Calgary Citizen Newsletter Tuesday April 8

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Good morning !

Last week, we asked if you felt safe from traffic as a pedestrian in Calgary — 63% of you said yes, but that you keep your eyes open.

Two readers highlighted the need for pedestrians to put down their cellphones and pay more attention to the road, while others suggested that a lack of signage and drivers who fail to give way to pedestrians contributed to problems.

👀 In today's edition:

• Unemployment in Alberta goes up

• Solar-powered savings at the Calgary Stampede

• A Drumheller dinosaur is in danger

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 11C, Low 0C. 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

Calgary lays out a roadmap for innovation leadership

Last week, Calgary Economic Development announced its plan for the city’s innovation sector, one which it projects will add up to 187,000 jobs within the next 10 years and contribute over $28 billion in economic activity by 2034.

"Calgary is a leader in innovation, and as our City works together with Calgary Economic Development, we are making significant strides to future-proof the economic landscape," said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. "The Prairie Economic Gateway stands as a testament to our efforts, as it will dramatically change how we move goods, increase the manufacturing sector and tax base for the region, and improve supply chains. This singular strategic initiative is poised to channel over $7 billion in investment and create 30,000 jobs, and we're just getting started."

Calgary’s Innovation Strategy identifies four goals that it says will position Calgary as the innovation capital of Canada by building capacity within the ecosystem.

• Establish sector specific innovation nodes across Calgary

• Launch an innovation roadmap

• Enhance the impact of our innovation ecosystem

• Tell Calgary’s innovation story

Development of the innovation strategy was facilitated by Calgary Economic Development in close collaboration with key players in the city's innovation ecosystem. Platform Calgary will remain a central on-ramp that provides programming and connects entrepreneurs and new ventures to appropriate resources within the network.

Need to know

🚔 Calgary police officers are no longer required to provide their names to the public, in an effort to improve safety for members of the police service.

🐶 A Calgary police dog was used to detain an individual involved in a call involving a firearm in the southeast Forest Lawn area.

👀 According to Statistics Canada, Alberta lost 15,000 jobs in March, the majority of which were in manufacturing.

💡 The Calgary Stampede could lower its electricity bill by up to 33% by using solar power, found a study by a group of University of Calgary engineering students.

💭 As the federal election looms, Calgary organizations and individuals have been sharing their opinions on what initiatives would benefit Calgary.

🌤️ Alberta grocer Sunterra Market has filed for bankruptcy, dealing a blow to shoppers who want to choose local.

🦖 The 25-metre-high Tyra the tyrannosaurus sculpture in Drumheller will be taken down by 2029, when the lease for the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, where Tyra is located, comes to an end.

Albertans recycle more than other Canadians

After narrowly being beaten out by Prince Edward Island in 2022, Alberta is back on top, regaining the highest beverage container return rate in all of Canada. In 2024, Albertans returned more than two billion cans, bottles, and other containers — 85% of all non-refillable beverage containers. The national average was a paltry 76%. Runners-up include Saskatchewan at 84%, British Columbia at 83%, Ontario at 75%, and Quebec at 68%.

“Albertans are winners and these results prove it. My call to Albertans is simple: when you are finished with your cans and bottles, recycle,” said Rebecca Schulz, minister of environment and protected areas. “Put money back in your pocket. And keep helping your fellow Albertans beat the competition.”

Alberta also continues to rapidly gain in the North American rankings, going from fourth in 2018 to second place in 2022 and 2024, trailing only the state of Oregon.

Although Oregon took the top spot, the U.S. state only returns plastic, metal and glass beverage containers. Albertans return a much wider range of beverage containers, including plastic, metal, glass, aseptic carton packages like juice boxes, bag-in-a-box containers like boxed wine, gable tops like milk paperboard cartons, and pouches like those used for juice.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Satsuki: The next time a craving for Japanese food hits, try Satsuki in Kensington. This locale promises a “dining experience like no other,” treating diners to traditional Japanese food and culture.

🍴 The Mash: If it’s more of a “pizza and beer” night, head to the Mash for unique but delicious pizzas — dill pickle and bacon, anyone? The restaurant offers beers from family-owned and operated Half Hitch Brewing Company and hosts live music events throughout the week.

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

Things to do

🎟️ National Geographic Live: This month, meet National Geographic explorer and wildlife biologist Doug Smith, who is recognized for his work in reintroducing grey wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Join to hear about one of the world’s most prominent wolf research programs and see exclusive photos and videos.

🎟️ Cooking classes: Ready for a “European” summer at home? Sign up for a cooking class this weekend to learn the secrets of preparing French cuisine in Provence or tapas in Spain.

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

That’s it!

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