- About 51,000 Alberta teachers went on strike Oct. 6, leading the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association to serve their union with a lockout notice effective Oct. 9. This first-ever province-wide strike affects more than 750,000 students as the Alberta Teachers' Association seeks improved classroom conditions and pay, rejecting a 12% wage offer. The government is offering parental support of $30 a day per child aged 12 and under and free admission for youth to sites like the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, while calling for a return to bargaining.
- Hope Mission in Edmonton launched emergency meals and day camps on Oct. 6 to provide food and care for children impacted by the Alberta teachers' strike, particularly those who rely on schools for these essential services during the labour dispute. "Childcare and meals are desperately needed by many of the families that we serve, and they are turning to us right now to help them in this time," said Jared Jorstad of Hope Mission.
- The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said the Alberta teachers' strike will affect local businesses, saying the work stoppage, which began Oct. 6, will cut into staffing and exacerbate uncertainty for small businesses. About 51,000 Alberta Teachers' Association members are striking, cancelling classes for more than 700,000 students. "When employees are forced to stay home to care for children during work hours, productivity drops, and in many cases, so do sales," said Kayode Southwood with the CFIB.
- Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi reflected on his four-year term in office, set to conclude later this month. Sohi, who is not running for re-election, highlighted improvements in recreational facility hours, public transit, and snow removal, along with advancing equity and anti-racism initiatives. He also pointed to efforts for denser housing, diverse choices in mature neighbourhoods, and 5,000 new downtown housing units, including a deal with Oilers Entertainment Group. He said unpopular decisions, like significant tax increases and densification efforts, were necessary to fix Edmonton's financial foundation and ensure sustainability.
- Edmonton's iconic 50-foot giant baseball bat, at 97 Street NW and 118 Avenue in Alberta Avenue, may soon be moved as the Alberta Avenue Business Association looks to rebrand the north central neighbourhood. The association said the "Avenue of Champions" slogan isn't relevant since the Edmonton Oilers no longer play at the Northlands Coliseum. Along with the bat, more than 200 other metal structures, such as athlete pictograms and murals, could be removed. The Edmonton Riverhawks are considering relocating the bat to RE/MAX Field, though feasibility and cost are concerns. No final decisions have been made as the association gathers community feedback.
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is marking Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, focusing on lithium-ion battery safety with the theme "Charge Into Fire Safety." Deputy Fire Chief Graeme McAlister highlighted the critical responsibility in handling these batteries, which power daily electronics and vehicles. EFRS investigated approximately 20 related fires in the last two years, often due to malfunctions, improper storage, or unattended charging. It recommends buying certified products, using original chargers, charging on hard surfaces, and properly disposing of batteries at Eco Stations.
- The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) will not discipline a nurse who cut off Elder Dexter Adams's braids at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital, according to an Oct. 6 email to his family. The CRNA found no grounds for unprofessional conduct, stating a witness confirmed Adams, 84, initially denied but later consented to the haircut, and his chart listed him as his own decision-maker despite living with dementia. His niece Kathleen Crowe noted there's no entity to hear a complaint against the hospital. An Edmonton Police Service hate crime investigation is ongoing.
- Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has signed a two-year, $12.5 million AAV contract extension. This deal begins with the 2026-27 season, keeping the multiple award-winning megastar with the Oilers for three more seasons. McDavid has emphasized that winning a championship remains his top priority after the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances.
- The Edmonton Oilers signed defenceman Jake Walman to a seven-year contract extension on Oct. 6, valued at $7 million annually. Walman, 29, was acquired from San Jose prior to the 2025 NHL trade deadline, contributing one goal and seven assists in 15 regular season games, plus two goals and eight assists in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Oilers.
- The Edmonton Elks added wide receiver Justin McGriff and defensive back Gavin Holmes to their practice roster on Oct. 6. McGriff, a former Utah State player, was with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024 training camp but missed the season due to an ACL injury. Holmes, who played for the University of Texas, and Wake Forest, signed with the NFL's Detroit Lions before being released in June.
Headlines: Oct. 7, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim