- Edmonton's mayoral candidates shared their views on the controversy over infill housing, as some residents say large multi-unit projects are eroding privacy and community input. Critics blame Bylaw 20001, which opened mature neighbourhoods to denser builds. Candidates are split: some want the bylaw repealed, others call for stricter oversight, while a few defend it as essential to addressing the housing shortage. The debate underscores tensions between the city's density goals and neighbourhood livability.
- Edmonton Transit Service will introduce bus route adjustments starting Aug. 31 for the new school year. Three new school special routes, 611, 628, and 638, begin Sept. 2 to serve Cardinal Léger Junior High, Steele Heights School, and J. Percy Page and Holy Trinity High Schools. Several existing school routes will be rerouted to better link neighbourhoods, while low-ridership Routes 623 and 675 will be cancelled. Other service changes include earlier On Demand Transit in Riverdale, temporary Glenora access, Route 4 adjustments for Valley Line LRT, Route 106 rerouting, Routes 114/123 combining into 114, and Route 111 extending to Concordia University.
- Edmonton's government district is experiencing a significant transformation as developers convert empty office spaces into residential units, driven by increased work-from-home trends and a high demand for housing. Ronald Benjamin, vice president of Stromiga Inc., is transforming more floors of the Financial Building into apartments, a trend that began in 2018 after provincial government employees vacated six floors. Mark Anderson of CBRE Edmonton noted a "flight to quality" with tenants preferring newer spaces, exacerbating the "double whammy" for the government sector, which comprises one-third of downtown's office inventory.
- The City of Edmonton shared details of its $15-million Downtown Student Housing Incentive to address student housing affordability and boost downtown Edmonton's vitality. Part of the Housing Accelerator Fund, the program offers up to $30,000 per unit for new student housing builds downtown, with applications for the first round closing Sept. 30. This initiative aims to deliver more than 500 new units by 2026. Nathan Thiessen of the Edmonton Student Alliance and Kalen Anderson of BILD Edmonton Metro support the plan, citing its potential to improve student access to housing and stimulate Edmonton businesses.
- Eleanor Olszewski, the federal minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced more than $5.9 million in federal investments for seven Alberta projects to bolster rural and Indigenous economic development. Edmonton-based recipients include NAIT, which received $1 million to build Indigenous-led Community Atlases, and AKSIS - Edmonton Indigenous Business and Professional Association, which received $200,000 to establish an Indigenous resource centre and deliver cultural awareness workshops.
- The City of Edmonton shared details of its new Animal Care and Control Bylaw, following two years of consultation, to address the city's increased pet population and animal welfare. It implements stricter rules and higher fines for dog attacks, which have risen 15% since 2020, and mandates training for vicious dogs. Licence fees will increase by $1 annually for three years, with lower rates for seniors and income assistance recipients, and waived fees for non-profit animal rescues. New definitions support Trap-Neuter-Return and Return-to-Field programs for feral cats.
- Paul Bakhmut announced his bid for Edmonton mayor on Aug. 20, campaigning on an innovation agenda for "The New Edmonton." His platform emphasizes making the city "open, smart, and fun" by increasing transparency, modernizing public services, and fostering a culture that attracts businesses and talent. Bakhmut, a familiar figure in Edmonton's tech community and founder of Edmonton Tech Wednesdays, previously served as a senior policy advisor in Alberta's Ministry of Technology and Innovation.
- Farmers' markets are a central part of Edmonton's culture, offering space for local vendors and community connection, Postmedia reported. Chef Shane Chartrand, recently featured on Top Chef Canada, now runs a café at the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market, emphasizing accessible, community-focused food over fine dining. Edmonton hosts numerous markets, including the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market, Bountiful Farmers' Market and the 124 Grand Market, which support small producers despite modest profits. Organizers say the real value lies in fostering local business, boosting nearby shops, and creating a sense of community.
- Edmonton resident Josh Thompson told CityNews that bike lanes save his Westmount family thousands annually by reducing the need for multiple vehicles. As the city continues adding more bike lanes, including in the Delton neighbourhood this fall, Thompson, who uses an e-bike for commutes and errands, estimates saving around $4,000 yearly on car insurance, gas, and maintenance after selling their second car nearly five years ago. He believes more transportation options aid affordability and allow children to bike to school.
- Edmonton Global has appointed Daryn Edgar as its next chief executive officer, effective Oct. 17, succeeding Malcolm Bruce, who is stepping down after eight years. The board selected Edgar following an international search, citing her leadership experience in the global technology sector and ability to drive transformation and partnerships. The Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about distraction thefts after at least 63 thefts were reported in the city since May. Thieves approach vulnerable individuals in public, using requests for hugs or sob stories to steal jewelry. Three women face theft charges, with warrants for three more. Police believe these culprits are part of a Canada-wide scheme, with similar incidents reported from British Columbia to Toronto.
- The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is preparing for its upcoming outdoor "Symphony Under the Sky" concerts at Snow Valley. An ESO representative called the experience "a delight," as the orchestra rehearsed on Aug. 20 in anticipation of the performances.
- Two Sherwood Park families received keys to new Habitat for Humanity homes. This initiative provides low-interest mortgages to low-income families and benefits from a $3 million federal investment under Canada's National Housing Strategy. Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, which typically builds eight to 10 homes annually, faces challenges from inflation and tariffs, impacting building costs and potentially affecting future construction numbers.
- Government of Alberta lawyers claim former AHS CEO Anastasia Mentzelopoulos may have illegally recorded meetings as part of her wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the provincial government. Her lawyer said Mentzelopoulos acted to protect AHS, whistleblowers, and herself by preserving evidence she feared the government would discredit. Government lawyers allege Mentzelopoulos retained up to 200,000 pages of records since November 2024. Mentzelopoulos is seeking an expedited ruling on whether former deputy health minister Andre Tremblay had the authority to fire her, claiming Minister Adriana LaGrange interfered. The allegations have not been tested in court.
- Edmonton's Marco Arop secured a lane in the Diamond League in Zurich on Aug. 28, despite finishing fifth in a rainy 800-metre race in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Aug. 20. His performance earned him 15 points, surpassing Italy's Gabriel Tual for the final qualifying spot.
Headlines: Aug. 21, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim