Good morning, Happy Thursday Neighbour!!
April arrived with snow, Edmonton made history last night, not just because the Oilers keep winning, but because a Canadian is currently orbiting the Earth on his way around the Moon. Add a separation referendum looming, a diplomatic bombshell from Ottawa and a medical breakthrough right here at home, and you have one of the bigger news days we have had in a while. Grab your coffee and let's sort through it together. 💛
Alberta Separation Petition Says It Has Enough Signatures. A Referendum Could Be Coming
This is the moment a lot of Albertans have been waiting for, and a lot of others have been dreading.
Stay Free Alberta announced Monday night it has collected more than 177,732 signatures, the 10 per cent threshold required to trigger a referendum on whether Alberta should leave Canada, with organizers saying they will keep collecting until the May 2 deadline to make the petition "too big to rig"
Elections Alberta cannot confirm the count until the signatures are formally submitted and verified, but Premier Danielle Smith has been clear, if the numbers check out, she will put the question on the ballot
NDP leader Naheed Nenshi hit back hard, noting that more than 456,000 Albertans signed the "Forever Canadian" petition to stay in Canada last year and are still waiting for their day in the legislature, calling it a situation where a "premier is grasping for power"
Whether you want Alberta to stay or go, this is a story that is going to define the next year of provincial politics.
🏥 Edmonton Clinic Is Now Offering Western Canada's First Non-Surgical Endometriosis Test
For the one in ten women who live with endometriosis, this is genuinely big news.
Links Medical Clinic in Edmonton is now the first clinic in Western Canada to offer the EndoSure test, a 30-minute non-invasive diagnostic tool that can detect endometriosis without surgery, using electrodes placed on the abdomen rather than a surgical camera inserted into the body
Endometriosis currently takes an average of nearly nine years to diagnose because the only definitive method has been laparoscopic surgery, meaning years of chronic pain, infertility struggles and being told by doctors that nothing is wrong
The test costs $950 out of pocket and is not yet covered by insurance, but the Edmonton based distributor says she was motivated to bring it here after watching her own daughter suffer through years of undiagnosed pain
If you or someone you know has been waiting for answers, this clinic is worth a call.
Carney Calls Israel's Invasion of Lebanon "Illegal", Canada's Strongest Language Yet
Prime Minister Carney stepped up Canada's diplomatic position in a significant way Tuesday.
Carney told reporters in Wakefield, Quebec that Canada "condemns" Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon, calling it an "illegal invasion" and a violation of Lebanese territorial sovereignty, stronger language than his government has used at any point during the conflict
Carney pointed to the Lebanese government's own efforts to ban and contain Hezbollah as the reason the Israeli justification for the invasion does not hold, saying "that is the reported justification for this invasion, so we condemn it"
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs expressed deep concern at Carney's remarks, while the UN Security Council was holding an urgent meeting the same day over the deaths of three Indonesian UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, believed to have been killed by Israeli fire
Canada has been carefully threading a needle on the Middle East for months. That needle just moved.
It Actually Happened! Jeremy Hansen Is on His Way to the Moon
Last night at 4:35 PM Edmonton time, history was made.
NASA's Artemis II mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 PM EDT Wednesday, carrying Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch on a 10 day journey around the Moon and back, the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972
Hansen is now the first Canadian and first non-American ever to leave Earth's orbit, and the crew is currently orbiting Earth testing Orion's systems before beginning their lunar flyby, Commander Wiseman radioed mission control moments after launch saying "we have a beautiful moonrise, we're headed right at it"
Prime Minister Carney called the launch a testament to Canada as a "nation of explorers, builders and innovators," and said he spoke with President Trump about the mission today
Canada sent someone to the Moon. Let that sink in for a moment.
💥 Iran War Day 33: Trump Says It Could Be Over in Weeks, Oil Drops Below $100
After 33 days of war the first real signal of an off ramp is here, and Alberta's energy sector is watching closely.
President Trump told reporters Tuesday the US could wrap up its military operations in Iran within two to three weeks even without a formal deal, adding "all I have to do is leave Iran and prices will come tumbling down", and markets responded immediately with oil dropping below $100 a barrel for the first time since the war began
35 countries have now signed a joint statement committing to work together on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Britain hosting a dedicated conference this week, while Iran's Foreign Minister told Al Jazeera he has "no faith" in talks and Iran is prepared to fight for "at least six months"
US and Israeli airstrikes continued overnight hitting industrial sites including steel plants and pharmaceutical facilities in Isfahan, while Asian stock markets surged on optimism with South Korea's index up 8.4 per cent in a single day
The war is not over. But for the first time since February 28, there is a real conversation about what the end might look like.
