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Headlines: March 10, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • The Alberta government, the City of Edmonton, and the Oilers Entertainment Group are nearing an agreement to fund an event park beside Rogers Place, build 2,500 housing units, and demolish the aging Coliseum. Premier Danielle Smith expressed confidence in reaching a deal, emphasizing that revitalizing downtown Edmonton will enhance public safety, increase affordable housing, and create more recreational spaces. The province plans to contribute up to $183.4 million, while the city will provide $137.8 million and OEG Sports and Entertainment will invest $87 million. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi emphasized the importance of downtown development while OEG aims to attract year-round visitors. If finalized by August, funding will come through grants and the Edmonton Downtown Community Revitalization Levy.
  • In an opinion piece published in Postmedia, authors Jay Scherer and Andy Grabia urge Edmonton city council to reject a proposed deal that would provide public funding to billionaire Daryl Katz's OEG Sports and Entertainment for "catalyst projects," including $68.2 million for the Village at Ice District, as well as $250 million for an event park beside Rogers Place. The authors criticize the Alberta government for pressuring city council into using public money for private projects, arguing it's unfair to subsidize a billionaire when the province faces a $5.2-billion deficit and Edmonton has increased property taxes.
  • Some Edmonton public schools are rotating students between in-person and at-home learning due to the ongoing education support worker strike. The move follows a ministerial order prioritizing in-person learning for students with specialized needs. Thousands of support workers employed by Edmonton Public Schools, including educational assistants, have been on strike since January, advocating for better wages. Parents and education advocates criticized the rotating model, citing concerns over its impact on student learning and inadequate notice for families.
  • The City of Edmonton and CUPE Local 30 have reached a tentative agreement after months of negotiations. The union will now hold a ratification vote with its members. Details of the agreement will remain confidential until the process is complete.
  • Edmonton's housing market remains strong despite concerns that U.S. tariffs could increase construction costs and slow sales. Low inventory and high demand are driving multiple offers on homes, with affordability attracting buyers from across Canada, the REALTORS Association of Edmonton told CTV News. Experts warn that prolonged trade tensions could raise building costs and delay new projects, potentially increasing home prices by up to $10,000. However, lower interest rates may help offset some of these effects by keeping housing more affordable.
  • A ceremony at Edmonton city hall on March 7 celebrated the graduation of 50 new police officers and two police dogs from recruit training class 161. The class includes officers from Edmonton, Camrose, and Lakeshore, with some officers joining from international locations. The Edmonton Police Service aims to address staffing shortages and provide better community service by continuing to graduate large classes, with 150 officers expected to graduate in 2025.
  • The Edmonton Oilers announced that Evander Kane will not return for the rest of the 2024-25 regular season, instead remaining on long-term injured reserve. Kane had successful abdominal surgery in September and is currently recovering in Edmonton under the care of the Oilers medical team. Last season, the 33-year-old forward recorded 24 goals and 20 assists in 77 regular-season games, along with four goals and four assists in 20 playoff games.
  • Sound artist Nicolas Arnaez has created a sound experience at the Mill Woods stop on the Valley Line Southeast LRT line. Arnaez wanted the music to function as "furniture" in the space, CTV reported. "We are trying to build a city that is embracing sound art," Arnaez said. The Edmonton Arts Council commissioned the work, titled Sendero a lo Próximo (Path to the near).
  • Edmonton Screen has named Luke Azevedo as its new CEO, effective April 21. Azevedo, who was previously with Calgary Economic Development, helped spur the growth of Alberta's creative industries and played a key role in attracting HBO's The Last of Us to the province. In 2023, Edmonton's film, television, and video gaming industries drove $18.3 million in production volume and supported more than 1,500 full-time jobs.
  • Mark Carney won the Liberal Party leadership race in a landslide victory and will become Canada's next prime minister. Despite never holding elected office, he secured more than 85% of the vote, far ahead of Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould. Carney, a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, emphasized his outsider status and economic experience in his campaign. He takes office amid trade tensions with the U.S. and has vowed to keep Canadian tariffs in place "until the Americans show us respect."
  • Premier Danielle Smith confirmed last week that Alberta will proceed with its tariff response despite the U.S. temporarily pausing some tariffs. She criticized the uncertainty caused by shifting American trade policies, which have disrupted businesses and created administrative burdens. Alberta's countermeasures include halting the purchase of U.S. alcohol and VLT machines while prioritizing Canadian suppliers. Smith urged Canadians to support domestic businesses and called for reducing internal trade barriers to strengthen the national economy.
  • Premier Danielle Smith avoided questions about an RCMP investigation into Alberta Health Services after a press conference in Edmonton on March 7. The investigation focuses on allegations involving political interference in health contracts at the provincial health authority. Smith did not comment on the investigation and deflected to broader concerns about alternative service providers. The Premier's office referred further inquiries to the RCMP, saying that commenting on an ongoing investigation would be inappropriate.
  • The Enoch Cree First Nation has secured a $100-million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support a major development project in the community. The investment will fund essential infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems, roads, and utilities, as part of a 256-acre mixed-use development that will include retail, commercial, healthcare, and housing facilities.
  • As of April 1, the provincial government will transfer ownership of about 700 structures and 380 land titles, including hospitals and care centres, from Alberta Health Services to Alberta Infrastructure, and lease them back to health entities at no cost. Premier Danielle Smith has said this centralization, enabled by the Real Property Governance Act passed in 2024, will allow the province to choose operators and repurpose properties as needed. Alberta NDP critic Sarah Hoffman raised concerns about the potential privatization of health care due to the change.
  • Alberta's ruling United Conservative Party (UCP) removed Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair from its caucus after he publicly opposed the government's proposed budget. Sinclair criticized the budget's deficit and its focus on funding for major cities rather than addressing rural needs like infrastructure and healthcare.