Alberta independence referendum question gets green light

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Alberta's independence referendum question got the green light this week—not exactly festive holiday news, but significant nonetheless. In other news, if you're looking to escape the freezing temperatures, we've also got dining and entertainment options to help you stay warm and have fun. Here's what's happening around Calgary this week.

And one last note: Our team is taking some time off over the holidays. We’ll be back in your inboxes on January 6. Wishing Happy Holidays to you and yours!

👀 In today's edition:

• Flu cases surge as hospitals take extra precautions

• Police seek witnesses in multiple investigations across the city

• Sylvan Lake mayor invites Hallmark to film in Alberta town

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QUICK POLL

Alberta independence referendum question gets green light

Elections Alberta has approved a citizen initiative petition that would ask Albertans whether the province should separate from Canada.

The Alberta Prosperity Project can now begin collecting signatures for its referendum proposal. The separatist group must appoint a financial officer by early January before canvassing can start.

The referendum question asks: "Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?"

The organization has a four-month window to obtain approximately 178,000 voter signatures, according to CBC News.

This represents the group's second effort. An Alberta judge declared a previous version of the question unconstitutional earlier in 2025. The provincial government has since passed Bill 14, allowing citizen initiatives to proceed without prior constitutional assessment.

The legislation transferred authority to refer referendum questions for judicial review from the chief electoral officer to the justice minister. The minister can also propose modifications to constitutional referendum questions before they reach the ballot.

Alberta Prosperity Project CEO Mitch Sylvestre told CBC News the judicial review was unwarranted. "A citizen's question shouldn't have to go to court to be approved when the actual intent of asking the question was so that the government or people could actually ask a question, any question, and take it to the people," he said.

A competing petition, Alberta Forever Canada, met its signature requirements earlier in December. That initiative posed the opposite question about remaining part of Canada.

Former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who spearheaded that campaign, told CBC News his supporters stand ready to "take the separatists on and put together a strong case for why Alberta should stay in Canada" should the separation petition reach its goal.

The Ministry of Justice said the provincial government supports every Albertan's right to take part in the citizen initiative process.

Need to know

🤧 Flu cases are surging across Canada as the H3N2 strain dominates, prompting hospitals to open temporary beds and health officials to urge people to skip emergency rooms unless absolutely necessary, with Alberta treating 360 hospitalized patients including 30 in intensive care.

🦌 Two young moose were removed from Calgary's Arbour Lake and relocated near Cochrane after one kicked a dog in a backyard, with experts noting moose frequently appear in the city's parks and northwest communities.

❄️ Calgary's 21-year-old Snow Angels program encourages residents to help neighbours clear snow this winter, offering printable certificates to recognize those who adopt sidewalks and assist with removal.

🚨 Calgary police seek information after two women were sexually assaulted near Chinook CTrain station minutes apart on December 13 around 5 PM, asking for dashcam footage or tips.

🔥 Calgary police arrested 34-year-old Aldin Crowchild for allegedly setting fires at three Beltline restaurants—Bridgette Bar in November and Salt and Brick plus Greta Bar in December—causing up to $300,000 in damage.

🚗 Calgary police want witnesses to a November 4 Shawnessy hit-and-run that injured two women, with the suspect vehicle believed to be a grey 2021-2023 Dodge Durango with front-end damage.

🎬 Sylvan Lake Mayor Megan Hanson invited Hallmark to film in the Alberta town 160 kilometres from Edmonton, where residents' romantic proposal stories and snowy small-town charm make it feel like a real-life movie set.

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Toys for Tickets campaign collects over 1,200 donations across Alberta

Alberta's health agencies spread holiday joy through the Toys for Tickets campaign, collecting 1,218 new, unwrapped toys province-wide to support children and families this season.

From November 20 to December 19, parking services across Alberta Health Services, Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta, and Recovery Alberta accepted toy donations as an alternative to paying recently issued parking tickets.

"It's inspiring to see how people across Alberta show up for kids," said Nick Ternovatsky, Director of Parking Services at Health Shared Services. "Each toy represents someone choosing to give kindness, and that generosity makes a real difference for families during the holidays."

The toys will be delivered to hospital foundations, community partners, and local charities across the province. The campaign, which began in 2018, continues to thrive thanks to the support of communities throughout Alberta.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 The Himalayan: This Nepali cuisine restaurant at 3218 17th Ave SW offers dine-in and take-out Wednesday through Sunday with authentic dishes, reservations available for parties of one to four online or by phone, and gift cards available for purchase at the restaurant (closed December 24-26 and January 1).

🍴 White Elephant Thai Cuisine: This award-winning Thai restaurant with three Alberta locations (Calgary, Okotoks, and Chestermere) serves signature dishes with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes in a warm atmosphere, offering online ordering, reservations, catering services, and a New Year's Eve celebration on December 31.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Faulty Towers Live: Experience dinner and a show like no other at The Westin Calgary with Basil, Sybil, and Manuel serving up mayhem alongside a three-course meal and two hours of non-stop laughter in this interactive dining experience where over 70 per cent of each performance is improvised based on the iconic BBC show.

🎟️ Pirates of the River Saskatchewan: Jubilations Dinner Theatre presents this swashbuckling adventure at 1002 37th Street SW featuring Captain Jack and his crew with great music, laughter, and treasure, including a multi-course dinner with choice of beef, chicken, seafood, pork, or vegetarian entrée, with tickets from $48.95 for children to $85.95 for adults on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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