- The City of Edmonton will permanently launch its Clean Energy Improvement Program to help property owners make energy-efficient and renewable energy upgrades. Property owners can access the program through an online portal beginning Oct. 17. The program allows residential and commercial property owners to access long-term financing for upgrades such as solar installations and insulation improvements, which would be repayable through property taxes. With an initial funding of $20 million, the program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance Edmonton's sustainability efforts in support of its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is suing three Alberta residents for defamation, alleging they spread false claims to damage his reputation. A statement of claim filed in an Edmonton court on Oct. 11 centres on accusations that Sohi engaged in corruption during his time as a federal minister and improperly benefited from an infrastructure project. The defendants allegedly shared these accusations through videos and interviews, which Sohi says have led to death threats and vandalism at his home. CBC News spoke to two defendants named in the lawsuit, who stood by their statements. None of the allegations against them have been proven in court.
- The City of Edmonton is tackling the issue of aggressive urban coyotes by shooting them with non-lethal plastic bullets, which park rangers have used about 40 times since late 2023. The bullets cause temporary pain to make coyotes fear humans after less aggressive methods failed. University of Alberta professor Colleen Cassady St. Clair called the tactic a humane way to manage wildlife. As coyote sightings increase, the City is urging residents to stop feeding the animals to reduce encounters.
- Edmonton's surrounding communities are benefiting from the city's infrastructure without contributing enough financially, according to a report going to city council's executive committee on Oct. 16. The report cites a "free-rider problem," as an area of concern, with nearly a third of daily drivers in Edmonton coming from outside municipalities. St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron argued that regional cooperation benefits both sides, pointing to shared recreation facilities, while Edmonton Coun. Michael Janz suggested that increased provincial support could alleviate the financial burden.
- The Alberta government shut down Waverley Daycare in Edmonton due to health and safety violations, marking the second daycare to be closed in the city in recent days. The facility, which had been operating under a probationary licence, was found to have ongoing non-compliance issues, including improper medication storage and unsafe childcare practices. Inspections revealed additional concerns including unsanitary conditions and inadequate supervision. The closure affects 54 children and their families.
- Volunteers with Homeward Trust conducted their 24-hour homeless count beginning Oct. 10 to create a snapshot of those experiencing homelessness in the city. Volunteers visited people across neighbourhoods and encampments, asking about their housing situations and offering gift cards and support tools. The count, held biannually since 1999, will now occur annually to provide updated data for agencies addressing homelessness.
- Edmonton's Chinatown will receive nearly $1 million over the next two years to enhance its appeal and attract more visitors. The Chinatown Vibrancy Fund, established earlier this year, has already supported festivals, art, and food events that have boosted foot traffic. The efforts have helped, said Sandy Pon of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative, but the group is lobbying for more funding for things like more lighting, decorative elements, trees, and improved building facades.
- Edmonton resident Melissa Costigan has filed a complaint after she said officers from the Edmonton Police Service forcibly entered her home on Aug. 28 while searching for a suspect based on an erroneous description. Costigan told the media project The Progress Report that her door was smashed during the incident, which left her and her tenants "traumatized and victimized." She is seeking compensation for damages, estimated at nearly $3,800.
- The City of Edmonton is reviewing a proposal from Scandinave Group Inc. to build a Nordic spa in the Brander Gardens neighbourhood. The spa would be located on land once owned by philanthropist Sandy Mactaggart, which the University of Alberta has put up for sale. The City is gathering feedback on a rezoning application until Oct. 17. If given the green light, the proposal would need to go to a public hearing and city council for final approval.
- Hope Mission hosted its annual Thanksgiving dinner in Edmonton on Oct. 11, providing a holiday meal to more than 500 people. The event, supported by volunteers, aims to create a sense of community and belonging, with meals served at tables to foster a family-like atmosphere. "It helps to not feel alone during a time that is to be festive for everyone else," said Adeoluwa Adeoye with Hope Mission.
- The University of Alberta has been recognized in the top 6% of universities globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which evaluated nearly 2,100 institutions. The university is now tied for fourth place among Canadian universities, though its overall rank fell from 109th last year to 116th this year.
- The Edmonton Oilers are struggling at the start of their season after three straight losses and being outscored 15-3. Despite last season's success, when the team recovered from a dismal opening to reach the Stanley Cup final, head coach Kris Knoblauch and players describe their current dynamic as disconnected, with poor puck control and a lack of desperation. However, Connor McDavid expressed confidence the team can turn the season around. "Losing three in a row off the bat is not ideal, but it's nothing we can't work our way out of," he said.
Headlines: Oct. 15, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim