Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday Dec. 5

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Good morning !

A recent survey from MNH Injury Lawyers has determined—to no one’s surprise—that Deerfoot Trail is Calgary’s most accident-prone road but January is the worst month for incidents. The full research is here, showing that Stoney Trail ranks second on the list of the most accident-prone roads and the majority of accidents occurring in January. While those two roads are no surprise, we found some interesting data when it came to the rest of the list. Are you surprised by any of these roads? 

👀 In today's edition:

• Mission possibly possible

• “Dangerous and unpredictable”

• Warrant issued for former cop

• Moving? Read this first!

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 4C, Low -5C. See the 7-day forecast.

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

QUICK POLL

Calgary woman’s three year mission to have the city ban the sale of animals hits new milestone

For a long time, Meghan Huchkowsky felt like her cries for help were falling on deaf ears as her mission to ban the sale of animals in Calgary went unfulfilled. But today, the Doodle Dogs pet boutique store co-owner has renewed hope as a Calgary committee decides if it will direct city officials to consider banning the sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits in retail stores.

Huchkowsky started her mission in 2021 and collected over 22,000 signatures in an effort to prompt the city to enact a bylaw and now three years later, Coun. Courtney Walcott is bringing the motion forward to a committee this morning. “I'm really excited to see the outcome and I really hope everybody votes in favour for it,” Huchkowsky told Calgary Citizen on Wednesday after learning about the news. “It's been a long battle but I think this is the first of many steps we could take for ethically sourcing animals especially when we look at things like the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.”

The aim is to encourage Calgarians to adopt or foster animals from shelters and rescue organizations rather than buying them from stores, especially as shelters in Calgary and surrounding areas are bursting at the seams. “It feels really good. I think the biggest thing is that it's also a win for all the shelters in Calgary,” Huchkowsky says, adding, puppy mills have historically been connected to pet stores.

The Calgary Humane Society also supports the motion that if passed during the committee meeting, would then direct city administration to review the possible ban and come back to councillors with a report by the end of 2025. The only pet store in the city that still sells dogs is The Top Dog Store, which has long been the target of animal groups urging them to stop the practice. Top Dog Store owner Robert Church has denied past allegations that his puppies come from puppy mills.

Related Story

Need to know

🚓 'Dangerous and unpredictable:’ Calgary man among Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives.

💔 Tragedy for a family just weeks before Christmas is shedding light on the restrictions police face when conducting welfare checks.

💸 ’Tis the season: Police warn of porch pirates after returning stolen loot.

👮 Former Calgary police officer wanted on Canada-wide warrant for breach-of-trust charges.

🎮️ Ready player one: Calgary arcade opens with new tech and self-service concept.

💰️ Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034.

🏒 Bench in Calgary community rink unveiled as tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

👜 Man stole purse from hospital employee, made fraudulent credit, debit purchases.

💵 $40 million won by someone in Alberta, outside of Calgary and Edmonton though.

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Two Small Men with Big Hearts are on a mission to deliver 101 donated moves this holiday season

Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving is doubling down on its commitment to Canadian communities this holiday season with its fourth annual 101 Moves campaign. New this year is the “Pack the Pantry” campaign. Until Jan. 24, the campaign is providing 101 free moves to non-profit organizations and individuals in need, while Pack the Pantry collects non-perishable food items at all of the company’s locations to support local food banks. We spoke with the team behind the campaign and this is what they had to say.

Tell us about the campaign details and how to get involved.

Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving 101 Donated Moves campaign provides no-cost moving services to individuals, families, and organizations in need, including charities, non-profits, and those facing significant life challenges. This initiative is designed to directly impact communities by supporting those who need it most, especially during the colder months and holiday season when the need is often greatest.

What are the reasons behind this program and what are the benefits?

While moving is often a stressful and costly experience, it can become an even greater burden for individuals and families dealing with challenges like job loss, medical issues, or major life transitions. Our goal was to remove that financial barrier, ease the stress, and bring a sense of hope during difficult times. The idea initially came to life during the pandemic when we witnessed communities rallying together to support one another in remarkable ways. We were especially moved by how the need for connection and support felt amplified over the holiday season—a time that’s joyous for many but often overwhelming for our most vulnerable neighbours. Colder weather and seasonal pressures only increase the need, and we recognized this as an opportunity to step in and help.

What impact has this program made so far?

Since its inception, the 101 Donated Moves campaign has helped countless individuals, families, and community organizations in Calgary. From assisting families fleeing violence to supporting charities like local food banks, the program has had a profound impact by reducing stress and bringing hope to those facing life’s toughest challenges. Each of these moves has had a ripple effect—lifting burdens, creating opportunities, and fostering hope.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Made by Marcus: Check out Made by Marcus’ holiday seasonal flavours with three brand new flavours and one fan favourite: Panettone and Fig Jam, Velvet Nog, Douglas Fir & Pine Nut Brittle, and Roasted Chestnut & Hazelnut Latte.

🍴 Shiki Menya: This northeast ramen spot is known to get lines out the doors for its limited daily offerings—that’s how good it is. This ramen spot only sells a limited number of bowls daily, so get there before it’s too late.

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

Things to do

🎟️12 Days of Beersmas: From Dec. 12-23, the National Westhills will feature a different beer every day with reps from each brewery offering tastings from 5-7pm. Each featured beer ordered earns patrons an entry to win daily prizes and a grand prize.

🎟️  Christmas at The Core: The CORE Shopping Centre is bustling with festive activities until Dec. 23 with pop-up shops to free Santa photos, charitable acts, live entertainment, promotions, and more. Check out the holiday slate that includes Chinook Country Line Dancers on Dec. 7 and the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble Tap Dancers on Dec. 15.

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

From our readers

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 Tuesday, same time, same place!