Taproot Edmonton Logo

Headlines: Jan. 27, 2025

· The Pulse
By
Comments
  • Some residents of the Wedgewood Heights neighbourhood are upset over a City of Edmonton plan to use a surplus school site in a park for affordable housing. Opponents of the plan argue there hasn't been enough community consultation, while the City emphasized the project's urgency because of provincial and federal funding opportunities and the need for affordable housing. City council is set to vote on the issue next month.
  • New owners of the historic Army & Navy building on Whyte Avenue plan to transform it into a social and retail hub. The renovation will create multiple units while maintaining historical features. "We want to try to create something in the community that helps bring people together," said Kevin Petterson with Leder Investments, which now owns the building.
  • Edmonton's Chinatown celebrated Lunar New Year with a lively parade featuring traditional lion and dragon dancers. Community members and business owners expressed hopes that the Year of the Snake will bring increased safety, security, and economic revitalization to the neighbourhood. "When we have more safety and security to the area more people will come to Chinatown and that will help businesses a lot," said Lan Chan with the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society.
  • The Ice Climbing World Cup is set to return to Edmonton's river valley on Feb. 27, featuring lead and speed climbing events on a 21-metre ice wall. The competition highlights the sport's growth in popularity, supported by a Canadian team formalized under the Alpine Club of Canada.
  • Edmonton's population growth is expected to slow in 2025 because of reduced federal immigration targets, but the city's employment is expected to rise by 2.1%, or about 18,000 jobs, according to a new report from the Conference Board of Canada. Potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods could also pose economic challenges for Alberta, particularly in the energy sector, the report says.
  • Edmonton's 2025 commercial real estate market is expected to experience increased demand for rental units, higher-quality office buildings, and growth in the industrial sector, according to a new report from CBRE. While Edmonton's market remains more affordable than other major Canadian markets, high construction costs and potential tax issues may affect affordability and rental rates in the future, the report says.
  • Country singer Morgan Wallen is set to perform at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 12 and 13, with opening acts Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, and Ella Langley. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 31 via Ticketmaster. Edmonton is one of only two Canadian cities included in the singer's tour.
  • Three people were seen displaying signs with anti-immigration messages in St. Albert over the weekend. "This is not the St. Albert that I know and love," Mayor Cathy Heron said on Facebook. The individuals left the area after being cautioned by police that they were creating a disturbance for drivers.
  • Union leaders say nearly 900 education support workers represented by CUPE Local 5543 and CUPE Local 3484 could join the more than 4,000 workers already on strike after failing to reach agreements with their respective school divisions. Low wages remain the primary issue, with workers citing financial strain due to rising living costs.
  • Despite a $1-billion investment in the Alberta SuperNet over the past 25 years, the province ranks last in Canada for rural broadband availability, with only about 40% of rural homes having access to high-speed internet. The slow progress has prompted some areas, such as Red Deer County, to develop their own broadband solutions.
  • The Edmonton Oilers have climbed to first in the Pacific Division and third overall in the NHL after narrowly defeating the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 25. The team has now won 10 of their last 13 games.
  • Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on her weekly radio show that Canada needs to address trade barriers and improve interprovincial commerce to reduce reliance on the U.S. as President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs. Smith also defended her diplomatic efforts with the Trump administration because of Alberta's trade relationship with the U.S., noting that the province has had an office in Washington since 2005.