- A citywide parking ban took effect on Feb. 2 in Edmonton for crews to clear snow from major roads. The ban prohibits parking on arterial roads, collector roads, bus routes, and roads within business improvement areas, and is expected to last five days.
- Edmonton city councillors Aaron Paquette and Ashley Salvador voiced support for increased police presence on public transit in response to concerns about safety and drug use, but noted that deployment decisions rest with police leadership. A spokesperson for the Edmonton Police Service said that transit-related calls are increasing, but that crime severity in LRT stations and transit centres fell 6% between 2023 and 2024.
- Some Edmonton homeowners are questioning major increases in their property assessments, which will mean higher property taxes. The median assessed value of a single detached home in 2025 is $465,500, an increase of more than $35,000 from last year's $428,500. While the City of Edmonton warned assessments would increase because of rising home values, realtors noted that the assessed values don't always align with market values.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, including a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products. In a statement posted online, Smith said she will collaborate with the federal government and other provinces on a "proportionate response" while continuing diplomatic efforts in the U.S. to advocate for the tariffs' removal. Edmonton businesses and government officials are exploring how to mitigate the effect of the tariffs, which Edmonton Global CEO Malcolm Bruce called a "significant shock to Canada's ability to conduct economic activities."
- CUPE 3550, which represents education support workers at Edmonton Public Schools, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the school board, accusing it of unfair labour practices. The union represents educational assistants, therapists, and other support staff who have been on strike since Jan. 13.
- Edmonton recorded 441 opioid-related deaths from January to October 2024, surpassing the city's total for all of 2020. While opioid-related deaths have been trending downward across Alberta, Edmonton numbers are the highest in the province and nearly double those of Calgary.
- Canadian Blood Services is moving its main blood donation clinic in Edmonton from the University of Alberta campus to a new location at Whitemud Crossing on the south side. The agency said the new clinic will open in April and offer improved accessibility and parking for donors.
- Some Alberta parents are facing significant increases in their daycare bills when the province replaces its existing child-care subsidy program with a $15-a-day flat rate on April 1. The change means some families will pay hundreds of dollars more per month.
- The Weeknd will perform at Commonwealth Stadium on July 19 as part of his After Hours Til Dawn tour, the City of Edmonton announced. Tickets go on sale Feb. 7 through Ticketmaster.
- Bird watchers in the Edmonton area are excited about an influx of rare owl species, including great grey owls, northern hawk owls, and boreal owls. Experts attribute the sightings to cyclical changes in the birds' food supply. "This year has definitely been the year of the owl," said Dale Gienow with Wild North.
- A profile in The Globe and Mail discusses how Cree wrestler Sage Morin is using the sport to overcome personal tragedy and find healing. Morin, who competes under the name "The Matriarch," is a rising star in the Canadian independent wrestling scene. "It feels important when they see this Indigenous woman come out, and I'm not a villain and I'm not a victim. I'm victorious," Morin said.
- The University of Alberta published a tribute to Peter Meekison, a political science scholar and former Alberta deputy minister who played a key role in shaping the Canadian constitution, including the amending formula. Meekison, who died on Jan. 20 at age 88, was remembered as a "giant of Prairie politics" and a mentor to generations of students.
- Edmonton Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson took first place in the hardest shot competition at the team's annual skills competition. His shot came in at 107.6 mph.
Headlines: Feb. 3, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim