Ricky Leong
@rickyleongyyc.bsky.social
📰 Lead digital editor and columnist at Postmedia Calgary. He/him. DM for Signal/contact info. Standard disclaimer. More laid-back alter ego is @rickyleong.com
Pipes break all the time elsewhere in Canada but it rarely reaches crisis levels. How did other Canadian cities handle major failures and what can #Calgary learn from those experiences? Colleague Hiren Mansukhani takes another deep dive into our water crisis. #yyc #yyccc
Catastrophic water main breaks: How did other Canadian cities handle major failures? calgaryherald.com/news/how-oth...
January 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM
In June, we published a comprehensive look at the 2024 Bearspaw South feeder main failure, written by reporter Hiren Mansukhani. The context and explanations are essential reading, given that we are facing another water crisis today. calgaryherald.com/feature/insi... #yyc #calgary
Disaster deep below: How Calgary's catastrophic feeder main failure was decades in making
What led up to the rupture of Calgary's Bearspaw south feeder main? Experts and a trove of city documents provide some answers.
calgaryherald.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:52 PM
In June, we published a comprehensive look at the 2024 Bearspaw South feeder main failure, written by reporter Hiren Mansukhani. The context and explanations are essential reading, given that we are facing another water crisis today. calgaryherald.com/feature/insi... #yyc #calgary
Alberta Emergency Alert has issued an advisory concerning the "critical state" of the water supply in #Calgary due to last week's rupture in the Bearspaw South feeder main:
www.alberta.ca/aea/cap/2026...
The alert is also valid for Airdrie, Strathmore, Tsuu T’ina Nation and Chestermere. #yyc
www.alberta.ca/aea/cap/2026...
The alert is also valid for Airdrie, Strathmore, Tsuu T’ina Nation and Chestermere. #yyc
This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. The City of Calgary has issued a water supply alert.
Advisory: Water Supply - Calgary (Issued Jan 07, 2026 at 12:37 HRS)
www.alberta.ca
January 7, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Alberta Emergency Alert has issued an advisory concerning the "critical state" of the water supply in #Calgary due to last week's rupture in the Bearspaw South feeder main:
www.alberta.ca/aea/cap/2026...
The alert is also valid for Airdrie, Strathmore, Tsuu T’ina Nation and Chestermere. #yyc
www.alberta.ca/aea/cap/2026...
The alert is also valid for Airdrie, Strathmore, Tsuu T’ina Nation and Chestermere. #yyc
Looking for someone to blame for Calgary's water crisis? It's complicated. Some of our water problems today lie with decisions made long before any contemporary city council.
My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/bear... #yyc #yyccc
My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/bear... #yyc #yyccc
Leong: Looking for someone to blame for Calgary's water crisis? It's complicated
Some of Calgary's water problems today lie with decisions made long before any contemporary city council, argues columnist Ricky Leong
calgaryherald.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Looking for someone to blame for Calgary's water crisis? It's complicated. Some of our water problems today lie with decisions made long before any contemporary city council.
My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/bear... #yyc #yyccc
My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/bear... #yyc #yyccc
Reposted by Ricky Leong
Leong: Alberta needs more routine driver testing calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
December 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Leong: Alberta needs more routine driver testing calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Ricky Leong
Calgary burger joint donates more than 1,000 burgers to the community for Christmas Eve calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
December 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Calgary burger joint donates more than 1,000 burgers to the community for Christmas Eve calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
Calgary Transit recently got a cash infusion during city budget talks, but not everything can be fixed with money. More can be done to help buses keep moving and stay out of traffic. My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/calg... #yyc #yyccc
Leong: Despite Calgary Transit budget boost, long way to go for better bus service
While extra funding for Calgary Transit should be welcome, there are some problems money alone can't fix, says columnist Ricky Leong.
calgaryherald.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Calgary Transit recently got a cash infusion during city budget talks, but not everything can be fixed with money. More can be done to help buses keep moving and stay out of traffic. My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/calg... #yyc #yyccc
For more than a decade, Calgary has fought and lost its various attempts to clamp down on obnoxiously loud noise from vehicles. My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
Leong: What you hear is sound of defeat in battle against excessive noise
For more than a decade, Calgary has fought and lost its various attempts to clamp down on obnoxiously loud noise from vehicles.
calgaryherald.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
For more than a decade, Calgary has fought and lost its various attempts to clamp down on obnoxiously loud noise from vehicles. My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
From photographer extraordinaire Mike Drew, an appreciation of the humble urban pigeon:
calgaryherald.com/feature/in-p... #calgary #yyc
calgaryherald.com/feature/in-p... #calgary #yyc
In praise of pigeons: Why largely ignored, often vilified urban birds deserve our attention
In praise of the omnipresent pigeon: Why these largely ignored, plentiful and often vilified urban birds deserve our attention.
calgaryherald.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:20 PM
From photographer extraordinaire Mike Drew, an appreciation of the humble urban pigeon:
calgaryherald.com/feature/in-p... #calgary #yyc
calgaryherald.com/feature/in-p... #calgary #yyc
Calgary shouldn't charge for parking at Edworthy Park unless it becomes easier to get there without a car. Otherwise, a parking fee is just an entrance fee in disguise. My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
Leong: Plan for paid parking at Edworthy Park unworthy of consideration
The accessibility of Edworthy Park and every other open space in Calgary is being undermined by a plan to charge for parking.
calgaryherald.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Calgary shouldn't charge for parking at Edworthy Park unless it becomes easier to get there without a car. Otherwise, a parking fee is just an entrance fee in disguise. My column this week: calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
Many tropes were trotted out against the proposal to add more than 1,200 homes to the old Viscount Bennett High School site. I debunk some of them in my column this week: calgarysun.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
Leong: Viscount Bennett redevelopment debate reveals tired excuses against densification
Many tired tropes were trotted out against the proposal to add more than 1,200 homes to the old Viscount Bennett High School site.
calgarysun.com
April 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Many tropes were trotted out against the proposal to add more than 1,200 homes to the old Viscount Bennett High School site. I debunk some of them in my column this week: calgarysun.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
I usually have nice things to say about the Calgary's public consultation process. Not this time, given how the Cowboys Park revamp is turning out. My column this week: calgarysun.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
Leong: City of Calgary's Cowboys Park consultation is pure bovine manure
Calgary's public engagement for the revitalization of Cowboys Park began after the heavy equipment started tearing the place apart.
calgarysun.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I usually have nice things to say about the Calgary's public consultation process. Not this time, given how the Cowboys Park revamp is turning out. My column this week: calgarysun.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc
Colleagues Steven Wilhelm and Noah Brennan explore why preventable pedestrian deaths are climbing in Calgary and what we can do to stop this disturbing trend. #yyc #yyccc
calgaryherald.com/news/why-pre...
calgaryherald.com/news/why-pre...
Why 'preventable' pedestrian deaths are climbing in Calgary — and what's being done about it
In total 29 people died on Calgary streets in 2024 — 13 were pedestrians. It's the highest number of fatal collisions in over a decade.
calgaryherald.com
April 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Colleagues Steven Wilhelm and Noah Brennan explore why preventable pedestrian deaths are climbing in Calgary and what we can do to stop this disturbing trend. #yyc #yyccc
calgaryherald.com/news/why-pre...
calgaryherald.com/news/why-pre...
My column this week: CTrains get shorter because politicians keep shorting transit #yyc #calgary #yyccc calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Leong: CTrains get shorter because politicians keep shorting transit
Important people in Calgary and elsewhere keep encouraging us to use transit — then turn around and handcuff the very service they tout.
calgarysun.com
March 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
My column this week: CTrains get shorter because politicians keep shorting transit #yyc #calgary #yyccc calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Ricky Leong
Postmedia Calgary receives three National Newspaper Award nominations
Postmedia Calgary receives three National Newspaper Award nominations
Postmedia Calgary receives three National Newspaper Award nominations
buff.ly
March 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Postmedia Calgary receives three National Newspaper Award nominations
A nearby resident told one of our reporters: "Many a times I go, you know, I put my hand out … and I go to cross, people wouldn’t even stop. That’s after pushing the button as well …People aren't very considerate when they drive." #calgary #yyc
Mom and child injured in southeast Calgary hit-and-run pedestrian crash
Mom and child injured in southeast Calgary hit-and-run pedestrian crash
The Calgary Police Service is on the scene of a Monday morning hit and run that left two pedestrians with minor injuries.
buff.ly
March 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM
My column this week is a letter to our American neighbours. With President Trump's tariff war and threats to our sovereignty, this Canadian is grateful for Americans' show of support. But as things drag on, symbolic gestures might not be enough. calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Leong: Amid U.S. tariff tensions, a letter to our American neighbours
Amid President Donald Trump's tariff war, this Canadian is grateful for Americans' support — but symbolic gestures might not be enough.
calgarysun.com
March 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
My column this week is a letter to our American neighbours. With President Trump's tariff war and threats to our sovereignty, this Canadian is grateful for Americans' show of support. But as things drag on, symbolic gestures might not be enough. calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Ricky Leong
Mom and child injured in southeast Calgary hit-and-run pedestrian crash
Mom and child injured in southeast Calgary hit-and-run pedestrian crash
The Calgary Police Service is on the scene of a Monday morning hit and run that left two pedestrians with minor injuries.
buff.ly
March 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Mom and child injured in southeast Calgary hit-and-run pedestrian crash
My column this week: Canada need to rekindle old friendships and make new ones in the face of a changed United States calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Leong: Facing threats from Trump administration, Canada must cement other friendships
Canada shouldn't put all its diplomatic and economic eggs in one basket — and there's a literal world of possibilities, argues Ricky Leong.
calgarysun.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
My column this week: Canada need to rekindle old friendships and make new ones in the face of a changed United States calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Montreal Gazette columnist Jack Todd on the day he ‘threw it all away’ and renounced his American citizenship www.montrealgazette.com/news/article...
www.montrealgazette.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Montreal Gazette columnist Jack Todd on the day he ‘threw it all away’ and renounced his American citizenship www.montrealgazette.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ricky Leong
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
March 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
Reposted by Ricky Leong
Say their names: Mayerthorpe 20 years after the most violent moment in Canadian law enforcement history
Say their names: Mayerthorpe 20 years after the most violent moment in Canadian law enforcement history
It’s been two decades since the gut-wrenching news shocked the nation: the worst-ever murder in Canadian law enforcement history.
buff.ly
March 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Say their names: Mayerthorpe 20 years after the most violent moment in Canadian law enforcement history
Reposted by Ricky Leong
On the Road: Whitetails and little calves
On the Road: Whitetails and little calves
It had been a black-and-white day until Mike Drew saw the whitetails. But in truth, it was those frisky little calves that sealed the deal.
buff.ly
February 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
On the Road: Whitetails and little calves
Reposted by Ricky Leong
Seven significant allegations contained in fired AHS executive's wrongful dismissal lawsuit
Seven significant allegations contained in fired AHS executive's wrongful dismissal lawsuit
The ousted CEO of Alberta Health Services says she experienced continual interference from government officials over certain contracts.
buff.ly
February 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Seven significant allegations contained in fired AHS executive's wrongful dismissal lawsuit