If you don't get many suggestions here, try posting on The Far North Forum. There are many Alberta gardeners there.

It will work here. Just be sure to put a good layer of newspaper down over the former lawn. Otherwise grass will become a nuisance weed in your vege plot.
Caroline zone 3 Calgary

The only thing about adding a layer of newspaper beneath the lasagna layer is that it's often too thick that the long tap roots cannot penetrate the newspaper to get to the soil belows. (I learned the hardway) So when planting any seeds such as carrots, do make a good hole right through that newspaper (or cardboard layer).

You may need to cover your vegetable plot with a plastic cover (elevated on hoops) to trap heat and to extend your season.

Great! Thanks for the info. I am so excited. The next step is to go on kijiji or freecycle to beg for leaves!

There's a northern gardening show I watched last year and it's based in Winnipeg I think. It's about promoting Native American ways of gardening and shows many techniques about how to begin and how to extend the season there. (Think large plastic tents). I loved the show because it also touched on techniques like burying fish parts to use as fertilizers and the technique called three sisters - consisting of corn bean and squash planted in the same area, plus the use of hilling which I think helps to keep the roots of plants healthy.