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Turns out most of you think the escaped grizzly cub had one thing on his mind: snacks. We asked where you'd wander if you were him for a day, and hunger won out over curiosity, though a few of you figured he was really just looking to make some new friends at the penguin exhibit. Either way, we're glad his little adventure ended safely.

👀 In today's edition:

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⛈️ Today: High 25C, Low 11C. 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.

Calgary's Secondary Suite Incentive Program has helped nearly double the number of legal secondary suites in the city, growing the Secondary Suite Registry from 13,000 suites in 2024 to 26,000 today. The program, backed by $45 million in combined federal and municipal funding, offered qualifying homeowners up to $10,000 to help cover the cost of building, upgrading, or legalizing a secondary suite.

Once every application is processed and all funding is paid out — expected in mid-to-late 2027 — the city estimates about 7,000 suites will have benefited directly from the program, with the registry expected to reach 30,000 suites by 2027. About half of all suites added to the registry so far came through this incentive.

"This is an achievement owned by Calgarians who stepped up, utilizing incentives that resulted in thousands of new housing options in our city," said Josh Howes, Suites Manager with the city's Development, Business and Building Services division. He said the registration process gives renters more confidence that their unit has been reviewed and meets safety standards.

Cliff De Jong, the city's Manager of Programs and Services for the same division, noted the registry has grown substantially since it started with just 431 suites in 2015, with newly registered suites now accounting for a quarter of all new housing units added in Calgary over the past three years.

Reid Hendry, the city's Chief Housing Officer, pointed to the program's cost — a few thousand dollars shy of $10,000 for each new suite — as evidence it's been one of the cheapest ways the city has found to grow its housing stock. He said the approach has meaningfully boosted the supply of affordable rentals in neighbourhoods that already have the services and amenities people need.

Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation, tied the program's results to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, saying secondary suites are one way communities can add housing more quickly by making use of existing infrastructure.

While new applications for the incentive program are winding down, homeowners already under review remain eligible for funding as their applications are processed. Separately, the city's Amnesty Program — which applies to suites built before March 2018 — remains open until December 2026 for owners to bring older suites up to minimum safety standards. Renters looking for a legal suite can check for the city's official registration sticker or search the Secondary Suite Registry online.

⚖️ A Calgary police officer facing two second-degree murder charges in a 2023 shooting will stand trial, after a judge ruled there's enough evidence to proceed.

🖥️ Alberta is kicking off a town hall tour on AI data centre development, giving residents a chance to raise questions about water, electricity, and land use.

💼 The Calgary Chamber of Commerce says ongoing Canada-U.S. trade tensions, including a threatened 50 per cent tariff, are creating serious uncertainty for Alberta businesses.

💻 Calgary is leading North America in tech workforce growth for the third year running, with tech employment up 56 per cent since 2022.

🗳️ Elections Alberta is recruiting experienced staff from other provinces to help run October's referendum, particularly for the 48-hour vote count.

🏡 Adult children of seniors are helping their parents decide whether to age in place. This free guide helps everyone figure it out together.*

💻 Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

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TELUS Spark Science Centre is hosting an evening dedicated to Canada's role in T. rex research, with palaeontologist Dr. Emily Bamforth taking the stage on August 17. Bamforth, curator at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, will walk through some of the country's most significant T. rex finds, including Scotty — the largest known T. rex in the world — along with Alberta's Black Beauty and the Huxley T. rex, whose cast was used in the original Jurassic Park film.

"Tyrannosaurus rex is a gateway into the hearts and imaginations of people," said Bamforth. "These incredible dinosaurs get people curious about palaeontology, science and the amazing history of life on our planet. And Canada has some of the most extraordinary T. rex stories in the world."

The talk follows a sold-out July session with Burgess Shale expert Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron, part of a growing lineup of after-hours events at Spark pairing adult audiences directly with working scientists. Zack Andersen, the centre's Senior Director of Science & Education, said the format gives people a chance to hear directly from researchers actively studying the 67-million-year-old species.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the talk running from 7:15 to 9 p.m. in Spark's Infinity Dome theatre. The evening also includes access to Spark's T. rex exhibits, including SUE: The T. rex Experience, Scotty's remains, and Roberta, a fleshed-out T. rex head from Jurassic Park, along with refreshments available for purchase before the talk begins.

🍴 Yellow Chilli: This Indian restaurant blends traditional recipes with modern twists, serving up North Indian staples like butter chicken and dal makhani alongside bolder dishes like chilli chicken and paneer tikka.

🍴 Casa Catrina: A Mexican restaurant built around authenticity, from the food and drinks to the art on the walls. Expect a vibrant atmosphere alongside traditional Mexican dishes done right.

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

🎟️ Calgary Taste of Asia Food Festival: This free four-day festival brings Asian street food, traditional dishes, and modern twists together with live music, dance performances, and talent competitions. Runs August 20 to 23 at Lot 6 downtown; food is ticketed separately.

🎟️ Cinema at Stampede Campus: A new free outdoor movie series lands at the BMO Amphitheatre, with Barbie screening August 22 alongside appearances from Biggies Roller Rink's roller skaters. Pre-show activities and free SAM Centre gallery access run 4 to 5 p.m., with the movie starting at 5:30 p.m. Free admission; seating is limited.

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

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