- The City of Edmonton has launched the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance, a partnership among the University of Alberta, NAIT, Edmonton Global, Alberta's Industrial Heartland, and the Edmonton International Airport, to position the region as a defence and security hub. The alliance leverages Edmonton's strategic location and plans to capitalize on $180 billion in federal procurement spending and $290 billion in capital investment over the next decade. "As the closest major metropolitan area to key strategic locations in the North, our geography, talent, and innovation technologies in AI and life sciences create a unique opportunity for sovereignty, logistics, and long-term defence capability," Mayor Andrew Knack said in a news release.
- Edmonton snow crews were 70% through clearing priority roadways just hours after a Phase 1 parking ban took effect at 7am on Feb. 18. Crews have worked around the clock since Monday night. The focus will shift to residential streets later this week, with an update expected on Feb. 20.
- Edmonton city council voted 10-3 to approve the sale of part of Wedgewood Park to the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta for $1 to build a 60-unit affordable housing development, after a judicial review found the original 2024 decision lacked a proper public hearing. The development will result in the loss of two baseball diamonds, a soccer field, and a skating surface in the west Edmonton neighbourhood's only park. Councillors cited the city's housing needs and reconciliation efforts in supporting the sale.
- A Court of King's Bench judge overruled a century-old covenant restricting development in Edmonton's Glenora neighbourhood, marking the first time the Carruthers Caveat has been successfully challenged. Justice Ayla Akgungor ruled the 1911 covenant, which limited properties to single-family homes or duplexes, conflicts with current zoning that requires at least 10 dwellings on a site at 138 Street and 102 Avenue near a future LRT station. The caveat is registered on more than 400 properties in Glenora, and residents plan to appeal.
- Edmonton led Canada in adding bike lanes from 2022 to 2024, with 517 "weighted" kilometres of new cycling infrastructure, more than twice Calgary's 245 kilometres, and more than three times Toronto's 140 kilometres, according to a Simon Fraser University study. The study weighted infrastructure for comfort and safety, giving more credit to protected cycling routes.
- Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, becoming the third Conservative to do so since the last election, and nudging Prime Minister Mark Carney closer to a majority. Jeneroux, who will take on an unpaid role as special adviser on economic and security partnerships, cited Carney's Davos speech about the "national unity crisis" as prompting his decision. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Jeneroux "has betrayed the people of Edmonton Riverbend." Some constituents expressed disappointment, while others supported the move given economic threats from the U.S.
- Alberta Health Services issued a public alert about two potential measles exposures in Edmonton on Feb. 8 at the Edmonton Sports Centre near 98 Street and 47 Avenue between 3pm and 7pm, and at Axe Monkeys near 139 Avenue and 156 Street between 7pm and 11:30pm. People born in or after 1970 with fewer than two documented doses of measles vaccine who attended either location should monitor for symptoms and review their immunization records.
- The Edmonton Oilers announced that Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey will return to the team's coaching staff after resuming his role as a special advisor to ownership and hockey operations in July. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said the team will benefit from Coffey's return, with 24 games left in the season. During Coffey's previous tenure from November 2023 through the end of the 2024-25 season, the Oilers allowed 2.78 goals per game, the fifth-best mark in the NHL over that span.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said immigration will be a key topic in her address to the province on Feb. 19 at 6:45pm, one week before the UCP government tables its budget. Smith said the province faces pressures from decreased oil revenues and increased costs of covering services for a rapidly growing population, and wants Alberta to have more control over immigration, similar to Quebec's 1991 accord with Canada. "I would like to see a newcomer have a job when they arrive," Smith said.
Correction: This file has been updated to correct the vote count on city council's approval of the sale of part of Wedgewood Park.