Edmonton local Weather
Day⬇5° lower than historical avg, ⬇1° lower than historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Thursday April 2nd
Thursday is sitting right around 0°C with a 35 per cent chance of snow, so keep the winter layers close and hold off on any patio dreams for at least another day. The weekend is looking brighter with Saturday climbing toward 6°C, spring is genuinely on its way. ❄️
Feature My Business
Do you have a business you’d like us to show case or shine a spotlight on? Tell us about it by submitting a request here ➡ Feature My Business
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
🏒 Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 2 · ⏰ 7 PM · 📍 Rogers Place
NHL action as the Oilers host the Blackhawks at home ice.🎤 Ceza 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 2 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 The Starlite Room
Turkish rap legend brings his high-energy hip-hop show to Edmonton.🍷 Wine and Dine: History & Pairings 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 2 · ⏰ 7 PM · 📍 RGE RD
A night of wine and menu pairings with storytelling from winemaker Mikel Belasco, whose family's winery dates back to the 1800s.🍳 Cooking Class: Cajun Kitchen – A Taste of the Bayou 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 2 · ⏰ 6–9:30 PM · 📍 Get Cooking (11050 104 Ave NW)
Hands-on class learning gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.🎸 The Story of Nirvana with El Niven Details and tickets
🗓 April 2 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton A full concert experience celebrating Nirvana's legacy and their impact on a generation. If you grew up in the 90s this one is for you. 🎟
🎵 Kathleen Edwards Details and tickets
🗓 April 2 · ⏰ 8 PM · 📍 Winspear Centre, Edmonton One of Canada's most beloved singer-songwriters back on stage with her warm, honest storytelling and gorgeous voice. 🎟
Friday, April 3
🎼 Pro Coro Canada: Good Friday Chamber Music 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 3 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 All Saints' Anglican Cathedral (10035 103 St NW)
Celebrate Good Friday with a night of sacred chamber music.🐝 Spilling the Beans On… Pollinator Gardens 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 3 · ⏰ 10 AM · 📍 Edmonton Valley Zoo
Learn how to make your garden friendly for pollinators at this conservation conversation with coffee.🚀 Chris Hadfield at the Winspear 🎟 Get your tickets
🗓 April 4 · ⏰ 2 PM · 📍 Francis Winspear Centre, Edmonton Canada's most beloved astronaut live on stage — and with Jeremy Hansen currently orbiting the Moon, the timing could not be more perfect.
🐣 Easter Weekend Family Events - Valley Zoo, Muttart and More 🎟 Browse what's on near you
🗓 April 4 and 5 · 📍 Various locations across Edmonton The Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Muttart Conservatory and communities across the city are running Easter egg hunts, spring activities and family fun all weekend. Check your nearest venue for times and details.
❄️ Downtown Defrost 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 3–4 · ⏰ 12 PM · 📍 Churchill Square
Two days of art installations, food trucks, and family-friendly fun — plus after-parties at Double Dragon for the grown-ups.🏥 Canada International Health & Medical Expo 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 3–4 · ⏰ 2–7 PM · 📍 Evario Events Centre
Premier medical and healthcare technology expo with industry leaders and clinicians.🎶 The Aviary 10-Year Anniversary Celebration 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 3–4 · ⏰ 9 PM · 📍 The Aviary Nightclub (10343 104 St NW)
Weekend-long celebration marking a decade of one of Edmonton's most beloved music🎭 The Revolutionists 🎟️ Details
🗓 Through Apr 5 · ⏰ 7:30 PM (Tue–Sat) · 📍 Varscona Theatre
Women-powered comedy set during the French Revolution by Lauren Gunderson.🌌 Lasting Impressions 🎟️ Details
🗓 Ongoing · ⏰ Various times · 📍 TELUS World of Science IMAX
Immersive 3D Impressionist art experience featuring Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 April 1 – April 12, 2026
🕢 Evening shows: 7:30 PM | Matinees: 1:30 PM
📍 Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave, EdmontonThe Citadel Theatre brings the classic story of Dorothy and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road to life in a vibrant stage musical featuring iconic songs, colourful characters, and a magical adventure for all ages
📖 Story Corner: The Long Way Around
In 1962, a young Canadian farm kid from Ontario looked up at the night sky and decided he wanted to go to space.
Nobody in his family had ever been to university. Nobody in his town had ever worked for NASA. The odds were, by any reasonable measure, impossible.
Jeremy Hansen spent the next four decades proving that the odds were wrong.
He studied. He trained. He flew fighter jets. He applied to the Canadian astronaut program and was rejected before finally being accepted in 2009. He waited fifteen more years for his first mission, longer than most astronauts ever wait.
Last night, at 4:35 PM Edmonton time, Jeremy Hansen became the first Canadian to leave Earth's orbit.
Some things just take the long way around. That does not mean they are not worth it.