- The City of Edmonton has awarded Hyundai Rotem a second contract to provide light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the city's Metro Line and Capital Line expansions. The agreement for 32 LRVs builds on Hyundai Rotem's existing partnership with Edmonton, facilitating the ongoing growth and development of the city's LRT network. In 2021, Hyundai Rotem signed a contract with the City to provide 46 LRVs for the Valley Line West LRT project.
- Edmonton city council approved zoning changes at Century Park to allow on-street parking in front of a planned retail development. Developers argued the move is key to attracting tenants and making street-level shops viable. The K&H Developments project includes about 12 condo towers with retail on the former LRT park-and-ride site. A housing advocate at the meeting supported density near transit but said pedestrian-focused streets are more vibrant. Councillors approved the changes, saying the city must work within what developers can deliver.
- The City of Edmonton revealed the recipients of the 2026 Black History Month Initiative Fund during an event at City Hall on Feb. 2. The Congress of Black Women of Canada – Edmonton Chapter was among the recipients. The City partnered with the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Heritage Council to create the fund, which is managed by the Africa Centre, in 2024.
- The in-hospital registered midwifery program at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton will continue offering 12-hour day shifts, seven days a week, after talks between the Association of Alberta Midwives and Primary Care Alberta prevented a full transition of services to Fort Saskatchewan. While the hospital previously offered 24/7 support, midwives involved in that program have now transitioned to Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital, providing 24/7 low-risk maternity care for communities in the east Edmonton corridor and surrounding rural areas.
- An opinion piece in Postmedia by Alvin Ntibinyane, an assistant professor at MacEwan University, argues that focusing on Black inclusion solely during Black History Month creates a "February Trap," where visibility doesn't translate into real power. Recalling Lulu Anderson's 1922 lawsuit after being denied entry to the Metropolitan Theatre in Edmonton, Ntibinyane notes that while overt segregation ended, Black Edmontonians still face barriers to leadership. Despite making up 5.7% of Edmonton's population, they hold only 1.1% of senior management roles, according to a 2024 report.
- Premier Danielle Smith said that Alberta will withhold funding for new judicial appointments until Ottawa allows the province a formal role in selecting judges for Alberta's courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Smith proposed a special advisory committee with provincial appointees, arguing it would strengthen public confidence and better reflect Albertan values. She also urged relaxing bilingualism requirements. Shawn King of the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association warned this ultimatum could "implode" the justice system, causing catastrophic delays.
- Alberta's governing United Conservative Party raised more than $9.3 million in 2025, while the Opposition NDP raised $6.3 million, Postmedia reported. Dustin van Vugt of the UCP attributed its success to a strong message and noted it was a record for any Alberta political party in a non-election year. A late 2025 increase for the UCP was partly due to the reversal of the ban on union and corporate contributions. Heather Wilson of the NDP said the party relied on individual contributions and had its best fourth quarter.
Headlines: Feb. 4, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim