- The City of Edmonton has designated the Stewart Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource, making it the 192nd property in Edmonton to receive this designation since 1985. Built in 1929, the Dutch Colonial Revival style house was designed by Edmonton architect William George Blakey and first owned by William F. and Irene Stewart. Later, Ralph and Rose Samuels, prominent members of Edmonton's Jewish community, purchased the house in 1932. The current owners are eligible for $100,000 from the City's Heritage Resources Reserve fund to renovate the home.
- Edmonton city council approved $3.5 million from the Community Safety and Well-being Reserve for three initiatives to address homelessness and housing insecurity, as recommended by the Community Mobilization Task Force. The Edmonton Community Foundation will create new housing, the Islamic Family and Social Services Association will create a digital platform to connect tenants with housing, and the Canadian Mental Health Association — Edmonton Region will coordinate peer support workers for tenants. In February, 1,246 Edmontonians reported being unsheltered. The City will also continue to work with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta to increase the number of affordable housing units for Indigenous Peoples in Edmonton.
- The City of Edmonton has discontinued the Front Yards in Bloom program after 25 years, putting an end to the yard signs that recognized beautiful gardens across the city. The decision, made during budget pruning in December 2024 and announced in late March, aims to save taxpayers just over $40,000 by focusing on "core services" and limiting tax increases.
- Explore Edmonton has partnered with Taste of Edmonton, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, and K-Days to launch the Eat Play Laugh Pass, offering 15 Taste of Edmonton tickets, a 10-day pass to K-Days, and a general admission ticket to an afternoon comedy show at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival for $59. Only 5,000 passes are available for purchase.
- A two-alarm fire heavily damaged or destroyed about a dozen businesses at the Plaza 34 strip mall near 34 Avenue and 92 Street in southeast Edmonton on April 8. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to reports of the fire at 12:34am and brought it under control by 2:08am. Businesses affected by the fire include a grocery store, hair salon, dress store, restaurant, and professional offices. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
- Data presented on April 7 shows that Edmonton's 24-7 crisis diversion team, which includes mobile teams from Hope Mission and Boyle Street Community Services, saves money by intervening early in non-emergent situations. REACH Edmonton says the program, with a $5.526 million budget in 2024, sees a return of $5 for every $1 invested. Community resource specialists at 211 answered more than 66,000 calls, with nearly half through the 211+3 crisis diversion line. In the past year, mobile teams responded to 30,000 dispatches and successfully saved 140 people affected by opioid poisoning.
- City councillors approved several infill developments in Edmonton during a public hearing on April 7 to increase residential density. Some speakers against the proposals raised concerns about traffic, street parking, and sunlight being blocked by developments. Coun. Michael Janz said more housing options are important during the current housing crisis. "Urban sprawl is bankrupting our city. It's not an option. We can't keep going out," Janz said, adding that the city needs infill, even though it is challenging.
- A vacant property in downtown Edmonton has become a "problem property," with concerns raised about safety and security. The owner of the property, at 101 Avenue and 101 Street, says he hasn't been able to develop the site and can't invest more money, Global News reported.
- Alberta Health Services reported measles exposures in west Edmonton as part of several new cases identified in central Alberta. The health authority is urging residents to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date, particularly for those who visited specific locations during the exposure windows.
- The Alberta government introduced Bill 50, which would introduce a suite of changes, including eliminating municipal codes of conduct, formalizing rules for local party finances, and developing conditions for amending or repealing municipal bylaws. The bill would allow campaign funds to be shared between parties and candidates in Edmonton and Calgary. The province is also contemplating establishing an independent ethics commissioner for municipalities. Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities, expressed concerns about quashing existing conduct complaints.
- The Alberta government introduced Bill 51, which will limit school boards' power to remove trustees for breaching their code of conduct. Removal would require a recall petition signed by 40% of electors in the ward. Other changes introduced in the bill include amendments impacting teacher discipline, fees for appealing decisions made by the Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner, voting for displaced Jasper residents in the 2025 election, ownership of K-12 schools, and joint use agreements between school boards and municipalities.
- Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre hosted a rally in Nisku on April 7, promising supporters he will bring Canada back to the Stephen Harper era. The event, attended by more than a thousand people, featured Harper as the opening speaker, who endorsed Poilievre for prime minister. Poilievre's speech covered themes such as selling government buildings for housing, building pipelines, and reducing taxes. He also addressed western alienation and the 2023 Chinatown slayings in Edmonton, pledging to make probation more difficult to attain. Country music star Brett Kissel also spoke, offering his support.
- Nolinor Aviation announced on April 8 that it acquired the former North Cariboo Air complex in Edmonton to expand operations in Western Canada. The 41,600-square-foot facility, which includes a passenger terminal, offices, workshops, and a 30,000-square-foot hangar, will serve as a regional hub, supporting Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) programs. Nolinor intends to integrate another Boeing 737-200 into its fleet and open a third heavy maintenance line to support its Yellowknife and Edmonton bases, and is recruiting staff for the new maintenance line.
- A drop in oil prices, triggered by U.S. tariffs threatens to increase Alberta's budget deficit by at least $5 billion. Alberta's budget, which pegs West Texas Intermediate at $68 a barrel, faces a $750-million revenue loss for every dollar below that estimate. Premier Danielle Smith defended her earlier support of the tariff announcement, noting zero U.S. tariffs introduced on energy and food. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, however, says the province is in "big trouble" and anticipates potential job losses and business closures, calling on Alberta to provide support alongside the federal government.
- The Edmonton Oilers have recalled forward Noah Philp from the Bakersfield Condors. Philp, 26, has played in 12 NHL games this season, recording two assists. He also scored 15 goals and 15 assists in 52 games with the Condors.
- The Edmonton Stingers signed Edmonton native Sabry Philip to his first professional contract on April 7. Philip played 128 games across NCAA and JUCO for the Stony Brook Seawolves, San Diego Toreros, and Navarro Bulldogs. He will join the Stingers at the Edmonton EXPO Centre for their home opener against the Calgary Surge on May 11.
Headlines: April 9, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim