Weekly News Recap: April 17, 2026

Weekly News Recap: April 17, 2026

The University of Calgary broke the record for the most people dressed as dinosaurs in one place. More than 600 dinos showed up on campus on Saturday, April 11, 2026, declaring the previous record of 468 extinct. (Richard Coffey/University of Calgary Facebook)

The trouble is, you think you have time. — Jack Kornfield

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SOME GOOD NEWS

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

  1. Hundreds of aging playgrounds in Calgary at risk of closure within the decade, report says (CBC) CALGARY STORY "The City of Calgary could shutter more than 80 per cent of its community playgrounds by 2036 unless councillors approve nearly $200 million in funding over the next decade, according to a city report. The report found that 54 per cent of the city's playgrounds are more than 20 years old and rated in 'fair' condition, the third worst rating on a scale of five."

  2. VIDEO: Stawnichy’s offers 100 sausage rings in exchange for Mundare thieves’ capture (Global News) MUNDARE STORY The great sausage caper. Thanks to ViTreo Senior Counsel, Michael Donlevy, for sharing this story. "There was a steady stream of customers at Stawnichy’s Mundare Sausage [...] coming in and out of a brand-new door that replaced one destroyed in an after-hours break-in. It’s been a long, busy two days after two thieves busted into the store on Wednesday night."

  3. Global women's sports revenue to top $3 billion in 2026, according to new report (MSN) Yay! "Global women's sports revenues are projected to exceed $3 billion in 2026, a significant increase over the $2.4 billion in revenues generated in 2025, according to a report [...] The report produced by accounting firm Deloitte said women's sports revenues internationally have increased 340% over the last four years. That has spurred investment in the women's sports ecosystem, which in turn drives further growth but also raises the expectations of fans, athletes, investors and business partners."

  4. National Music Centre Turns 10, Announces New Exhibits, Programs and Performances (Billboard Canada) CALGARY STORY Congratulations on ten years. ViTreo is proud to have helped NMC with this journey. "The National Music Centre (NMC) is turning 10, and to celebrate the Calgary-based National Music Centre will present many special events and exhibits over the coming year. Things kicked off [...] with a launch party headlined by internationally renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith."

  5. VIDEO: Carney and Finnish President Stubb show off hockey skills in Ottawa (Globe and Mail) CANADIAN STORY "Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb mixed diplomacy with hockey [...] taking the ice with players from the Ottawa Charge during Stubb’s first formal bilateral visit to Canada."

  6. Calgary moves toward a new, long-term arts and culture strategy to grow its creative economy (Livewire) CALGARY STORY Yes!! "With Calgary’s current cultural plan timeframe set to expire, the push is on to chart the path forward on the next 10 years of the city’s creative evolution. Councillors approved further debate on a potential long-term arts, music, culture and creative economy strategy, as a Notice of Motion sponsored by several members passed technical merit at [a recent] Executive Committee meeting. The motion called for a long-term cultural vision for Calgary that brought together all genres of the arts, tying it together with positive economic outcomes."

  7. Pablo Picasso painting to be raffled off for €100 donation in charity lottery (Babel) Wow, imagine having a Picasso! "France is holding a lottery in which you can win a portrait of Pablo Picasso by purchasing a ticket for €100. The funds will go to Alzheimerʼs research. The number of tickets will be limited to 120 000, so if all tickets are sold out, €12 million could be raised. Of this amount, €1 million will go to the Opera Gallery, the company that owns the painting. The rest will benefit the Alzheimerʼs Research Foundation, which works at one of the leading public hospitals in Paris."

  8. Canadian oil and gas losing competitive edge due to industrial carbon price: industry leaders (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "Leaders in Canada's oil and gas sector say the industrial carbon levy would erode the country's competitive edge at a time when the world is clamouring for a reliable energy supply. 'We're still talking about an industrial carbon tax when no other producing and exporting nation does that to their producers,' Lisa Baiton, head of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said in an interview as the 2026 BMO CAPP Energy Symposium kicked off in Toronto [...]"

  9. Calgary Zoo introduces new polar bear, Yelle, to the public (CJWE) CALGARY STORY Bet he is LOVING this snow. "The Calgary Zoo’s new polar bear made his debut [...] but it will be a while before he gets up close and personal with the current polar bear in residence. Yelle, a 500-kilogram, 20-year-old bear from Quebec, is out of quarantine and has made his way to the habitat at The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, wolfing down caches of food laid out for him. He is to be gradually introduced to 420-kilogram Siku."

  10. RBC plans to invest up to $1 billion through new Canadian growth fund (MSN) CANADIAN STORY "The head of RBC says the bank plans to launch a growth fund to invest up to $1 billion in Canadian companies in the coming years. Speaking at the bank's annual general meeting, chief executive Dave McKay said the fund will help companies build and scale in Canada. He says that too often Canadian entrepreneurs feel they need to leave the country to find enough capital to grow."

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

  1. 8 Uncomfortable Quotes That Are Hard to Read, but Important to Know (Andy Murphy) These are hard to read but also, great reminders.

  2. VIDEO: 6 Nordic Habits That Cost $0 But Change Everything (YouTube) This a 16 minute video and I encourage you to watch it all -- it is brilliant in its truth and simplicity.

  3. 15 Ancient Rules For Life You’ll Wish You Knew 10 Years Ago (Personal Growth) So good.

  4. How to Open a Presentation: The First 30 Seconds That Win Your Audience [2026] (Winning Presentations) The standard fail points make this worth reading.

  5. Mushin: The Japanese Technique for Effortless Focus (Change Your Mind) The Japanese are so good at this.

  6. 50 Most Powerful Life Hacks (Cait Mack) Not a lot of new but a lot all the same. And all good reminders.

  7. 13 Rules I’ll Strictly Follow If I Had to Start Over My Fitness Journey. (Sean Veaux) I am definitely going to try watermelon with my workouts. #Yum.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

  1. Humber River Hospital to change name after ‘transformational’ $50M donation (CTV) TORONTO STORY #Wowzers We don't rename a hospital in Canada very often. Nice gift! "Humber River Health is getting a big injection of cash to improve its services. The hospital network says it has received a staggering $50 million donation from the Hennick Family Foundation -- the largest single donation in the hospital’s history."

  2. Cenovus Energy Invests $2 Million in Lakeland College (Pipeline Online) LLOYDMINSTER STORY "With energy security on everyone’s mind over the last several weeks, Cenovus Energy is stepping up with a donation to Lakeland College to support hands-on learning in the energy sector. Cenovus has announced a $2 million investment in Lakeland College in Lloydminster and Vermilion. In Lloydminster, these dollars will be used to support upgrades to the Cenovus Energy Production Lab and Cenovus Energy Power Engineering Lab. In Vermilion, the funding will help with the modernization of learner spaces in the School of Trades and Technology on the Vermilion campus."

  3. Muskoka donor’s $2.2-million donation honoured with name recognition at hospital’s visitor centre (Muskoka Region) BRACEBRIDGE STORY "Bob Jacob’s $2.2-million donation to the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation over the years was lauded by officials"

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

Welcome to our recap of the week's news, articles, and information of note. ViTreo Group Inc. provides this information for the benefit of our clients, associates, staff, partners, and stakeholders. The content is collected and curated by ViTreo President & CEO Vincent Duckworth. If you would like to submit a link for consideration, please send an email to info@vitreogroup.ca.

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