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Headlines: Aug. 6, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • Data shows that Edmonton is building fewer parking stalls than infill housing units, since the City of Edmonton removed minimum parking requirements for new developments in 2020, CityNews reported. The change has led some residents to worry about increased parking challenges due to new multi-unit complexes. Jacob Dawang of Grow Together Edmonton, however, believes the current system is working as intended due to the proximity of most infill to public transit. Coun. Erin Rutherford plans to introduce a motion to address parking issues in areas with limited transit, proposing new parking conditions and better regulation of on-street parking.
  • Edmonton city council's community and public services committee will consider recommendations to update snow clearing and sidewalk repair policies to improve accessibility in Edmonton. City administration will present options on Aug. 11, including proactively repairing sidewalks and deploying more snow plows. Administration is recommending the City of Edmonton reprioritize resources to clear "high social vulnerability areas" earlier. The City currently manages close to 5,776 kilometres of sidewalks, with a $5.9 million annual sidewalk maintenance budget. The committee will vote on whether to recommend changes to city council.
  • The union representing 800 Edmonton Public Library workers is entering mediation from Aug. 6 to 7 to negotiate safety concerns, including assaults, and overdoses. CSU 52 President Bryce Jowett said the union is asking the library to implement more modern safety drills, such as lockdowns, and provide members with time off following serious incidents. Jowett said staff currently have to use vacation time after experiencing a serious incident. Library CEO Pilar Martinez said the library takes all incidents very seriously.
  • Some residents in the Delton community are petitioning city council to stop a planned bike lane in their neighbourhood, arguing that the City of Edmonton didn't properly communicate the planning to residents and that it cuts off access for elderly residents. Alberta's Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the province is considering legislation on bike lanes, and the ministry is reviewing contentious bike lanes.
  • Unused office space in the Standard Life building on Jasper Avenue between 104 Street and 105 Street will be converted into a residential complex. Leder Investments recently bought the 19-storey tower for $12.5 million and will rebrand it as The Standard.
  • Edmonton's first Eco Station, the Strathcona location, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since 1995, the City of Edmonton has opened four Eco Stations, providing residents a place to drop off excess yard waste, garbage, recycling, and other items not suitable for regular disposal. In 2024 alone, Edmonton Eco Stations saw more than 473,000 visits.
  • Two daycare workers in the Edmonton area have been charged with physically assaulting three young children between the ages of one and three. The alleged incidents occurred at the Little Stars Montessori Early Learning Center in Spruce Grove in March. Shivani Shivani faces two counts of assault, and Dimpy Bawa faces two counts of assault and two counts of assault with a weapon. RCMP said both women were "released" from the daycare when the investigation began, and are scheduled to appear in court in Stony Plain on Sept. 17.
  • In the most recent episode from the CANADALAND podcast, host Noor Azrieh spoke with political scientist Andy Knight about his revealing report on white supremacy within the Canadian Armed Forces. The conversation explores whether far-right extremists are infiltrating the military, or being radicalized inside it.
  • In an opinion piece for Postmedia, Andrea DeKeseredy, Wendy Aujla, and Ping Lam Ip argue that Alberta's new 10-year gender-based violence strategy is being undermined by the government's own policies. While the strategy emphasizes economic independence for women through access to child care, education, and housing, the authors point out that recent cuts and policy shifts contradict those goals. They warn that these actions especially harm vulnerable women fleeing abuse, who need affordable services and stable housing to rebuild their lives. The authors conclude that unless Alberta reverses its austerity measures, the strategy risks being more symbolic than effective.
  • A new footbridge over the North Saskatchewan River opened on Aug. 5, making it easier to walk between Edmonton and Sherwood Park.
  • The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, which kicks off Aug. 7, has completely sold out. Festival producer Terry Wickham said the last available ticket was sold on Aug. 5 at 1:59pm. The festival, held annually at Gallagher Park, offers an official ticket exchange through Ticketmaster to buy and sell tickets at face value plus a service charge.
  • Indigenous AAA hockey players from across Alberta received a special send off on Aug. 5 before their overseas trip to Europe. The players, who come from various communities around the province, will compete in international tournaments and experience different cultures.
  • The Alberta Indigenous Games will be held in Edmonton from Aug. 7 to 16. The games are expected to include more than 6,000 athletes and 500 teams participating in 18 sports. The Games' mission is to reclaim youth through sport, education, career opportunities, and cultural connection.
  • The Edmonton Riverhawks broke their own attendance record for the third year in a row, with nearly 132,000 fans attending games this season. General Manager Steve Hogle attributes the Riverhawks' success in the West Coast League to the organization's focus on the fan experience, affordability, and community involvement, including themed games and contests.
  • The Edmonton Elks acquired a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft from the Toronto Argonauts on Aug. 5 in exchange for the playing rights to running back Spencer Brown. Brown had joined the Elks practice roster on June 22, but has not yet played in a CFL game.