Alberta teachers poised to strike

Advertise | Sign Up

Good morning !

Many readers are feeling the strain as the Canada Post stand-off drags on. According to our poll, 37% of you rely on the service daily or weekly, while another 35% use it occasionally.

Opinions are split. One reader expressed strong support for the workers, saying they “support the postal workers in their attempt to get a fair collective agreement.” Another took a different view, arguing that Canada Post “needs to modernize and change their business model... not pander to the union’s demands.”

👀 In today's edition:

• “Extremely graphic and age-inappropriate” content in school libraries

• Street harassment on the rise in Calgary

• Lake Louise backcountry claims skier’s life

Get your story told! Promote your business, event, or restaurant in front of 34,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

WORTH KNOWING

☀️ ⛅️ ⛈️ ❄️ Today: High 30C, Low 10C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

QUICK POLL

Alberta teachers poised to strike

Alberta's public education system is facing potential disruption as teachers across the province have overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action. The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) announced that 99% of the nearly 38,000 members who participated in the recent strike authorization vote supported the move.

This decisive vote follows the rejection of a mediator’s recommendation for a new collective agreement earlier this month, with 62% of teachers voting against it. Key issues cited include insufficient wage increases, large class sizes, and inadequate student support services. ATA president Jason Schilling emphasized the urgency of addressing these concerns, stating that teachers are united in seeking tangible solutions for the challenges they face in today's classroom.

With the strike authorization in place, the ATA's leadership will now consider the next steps, which could include initiating a formal strike vote. If approved, teachers would have a 120-day window to commence strike action, although negotiations may continue in the interim.

Need to know

📕 The province is putting together standards for what is considered appropriate material for school libraries after parents flagged “extremely graphic and age-inappropriate” content to education and childcare minister Demetrios Nicolaides.

🚨 A shooting at a home in southwest Calgary has left one man dead and a woman injured.

😢 Outdoor enthusiasts are reminded of the dangers of the backcountry after a woman lost her life skiing. The 34-year-old Lake Louise resident died after falling “a considerable distance.”

🚌 City council is considering whether or not to upgrade the safety shields that protect bus drivers following an incident that sent one driver to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

👀 TikTok users in Calgary have been sharing stories of street harassment, pointing to a possible increase in a phenomenon that has seen people followed on foot and taking refuge in nearby stores.

🧑‍🍳 A commercial kitchen company has been hit with a $10,000 fine for failure to have a catering licence and after being connected to an E. coli outbreak at Calgary daycares.

💭 Polling commissioned by CBC News has suggested that the majority of Albertans do not believe that the province would benefit from separating from Canada.

June brings fresh fun to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has rolled out its June events calendar, offering a mix of family-friendly outings and adult-only evenings, with something for just about everyone. Highlights include the return of Royal High Tea on June 1-15, where families can enjoy sweet and savoury treats—and even a visit from a storybook princess. Meanwhile, Father’s Day gets a wild twist on June 15 with a brunch that includes crafts for kids and a chance to visit animal dads across the zoo.

Adults looking for a night out can opt for Zoo Brew on June 6, an after-hours craft beer tasting event featuring over 30 local vendors, or the final Grazers Dining Series dinner on June 13, which puts the spotlight on produce grown right on the zoo grounds. Later in the month, the Wild After Hours: Otters event offers a more relaxed evening of animal education and dining on June 22 and 29.

For early risers, June also brings special breakfast events with the zoo’s animal stars. The Polar Bear Breakfast on June 21 includes a morning meal and a talk about Siku the polar bear, while the new Penguin Breakfast offers an up-close look at the zoo’s four penguin species. For those craving a more traditional meal, the Sunday Safari Brunch continues through the month with plenty of crowd-pleasing fare.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Raw Japanese Hand Roll Bar: This restaurant in Calgary’s East Village serves fresh, made-to-order hand rolls in an intimate setting with just 20 seats. Their menu features traditional Japanese appetizers and sashimi, crafted with house-made sauces and recipes.

🍴 Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar: This family-owned café has three locations in Calgary: Inglewood, Beltline, and Eau Claire. Each spot offers freshly roasted coffee, a selection of wines and craft beers, and a welcoming atmosphere that often features live music, creating a community hub for coffee enthusiasts and music lovers alike.

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

Things to do

🎟️ Calgary Ukrainian Festival: Warm weather is here, and that means it’s festivals galore. The Calgary Ukrainian Festival returns on June 7-8 at the Acadia Recreation Complex, offering a vibrant celebration of Ukrainian culture. Attendees can enjoy traditional food, live performances, artisan crafts, and family-friendly activities, all included with a $5 admission fee.

🎟️ Third Action Film Festival: Taking place from June 6-8 at the Confluence, this festival showcases films that celebrate the vibrant lives of older adults. It features a diverse lineup of short films, including the inaugural Canadian Seniors Film Showcase, highlighting the creativity and perspectives of Canadian senior filmmakers aged 60 and above.

🎟️ Cancer Recovery: Cooking for Taste & Swallowing Difficulties - June 11: Join other cancer survivors to learn nutrition tips to help with eating challenges due to cancer treatment. Caregivers welcome. (Free, in-person program by AHS Dietitians).*

*Sponsored Listing

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

That’s it!

Thanks for reading today. If you found something interesting, please forward this email to another Calgarian and tell them to sign up!

And before you go, we’d love to know…

We’ll see you back here on Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time, same place!