Calgary

The Calgary skyline at sunset, taken from a top of a colorful rooftop park. The sky is orange and purple, and a plane is flying in the background right by the Calgary Tower. Weather is clear.

Calgary’s arts scene set to grow with government funding

March 22, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

Arts Commons, which houses the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Max Bell Theatre, and serves as the home for Theatre Calgary and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, is set to receive funds from the provincial government over the next seven years to help with the “Arts Commons Transformation Project.”

Phase one of the Arts Commons Transformation Project is to construct a 1,000-seat performance hall in a new building adjacent to the current facility and set to start construction soon. Phase two will see the revitalization of the current facility once phase one is complete.

Olympic Plaza, next to the Arts Commons, will go through its own redesign process, dubbed the “Olympic Plaza Transformation” by the City of Calgary. It was built as a 1988 Winter Olympic Games venue and is in need of a facelift, the City says.

Announced March 22, both projects will split a $103 million grant over the next seven years to move forward with the revitalizations.

The Alberta Legislature from the front, a tree sits in the photo too. The Alberta flag waves on top of the building. Weather is partly cloudy.

Alberta tables Budget 2024, includes disaster recovery and community safety

March 1, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

The provincial government tabled Budget 2024 on Thursday as they prepare for the year ahead.

Some of the funding highlights include support for disaster recovery from floods and wildfires and community safety throughout Alberta.

$70 million was allocated for the next three years for new houseless shelter spaces in communities that need it, while also prioritizing police and mental health supports in Calgary and Edmonton, according to the government.

$151 million will be put towards the Wildfire Management Program over three years to enhance operations, while $55 million will be put towards new firefighting equipment and facilities. $251 million over the next three years will also be allocated towards flood and drought mitigation projects, says Finance Minister Nathan Horner.

In response to a potential major drought this summer, $418 million will be put towards supporting farmers, bettering water infrastructure projects, and initiate studies into water storage options on southern Alberta.

The Alberta Legislature from the front, a tree sits in the photo too, as well as a big pool in front of the building. The Alberta flag waves on top of the building. Weather is partly cloudy.

Housing organizations set to improve throughout Alberta: government

February 27, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

The provincial government is providing $1.2 million to seven affordable housing organizations around Alberta.

The organizations receiving funds are GEF Seniors Housing in Edmonton; Rimoka Housing Foundation in Ponoka; Heart River Housing in High Prairie; The Evergreens Foundation in Grande Cache; Silvera for Seniors and Onward Homes Society in Calgary; and the L’Arche Association of Calgary.

Altogether, 245 rental units are set to be improved on and be more readily available to the communities they serve, according to the government.

The front doors of the Calgary Municipal Building, with a statue of a lion out front. Weather seems clear.

Calgary Mayor responds to recall petition launched against her

February 8, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

A Calgary resident has launched a petition to recall the city’s mayor.

On Jan. 30, Calgary’s city hall received a notice-of-recall petition from business owner Landon Johnston against Mayor Jyoti Gondek where if successful, could end her term.

Johnston spoke to media and said that he launched the petition because he doesn’t feel like Calgarians have much say in where their tax dollars are being spent, and to let all councilors know that “their jobs are not safe.”

In order for the recall petition to reach its next stage, Johnston has 60 days to collect physical signatures from at least 40 per cent of Calgary’s population, which is approximately 514,284 people.

If successful, it will be evaluated by city officials over a span of 45 days. If deemed sufficient after the evaluation, Gondek will be recalled and no longer be a member of city council. A byelection would follow to fill the mayor’s seat.

Gondek spoke to media and said the recall “came as a surprise” and that “it stings a little bit.” She also shared her concerns over the confidentiality of people giving their personal information to the petitioner.

Elias Lindholm making a pass during a Flames game, while he's being flanked by a teammate and an opposing player. Photo was taken inside.

Calgary Flames trade Elias Lindholm to Vancouver Canucks

February 1, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

The Calgary Flames made a much-anticipated trade Wednesday night, sending forward Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Andrei Kuzmenko, defensemen Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, a 2024 first round draft pick, and a conditional 2024 4th round pick.

Lindholm has nine goals and 23 assists through 49 games played so far, which is his lowest totals since he joined the Flames in 2018. He joins a Canucks roster that has taken the NHL by storm as they sit atop the league, tied with the Boston Bruins, with 71 points.

Kuzmenko played his first NHL season with the Canucks last year where he broke onto the scene and scored 39 goals, tying the team best last season. He took a step back this season with 8 goals and 13 assists through 43 games, but the Flames hope to rejuvenate the sophomore forward with a change of scenery.

A road sign saying 'Welcome to Alberta' against a backdrop of trees, mountains and a blue sky.

Review announced to improve seniors lodging in Alberta

January 19, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

A review panel will be put together for the Seniors Lodge Program to help improve it and better it for the future, according to an announcement made on January 18th.

