The Pulse
Aug. 20, 2025

Edmonton city council has rejected an administration proposal to extend the standard times for council and committee meetings for the next council by 30 minutes.

Administration prepared a draft calendar for the next council's term, which included the additional meeting time proposal and a number of other suggested changes. The current council was invited to share its feedback at a meeting on Aug. 19, though it will be the next council, elected in October, which will give the draft calendar its final approval.

Administration proposed ending city meetings at 5:30pm, 30 minutes later than they currently end, though it also proposed meetings to start at 9:30am and have a 90-minute lunch break at noon, as they currently do. Administration said it proposed the end at 5:30pm because council meetings occasionally extend past 5pm as it is, and this change would make the schedule more predictable.

But at the Aug. 19 meeting, several councillors said a later end time would be challenging for both councillors and city staff who have children.

"I think there is a life balance impact there with childcare," said Ward O'day-min Coun. Anne Stevenson. "For me, it seems like going past 5pm is the exception rather than the norm."

Many childcare operators levy a "significant financial penalty" to caregivers who pick up children late, Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz said.

"There's a serious financial equity consideration here around the closure time," he said. "If we have to go to 5:30pm, that's incredibly challenging. I already, this term, have had to miss the end of (many) meetings to get (to childcare pickup) on time."

To increase the meeting time without going past 5pm, councillors also debated starting meetings at 9am, and ending their lunch break at 1pm instead of 1:30pm.

But admin officials flagged that an earlier start could create problems for city staff, who must arrive before meetings to prepare. Administration officials also said shortening the lunch break might create challenges, because staff require a lunch break that's at least 30 minutes long, and often use the rest of the 90 minutes for off-site meetings to draft motions, and to perform other tasks that help council meetings run smoothly.

Council voted unanimously to keep the daily schedule at the status quo for end times, and Janz alone voted to start earlier and reduce the lunch break.

Some councillors criticized the idea of extending meetings at all. "Would not the easier approach be to have everyone prepared, everyone having read the reports, and understand when their questions are redundant, and have the chair maybe point that out?" Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette asked. "A council that prepares well and debates efficiently will serve Edmonton better, and that's a standard worth striving for."

• Edmonton city council voted unanimously to move forward with updating the North Saskatchewan River Valley management plan, despite public concerns raised on Aug. 19. Critics, including the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, argued the proposed plan weakens environmental protections by using "should" instead of "shall," and reduces council oversight on developments under 10,000 square metres. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said using the word "shall" would be too restrictive, aiming to balance protection with public enjoyment. Indigenous groups also raised concerns about consultation processes.
• The Alberta government announced that Edmonton's Navigation and Support Centre will relocate from the Hope Mission Karis Centre downtown to a larger, more accessible site in the McCauley neighbourhood, near 105A Avenue and 96 Street. Operated by Hope Mission, the centre connects individuals with housing, income, and addiction services. Tim Pasma of Hope Mission expects the move will serve more people and enhance care quality. Since January 2024, the centre has assisted more than 7,780 people.
• Edmonton city council denied one infill rezoning application while approving another on Aug. 19, Postmedia reported. Council rejected an application in a mature neighbourhood, facing frustration from Belgravia residents, who raised concerns over property values and large developments. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the decision honoured community trust regarding gentle density. Conversely, councillors approved rezoning a 16-metre by 40-metre corner lot at 75 Avenue and 116 Street from RS to RSM, which encountered significantly less public opposition.
• Edmonton city council updated its pet bylaw, marking the first revisions in 20 years. The updated regulations include new rules concerning animal welfare, dog attacks, and feral cats, aiming to enhance public safety and animal care within the city.
• The Edmonton Police Service charged three people after a woman chained herself to a structure at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The protest was conducted to object to the captivity of Lucy, the elephant at the zoo.
• Former Paths for People Chair Shannon Lohner argued in an opinion piece for Postmedia that Edmonton city council is locking taxpayers into decades of expensive maintenance by approving the 76 Avenue Bridge replacement in Mill Creek Ravine. Lohner, a University of Alberta urban planning student, wrote that councillors ignored advocates' calls for transparency, traffic data, and cost-saving alternatives. With an election approaching, Lohner argued that councillors should show fiscal responsibility by cancelling costly projects rather than just pursuing new ones.
• Alberta cemeteries are adapting to serve communities amid rising inflation, limited space, and increased cremation preferences, CBC reported. Lacombe will expand its cemetery in September 2025, adding cremation plots and a scattering garden. Edmonton recorded 5,397 cremations and 1,852 burials in 2024, with cremation delaying a "crisis" in cemetery lands. The Edmonton Chevra Kadisha, overseeing Jewish cemeteries, faces near-capacity issues as its faith prohibits cremation. Cemetery plot prices are rising, although Lacombe and Slave Lake remain more affordable than Edmonton and Calgary.
• The Edmonton Oilers will release single game tickets for the 2025-2026 NHL season on Aug. 28 at 10am via EdmontonOilers.com/Tickets. The season begins with a Battle of Alberta home opener against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 8.
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is again shifting its expense disclosure policy following widespread criticism. The province initially removed the requirement for Smith, her ministers, and senior staff to publicly post receipts more than $100. Finance Minister Nate Horner's office confirmed that the previous policy would be reinstated, but with accommodation locations redacted for security reasons. Critics, including the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the Opposition NDP, accused the initial change of attempting to hide government spending.
• The Alberta government will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers, reversing a policy announced two months earlier that would have required most Albertans to pay. The decision follows criticism from public health experts and unions who deemed it irresponsible to charge front-line workers for workplace protection. Premier Danielle Smith said the new policy aims to prevent wastage, citing $135 million spent on unused doses. The province will also cover shots for immunocompromised individuals, people on social programs, and seniors in congregate settings, while other Albertans may pay an estimated $110 per shot.
• The Edmonton Elks have signed American wide receiver OJ Hiliare. Hiliare, 24, joins the team after his release from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats following its 2025 CFL training camp.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Southwest Edmonton Farmers' Market starting at 4:30pm at Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre
• Edmonton Mural Fest - Mural Tour - 124 Street starting at 5pm at Cupcake Mural
• West Block Food Crawl 2 starting at 5pm at West Block Glenora
• Summer Garden Concert Series starting at 7pm at Anglican Parish of Christ Church

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Aug. 23: Pride Cup at ICE District
• Aug. 23: Augtoberfest at Heritage Park Pavilion
• Aug. 25: Student Founders: Launch Showcase at Edmonton Unlimited

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

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

The mini has a Fringe-y theme for the next little while in honour of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, which runs until Aug. 24. Enjoy!