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Headlines: May 20, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • Renée Vaugeois resigned from the Edmonton Police Commission on May 16, following an independent conflict-of-interest review. While the commission voted to allow Vaugeois to return to the board with rules in place to manage any conflicts, she said her presence may cause "distraction and tension" that could hinder the commission's work. The move follows the resignation of Dan Jones on Jan. 16, after concerns raised by the Edmonton Police Service about potential conflicts of interest related to the appointments of Vaugeois, the executive director of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and Jones, the NorQuest College justice studies chair. The police service had sought provincial intervention, separate from the commission's independent review.
  • The City of Edmonton will host a free emergency preparedness workshop in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. The event is set to happen on June 7 from 1pm to 3pm at the Clareview Community Recreation Centre. The workshop will teach Edmontonians how to identify hazards, create emergency plans, and build neighbourhood support networks. Advance registration is recommended.
  • WestJet announced the return of non-stop service between Edmonton International Airport and Kamloops, along with the introduction of new service to Prince George, starting the first week of July 2025. WestJet Encore will operate the routes twice per week throughout the summer using De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. WestJet is also increasing capacity on routes from Edmonton to Nanaimo and Yellowknife.
  • Edmonton residents Barbara McKinley and Lida Somchynsky are demanding action to address excessive vehicle noise, particularly from modified cars and motorcycles on Saskatchewan Drive and Walterdale Hill. They say the noise disrupts sleep and outdoor activities. Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz supports noise enforcement and suggests Edmonton adopt noise radar technology like that used in New York City.
  • Thousands attended the annual Nagar Kirtan parade in Edmonton's Mill Woods neighbourhood on May 18 to celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of Sikhism. The parade featured colourful floats, live music, and food, as people walked from one gurdwara to another. According to Gurcharn Singh Sangha, a community leader, the event started in 1999 with 4,500 people and has grown to 60,000–70,000 attendees.
  • Furget Me Not, an Edmonton-based cat rescue, helped a cat named Bitsy who was born with six legs to get surgery to remove three of her legs. Founder Christine Koltun said Bitsy was brought in after staff received an email about a stray cat with extra legs. Vets at Windermere Veterinary Hospital determined Bitsy absorbed a littermate in the womb, resulting in extra legs and a second pelvis. The surgery went well, and a staff member at the vet clinic is fostering Bitsy and may adopt her.
  • PlayWright owner Steven Brochu estimates the business will lose $20,000 due to the City of Edmonton's streetscaping construction along 99 Street NW near the Citadel Theatre. The construction, which began in late April, has blocked sidewalk access to the restaurant. Brochu is considering launching a fundraising campaign to support his business.
  • The Alberta Utilities Commission approved an application from Varme Energy to construct a waste-to-energy facility with carbon capture and storage in Strathcona County. The $300 million Heartland Waste-to-Energy Facility, slated to begin construction in early 2027 and operate fully in 2028, will receive 150,000 tonnes annually of Edmonton's residential waste.
  • Edmonton Police Service Const. Hunter Robinz received a six-month jail sentence after pleading guilty to breach of trust for pursuing sexual relationships with eight vulnerable women he met while on duty between 2017 and 2019. Justice Susan Bercov called Robinz's conduct "predatory." The women had contacted police for assistance with issues like break-ins and domestic violence. Robinz, who has been suspended without pay since 2021, apologized for his "unacceptable" behaviour, and the court heard that he has been diagnosed with PTSD and alcohol use disorder related to his military service in Afghanistan.
  • The Edmonton Oilers are heading to Texas to face the Dallas Stars in the NHL's Western Conference Final, starting May 21 at American Airlines Center. This marks the second consecutive year the Oilers and Stars will meet in the playoffs; Edmonton beat Dallas in six games last year. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Edmonton on May 25 and May 27.
  • As the Edmonton Oilers await the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, coach Kris Knoblauch said on May 16 that defenceman Mattias Ekholm is now day-to-day and could re-enter the lineup as soon as Game 3. Goaltender Calvin Pickard is also close to returning.
  • During her radio show on May 17, Premier Danielle Smith defended her decision to break up the health minister role into four portfolios, stating that Albertans will see improvements in the system's responsiveness. The new ministers are Adriana LaGrange (primary and preventative health services), Rick Wilson (mental health and addiction), Jason Nixon (assisted living and social services), and Matt Jones (hospital and surgical health services).
  • The Transportation Safety Board is investigating a collision between two Canadian National Railway (CN) trains that happened southwest of Edson around 7am on May 18. One train was carrying grain, and the other was transporting batteries when they sideswiped each other, causing several grain cars to derail. No injuries or environmental concerns were reported. The tracks remain closed as of May 18.
  • During the Edmonton Elks training camp, head coach Mark Kilam noted that the team's new-look defence, led by veteran Jake Ceresna, is setting the tone with intensity. The team is preparing for its season opener against the B.C. Lions on June 7.
  • The Edmonton Elks announced a series of roster moves on May 19, including the additions of quarterback Cole Snyder, defensive lineman Quincy Ledet Jr., and defensive lineman Francis Bemiy. Wide receiver C.J. Hutton was released.