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Headlines: July 25, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • Starting July 28, the City of Edmonton will begin rehabilitation work on the southbound Low Level Bridge to extend its lifespan. During construction, northbound traffic will be detoured to the James MacDonald/98 Avenue Bridge, and there will be temporary single-lane closures on the southbound bridge during off-peak hours. In August, southbound traffic will shift to the northbound bridge with two lanes resuming. Two ETS bus stops that service northbound traffic on the Low Level Bridge will be temporarily closed, and routes 8, 500X, 511, and 523 will be on detour. The City anticipates construction will be completed by the end of 2025.
  • S&P Global raised Edmonton's long-term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings to AA+ from AA on July 22, citing strong budgetary performance as LRT construction winds down. The agency affirmed its 'A-1+' short-term rating and A-1(High) Canada scale commercial paper rating, with a stable outlook. S&P noted Edmonton's experienced management, strong financial policies, and transparent finances, expecting continued strong financial performance despite international trade uncertainties. The improved rating helps Edmonton access long-term borrowing from Alberta at favourable rates.
  • To mark National Drowning Prevention Week, the City of Edmonton is emphasizing water safety at pools and in the North Saskatchewan River. The Lifesaving Society has a "#SaferTogether" campaign highlighting the importance of constant supervision of children near water, swimming with a buddy, wearing properly fitted lifejackets, and staying sober around water. As of July 21, Edmonton's five outdoor pools are open, with a total attendance of 36,607 so far this season. The City also offers a free Welcome to Swimming program at select recreation centres.
  • The Edmonton Movie Club plans to build a multi-purpose arts and culture incubator in Sherwood Park near the Holiday Inn Express off Broadmoor Boulevard. The 5,000-square-foot building would include a performance space with retractable seating and a black box studio. According to executive director Madhan Selvaraj, the incubator would address the shortage of creative venues, as 80% of surveyed local arts groups lack dedicated rehearsal or screening space. The club has applied for an Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Plan grant and will seek additional funding from Strathcona County and the federal government.
  • Rolling Tales Pop Culture, a downtown Edmonton comic shop, is closing its doors due to a lack of foot traffic and the stigma of downtown being unsafe, according to owner Jay Bardyla. Break-ins and theft also contributed to the decision. Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, called the closing "sobering news."
  • A City of Edmonton peace officer has been charged with sexual assault and impersonating a police officer. The City is aware of the charges, but it has not released any further information.
  • Michael Ewenson, current executive director of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, was appointed interim CEO of the new Police Review Commission on July 24. The commission is scheduled to launch in December with approximately 150 staff and will replace municipal units like the Edmonton Police Service Professional Standards Branch. The arm's-length commission will handle complaints against police officers. ASIRT, which investigates allegations of criminal wrongdoing against officers, will be rolled into the new organization.
  • The Alberta RCMP is pushing back against claims made by the province's Alberta Next panel regarding RCMP operations in Alberta. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux addressed concerns about the Alberta Next panel sharing untrue information and emphasized the RCMP's commitment to contract policing beyond 2032. The Alberta Next panel has raised concerns such as Ottawa not providing the promised number of RCMP officers, officers being moved frequently, the federal government determining policing priorities, and the need for bilingualism for senior posts. Kara Westerlund, president of Rural Municipalities of Alberta, expressed concern about the political dispute affecting police services.