- The Liberals were projected to form government under Prime Minister Mark Carney following the April 28 federal election, though it was not clear late on election night whether the party would form a minority or majority government. The Conservatives, under leader Pierre Poilievre, were poised to sweep nearly every riding in Alberta outside Edmonton and Calgary. Meanwhile, Jagmeet Singh announced he will step down as NDP leader after failing to win his riding of Burnaby Central.
- Heather McPherson of the NDP secured her seat in Edmonton Strathcona for a third consecutive term. McPherson was first elected in 2019. The riding has been an NDP stronghold since Linda Duncan won in 2008 and was one of two seats the NDP won in Alberta in the 2021 election.
- Amarjeet Sohi is expected to return to his position as mayor of Edmonton after failing to win the Edmonton Southeast riding for the Liberal Party, losing to Conservative Jagsharan Singh Mahal. Sohi, who served as a cabinet minister under Justin Trudeau and previously held the Edmonton Mill Woods seat, took an unpaid leave from his mayoral duties to run in the election. In his concession speech, he said he would be back at city hall "very soon," and ruled out any attempt to run in the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 20.
- According to CBC projections late on election night, the Conservative Party was poised to win nearly every seat in Edmonton, as well as in central and northern Alberta. Kerry Diotte defeated NDP incumbent Blake Desjarlais in Edmonton Griesbach, while the race in Edmonton Centre between Conservative Sayid Ahmed, Liberal Eleanor Olszewski, and the NDP's Trisha Estabrooks was still undecided, though Olszewski had a narrow lead. Conservatives were also projected to win in Edmonton Northwest (Billy Morin), Edmonton Manning (Zaid Aboultaif), Edmonton Riverbend (Matt Jeneroux), Edmonton Southeast (Jagsharan Singh Mahal), Edmonton Gateway (Tim Uppal), and Edmonton West (Kelly McCauley).
- University of Alberta students, researchers, and community members played a key role in shaping the ACCESS Open Minds project, which transformed youth mental health services across Canada. Edmonton sites, supported by U of A involvement, showed major improvements in faster assessments and quicker treatment starts for young people. U of A contributors Kevin Friese and Helen Vallianatos helped guide the project's development alongside national partners. Their efforts have now influenced standard youth mental health practices across Alberta through Recovery Alberta programs.
- In an opinion piece published in Postmedia, Cheryll Watson of the Downtown Revitalization Coalition, criticized Edmonton's decision to eliminate physical parking machines in favour of a mobile-only payment system. Watson argued the move creates a barrier for seniors, students, and visitors, and negatively impacts downtown businesses and cultural venues by reducing foot traffic. The coalition is calling for free evening and weekend parking downtown to counter the effects of construction, bridge closures, and economic challenges.
- The Edmonton Oilers have extended their playoff series after their 4-3 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place on April 27. The best-of-seven series is now tied 2-2. Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl scored the winning goal. Several Oilers, including Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Connor McDavid, Evander Kane, and John Klingberg, have recently returned from injuries. Despite the win, the Oilers continue to feel the absence of Mattias Ekholm.
- The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal from the Edmonton Police Service regarding the disclosure of officer misconduct records. The case involves John McKee, who faces drug and weapons charges related to a 2022 investigation. The police service wants to overturn a ruling requiring it to disclose "expunged" disciplinary records of the lead investigator in the case, Det. Jared Ruecker, arguing it would violate officer privacy and hurt the justice system. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada argues it has a constitutional obligation to release all relevant information to defendants and urged the court to dismiss the appeal.
- Former chief medical officer of health Mark Joffe blamed leadership failures and low vaccination rates for Alberta's growing measles outbreak. Joffe made the comments during a presentation at the University of Alberta. He also stressed the disease's severity in a Postmedia op-ed. His contract as chief medical officer with Alberta Health Services ended earlier this month and was not renewed.
- An illegal campfire caused a grass fire that temporarily closed Highway 63 near Fort McMurray on April 25, according to fire investigators. Firefighters from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, assisted by Alberta Wildfire, extinguished the blaze in the Quarry Ridge gully. The fire started on Ridge Trail and prompted a reminder to the public that open-air campfires are prohibited within Fort McMurray limits.
Headlines: April 29, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim