The Pulse: July 28, 2025

Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur said she is "heartbroken" to be ending her 15-year streak as mayor, but that she will run for election as a city councillor in 2025, not mayor.

"I have decided I need a little bit of work-life balance," Katchur told Taproot. "Working as mayor, I put in a tremendous amount of hours — and I know some of it was self-inflicted — but my husband said to me, 'Honey, I never see you anymore.'"

Taproot has compiled data on all 14 current mayors across the Edmonton region, including the length of their term, whether they have filed to run in 2025, and whether they have confirmed challengers, where relevant. The data shows Katchur has been mayor the longest, though Stony Plain Mayor William Choy, who has been mayor for 13 years, is close. It also shows that, at the moment, four of 14 municipalities have no challengers to an incumbent mayor who is seeking re-election, two have no one yet running for mayor at all, and only Beaumont and Devon have mayoral races.

Katchur on longevity

Back in Fort Saskatchewan, the decision not to run for mayor is a full-circle moment for Katchur, who was first elected as a councillor in 2007, serving as such until 2011. From each election after that one, however, Katchur has served as mayor.

Katchur credited her longevity to understanding municipal processes, having worked for the city's administration before entering office, and her presence in the community — from public events to private functions. "I've (officiated) over 2,000 weddings. I've married most of Fort Saskatchewan," she said. "If my calendar is open, I am there."

Katchur faced criticism in 2024, when during a discussion about the city's feral cats she suggested they could be exterminated by drowning or gassing them with a car's exhaust. She later apologized for the remarks.

She said council's key accomplishments during her term are upgraded recreation and outdoor amenities, and advocacy to the province to twin the Highway 15 bridge and build two new schools.

Katchur said she is running to complete the Helmuth Ritter Fire Hall and a fourth ice surface for the city, both of which have design funding but will require the next council to complete them. Unlike in Edmonton, where infill housing has turned into an election issue for some, Katchur foresees voters having different concerns. "People in Fort Saskatchewan are really looking for quality of life," she said. "I think when it comes to these items, those are the ones that will either get you elected or not."

The data

As Taproot's data shows, only one potential replacement for Katchur has declared their candidacy as of July 24: Coun. Lisa Makin, who was first elected as councillor in 2017, filed her intent to run in December.

• The Beverly Business Association has withdrawn its appeal against a transitional housing project at the Beverly Motel, saying it now has faith in the project. The appeal, which the association said was meant to protect commercial districts from residential projects and set a precedent, created delays that caused the Native Counselling Services of Alberta to lose approximately $200,000 in funding. The owner of the motel called the appeal unnecessary, while a member of the public, Joshua Goldberg, questioned why anyone would object to the project.
• Business owners say ongoing Valley Line West LRT construction along Stony Plain Road is creating significant challenges. Petra Sekhon, owner of Vacuum Central, and Bijoy Sasmel, owner of Spirit of India Express, reported substantial revenue losses due to reduced foot traffic. Justin Keats of the Stony Plain Road Business Association said businesses are losing 50% or more of their traffic. The City of Edmonton does not offer financial compensation during construction but provides business outreach, signage, and stakeholder support. LRT construction is expected to be finished in 2028.
• KDays has seen a record number of attendees, with complimentary tickets offered to various groups. According to Ziya Karmali of KDays, the festival, which concluded July 27, offered free programming and allows attendees to bring their own food and drinks.
• Edmonton could reach a 10-year high in fatal vehicle collisions, with police raising concerns about speed and motorcycle-related incidents. The Edmonton Police Service noted 20 fatal collisions so far this year, including six that involved motorcycles. Ashlee Taylor of One Broken Biker said it is seeing a large increase in injured riders.
• Edmonton's South Asian community is uniting in response to recent targeted crimes, according to Gusharan Buttar of My Radio 580. "We are standing hand-in-hand and we are willing to face any challenge," he told CTV News. According to the RCMP, Edmonton is "Ground Zero" for extortion plots targeting the South Asian community, with millions already extorted through fear tactics. The Edmonton Police Service is hosting a town hall for the community on July 28 at Southwood Community League.
• Alberta Health Services is implementing visitor restrictions at some facilities as a precaution against the spread of measles amid a significant outbreak in the province, with 1,538 cases reported this year.
• Keheewin residents continue to voice concerns about the large scale of an affordable housing project planned for a surplus school site beside Keheewin Elementary School. According to Civida, the Kaskitêw Asiskî project, funded by multiple levels of government, will include 132 housing units, a mix of affordable and market rental suites, plus a daycare and shared activity space. Residents cited concerns about traffic, parking, and safety, and believe the City should have considered an alternate location in Kaskitayo Park.
• A 21-year-old Edmonton woman is in hospital recovering after being struck by lightning in the Callingwood South neighbourhood during a severe thunderstorm on July 24. According to her roommate, Laura Penner, the woman suffered cardiac arrest and severe burns. Paramedics transported her to hospital in critical condition. Environment Canada reported 1,229 lightning flashes in the region and is reminding people of the dangers of being outside during a thunderstorm.
• An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.2 rattled northwestern Alberta on July 26, about 36 kilometres south of Grande Prairie. According to Earthquakes Canada, the event was possibly industry-related. The Alberta Energy Regulator, which estimated the quake at a magnitude of 4.04, is reviewing data to determine the cause. No damage was reported.
• Edmonton-based MHCare Medical is again requesting the Alberta government release an external audit report initiated by former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos. The company believes the report could exonerate the company and its CEO Sam Mraiche from allegations related to health procurement practices and contracts for private surgical facilities. The government has declined to release the report, citing legal privilege.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Orchards Farmers' Market starting at 4pm at 4059 Orchards Drive SW
• Wild Mushroom Walks starting at 6pm at University of Alberta Botanic Garden
• Secret Lives of Insects starting at 6pm at Ritchie Community Hall
• Botanical Alchemy: A Modern Mocktail Workshop starting at 6:15pm at Spilt
• Meeting of the Secret LongTree Society starting at 7pm at Felice Cafe

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Aug. 2-5: Edmonton Heritage Festival at Borden Park
• Aug. 5-10: WSWC Canadian National Water Ski Championships at Shalom Ski Park
• Aug. 7-10: Edmonton Folk Music Festival at Gallagher Park

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.