- Members of CUPE Local 3550, which represents educational assistants, library technicians, and other support staff at Edmonton Public Schools, held a rally outside the Alberta legislature on Oct. 24, despite the province's move to delay a strike by appointing a disputes inquiry board. The school board said many CUPE Local 3550 members did not report to work, prompting it to make contingency plans and, in some cases, advise students to stay home. CUPE Alberta said the protest was against low wages and provincial interference in collective bargaining. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides accused the union of starting an "illegal job action."
- The provincial and federal governments agreed to sign a cost-sharing agreement to address encampments in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and Lethbridge, as discussions over details continue. The agreement comes a day after federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement the Alberta government did not formally respond to a funding offer, which Alberta Social Services Minister Jason Nixon disputed. The goal of the funding is to help communities create "encampment response plans" before winter, according to a letter Fraser sent to Nixon and shared with Postmedia.
- The Edmonton Humane Society has released a new online tool, called HELP (Helping Every Loved Pet), that aims to reduce the number of surrendered pets by connecting owners to resources including trainers, emergency boarding, and financial support. The organization says it had more than 2,000 requests last year to surrender pets and expects a similar number this year. Issues related to housing are behind about 25% of surrenders, and the number is growing, the organization said.
- Edmonton residents and businesses can donate gently used winter clothing and gear to the Coats for Kids & Families initiative from United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. The campaign has more than 40 drop-off locations across the city, including municipal facilities, which will accept donations through February.
- Remedy Cafe owner Sohail "Zee" Zaidi is selling all 11 locations and equipment for $7.6 million. Zaidi is retiring after 23 years running the business, according to a real estate listing.
- Lauren Hunter of SONiC 102.9, who makes headlines every year for her Halloween costumes, is dressing up as a massive magpie, which took nearly 100 hours to create. To raise awareness about urban biodiversity, Bird Friendly Edmonton is inviting residents to vote on Edmonton's City Bird, with the first round of voting set to close Dec. 31. "I feel like Edmonton is the underdog, and the magpie is an underdog, even though it is a bird," Hunter said.
- Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford has an uncertain future with the team as his contract is set to expire by year's end. Since Ford was drafted in 2022, he has become a fan favourite, was relegated to a backup role, got injured, and became a starter again this year after the Elks had no chance of making the playoffs. Veteran Elks receiver Eugene Lewis, the highest-paid non-quarterback in the CFL, also has an expiring contract coming up.
Headlines: Oct. 25, 2024
By Kevin Holowack