The Pulse
Oct. 5, 2026

This week, councillors will hear about the results of a waste characterization study, vote on a recommended process for the four-year budget deliberations, and consider changes to the city manager's authority.

There is a utility committee meeting on Oct. 5 and a council meeting on Oct. 6, with a continuation scheduled for Oct. 7.

Here are some key items on the agenda this week:

• A waste characterization study suggests that apartment and condo residents are adapting more slowly than expected to sorting food scraps into green bins, says a report to be presented to utility committee. The study, conducted between April 2025 and April 2026, found that only 37% of waste was properly sorted at apartment and condo buildings. The city started rolling out food scraps and recycling collection to condos and apartment buildings in 2023. The study also looked at items that are regulated by the city's single-use item bylaw. It found a 30% reduction in the disposal of the regulated items, surpassing the goal of a 20% reduction by 2027. Retail bags and foam takeout containers saw an especially large decrease. However, disposal of items that are not regulated by the bylaw generally increased.
• The proposed four-year capital, operating, and climate budgets will be released on Nov. 2, says a report to be presented to council, which includes a schedule and process for deliberations. On Nov. 23, administration will present the budgets, and councillors will be able to ask one round of questions on each of the capital and operating budgets. A public hearing will run from Nov. 24 to as late as Dec. 18, if required. Once council has heard from speakers, it will debate amendments to the capital budget and then debate the operating budget, in descending order of magnitude. Council will also hear presentations from city-funded organizations and civic agencies.
• Administration has proposed amending the city administration bylaw to give the city manager the authority to refuse a councillor's request for information if it would require significant city resources or input from multiple departments to prepare, if the information is not readily available, if it includes unbudgeted expenditures, or if it would unreasonably interfere with the normal operations of the city. The change reflects amendments to the Municipal Government Act made through Bill 28, says a report to be presented to council. Administration also proposes increasing the city manager's delegated authority for approving affordable housing agreements from $1 million to $5 million. The report said this change would reduce red tape and decrease approval timelines. These and other changes will be debated by council on Oct. 6.

• Edmonton city council's executive committee is passed a motion to enter into a four-year partnership that would make the premium version of the Transit trip-planning app free for Edmonton users. Transit Royale, which currently costs $5 a month or $25 a year, offers features including advance trip planning, real-time vehicle locations and additional route options. The partnership would cost about $540,000 annually through the Edmonton Transit Service budget. Edmonton Transit Riders chair Emily Stremel said removing the subscription cost would also reduce a barrier to transit accessibility. The proposal must still be considered by city council.
• Edmonton city council's executive committee received an update about the city's 311 service, including upgrades such as expanded digital infrastructure, AI tools to direct inquiries and the ability to upload multiple photos through the app. The City completed five recommendations from a 2023 audit and is working to prevent a repeat of last winter's service disruption, when heavy snowfall generated enough calls to overwhelm 311. More than 900,000 calls were received in 2025, with 98.7% resolved on the first call.
• A weapons complaint prompted a lockdown at Ross Sheppard High School on Oct. 2. Tactical officers searched the school for about two hours before finding an imitation firearm; no one was injured and no arrests had been made.
• Trans rights advocate Marni Panas is seeking judicial review of an Alberta Human Rights Tribunal decision that dismissed her complaint over a discriminatory 2019 911 call. The tribunal found Panas was discriminated against after an operator repeatedly misgendered her and made assumptions about her transgender friend, but ruled the Edmonton Police Service had since taken sufficient steps to prevent similar incidents. Panas's lawyer argued those measures should have been considered when determining a remedy, rather than grounds for dismissing the complaint. A Court of King's Bench judge has reserved a decision.
• An Edmonton woman says an Edmonton Police Service officer used unnecessary force during an August encounter in a Fort Road parking lot, allegedly throwing her to the ground and striking her face against the pavement. Fabyan Deschamps says she suffered facial and back injuries and continues to experience headaches, memory problems and anxiety. Her complaint has been referred to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team for consideration of a criminal investigation. The police service said it was preparing a response to the allegations.
• Hundreds gathered at Churchill Square to protest Edmonton's zoning bylaw and infill development, and the demonstration became heated, CBC reported.
• A Globe and Mail investigation found that Alberta separatist leaders offered U.S. officials possible access to fresh water and oil royalties in exchange for help transitioning to independence. It also found Republican operatives provided tactical campaign assistance in Alberta. In an opinion column, Globe editor Tyler Dawson argued the findings showed the risk of an independent Alberta becoming dependent on the United States.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Wills & Estates 101 starting at 10am online
• Post-Secondary Startup Showcase starting at 11am at Enterprise Square
• Wills & Estates 101 starting at 1:30pm at Central Lions Seniors Association
• Startup & Investor Speed Dinner starting at 6pm at Enterprise Square
• From Idea to Impact starting at 6pm at Grand Villa Casino
• Messed Up Mondays featuring Michelle Hordal starting at 6pm at Brighton Block
• Wills & Estates 101 starting at 6:30pm at Odd Company Brewing (Ritchie)
• Friends of St. Albert Public Library Meeting starting at 7pm at St. Albert Public Library (Downtown)

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Oct. 19: Green Drinks at The Buckingham Pub
• Oct. 22: Resource Connect 2026 at Edmonton Convention Centre
• Oct. 25: Indie Town Hall: GDX 2026 Conference Edition at Boa and Hare

Visit 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.

Need a hint for 6-Across? Here you go.