- Edmonton's housing market is bucking national trends, remaining strong despite economic uncertainties. According to the REALTORS Association of Edmonton, residential unit sales in the Edmonton area increased by 36.9% in March compared to February, with new residential listings up more than 44%. The Alberta government reports that housing starts in Edmonton are up 17% since January compared to last year, outpacing a record-breaking year. Tom Shearer of Royal LePage Noralta attributes the trend to Edmonton's balance of size, affordability, and opportunity.
- Both elevators at Norwood Legion Manor in north Edmonton have broken down, leaving many elderly residents stranded in their apartments. Some, like 83-year-old Walter Karis, face serious health challenges and cannot manage the stairs without assistance. The building, owned by the Alberta government, has been without elevator service since April 11, with parts expected to arrive by April 24. Management says they followed the province's procurement rules, but residents are frustrated by delays and red tape.
- Nanostics has relocated its clinical laboratory to the Biotechnology Business Development Centre (BBDC) in Edmonton Research Park, managed by Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has granted the lab provisional accreditation, allowing Nanostics to continue providing its ClarityDX Prostate test to patients. Nanostics, previously located within Alberta Precision Laboratories' downtown Edmonton facility, is the first clinical testing lab in the BBDC.
- Former Cpl. Kire Kondoski, who previously worked in Edmonton's major crimes unit, was dismissed from the RCMP following a disciplinary review that substantiated a sexual assault complaint against him. RCMP conduct board member Colin Miller concluded in November 2024 that Kondoski committed discreditable conduct, stating that retaining Kondoski would "erode public trust" in the RCMP. The charge stemmed from a 2018 off-duty incident investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, although the criminal case was later withdrawn by the Crown. The complainant, a former civilian RCMP employee, alleged Kondoski sexually assaulted her after she attempted to end their affair. Kondoski had been suspended with pay since January 2021.
- Long and McQuade in southeast Edmonton appealed to the public for help after thieves stole $118,000 worth of equipment from their store on April 15. According to assistant manager Steve Simpson, four masked individuals broke into the 92 Street and 28 Avenue location, taking guitars, DJ equipment, and microphones in just five minutes. The store has been targeted three times in the past year after experiencing no robberies in the previous 16 years. It is flagging serial numbers of the stolen items in its system.
- The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public's help to identify a suspect in a deliberately set fire that caused more than $500,000 in damage last spring. The fire broke out around 2:38am on May 27 at Hamud Halal Meat and Grocery and spread to nearby businesses. Investigators have reviewed nearby security footage but are now turning to the public after running out of leads. Anyone with video footage from the area between 2am and 3am is urged to contact police.
- Ahead of National Infertility Awareness Week, advocates are calling on the Alberta government to fund fertility treatments, noting that one in six couples experience infertility. The Alberta Reproductive Centre estimates in-vitro fertilization treatments can cost up to $25,000, while a survey found that 74% of nearly 650 Albertans did not pursue treatments due to cost. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec publicly fund in-vitro fertilization, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba offer tax credits.
- The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a suspicious fire that happened at the Kingsway Superstore on April 14. A spokesperson for the store said a date for reopening the location is not yet known.
- The province's 2025 budget will fund new school spaces and increase grant funding for francophone schools, in response to a growing francophone population. The budget includes funding for a new K-6 school in southwest Edmonton. The province is also providing $2 million for pre-planning activities for potential francophone school projects. The Francophone Equivalency Grant will increase by 25%, from $8.5 million in 2024-25 to $10.6 million in 2025-26. There are currently 45 francophone schools in Alberta.
- With the federal election campaign past the halfway point, CBC looked at how candidates are communicating with voters. While lawn signs remain a low-cost way to increase awareness, local debates are less common. Only a few Edmonton-area ridings have debates scheduled, although the Wîhkwêntôwin Community League hosted a debate for Edmonton Centre candidates on April 16. Political scientist Alex Marland suggested debates may be diminishing in importance because candidates risk controversies that could damage their prospects.
- Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse received a one-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings defenceman Quinton Byfield in their April 14 game. Nurse will miss the final regular-season game against San Jose, but will be able to play in Game 1 of the team's playoff series against the Kings. This is Nurse's fourth career suspension, with two previous suspensions occurring in the playoffs.
- The United Conservative Party caucus expelled Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie on April 16 after he resigned from his cabinet post. Caucus cited Guthrie's public opposition to the government's approach to Alberta Health Services procurement practices and his support for a full judicial public inquiry into the controversy, which differed from the government's decision to await the auditor general and Judge Raymond Wyant's investigations. Guthrie had resigned as infrastructure minister in late February and was under a 30-day probation, which included being barred from UCP caucus meetings.
Headlines: April 17, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim