A powerful winter storm that swept through Calgary on Wednesday resulted in a chaotic day on the roads, with emergency services responding to close to 200 collisions. The severe weather event was a major story across Alberta, which also saw a separate incident where an explosion caused significant damage to a community arena.
Chaos on Calgary Roads During Winter Blast
The winter storm, which brought heavy snow, ice, and poor visibility to much of the region, created extremely hazardous driving conditions throughout Wednesday. According to reports, close to 200 collisions were recorded across the city by police and emergency crews. The sheer volume of incidents strained resources and served as a stark reminder for drivers to adjust their habits for winter weather.
Authorities reiterated standard safety advice for such conditions, urging motorists to slow down, increase following distance, ensure their vehicles are properly equipped with winter tires, and to avoid unnecessary travel. The storm's impact was felt across the city's transportation network, contributing to delays and closures.
Explosion Rocks Taber Arena in Southern Alberta
In a separate and alarming incident in southern Alberta, an explosion devastated part of the Taber Arena. Details on the cause of the blast were not immediately available, but reports confirmed it destroyed a section of the community facility. The arena is a hub for local sports and events in the town of Taber, located southeast of Calgary.
Emergency services responded to the scene. An investigation into the origin and cause of the explosion is undoubtedly underway. The damage to the arena represents a significant loss for the town's recreational infrastructure, and the community will be assessing the full scope and planning for recovery in the coming days.
Other Regional News Highlights
The December 18 news cycle covered several other significant stories across the country. These included a special weather statement for Ottawa warning of 10-20 mm of rain, strong winds, and rapidly falling temperatures. In Ontario, the CEO of the province's real estate regulator announced a resignation amid the ongoing iPro Realty scandal.
In tragic news from British Columbia, workers tried to warn a colleague of a speeding SUV moments before a fatal crash near Victoria. Meanwhile, in Nova Scotia, the low price of lobster was reported to be driving high sales, and the province mourned the death of a prominent judge who served on the Westray Inquiry at the age of 93.
From politics, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly ruled out a run for the Quebec Liberal leadership, and Canada formally recognized Gulf War Illness after years of lobbying by veterans. In business, BlackBerry reported a Q3 profit of US$13.7 million, a positive shift from a loss a year ago.
