- Edmonton mayoral candidates Rahim Jaffer, Michael Walters, and Andrew Knack pledged not to pause development at an Oct. 1 forum hosted by BOMA Edmonton, NAIOP Edmonton, and the Edmonton Construction Association. Walters emphasized the need for 5,000 new rental units annually and driving nonresidential growth to fund infrastructure, including the LRT expansion, while shifting toward smaller capital projects. Knack expressed concern about slowing development, noting Edmonton's 200,000-person growth in four years and the necessity of investing in services and amenities for new areas, while Jaffer called for faster permitting and a return to a more business-friendly atmosphere to reduce costs and delays for builders.
- The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) said on Oct. 2 that its members will return to bargaining if the province does, though further negotiations have not been scheduled ahead of the Oct. 6 strike deadline. ATA president Jason Schilling said talks have stalled over wages and working conditions, including student-teacher ratios. Finance Minister Nate Horner said the government's offer includes a 12% wage increase over four years and 3,000 new teachers. Schilling argues 5,000 more teachers are needed to meet student-teacher ratios from 2002, when teacher last went on strike. A strike by 51,000 teachers would impact more than 700,000 students across 2,500 public, separate, and francophone schools in Alberta.
- More than 20 restaurants along Stony Plain Road are taking part in SPR Dining Week 2025 as construction of Edmonton's Valley Line West LRT continues to hurt customer traffic. Business owners say sales have dropped sharply, with some reporting losses of up to 60% since work began three years ago. The Stony Plain Road Business Association hopes discounted menus and promotions will draw diners back during the event, which runs until Oct. 12. The $2.6-billion LRT line is scheduled for completion in 2028.
- Thousands of healthcare professionals rallied across Alberta on Oct. 2 with demonstrations taking place in front of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. The workers, represented by the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), called for a better deal and working conditions. In September, nearly 60% of HSAA members who work for Alberta Health Services voted against a tentative contract.
- Edmonton's Bearclaw Gallery will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an exhibition opening on Oct. 4 and running through Oct. 15. The exhibit will showcase works from Cree, Dene, Ojibway, Iroquois, Métis, and West Coast Nations, featuring renowned artists like Jane Ash Poitras, Jim Logan, and Joseph Sanchez.
- Hawrelak Park in Edmonton is approaching completion of its $134.5 million rehabilitation and will reopen this winter, the City of Edmonton announced Oct. 2. The project, which closed the park in 2023, remains on schedule and within budget, the City said. Significant work included replacing deep underground utilities and making progress on landscaping and facilities. Recently completed tasks include paving roads and pathways, installing new playground equipment, and repairing the Trans Canada Trail, with final electrical, mechanical, and landscaping work ongoing.
- The Yellowhead Tribal Council (YTC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 1 for the Belvedere Affordable Housing Project in Edmonton. Located at 560 Belvedere Way, this project will provide 149 mixed-income units. It aims to support First Nation families, seniors, individuals, young adults transitioning from care, women fleeing violence, students, and those visiting Edmonton for medical care. YTC, with its members O'Chiese, Sunchild, Alexander, and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nations, emphasized First Nations' role as strong partners in real estate development.
- Edmonton's unhoused population, numbering nearly 5,000, faces significant challenges due to funding cuts that have closed numerous daytime drop-in spaces, according to a Postmedia op-ed written by Renée McBeth, Ginetta Salvalaggio, Asha Ajani and Elaine Hyshka of the Inner City Health and Wellness Program. Organizations such as Operation Friendship Seniors Society, Bissell Centre, Boyle Street Community Services, Jasper Place Wellness Centre, and the Mustard Seed have had to close drop-in services, forcing people into public areas. Additionally, the shift to drug smoking, not accommodated by supervised consumption sites, and reduced street outreach teams further strain support for vulnerable individuals in central Edmonton, the authors wrote, urging Edmontonians to speak to mayoral and council election candidates about the issue.
- Alberta defence lawyers say Edmonton Police Service Chief Warren Driechel is threatening a judge and jeopardizing justice with his public comments on a manslaughter case involving the death of an eight-year-old girl. Shawn King, president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association, warned the remarks could prejudice sentencing and undermine the accused's right to a fair hearing. Driechel defended his actions, saying a letter threatening to release case details was meant to address poor communication with prosecutors over a plea deal that reduced a murder charge to manslaughter. The woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter in September and her sentencing is set for February.
- The Edmonton Police Service announced they arrested Arjun Sahnan, 21, at the Edmonton airport on Sept. 20, for his alleged involvement in a series of "Project Gaslight" extortion-related drive-by shootings in late 2023. Sahnan faces charges including discharging a firearm recklessly and possession of a prohibited firearm. The shootings occurred in northeast Edmonton's Cy Becker neighbourhood on Dec. 21, 2023; Winnipeg on Dec. 24, 2023; and Sherwood Park's Fountain Creek on Dec. 29, 2023. Police believe the Sherwood Park shooting was a mistaken target, and say the same gun was used in all incidents.
- Municipalities surrounding Edmonton are dealing with pressures of a population boom, with 10 of 12 experiencing growth by the 2021 federal census, CBC reported. Beaumont saw a 20% increase to 20,888 residents by 2021, estimated at 24,593 by 2024. The City of Leduc grew 14% to 34,094 by 2021, reaching 36,060 by 2023. This rapid influx strains infrastructure, like sewer and water lines, and recreation centres, noted Coun. Kathy Barnhart of Beaumont. Coun. Ryan Pollard, a Leduc city councillor, said Leduc is pursuing annexation in Leduc County due to dwindling land supply.
- A premature baby has died from measles in Alberta, marking the province's first measles-related death of 2025. Adriana LaGrange, minister of primary and preventive health services, emphasized the heightened risks for children under five, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems, and advised individuals planning pregnancy to ensure they are vaccinated. Provincial health data for Jan. 1 to Sept. 27 reports 1,910 confirmed measles cases, with 152 hospitalizations and 15 ICU admissions.
- The Edmonton Oilers have trimmed their roster by eight players, placing defencemen Cam Dineen and Riley Stillman on waivers. The team also loaned blueliner Atro Leppanen and forwards Quinn Hutson, Josh Samanski, James Hamblin, Viljami Marjala, and Connor Clattenburg to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. The Oilers play their final preseason game on Oct. 3 against the Canucks in Vancouver, before opening the 2025-2026 regular season on Oct. 8 at home against the Calgary Flames.
Headlines: Oct. 3, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim