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Headlines: March 26, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • The City of Edmonton plans to conduct a prescribed burn on March 26 in a section of the river valley park. The burn aims to reduce the risk of wildfires and promote ecological diversity. City officials will monitor the burn to ensure safety and control.
  • Environment Canada issued a special weather statement forecasting heavy, wet snow for much of Alberta, including the Edmonton area, beginning on March 26. “Expect winter travel conditions from Wednesday overnight to Friday across central Alberta,” the weather agency said. South of Edmonton, rain mixed with freezing rain is possible before turning to snow by the afternoon of March 27.
  • Former Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and Kim Krushell, a former city councillor, shared their thoughts on Amarjeet Sohi’s decision to take a leave of absence to run as a Liberal candidate in the upcoming federal election. Mandel expressed concerns about Sohi stepping down, while Krushell noted Sohi’s continued commitment to Edmonton. Sohi, whose mayoral term extends until the fall municipal elections, is optimistic about the Liberal Party’s chances in Edmonton and is promising to advocate for federal investment in the city’s hydrogen and AI industries if elected. City council has unanimously approved Sohi’s leave and Coun. Andrew Knack is now considering running for mayor.
  • The City of Edmonton is taking over management of the parking lot at 83 Avenue and Gateway Boulevard near the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market starting April 6, ending the free two-hour parking on Saturdays. The City plans to implement paid parking at a rate of $2.50 per hour, payable via app or online, as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy. Micaela Szpigiel of the farmers’ market said the new fees could discourage visitors. Kendra Connor, executive director of the Varscona Theatre, noted concerns about accessibility for older and disabled patrons. The City will first issue warning letters before ticketing begins on April 12.
  • Edmonton city council is debating the use of Community Revitalization Levy funds for projects like a proposed event park in partnership with OEG. The levy allows the City to use tax revenue from new development to fund projects, but some councillors, including Coun. Michael Janz and Coun. Erin Rutherford, raised concerns about using public funds for private projects. The province, the City, and OEG announced on March 7 an agreement for the $250 million event park beside Rogers Place and more than 2,500 new attainable housing units north of ICE District. A public hearing is expected in June.
  • University of Alberta students have proposed a plan to build Edmonton’s first intensive care unit for the unhoused population. Student Advocates for Public Health aims to create a welcoming health care facility to address the fact that 77% of Edmonton’s unhoused population use emergency services. The group believes this new facility, as an expansion of a hospital or existing building, will reduce the strain on emergency rooms like the Royal Alexandra Hospital and save resources by providing tailored care plans. The students are seeking funding from Ottawa to further develop the program.
  • West Edmonton Mall will host Hoop City 3X3 this summer, from July 31 to Aug. 5. It is the seventh time the event has been in Edmonton since 2012.
  • WestJet will suspend two routes out of Alberta, including the Edmonton to Orlando flight, effective April 28. The airline is also suspending its Calgary to Nashville route, citing fleet challenges due to ongoing issues with Boeing. WestJet says it will contact impacted passengers and offer a full refund, alternative travel options, or WestJet dollars.
  • The Edmonton Oilers will celebrate Pride on Wednesday with an online auction of limited-edition Pride jerseys autographed by Oilers players. The jerseys feature six colours to represent the diversity of the Pride community. The Oilers 50/50 draw will support the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity at MacEwan University. The Pride Cup will be held in ICE District Plaza in August.
  • Alberta New Democrat MLA Rod Loyola is resigning his Edmonton-Ellerslie seat, effective March 25, triggering the third provincial byelection since the 2023 provincial vote. Loyola, first elected in 2015, has not yet commented on his future plans. The resignation follows Rachel Notley’s departure in December, and a pending byelection for Naheed Nenshi in Edmonton-Strathcona. Rob Miyashiro won the Lethbridge-West riding in a previous byelection.
  • Rakhi Pancholi, NDP MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud, apologized in the legislative assembly on March 24 for using profanity towards Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon after Nixon heckled NDP MLA Sharif Haji. Speaker Nathan Cooper addressed the incident, as well as more widespread issues of decorum in the legislature, and said he would call a meeting on April 15 to discuss a member code of conduct. Nixon said he accepted the apology.