Feds highlight $878 million invested in Prairie housing

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Last week, we asked whether you support the closure of the Sheldon Chumir supervised consumption site, and the responses highlighted divisions on harm reduction in Calgary.

Some readers argued that "aiding consumption is not saving lives," while others emphasized that safe consumption sites are "a critical cornerstone of harm reduction" that keeps people alive until they're ready for recovery. One reader summed up the opposition simply: "NIMBY plain and simple."

The debate reflects broader questions about how Calgary addresses addiction and homelessness—questions that aren't going away anytime soon.

👀 In today's edition:

• Calgary's infrastructure crisis reaches critical levels

• WestJet backtracks on controversial seating changes

• Record year for Calgary Public Library circulation

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QUICK POLL

Feds highlight $878 million invested in Prairie housing

The federal government highlighted its work in housing and infrastructure across the Prairies this week, announcing that $878 million went toward construction and renewal of nearly 10,000 homes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in 2025.

Calgary is among seven Prairie cities benefiting from more than $50 million over two years through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative, alongside Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. The funding supports community encampment response plans and provides additional support for people experiencing homelessness, implemented in collaboration with provincial governments.

Beyond housing, the investments span transit projects, green infrastructure, and water systems. Alberta rural communities received $21.2 million to expand transit fleets and services, while $60.2 million went toward making buildings more energy efficient and climate resilient across the region. Another $36 million targeted water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure improvements.

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson says the investments are about making life more affordable and ensuring every generation can get ahead. The federal government deployed almost 59,000 housing units and billions in contributions and low-interest loans across Canada last year.

Looking ahead, the newly launched Build Canada Homes agency will receive $13 billion over five years to transform how affordable housing gets built. The program aims to leverage public lands, attract private capital, and support modern construction methods to scale up production. Meanwhile, the new Build Communities Strong Fund will invest $51 billion over 10 years in local infrastructure.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank also committed $4.875 billion in 2025 for clean power, transit, and other projects, including a $100 million loan for the Sturgeon Terminal expansion in Alberta. Prairie communities also received over $428 million through the Canada Community-Building Fund to finance the infrastructure they need.

Need to know

🚰 Calgary's capital infrastructure jumped to the highest risk level on the city's corporate heat map—indicating almost certain extensive failure with severe impact—following the 2025 Bearspaw South feeder main rupture that revealed more than 20 years of poor risk management.

🍺 Canadian craft beer sales are declining after years of rapid growth, with the number of breweries contracting by 2.9 per cent in 2025 as changing consumer tastes, affordability concerns, and reduced drinking among younger generations pressure the industry.

🏥 Patients from disadvantaged neighbourhoods have a 52 per cent higher risk of dying within 30 days of elective surgery than those from wealthier areas, according to an Ontario study showing social determinants of health affect postoperative outcomes even in universal healthcare systems.

💰 An Airdrie couple is fighting the Canada Revenue Agency's demand to repay $33,000 in COVID-19 benefits they say they qualified for, as the CRA works to recover more than $10 billion in pandemic supports from overpayments or ineligible recipients.

✈️ WestJet reversed its cramped seating configuration that squeezed an extra row onto Boeing 737s after customer and employee backlash sparked by a viral TikTok video, with CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech saying the decision came when surveys and sales showed the layout "didn't land the way we were anticipating."

📚 Calgary Public Library saw record circulation in 2025 with 17.5 million books checked out, including 11 million physical copies and 6.5 million digital, with over 7 million visits to 22 locations from more than 815,000 active members.

 💔 An 18-year-old Calgary man faces charges including aggravated assault after a 16-year-old was stabbed outside Henry Wise Wood High School on Friday in what police believe was a targeted attack between two teens known to each other.

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Ghost River Theatre premieres Deaf-led epic on extinction

Ghost River Theatre and internationally acclaimed Deaf artist Landon Krentz are bringing a visually immersive theatrical experience to Calgary that explores extinction through a new shared language for Deaf and hearing audiences.

A World Without Them takes audiences through riveting vignettes centered on at-risk or extinct Canadian species, from the Albertosaurus to the endangered Banff Springs Snail. Krentz fuses Visual Vernacular—a highly expressive Deaf performance technique rarely seen at this scale—with visual storytelling to embody grief, wonder, and resilience.

"A World Without Them is designed to transcend cultural and language barriers," says Krentz. "Visual Vernacular integrates precise gesture, rhythm, facial expression, and cinematic movement to tell stories in pure visual form."

The production began development in 2024 when Krentz was artist-in-residence at Ghost River Theatre. Co-creator and director Eric Rose describes the piece as a visual elegy for creatures already lost to extinction and a call to protect those still fighting to survive, reminding audiences that extinction erases not only species but voices, cultures, and ways of understanding the world.

The world premiere runs February 6-15 at West Village Theatre and is recommended for Deaf and hearing audiences ages 12 and up. Following its Calgary debut, the production will tour nationally and internationally.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Aida's Bistro: After 18 years of bringing amazing Lebanese food to Calgary, this 4th Street exclusive is a must-try if you haven't been yet, serving up authentic Middle Eastern flavours in the heart of the city.

🍴 Safari Grill: Transport yourself to East Africa without leaving Calgary at this longtime favourite, where 15 years of East African cooking expertise meets imported décor, exotic music, and dishes like spicy ribs and crispy mogo paired with authentic Tusker beer or South African wine.

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

Things to do

🎟️ Kilts for a Cause - Celebrating Robbie Burns: Join the celebration of Scotland's national bard while supporting the Calgary Food Bank with live music from Jamie Allanach, world-class pipers, haggis with neeps and tatties, and door prizes. Highland dress or cocktail attire is encouraged for the evening festivities on January 23 at 7 p.m. at St. James Corner Restaurant & Irish Pub.

🎟️ Shoresy Winter Classic: The cast from the hit TV show takes on NHL alumni in what promises to be a hilarious night of hockey, with a portion of proceeds supporting local charity. The puck drops January 22 at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

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

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