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Headlines: April 24, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • This weekend, Edmonton, Calgary, and other Alberta cities may see temperatures above 20°C for the first time this year, with Edmonton forecast to hit 20°C on April 26. The last time Edmonton had a temperature above 20°C was Oct. 8, 2024.
  • Some businesses told CityNews they are frustrated by construction at the Stony Plain Road and 124 Street intersection, which has been fully closed to accommodate work on the Valley Line West LRT. Kris Burwash of Listen Records says the closure will affect walk-by traffic, and that businesses weren't consulted about the plans. Several intersections are slated for full closures after city council approved a plan in February to speed up LRT development.
  • Coun. Aaron Paquette introduced a motion intended to slow down the process of removing EPark machines as the City of Edmonton transitions to the HotSpot online payment system, which is payable only with a smartphone or by making an account and calling HotSpot. Paquette said the pace of phasing out the machines has caused inconvenience for seniors and people without smartphones. The City plans to retire all EPark machines by the end of July.
  • Elections Canada is still looking to hire hundreds of poll workers for several ridings near Edmonton before election day on April 28. About 150 people are needed in Peace River-Westlock, 50 in Lakeland, 50 in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake, and 25 in Yellowhead. Elections Canada said that 815,131 Albertans have already voted in advance polls, compared to 646,090 in 2021. Elections Canada's website has information about applying to be a poll worker.
  • The 2025 Canadian Hydrogen Convention launched at the Edmonton Convention Centre on April 23, drawing roughly 10,000 attendees, 100 exhibiting companies, and 200 speakers. Speakers on April 23 discussed the growth of the industry, the need for port access to ship significant amounts of Canadian and Albertan hydrogen, and the possibility of U.S. tariffs having a positive effect on Canada's hydrogen sector, Postmedia reported.
  • The FascinAsian Film Festival is making its Edmonton debut from May 9 to 11, with four feature films and 15 short films playing at Landmark Cinemas in City Centre Mall. The festival, which was founded in Winnipeg and later expanded to Calgary, celebrates the work of Asian-identified filmmakers. Productions with an Edmonton focus in this year's festival include the short films The Azure Dragon of the East by Jordon Hon and Lola Was Here by Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks and Janice Saxon.
  • CTV News published the first part of a series detailing the history of West Edmonton Mall, which was once the largest shopping mall in the world. The history of the mall and its various attractions are also explored on the Best Edmonton Mall website and YouTube channel run by Matthew Dutczak.
  • The Reuse Centre is hosting its second annual Earth Day Expo on April 26 from 10am to 3pm. The event showcases vendors and organizations selling eco-friendly products and services.
  • Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made an appearance in Edmonton on April 22 to rally support for his party, joined by Rachel Notley, former Alberta NDP leader. While the party's popularity has plummeted in national polls, it hopes to win at least three seats in Edmonton, including incumbents Blake Desjarlais and Heather McPherson and new candidate Trisha Estabrooks.
  • APTN News spoke to several Indigenous candidates running in the federal election, including NDP candidate Blake Desjarlais, the incumbent in Edmonton-Griesbach, and Conservative candidate Billy Morin, who is running in Edmonton Northwest.
  • The Gateway profiled Luke Markowski, a third-year political science student at the University of Alberta who is running as the Liberal candidate in Peace River–Westlock. Several U of A alumni are also running in the federal election, including Liberal candidate Jeremy Hoefsloot and NDP candidate Madeline Mayes, both in Edmonton Gateway.