- Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi appeared on CBC's Edmonton AM to provide his response to the 2025 Alberta budget. The budget restores grants in lieu of taxes for provincially owned properties, which the mayor had been asking for through a public campaign. "I'm glad that the province has listened to our persistent data-backed, evidence-based advocacy that we undertook on behalf of Edmontonians," Sohi said, adding the revenue will be used to lower property taxes in the city.
- Wayne Gretzky, once revered as Edmonton's hockey royalty, is now facing backlash from Canadian fans over his close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump. The controversy began after Trump suggested Gretzky was open to the idea of Canada becoming part of the United States. The backlash intensified when Gretzky, serving as honorary captain for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, appeared distant from the Canadian team while showing support for the U.S. players. A petition is circulating to rename Wayne Gretzky Drive in Edmonton, and fans have begun booing him at events. Gretzky has remained silent, but his wife, Janet Jones, has defended him against the criticism.
- Alberta's wildfire season officially began on March 1, after firefighters contained a 16.67-hectare fire west of Ghost Lake. Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen highlighted the province's three-pronged approach to the season: prevention, mitigation, and readiness. Mitigation projects are underway in areas including Hinton, Whitecourt, Slave Lake, and the Bow Valley near Canmore. The provincial budget allocates $160 million for wildfire personnel, equipment, and aircraft.
- A memo obtained by CTV News says Alberta Health Services is struggling to keep up with ambulance demand due to hospital backlogs, forcing EMS crews to work harder and rely on help from nearby communities. Paramedics and union leaders warn that burnout and short staffing are making things worse, with some crews working entire shifts without breaks. The provincial health authority says it's making progress, pointing to shorter hospital transfer and response times, but frontline workers say the system is still in crisis.
- Former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos had cautioned the Alberta government about the potential effect of chartered surgical facilities on the province's healthcare system prior to her dismissal, CBC reported. In a draft letter, Mentzelopoulos noted these facilities have higher pricing than AHS and other surgical providers, and that healthcare staff may choose to work in private facilities over the public system because they can offer higher incomes.
- As Ramadan begins, more halal restaurants, including some in Edmonton, are extending their hours to accommodate those observing the holy month, when Muslims abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. Some restaurants will stay open later, even until sunrise, serving halal food, including Middle Eastern, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine. Food blogger Imran Kayesh noted the tradition of unusual operating hours during Ramadan in countries with large Muslim populations.
- A McDonald's in south Edmonton temporarily rebranded as McDavid's to celebrate Connor McDavid's winning goal at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. "It's just about celebrating, it's a great Canadian moment," said franchise owner Chat Sangha.
- Edmonton lawyer Tom Engel is calling for a public inquiry into the conditions at the Edmonton Institution after two inmates died within three days. The Edmonton Police Service investigated both deaths and deemed them to be non-criminal. A 2022 report described the maximum-security federal prison as overpopulated and understaffed, with no programs or meaningful work opportunities for inmates.
- The University of Alberta Golden Bears wrestling team secured their fifth national championship by narrowly defeating the Brock Badgers at the 2025 U SPORTS/Wrestling Canada National Championship. The team won seven individual medals, including three golds. The victory marks the first championship for the Golden Bears and Pandas in the 2024/25 season. Meanwhile, the Pandas finished fourth overall, earning three individual medals, as the Brock Badgers claimed their second consecutive women's title.
- The University of Alberta Pandas tennis team won its 14th consecutive Western title and a spot in the 2025 U SPORTS Championship after defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 6-1. Key performances included doubles and singles wins from Emma Rutherford and Alexandra Jewitt, along with dominant singles victories from Emily Granson, Marena Diaz Nakagawa, and Klara Merrick.
Headlines: March 3, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim