- Edmonton city council members received a 3.07% salary increase for 2025, with the mayor's pay rising to $223,234 and councillors' to $126,119. Council's pay automatically increases or decreases based on the Alberta weekly earnings index. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he will donate the difference between his salary and that of Calgary's mayor back to the municipality. Coun. Andrew Knack defended the independent process for determining salaries, warning against politicizing the issue, while Coun. Erin Rutherford highlighted the importance of adequate pay to attract diverse candidates.
- EPCOR has removed a $200 installation fee for customers who opt out of using new water meter reading devices linked to an Israeli company after pressure from advocates supporting the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. The campaign has raised concerns over the meters' ties to the Arad Group, which has been criticized for its connections to water exploitation in the West Bank and Gaza. A spokesperson for EPCOR said about 300 customers have opted out of using the meters "for various reasons."
- Beb's Bagels in Edmonton typically focuses on local deliveries, but co-owner Lindon Carter recently made a special 2,348.8 km trip to Las Vegas to deliver Montreal-style bagels to a customer longing for a taste of home. Steve Lake, originally from Montreal and now residing in Las Vegas, had been craving the classic sweet, chewy bagels he grew up with. "We saw the passion Steve had for a good bagel and we really wanted to get them to him," said Carter, who happened to be travelling to Las Vegas a few days after Lake's request.
- A water main break at the intersection of 109 Street and 111 Avenue in central Edmonton the morning of Jan. 14 prompted EPCOR and city police to advise drivers to avoid the area as crews worked to clear the water. The break was attributed to temperature fluctuations causing ground movement. Crews drained most of the pooled water by around 12pm.
- The Alberta Human Rights Tribunal has dismissed a complaint by Edmonton trans rights advocate Marni Panas. The tribunal acknowledged that Panas faced discrimination when she was misgendered by 911 operators during a 2019 call, but found that the Edmonton Police Service has since taken sufficient steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. While the tribunal found that training and inclusive language guides introduced by the police service were adequate, Panas expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the changes.
- MacEwan University has appointed The Little Potato Company co-founder and CEO Angela Santiago as its 38th Allard Chair in Business. During her year-long tenure, Santiago will engage with students and faculty through lectures and events to share her expertise in agriculture, innovation, and sustainability. The university will officially celebrate her appointment at an event in February.
- Jens Lindemann, a Canadian trumpeter and Edmonton native, lost his family home in the Pacific Palisades wildfires but said he is finding solace in preparing for an upcoming concert in South Carolina. Despite the devastation, Lindemann saved some personal items, including trumpets and his Order of Canada pin. Other Canadian artists in Los Angeles, including guitarist Brian Hughes, have also been displaced by the deadly fires.
- Municipalities in the Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Board (EMRB) are beginning to vote on whether to stay in the organization after the Alberta government cut its funding and made membership voluntary. Morinville councillors were expected to discuss the issue on Jan. 14, while St. Albert is expected to vote on Jan. 21. Mayors emphasize the importance of regional collaboration but note challenges like differing priorities and economic pressures.
- The Alberta government is beginning its preparations for the 2025 wildfire season, with efforts happening in communities near forested areas across the province. Communities in the Bow Valley, including Canmore, are enhancing their wildfire preparedness with the construction of a new fireguard, supported by $750,000 in provincial funding. Alberta's Community Fireguard Program aims to reduce wildfire risk through forest thinning and mechanical tree removal, with the first phase of work expected to be completed this spring.
- Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada, is expected to launch his federal Liberal Party leadership campaign in Edmonton on Jan. 16, CTV News reported, citing unnamed sources. The news comes after Justin Trudeau announced he will step down as prime minister and party leader once a successor is chosen. In an appearance on The Daily Show on Jan. 13, Carney hinted at his interest in becoming party leader while addressing Canada's economic challenges and emphasizing the need for focused leadership.
- New Edmonton Elks head coach Mark Kilam has seamlessly transitioned to his new role after spending 20 years with the Calgary Stampeders. The Elks, under new ownership by Larry Thompson and management by Chris Morris and Ed Hervey, are aiming for a fresh start after a challenging season. Kilam is optimistic about the team's future and is focused on building a winning culture in Edmonton.
Headlines: Jan. 15, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim