- More than 3,000 public school education support workers in Edmonton and nearby communities went on strike beginning the morning of Jan. 13 to demand livable wages from Edmonton Public Schools and Sturgeon Public School Division. The workers, including educational assistants and cafeteria staff, are represented by CUPE Local 3550 and CUPE Local 4625. The union is being offered a 2.75% wage increase, retroactive to 2020, which it argues is insufficient for workers, who earn an average of $34,500 annually. Schools remain open during the strike, but services may be affected.
- The City of Edmonton sent more than 430,000 property assessment notices last week. The assessments determine each property's 2025 taxes, which help fund municipal services. Property taxes are set to increase by 6.1% in 2025. The City encourages residents to review their assessment details for accuracy and compare them with similar properties using tools available online.
- EPCOR and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services are warning residents about the dangers of skating or walking on frozen stormwater ponds. The ponds are unsafe because of constantly moving water and melting solutions that weaken the ice. Firefighters respond to about a dozen calls for rescue on the ponds annually.
- The Alberta government sent two fully equipped wildfire crews, consisting of 40 wildland firefighters and two agency representatives, to help battle the devastating California wildfires. California sent assistance to Alberta during the province's record-breaking wildfire season in 2023. The province said it is prepared to provide additional resources, including water bombers and night vision helicopters, if needed.
- The number of sexual assault and exploitation trials in Alberta has significantly increased since 2017, with these cases now making up a larger portion of court dockets, CBC News reported. The increase is attributed to a decrease in stigma, greater recognition of the seriousness of sexual violence, and movements like #MeToo, prompting more survivors to report incidents. While police and support organizations have improved their handling of these cases, challenges such as long waiting lists for services remain.
- Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley has joined the law firm Southern Butler Price, returning to her career as a labour lawyer after resigning as an MLA in 2024. The firm, which specializes in workplace-related services, praised Notley's experience in leadership and governance. "I can't wait to bring my experience to this exciting new chapter," Notley said in a statement.
- Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman has purchased the Ontario Hockey League's Brantford Bulldogs. Hyman will take over operations on Jan. 16 after buying the team from Michael Andlauer. It has been an eventful week for Hyman, who also landed an endorsement deal with Oreo as part of its "Stay Playful" campaign to promote hockey accessibility for kids across Canada.
Headlines: Jan. 14, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim