- Edmonton Coun. Andrew Knack launched his mayoral campaign on June 14 at the Meadowlark Community Hall, emphasizing his independence from political parties. Knack, a three-term councillor, pledged to release strategies to match Edmonton's population growth with economic development and address social issues. He faces competition from fellow mayoral candidates Coun. Tim Cartmell (Better Edmonton party) and Tony Caterina (independent). The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 20.
- Ahead of the October municipal election, most Edmonton mayoral candidates are distancing themselves from party politics. Coun. Tim Cartmell, who formed the Better Edmonton municipal party with a full slate of council candidates, including current Coun. Karen Principe, says it is "not a traditional party." Coun. Andrew Knack, who is against political parties in local democracy, plans to file his nomination package after collecting signatures at his June 14 campaign launch. Tony Caterina, a former councillor, is also running as an independent, while Abdul Malik Chukwudi, a geological engineer and former city employee, also expressed his lack of support for party politics at the municipal level.
- Nichole Brown, a Cree and Saulteaux woman from Louis Bull Tribe, is preparing to open Helen Hazel House, Edmonton's first Indigenous-led second stage women's shelter, to offer transitional housing for women and their children recovering from domestic violence. Brown has been planning the shelter since 2022. It will prioritize Indigenous leadership roles, in response to the disproportionate impact of violence on Indigenous women, who account for more than 28% of clients at Edmonton's Wings of Providence shelter and an estimated 60% of women in shelters across Alberta. Named after Brown's aunt, Helen Hazel Desjarlais, the shelter aims to provide "an auntie's love" and culturally relevant support for all women.
- Strathcona County Council is exploring the creation of a community foundation to pool donations into endowment funds for sustainable funding of local initiatives. At the June 10 meeting, council supported a motion to investigate partnering with the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF), which already partners with St. Albert, Westlock, and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. A report on the options, including the partnership with ECF, will return to council in September.
- The Digital Publishing Awards presented a gold medal to Danielle Paradis for best topical reporting on climate change for The Place That Thaws, a podcast for APTN News. Jana Pruden and Amber Bracken received gold for The Audacity of Rope, a feature article for The Globe and Mail. They were also part of the team awarded silver for the true crime podcast In Her Defence: 50th Street. Pruden's team also won the Landsberg Award from the Canadian Women's Foundation.
- After a 5-2 defeat at Rogers Place on June 14, the Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, now trailing the series 3-2. The Panthers secured their third win after another strong first period, where they scored two goals. According to defenceman Mattias Ekholm, the Oilers have struggled with slow starts throughout the series. Coach Kris Knoblauch remains confident the team can overcome the setback.
- According to Scott Mitchell of Vistar Media, there's been a surge in marketing that focuses on Canadiana, including the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup run. Mitchell notes brands are buying ad space near Rogers Place, and that Canadian pride is more pointed this year due to tensions with the U.S.
- Laurie Radostits, owner of Sweet Convenience in Edmonton, almost had to close her candy store in March due to slow sales resulting from tariffs and the "Buy Canadian" movement. The store, which specializes in American treats, faced dwindling sales as consumers opted for Canadian-produced goods, with 48% of Canadians replacing, or planning to replace, US products with Canadian alternatives.
- With 15 fatal collisions already recorded in the first half of 2025, the Edmonton Police Service is increasing enforcement against street racing, stunting, and other dangerous driving behaviours. Sgt. Kerry Bates of EPS notes that street racing is a weekly occurrence in Edmonton during the summer. EPS has already issued 133 dangerous operation charges and 76 stunting tickets in 2025. Police released a video of a crash to warn against the dangers of street racing.
- Alberta's new access to information rules came into effect on June 11, following approval of four orders-in-council. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally introduced the Access to Information Act in November 2024, replacing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The new rules include an extended timeline for responding to information requests. Critics argue the changes limit disclosure by exempting communications between political staff and ministers, and by lengthening the appeal process to the information and privacy commissioner.
- Starting July 1, 2025, the Alberta government will increase prescription costs for seniors and Albertans under non-group coverage, marking the first increase since 1994. The maximum co-payment will rise from $25 to $35, increasing by $1 per month until April 1, 2026. The province says the hike is necessary to keep pace with rising costs. Critics say seniors may be forced to choose between medicine, food, and rent. The province said low-income seniors can apply for assistance.
- Premier Danielle Smith is defending Alberta's new policy that will require many Albertans to pay out-of-pocket for COVID-19 vaccinations, arguing the move focuses on those who need it most and is necessary to avoid wasting money on unused doses. The government will still cover costs for those with compromised immune systems, those on social programs, and seniors in congregate settings. The province estimates the cost to Albertans could be $110 per shot.
Headlines: June 16, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim