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Headlines: March 28, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • The annual elm tree pruning ban will be in effect from April 1 to Sept. 30 to help prevent the spread of Dutch elm disease, which was identified five times in Edmonton in 2024. Residents are asked to prune dead and dying elm tree branches between October and March, avoid bringing in firewood from other jurisdictions, and call 311 if they see signs of Dutch elm disease.
  • While the City of Edmonton says its permitting process is among the best in Canada, some business owners told Global News that permit delays have caused significant financial strain, including the owners of Rootbar Salon and the Bonnie Neighbourhood Pub. The City issued 10,000 business licenses in 2024, with permitting and approvals processed 30% faster than the previous year, and an exit survey found 90% of applicants were satisfied, Global News reported.
  • Edmonton Global published part two of a blog series on how U.S. tariffs could affect the Edmonton region. Jeff Bell, the organization's director of research, wrote there is "broad agreement" the region will be affected, but it's not clear how much. Sectors will be affected differently, with tariffs currently at 250% on dairy, 40% on forestry, 10% on oil and electricity, and 25% on most other goods. Early estimates suggest tariffs could reduce regional GDP by $5 billion to $11 billion over the next few years, Bell wrote.
  • Parkland County revoked a development permit for GraceLife Church, which applied last year to add 50,000 square feet to its existing facility. The county said it revoked the permit because of traffic and parking concerns. Residents who appealed the permit also said the church isn't a good neighbour. The church made headlines in 2021 for bringing hundreds of people together for service in defiance of COVID-19 public health measures.
  • Nanoprecise Sci Corp, an Edmonton-based company, secured US$38 million in Series C funding from investors including Yaletown Partners, BDC's Industrial Innovation Venture Fund, Export Development Canada, BMO Capital Partners, and CIBC Innovation Banking. The funding will help NanoPrecise scale its Energy-Centered Maintenance approach, which uses AI to help industrial sites maintain equipment more efficiently and save energy.
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has sanctioned Edmonton doctor Roger Hodkinson, a pathologist, for making false claims about COVID-19 pandemic health measures in 2020 and 2021. The regulator said Hodkinson's comments "fell outside the scope of practice of a pathologist, and were inconsistent with accepted public health medicine guidelines."
  • Alberta has a "strong showing" on this year's National Awards for Housing Excellence from the Canadian Home Builders' Association, Postmedia reported. Most of the Alberta builders nominated for awards are in Calgary, but Vicky's Homes accounted for nearly half of Edmonton's 20 finalist spots. Results will be announced May 15.
  • Explore Edmonton sponsored an article in National Geographic highlighting seven reasons to visit Edmonton, including river valley landscapes, Indigenous cultural experiences, and local festivals.
  • The Edmonton Oilers have recalled goaltender Olivier Rodrigue from the Bakersfield Condors on an "emergency basis" after Stuart Skinner left the game on March 27 following a collision with a Dallas Stars player. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Skinner won't join the team's road trip.
  • Edmonton will host two international rugby matches in July, with the Canada Men's Rugby Team scheduled to take on Belgium and Spain in Clarke Stadium. Canada will play Belgium on July 12, followed by Spain on July 18. Tickets cost $40 and go on sale in April.
  • Sean Chilton, senior vice-president of clinical operations for Alberta Health Services, filed a sworn statement claiming former CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos breached her employment agreement by improperly forwarding 11 emails to her personal account one day before she was fired Jan. 8, which the statement alleges was a fireable offence. Mentzelopoulos's lawyer said she "denies any misuse of the information in the emails."
  • Premier Danielle Smith travelled to Florida to speak with far-right commentator Ben Shapiro on March 27 as part of a gala fundraiser for PragerU. Shapiro has repeated President Donald Trump's remarks about wanting to make Canada a 51st state, while PragerU has been criticized for creating "propaganda" and poorly teaching American slavery and other topics, CBC reported.