Calgary Morning Brief: Today’s Top 5 Stories – February 18, 2026

Good morning, Calgary. Here’s what’s happening across the city and province today.

1. Calgary Housing Rezoning Decision Threatens Federal Funding

CALGARY: The city’s decision to scrap blanket residential rezoning has placed $143 million in federal Housing Accelerator Fund allocations at risk.

Calgary City Council voted to abandon the comprehensive rezoning initiative that would have allowed higher-density housing across established neighbourhoods. The decision reverses a key commitment made to secure federal infrastructure funding under the Housing Accelerator Fund program.

Federal officials confirmed the rezoning policy was a central condition of Calgary’s funding agreement. The city received initial disbursements totaling $143 million in 2024 and 2025 to support infrastructure projects tied to housing development.

Housing Minister representatives indicated the government is reviewing Calgary’s compliance with the original funding terms. Officials stated that cities must demonstrate progress on regulatory changes that accelerate housing supply to maintain eligibility for ongoing federal support.

Calgary administration is now working to identify alternative policy measures that could satisfy federal requirements. City staff are expected to present options to Council within 30 days.

The rezoning debate divided Council members and residents throughout 2025. Opponents argued the blanket approach removed neighbourhood input and threatened community character. Supporters maintained the policy was essential to address Calgary’s housing affordability crisis.

Calgary’s residential vacancy rate stands at 2.1 percent. Average rental costs increased 8.3 percent year-over-year in 2025.

2. Three Calgary Speed Skaters Named to Olympic Team

CALGARY: Speed Skating Canada announced three Calgary-based athletes have secured spots on the 2026 Olympic team for the Milano-Cortina Games.

Ted-Jan Bloemen, Connor Howe, and Ivanie Blondin will represent Canada in long track speed skating events scheduled for February and March. The selections were confirmed Tuesday following final qualification races held at the Olympic Oval.

Bloemen, 35, qualified in the 5,000-metre and 10,000-metre events. He won gold in the 10,000-metre at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and holds the world record in the distance.

Howe, 28, earned selection in the 1,500-metre and 5,000-metre distances. He finished sixth in the 1,500-metre at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Blondin, 34, qualified for the mass start event and team pursuit. She has won four Olympic medals across three previous Games, including team pursuit gold in 2022.

All three athletes train at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. Speed Skating Canada’s high-performance program is headquartered at the facility.

The Milano-Cortina Olympics begin February 6, 2026. Long track speed skating events will be held at the Oval Lingotto in Turin from February 10 through February 21.

Canada’s full Olympic speed skating roster includes 12 athletes across long track and short track disciplines. Additional selections are expected to be announced by month’s end.

3. Alberta Natural Gas Production Reaches Record Levels

EDMONTON: Alberta’s natural gas production reached all-time highs in 2025, with industry projections indicating continued growth through 2026.

The Alberta Energy Regulator reported provincial natural gas output averaged 12.8 billion cubic feet per day in 2025. The figure represents a 7.2 percent increase from 2024 production levels.

Liquified natural gas export development on British Columbia’s coast is driving increased Alberta production. Multiple LNG facilities are entering operational phases, creating new demand for Alberta gas supplies.

Industry analysts forecast Alberta production could reach 13.5 billion cubic feet per day by the end of 2026. The projections assume current drilling activity and no major regulatory changes.

The Montney formation in northwest Alberta and northeast British Columbia accounts for the majority of new production growth. Producers have increased drilling activity in the region by 18 percent since 2024.

Natural gas prices at the AECO hub in Alberta averaged $2.47 per gigajoule in 2025. Prices remain below levels seen in 2022 and early 2023, when supply disruptions and global demand pushed rates above $4.00 per gigajoule.

Energy sector employment in Alberta increased by 3,400 positions in 2025. The Alberta government projects oil and gas sector employment will add another 2,800 jobs in 2026.

Provincial royalty revenue from natural gas production totaled $1.2 billion in fiscal 2024-25. Budget projections anticipate royalties will reach $1.4 billion in the current fiscal year.

4. Fatal Single-Vehicle Collision Under Investigation

CALGARY: Calgary Police Service is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred in the city’s northeast Tuesday evening.

Emergency services responded to the collision in the 5200 block of Falconridge Boulevard N.E. at approximately 9:40 p.m. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed the vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. CPS stated the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Collision analysts are examining the crash scene to determine contributing factors. Weather conditions and road surface conditions are among the elements under review.

The Calgary area experienced freezing rain and snow accumulation Tuesday evening. Environment Canada issued winter weather warnings throughout the day.

Police are seeking witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from Falconridge Boulevard N.E. between 9:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Information can be reported to the CPS Traffic Section.

The fatality marks Calgary’s eighth traffic death in 2026. The city recorded 33 traffic fatalities in 2025.

5. Alberta Allocates $143 Million for Classroom Complexity

EDMONTON: The Alberta government announced $143 million in new funding to address classroom complexity and support diverse student learning needs.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides outlined the allocation Tuesday. The funding will be distributed to school boards across the province for the 2026-27 school year.

School divisions can use the funds to hire additional educational assistants, counselors, and specialized support staff. The money can also support professional development for teachers working with students requiring individualized learning plans.

The Calgary Board of Education is expected to receive approximately $31 million of the total allocation. Edmonton Public Schools will receive an estimated $28 million.

Alberta student enrollment increased by 23,000 students in the 2025-26 school year. The number of students with identified special learning needs grew by 4,200 students during the same period.

The funding represents a 12 percent increase over 2025-26 classroom complexity allocations. School boards requested $187 million to address current staffing and resource shortfalls.

The Calgary Board of Trustees issued a statement acknowledging the funding announcement. Trustees indicated the allocation will help address immediate staffing needs but falls short of fully meeting identified requirements.

The Alberta Teachers Association stated the funding is insufficient to address growing classroom complexity concerns. Association representatives noted student-to-teacher ratios have increased across the province since 2019.

Minister Nicolaides indicated the government will review additional funding requests as part of the 2027-28 budget planning process.