- Firefighter Aid Ukraine, an Edmonton-based organization that has sent firefighting equipment to Ukraine for years, found itself in the middle of an online misinformation campaign after a photo of a Ukrainian firefighter with "Edmonton" emblazoned on the back appeared on CNN. "A simple Google search shows that Edmonton firefighters have donated suits to Ukrainian colleagues for years," tweeted CNN reporter Daniel Dale, addressing claims that the photo suggested explosions were staged. "Lviv was one of the very first communities we supported, and they've received some support continuously," Kevin Royle, founder of the project and a serving Edmonton firefighter, told CTV News.
- The Edmonton International Airport said passenger traffic in January and February was up 220% compared to the same period in 2021. The airport recorded nearly 2.8 million passengers in 2021, compared to 2.6 million in 2020 and 8.15 million in 2019. "The recovery has started and I see a positive year ahead," said president and CEO Tom Ruth.
- The Edmonton Heritage Festival is still without a suitable location for the next three years when Hawrelak Park is closed for rehabilitation. City council approved the project's environmental impact assessment last week. "Next year is our 50th year. We can't not have a 50th festival," said executive director Jim Gibbon. Coun. Michael Janz has suggested the city negotiate a deal with the Royal Mayfair Golf Club to use some of its 150 acres of land. "When you think the Mayfair Golf Course only has 350 members and that's not a representation of Edmontonians, I think it doesn't align with the best use goals that we have for the ribbon of green and for the river valley," he said.
- A survey regarding a Vision Zero Street Lab for Victoria Promenade is being criticized for putting forward "unacceptable options" for the project's design. "This council won a strong mandate on a bike-friendly city," tweeted Conrad Nobert. "And admin proposes a bike lane in a popular location that is clearly dangerous." Daniel Morin, civics director for the Oliver Community League, said the league was approached for input and "emphasized the importance of protected lanes for this temporary street lab" but wasn't involved in drafting the options presented in the survey.
- The Edmonton Oilers and several associated companies are suing four insurance companies for $174 million alleging "massive business losses" over a two-year period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs argue that COVID-19 physically altered the interior air and surfaces of Rogers Place and should therefore be covered by the all risks policy they purchased.
- Mayor Amarjeet Sohi announced on Saturday that the City of Edmonton will commission a COVID-19 memorial. "The pandemic is still ongoing, and although we cannot control it, we can control how we move forward," he tweeted. "The grounding nature of public art will memorialize this difficult and trying chapter of our story." The memorial will be commissioned by the Edmonton Arts Council and is expected to be unveiled this summer.
