure (estimated $450,000, ~22,000 doses) on March 19; one woman arrested and remanded.

Separatist petition claims threshold reached — leaders of a citizen‑led Alberta independence petition say they’ve collected 177,732+ signatures (10% of 2023 provincial votes) to trigger verification; Elections Alberta will verify after May 2.

Alberta pushes for constitutional change on judge picks — Premier Danielle Smith and other premiers want provinces more say in appointing provincial judges, a move Ottawa says would require constitutional amendment and faces criticism as politicizing the courts.

Calgary homeowners face 8.1% property tax increase — finalized city and provincial portions mean the typical single‑family home (median $706,000) will see about a 9% hike, or roughly $32.25/month, driven largely by a 19.8% provincial education tax rise.

Alberta plans official whisky label law — new legislation would define “Alberta whisky” (aged and produced in‑province, using Alberta water and two‑thirds Alberta grain) to help distillers brand products.

Citywide rezoning debate to continue after Easter — Calgary’s public hearing on repealing citywide rezoning is ongoing with 526 signups so far; any repeal wouldn’t take effect until Aug 4, 2026 if approved.

Highland Park house explosion leaves family homeless — a March 23 fire destroyed homes and belongings for several residents, including one mother who lost her late son’s and partner’s ashes; Calgary Fire continues investigating.

Food banks cut services as demand climbs — food banks nationwide report unprecedented demand (Food Banks Alberta says 132,402 people used services this month) and many are reducing visits or groceries per household.

Calgary seniors facing growing food insecurity — a Calgary Food Bank study finds 64% of seniors using the service are first‑time users, blaming higher housing, fuel and food costs and inadequate retirement income.

Scotia Place construction triggers road closures — 14th Ave SE closed from March 30 for work around the new Culture & Entertainment district, with lanes promised open for Stampede and more closures after the festival.

U.S. will close Border Road to Canadian traffic this summer — a historic 14‑km cross‑border road near Coutts/Sweet Grass will be split and closed to Canadians as U.S. tightens border enforcement; Alberta is building a parallel Canadian road with $8M allocated.