- Former federal cabinet minister and Edmonton city councillor Amarjeet Sohi is "seriously considering" a run for mayor, but hasn't made a decision yet, the Edmonton Journal reports. Sohi, who served as Ward 12 councillor for three terms starting in 2007, will continue to engage with residents and says he "has no timeline for an announcement either way."
- The City of Edmonton announced changes to its services, following the restrictions set by the provincial government on May 4. Outdoor fitness and recreation programming and field bookings are cancelled for at least three weeks, while the Edmonton Valley Zoo, city-operated golf courses and parks remain open to enjoy with members of a single household.
- Edmonton's city manager Andre Corbould said most residents continue to comply with public health measures, but that the city would "beef up enforcement" in areas that have received complaints, such as the river valley and Whyte Avenue.
- The Edmonton Police Service is adopting a new digital tool, called HealthIM, to improve the way officers respond to mental health emergencies. The app provides de-escalation techniques and a risk assessment screener, and allows communication with health facilities. EPS will be the first police force in Alberta to implement the system, which it plans to roll out to frontline officers by December.
- A wildfire west of Edmonton has forced the evacuation of Parkland County residents living in and around the rural community of Tomahawk. Fire crews battled the blaze overnight. The county had been under a fire ban since mid-April, but it was lifted on May 4.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reached out to Mayor Don Iveson on May 6 to offer support with vaccine administration, amid Alberta's third wave. The pair spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses and "the need for investments in supportive housing" to protect Edmonton's most vulnerable, Iveson tweeted.
- A new contract proposal for non-academic staff at the University of Alberta would reduce wages by 3% across the board, retroactively from March 31, the Edmonton Journal reports. The proposed wage cuts follow a decrease in provincial funding of around $170 million in the past two years.
