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Headlines: Feb. 27, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides directed school divisions to make efforts to provide in-person learning to all students, or enable students to continue with the same program if they must switch to at-home learning. The order comes after a provincial court granted an injunction on a previous ministerial order allowing Edmonton Public Schools to keep some students with disabilities at home during the ongoing support worker strike. Meanwhile, thousands of striking education support workers plan to protest in front of the Alberta legislature on Feb. 27.
  • The Emily Murphy statue by the entrance to Emily Murphy Park was stolen, except for its shoes. The Edmonton Arts Council, which looks after public artwork in parks, learned on Feb. 25 that the statue and associated plaques were taken. It is now waiting on a police investigation before assessing the damage and considering refurbishment, said executive director Renee Williams. The statue of Murphy, a member of the Famous Five, was covered with red paint in 2021 amid criticism of her racist writings.
  • The Tyee reported that Jayan Nagendran, a UCP-appointed member of the Edmonton Police Commission, was co-director of a numbered company with Sam Mraiche, who is drawing scrutiny over his company's involvement in government procurement practices. Their shared company was created in March 2021 and dissolved in March 2024. Nagendran was appointed to the commission in May 2023.
  • Edmonton city council received an update on economic risks and mitigation strategies for U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Data from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce indicates Edmonton will have a "moderate" level of exposure to tariffs, with about 9.7% of the region's GDP attributed to exporting goods south of the border. Edmonton's 2024 Business Census revealed roughly 12% of the city's businesses export goods internationally, but how much goes to the U.S. is unclear. The American market accounts for 90% of Alberta's oil exports, meaning many businesses in the oil and gas supply chain will be affected, Postmedia reported.
  • Ryan Jacques, a former member of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, argued in an op-ed that the City of Edmonton's zoning bylaw renewal, implemented in 2024, levels the playing field for young families. The easing of zoning restrictions and promotion of "broad gentle density" gives more young Edmontonians a chance to live in "missing middle" housing in desirable neighbourhoods rather than force them into high rises or suburbs, which is "simply not a fair or sustainable approach," Jacques wrote. A group called Coalition for Better Infill is calling for residents to "start pushing back" against infill ahead of the October municipal election.
  • Edmonton Public Schools announced that superintendent Darrel Robertson will retire at the end of the school year after 30 years with the division, including 12 as superintendent. The board of trustees said it will hold a national search for his replacement.
  • The City of Edmonton released about $1.2 million in one-time grant funding as part of its Community Safety and Well-being Strategy. Recipients in the "early intervention/intervention" stream include Stop Hate AB and the United Cultures of Canada Association, while recipients in the "collaboration" stream include Alberta Alliance Who Educates and Advocates Responsibly and Rainbow Alliance For Youth in Edmonton.
  • Avison Young released its 2025 winter report on Edmonton's retail market, which highlights market growth driven by an expanding population, a decline in retail vacancies, and anticipated growth in grocery stores.
  • Archbishop Richard Smith, who has led the Archdiocese of Edmonton since 2007, was appointed by Pope Francis to be the next archbishop of Vancouver. His installation will likely take place in May, the Edmonton Archdiocese said.
  • Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, with zero goals and three assists in the last four games, is in one of the roughest stretches of his career, according to sports writer Robert Tychkowski. The team has also seen a 40% turnover in players since last June, amounting to a "pretty significant downgrade" and making it "not the same team at all" that went to the playoffs last year, Tychkowski wrote. The Oilers reacquired veteran defenceman Travis Dermott via waivers on Feb. 26.