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Headlines: Oct. 7, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton city council voted 7-6 to keep the $0.25 fee for paper bags at drive-thrus. An administrative report found single-use waste has fallen 30% since Edmonton introduced its single-use item bylaw in 2023, although the data does not distinguish between different types of retailers. Supporters say the fee encourages people to reduce waste, while opponents argue it unfairly affects people on fixed incomes. The report also found paper bag waste has declined 10% despite more businesses switching from plastic to paper.
  • Edmonton city council voted 8-5 to approve an increase to the electricity franchise fee charged to EPCOR, which will mean higher power bills for residents starting Jan. 1, 2027. The fee will rise from 17.65% to 19.4% of electricity distribution charges, bringing Edmonton in line with Calgary. The City had considered raising the fee to the maximum 20%, which would have increased the typical monthly fee from $9.06 to $10.27.
  • City council outlined how it will debate Edmonton's next four-year budget, with draft plans set to be released Nov. 2. Mayor Andrew Knack said the budget will put greater emphasis on renewing infrastructure and maintaining services while keeping property tax increases in check. The budget process includes separate capital, operating, utility and city auditor budgets, with public hearings beginning Nov. 23. Council aims to approve the budgets by Dec. 18 while rebuilding the City's financial stabilization reserve to $150 million. Knack said Edmonton needs to keep the new budget below the cost of the current four-year plan as it deals with affordability concerns and the financial pressures of rapid growth.
  • An arbitrator awarded the City of Edmonton $5.1 million against Advanced Coolant Technologies in a dispute over coolant the City alleged damaged its fleet. The award included $2.6 million in damages, plus legal costs, interest and expert fees. Company president Duane Bassani said the company disagreed with the settlement and denied the coolant was defective. "We provide superior service to our customers and have been doing that for 26 years," he said, and told CBC News that the arbitrator also found the City responsible.The City originally sued Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc., Advanced Coolant Technologies Inc. and WEBA Technology Corp. Petro-Canada was dropped from the claim in September 2025, while WEBA was not part of the arbitration/settlement.
  • Two granite sculptures, Two Souls Touching and The Bear by Stewart Steinhauer of Saddle Lake Cree Nation were installed at the Amisk Wâciw Âsokan (Beaver Hills Bridge), which connects northeast Edmonton and Strathcona County, to mark 150 years since Treaty 6 was signed. Steinhauer completed the works with the help of two apprentices.
  • Residents of Edmonton's La Perle neighbourhood say an abandoned property near an elementary school has deteriorated for nearly two years and poses safety concerns. One resident told CityNews her child was injured after tripping on the fence supports. The property, which was sold in 2024, was initially going to turn into a daycare but those plans never materialized. The City of Edmonton said an inspection found the property secured and that it does not require owners to redevelop a secured site.
  • Edmonton Public Schools trustees voted to review the division's policies for barriers to migrant children's access to school. The review will consider whether registration rules can change to keep children whose immigration status has lapsed enrolled.
  • Members of the Alberta Medical Association ratified a proposed three-year pay deal with the province. The association said 22% of eligible members voted, and 76% of those supported it. The association and province said they would share details once the agreement was finalized.