- The federal government has announced $24 million through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to build the Heritage Flats housing project in southwest Edmonton. Slated for completion this fall, the project will create 102 homes for Enoch Cree Nation members. The city is contributing a capital grant of nearly $5.6 million.
- Housing starts in Edmonton declined 16% year-over-year in February, according to new data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The seasonally adjusted decrease from January to February was smaller at just 10%. Home sales were up in Edmonton last month, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.
- According to the latest rent report from Rentals.ca, Edmonton is among the most affordable cities in Canada, with average rent for a one-bedroom of $1,038 compared to the national average of $1,473.
- About 300 people filled out a Postmedia survey on affordability in Edmonton with utility bills emerging as the most common major cost pressure cited, followed closely by food. "Participants also shared details of their lives, helping to put a compelling human face to the issue of affordability," wrote Keith Gerein.
- "Once known as The Gateway to the North, Edmonton is a place people like to leave — or, at the very least, pass through on their way to somewhere else. Many of the photos I take reflect that, the motels, gas stations, drive-thru restaurants," wrote local photographer Shawna Lemay in her recent piece for CBC's The Henday Project, an initiative to explore Edmonton's suburbs through first-person stories.
- The provincial government is investing $25 million in operating funding and $47 million in capital funding over the next three years to support charter schools. "Public charter schools play an important role in Alberta's education system by offering unique programming to students," said Adriana LaGrange, minister of education. Edmonton Public Schools board chair Trisha Estabrooks was among the many disappointed by the funding. "I think it's an experiment, quite frankly, that's run its course," she said. "I would like to see the end of publicly funded charter schools."
- According to a new Angus Reid Institute survey, Albertans are the least likely in Canada to support continued health measures such as indoor masking, vaccine passports, or mandatory COVID-19 testing.
- Brian Jean, former leader of the Wildrose Party, has won the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection.
