Calgary Minute: Frigid Weather, Electric Buses, and Happy New Year

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

This Week In Calgary:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings on account of the holidays. Council is in recess until January 3rd, but the next meeting at City Hall won’t take place until the 11th when the Infrastructure and Planning Committee will meet.
  
  
• There will be fireworks set off from the Calgary Tower on New Year’s Eve. They can be viewed live from Olympic Plaza or via livestream on the City’s website. Outdoor public skating will begin at Olympic Plaza at 10:00 pm and the official program begins at 11:55 pm with a blessing from Indigenous Elder Clarence Wolfleg, followed by a countdown to midnight with Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
  
  
• Can you believe that 2023 is already just around the corner? We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and enjoyed time with family and friends. From the team at Common Sense Calgary, we would like to wish you a Happy New Year. There are a few events happening in town if you’re looking to celebrate.

Last Week In Calgary:

• Environment Canada ended Calgary’s extreme cold warning after days of the city enduring frigid temperatures. With the wind chill values, the temperature dropped to -40. Airport delays plagued YYC, schools were closed, and the Alberta Electrical System Operator declared grid alerts due to power usage. Somehow, we can’t imagine going without oil and gas during temperatures like these…
  
  
• And yet, the City has persisted with electric buses. The City said 44 electric buses will be deployed in a pilot project to determine whether the fleet is feasible. Recent cold weather and the province-wide grid alert led some to question whether the City’s electrical grid could handle the buses. ENMAX says they are working on continual improvements and are ensuring the grid can support the City’s needs.
  
  
• Calgary Transit removed the doors to three warming areas at Chinook CTrain Station. Apparently, removal of the doors is part of the City’s severe winter weather response plan. By not allowing people to gather in the train station, it is intended to encourage them to access proper shelter services.

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