- Edmonton's derelict property tax, the first of its kind in Canada, triples taxes on neglected or abandoned properties to push owners to act, whether by selling, repairing, or demolishing them. Since its implementation, the number of derelict homes has dropped, with city officials reporting increased redevelopment and a 30 per cent decrease in structure fires in affected areas. Even high-value homes, like a $2-million property on Valleyview Drive, aren't exempt if left vacant or unfinished. The City is now considering expanding the tax beyond mature neighbourhoods and into commercial spaces due to its early success.
- Alberta is on pace to build nearly as many new homes as Ontario in 2025, numbers not seen since the 1980s. BMO economists project Alberta could build 58,900 homes, approaching Ontario's projected 60,200, despite having a much smaller population. According to Doug Porter of BMO, Alberta's robust housing market and energy sector, coupled with population growth from other provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, have fueled this surge. However, Adil Kodian of Rohit Group, suggests this rapid construction, combined with slower immigration, raises concerns about a potential oversupply in the Alberta housing market.
- With Low Level Bridge repair work now underway, traffic detours are in place for vehicles entering downtown Edmonton. Vehicles from Scona Road will be rerouted to the James MacDonald/98th Avenue bridge, and northbound buses will also be rerouted along 98th Avenue. According to Ryan Teplitsky of the City of Edmonton, only the southbound bridge will see repair work, but the City is blocking off all northbound traffic. Downtown business advocates, including Cheryll Watson and Puneeta McBryan, have expressed concerns about the impact of the closures on downtown businesses and are calling for better construction planning. The Beverly Bridge and Dawson Bridge are also slated for repairs.
- The Edmonton Police Service is reporting a 6% drop in the overall crime rate in 2024, along with a 5% reduction in the total crime severity index. Interim Chief Warren Driechel credited targeted police work, such as the Transit Community Safety teams, for the drop, which was bolstered by reductions in minor theft, some weapons offences, and break-ins. However, possession of opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine rose significantly, increasing 152%, 116%, and 73% respectively.
- Edmonton Coun. Michael Janz is advocating for increased infill housing around LRT stations to accommodate population growth. The councillor proposes constructing larger buildings along the City's LRT routes.
- The Edmonton Heritage Festival is set for Aug. 2–4 at the Exhibition Lands and Borden Park, featuring food, entertainment, and culture from more than 65 countries. Edmonton Transit Service will increase service on the Capital Line LRT, with shuttle service from Coliseum Transit Centre to the festival. Several park and ride options are available, including Clareview, Belvedere, and Stadium Transit Centres, with increased frequency on Route 700X between Heritage Valley and Century Park. Paid parking is available at the Edmonton EXPO Centre for $20, and free bike racks will be located outside the festival site.
- A person was shot by an RCMP officer outside the Strathcona County RCMP detachment in Sherwood Park on July 28 after officers observed them in a staff-only parking lot with what appeared to be a firearm. The detachment was briefly locked down. The individual was transported to hospital, and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating.
- Five Edmonton-area companies were named to Forbes' list of Canada's best employers for 2025. The University of Alberta, Alberta Blue Cross, Stantec, Chandos, and PCL Construction were recognized based on survey data from more than 40,000 Canadians working for companies with at least 500 employees. The survey asked employees if they would recommend their employer to others, and also asked them to rate other employers in their respective industries.
- Health Canada is cautioning that the Canadian Cord Blood bioRepository in Edmonton continues to pose contamination risks, more than two years after initially warning the public in November 2023. The clinic remains prohibited from collecting, processing, testing, or storing cord blood. A March 2023 inspection revealed issues including unclean storage, a lack of qualified personnel, and misleading advertising.
- The Ritchie Community League is set to construct Edmonton's first net-zero community hall. The community league is still working to meet its fundraising goal of $5.8 million. It has already raised $4.2 million.
- The Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree holiday show scheduled for this year has been postponed until 2026, with organizers citing unforeseen circumstances on the event's website. The show returned last year after a five-year hiatus.
- Alberta's chief electoral officer has referred a proposed referendum question about Alberta separating from Canada to a judge to determine its constitutionality. The question, submitted by Mitch Sylvestre of the Alberta Prosperity Project, asks: "Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?" The court must schedule a hearing within 10 days. Sylvestre would need to collect 177,000 signatures within 120 days for the referendum to proceed if the question is approved. A separate question to make it official policy that Alberta will never separate from Canada has already been approved.
Headlines: July 29, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim