- The City of Edmonton, along with municipalities across Alberta, is adopting the province’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework, which shifts costs for managing recyclable material and hazardous household waste from local governments to producers. Starting April 1, three Producer Responsibility Organizations will make decisions about service changes in Edmonton, which may include adjustments to residential recycling collection, drop-off facilities, and outreach programs. The framework has allowed the City to lower residents’ waste utility rates by 10.7% starting in January.
- High domestic airfares make it harder for Edmonton to attract domestic tourists, as flying within Canada is often more expensive than flying to the U.S. or Mexico, Postmedia reported. Adrian Warchola with the Edmonton International Airport said its fees are on par with other Canadian airports, but prices are set by airlines. While the airport reached 97% of pre-pandemic passenger levels in 2024, domestic growth has been “steady” rather than increasing, said Warchola. About 50% of tourists visiting Edmonton come from Alberta.
- An Alberta judge is calling for a public inquiry into the death of an Edmonton Institution inmate who was stabbed and killed in 2011. At the time, police were investigating guards’ involvement in a reported “prison fight club” and recommended charges against three guards in connection to the death, but the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service declined to lay charges.
- The Calgary Journal, a news outlet produced by students in Mount Royal University’s journalism program, published a piece fact-checking the claim by the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service that it can’t win a case against Const. Ben Todd, the Edmonton Police Service officer who badly injured Pacey Dumas in 2022. Earlier this month, the Crown once again declined to prosecute Todd even though the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team recommended charges.
- In recent months, the Alberta Court of Appeal has ordered the release of two people who were detained in Edmonton psychiatric hospitals despite not having a mental illness. In October, the court released Chando Jackson, whose 2012 crime was determined to be substance-induced. This month, the court released Brandon Ross after a psychiatrist suggested his 2012 crime was linked to personality disorders and problematic marijuana use. Ross’s lawyer said the cases illustrate that “once people are in the system — rightly or wrongly — it is very difficult to get them out.”
- Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein wrote in an op-ed that Edmonton’s municipal election is set for a “big shakeup” after Amarjeet Sohi’s decision to run for the federal Liberals and forego another municipal election bid. While Coun. Andrew Knack is currently the likeliest candidate to compete against Coun. Tim Cartmell for the mayor’s seat, he will need to decide whether to “lean into” to being seen as Sohi’s successor or divert from the “status quo,” Gerein wrote.
- Postmedia spoke to poll analyst Philippe J. Fournier about how Edmonton voters are trending before the federal election. Fournier said the updated electoral map is “good for the Conservatives,” but Liberals are forecast to gain about 10 points in Alberta, mostly in Edmonton and Calgary.
- In its Municipal Benchmarking 2024 Study, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association has ranked Edmonton as the most builder-friendly city in Canada for the second straight year. Edmonton ranked sixth for planning features, fourth for approval time, second for high-rise fees, and sixth for low-rise government fees.
- The Leduc, Niksu and Wetaskiwin Regions Chamber of Commerce held an event March 21 for businesses, officials, and analysts to discuss how U.S. tariffs will affect the local economy. Jeff Bell with Edmonton Global said not all sectors will be affected equally. Dairy and forestry sectors are especially concerned, while sectors like tourism could benefit from more Canadian travellers, said Bell. Experts disagree about how Alberta will be affected by tariffs, considering oil and gas tariffs are at 10% instead of 25%.
- Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Connor McDavid will be off the ice longer than anticipated as he recovers from a March 16 lower-body injury, although Leon Draisaitl may return for the team’s four-game road trip starting March 31. Meanwhile, Trent Frederic remains in rehab and could return for the final week of the regular season, and Evander Kane is not expected back until post-season.
- Edmonton soccer star Alphonso Davies has been sidelined “for a lengthy period” following a knee surgery sustained during a game between Canada and the United States for the Concacaf Nations League. Davies’ agent issued a statement saying he was pressured by Canada Soccer to play the game. The news comes 15 months before Canada, the United States, and Mexico are set to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
- The Alberta government said it plans to reduce Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped payments by $200 for people who qualify for the federal government’s Canada Disability Benefit, which will provide $200 per month once it rolls out this summer. Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said AISH payments are already the highest in Canada. Some advocates say the province is “clawing back” disability benefits.
Headlines: March 27, 2025
By Kevin Holowack