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This week, there was really only one story to lead with. Premier Danielle Smith's announcement that a separation question will appear on the October 19 referendum ballot sent shockwaves through Calgary's business and political communities — and the reactions from Calgary's mayor and business leaders were swift and pointed.

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Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday that the province will add a new question to the October 19 referendum asking Albertans whether the province should remain in Canada or pursue the legal process required to hold a binding vote on separation.

The move comes after an Alberta judge ruled that the Stay Free Alberta separation petition was unconstitutional, finding that First Nations were not adequately consulted about its potential impact on treaty rights.

Smith said she disagrees with the ruling, calling it "a legal mistake by a single judge," and announced the province will appeal the decision to Alberta's Court of Appeal and, if necessary, the Supreme Court of Canada. But with that process potentially taking years, she said she wasn't willing to wait.

"I don't think we have years to wait until we get some information from Albertans about which direction they want us to go," Smith told reporters Friday. "I think if we get a vote to remain, then that settles that, and we have to work on addressing the issues that have caused a significant portion of our fellow citizens to lose faith in Canada."

The question, as Smith announced it, asks: "Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?"

Smith was clear about her own position: she supports Alberta remaining in Canada and plans to campaign on the pro-Canada side. She pointed to what she described as significant progress in Alberta's relationship with Ottawa, including a recent energy agreement with the federal government, as evidence that the situation is improving.

But the announcement drew immediate and sharp criticism from Calgary's business and political leadership.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas called it "a BS referendum question" and said he would use the full voice of the Office of the Mayor to campaign for Alberta to stay in Canada. He warned that even the ongoing debate over separation has pushed investment capital to the sidelines.

"We are shooting ourselves in the foot by wasting so much time and energy and effort on this topic, when it should be about public safety, it should be affordability, it should be infrastructure, all of these things that we need to do as a community to be ready for the future," Farkas said.

Calgary Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Deborah Yedlin echoed those concerns in a statement, warning the referendum would inflict "profound economic uncertainty and damage" on the province at precisely the wrong time.

"Regardless of the vote's outcome on October 19, this referendum will trigger significant and lasting economic consequences for Alberta," Yedlin said. "Businesses will inevitably reconsider expansion plans, relocate operations or reallocate capital investment to jurisdictions viewed as more stable and predictable."

She pointed specifically to the recently signed Canada-Alberta energy MOU, arguing the referendum risks undermining the momentum Alberta has built with Ottawa. "Significant progress has been made in addressing the grievances between Alberta and Ottawa and we firmly believe existing tensions that may continue to exist do not justify breaking up the country," she said.

Not all Calgarians share that view. Morad Rizkalla, a canvasser for the Stay Free Alberta petition movement, told CBC News he was pleased with Smith's announcement, saying the referendum gives Albertans a chance to have a real conversation about the province's place in Confederation.

Recent polling by Probe Research found that more than seven in 10 Albertans would vote against separation — but also that more than seven in 10 believe the debate itself is distracting from more pressing issues facing the province.

The referendum question comes as western Canada's premiers and territorial officials prepare to gather in Kananaskis on May 25 and 26 for the Western Premiers' Conference. The meeting will focus on shared priorities including Indigenous economic opportunities, western economic growth and trade, Arctic security and defence, and energy security and nation-building infrastructure.

🐻 A grizzly bear bluff charge has closed a popular stretch of Highway 40 in Kananaskis to cyclists and hikers, with at least 16 grizzly bears currently in the valley.

⚖️ A Calgary woman says a paralegal kept her $13,000 settlement, highlighting a significant gap in Alberta's consumer protections — unlike Ontario, Alberta has no regulation of paralegals.

🏙️ Local experts say policing alone isn't enough to address Calgary's rising social disorder, pointing to an overburdened court system and insufficient investment in prevention as key gaps.

🐾 Three-year-old Navin, a rottweiler mix who recently had a leg amputated, is looking for a forever home at Calgary's animal shelter. Call 311 for more information.

🐻 A black bear was sedated in downtown Canmore on Saturday after a mother elk chased it up a tree, following an incident the night before in which the bear had attacked a newborn elk.

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If you've been looking for an excuse to pick up a paddle, this one comes with a good reason. Parks Foundation Calgary is hosting the Daisy Classic, an all-day pickleball tournament and fundraiser at The Club 315 on Saturday, May 30, with all net proceeds going toward creating and revitalizing parks and public spaces across the city.

Players of all skill levels are welcome, with six matches guaranteed per participant and an evening of dinner and live entertainment to round out the day. Registration is still open.

The tournament is part of Parks Foundation's broader mission, which for more than 40 years has focused on building and improving parks, playgrounds, sport courts, and pathways across Calgary — with a particular emphasis on communities that need them most. Current projects include Canada's first dementia-inclusive park, the Martin Family Legacy Garden in Dover, and a combined pump track and skatepark at George Moss Park in Ogden.

"Parks play an important role in shaping healthy, active, and connected communities, and events like this help ensure those spaces continue to grow alongside our city," said Cynthia Watson, CEO of Parks Foundation.

🍴 Francine's: A French bar tucked into Calgary's historic Chinatown, Francine's built a loyal following through pop-ups before finding a permanent home in January 2026. Expect old-world cocktails, aperitifs, and shareable French-accented bites in a cozy, European-feeling space.

🍴 IBU Restaurant, Patio & Bar: A father-and-son operation in south Calgary, IBU blends global flavours with local soul, with Asian inspirations running through a contemporary menu of small plates and mains. The dog-friendly patio, daily happy hour, and six rotating craft beers on tap make it an easy neighbourhood go-to.

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

🎟️ History of the Land Walking Tour at The Confluence: A reflective outdoor walking tour on Sunday, May 31 exploring the complex history of Calgary's land and people, from Indigenous history to the arrival of the North-West Mounted Police in 1875. Tickets are $20 and include admission to The Confluence Cultural Centre

🎟️ InglewooDIY Festival: Running through May 31, the InglewooDIY Festival fills Inglewood's alleyways, historic buildings, and hidden corners with artists, makers, and artisans hosting workshops, demonstrations, and art installations throughout the neighbourhood.

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

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