The Seniors Lodge Program is the oldest affordable housing program in Alberta and is currently serving 10,850 lodge units in 149 lodges across the province.

According to Jason Nixon, the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, the last time the program was reviewed was in 2015, and a formal review and a plan of action is “long overdue”.

The panel will involve 11 people who work with seniors lodging throughout the province. It includes Brandon Lunty, the MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, and Shane Gauthier, the CEO of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary.

World class winter events get funding from Alberta government

January 17, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

Through the Major Cultural and Sport Event (MCSE) grant, the provincial government is providing $2.5 million to help fund winter sporting events that are being held this winter and early spring in southern Alberta.

The government made the announcement earlier this week.

The list of events happening:

FIS Ski Cross World Cup – Kananaskis – Jan. 18-21
FIS Cross-Country World Cup – Canmore – Feb. 8-13
FIS Snowboard Half Pipe World Cup – Calgary – Feb. 15-17
International Speed Skating Union Speed Skating Championships, single distances – Calgary – Feb. 15-18
Scotties Tournament of Hearts – Calgary – Feb. 16-25
BMW International Biathlon Union World Cup Final – Canmore – March 14-17

Most of the events listed will be held at Winsport in Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, which has multiple event centers and serves as the practice facility for the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers, and the home of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Calgary Surge.

A green directional sign with 'Stoney Trail' on it, with other signs in the background indicating a turnoff is ahead. Weather seems clear. The area is under construction.

Calgary Ring Road fully completed ahead of schedule

December 19, 2023 by Ryan Hunt

The final stretch of Stoney Trail, between Highway 8 and the Trans-Canada Highway, is opening up on Dec. 19th, 10 months ahead of schedule.

This opening marks the completion of the decades-long project, wrapping around Calgary with a 101-kilometre multi-lane freeway.

The idea of a Calgary Ring Road began in the 1950’s, and land acquisition began in the 1970’s, though construction didn’t start until 1999.

One hundred and ninety seven (197) bridges and 48 interchanges later, the ring road is ready to serve not only the city, but also will benefit the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the entire Calgary Metropolitan Region.

A customer and vendor interacting about what the vendor is selling at the "Christmas at the Nation" market.

‘Christmas at the Nation’ returns on Tsuut’ina Nation with highest amount of vendors to date

December 15, 2023 by Ryan Hunt

For the third year, the ‘Christmas at the Nation’ holiday market will be held at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex & Chief Jim Starlight Centre on Tsuut’ina Nation and this year’s event will see the largest number of vendors to date.

Over 175 vendors have been confirmed for the three-day market, the most they have ever had. They will feature a wide array of Indigenous artwork ranging from beaders, bakers, painters, carpenters, jewelry, carvers, stained glass, leather goods, native craft, fashion designers and more.

The market runs from Friday Dec. 15 to Sunday, Dec. 17. There will also be photo opportunities with Santa and the occasional visits by the Grinch, an outdoor skating rink, free coffee and hot chocolate, and a performance by Juno-award winner Armond Duck Chief on Sunday at 2 p.m.

More information can be found on their website.

A police cruiser with 'Calgary Police Service' along the two side doors.

Calgary Police receives government funding to combat inflated crime rates

December 14, 2023 by Ryan Hunt

The provincial government is granting $4.16 million to the Calgary Police Service (CPS) to help curb the number of violent crimes in the city.

This announcement comes just a day after the Edmonton Police Service got funding to fight the same thing in their city, as the province is looking to crack down on the number of violent crimes taking place in urban centers.

According to Statistics Canada, Calgary’s crime rate has risen 4.6 per cent in the past year and sits just below the national average.

The funding will bring in 50 new officers and help pay for their salaries and benefits, and equipment needs like vehicles, radios, uniforms, and body-worn cameras. The 50 officers will frequent high-crime areas, which include the downtown core and C-Train stations.

An empty room shows and kitchen and bed on a wall.

Affordable housing throughout Alberta gets financial boost

December 13, 2023 by Ryan Hunt

The government of Alberta announced they will be giving $16 million towards 30 different housing providers across the province to help with the upkeep of affordable housing for those who need it and use it.

The investment is mainly going to rural communities, as Calgary is set to receive $4 million, Edmonton will receive $5.5 million, and the remaining $6.5 million will be distributed to communities throughout the province.

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, stated in a press conference that this investment will mainly be going towards building maintenance, and “making sure that existing structures will be there, available for people to use them”.

Nixon mentioned that this investment will bring 100 housing units back into use, while repairing and updating a further 300 units throughout the province.

According to Johnston, Civida is responsible for housing more than 15,000 people throughout the capital region. They are receiving $4 million, and Johnston plans to use that to upgrade and maintain their 3,500 community housing properties in Edmonton.

In Calgary, Jennifer McCue, the president and CEO of Bethany Care Society, says that investments like these are a huge help towards affordable helping organizations throughout Alberta.