- As the Alberta teachers' strike entered its second day on Oct. 7, some are seeking temporary work as they face financial strain without strike pay. The strike, deemed the largest in provincial history, stems from a dispute over wages and working conditions, with teachers rejecting the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association's offer of a 12% wage increase over four years and 3,000 new hires. Premier Danielle Smith said the province is willing to return to the bargaining table. Alberta Teachers' Association President Jason Schilling said teachers knew they wouldn't receive strike pay and didn't take the decision to go on strike lightly.
- Edmonton residents unable to vote in the municipal election on Oct. 20 can cast their ballots early at 12 advance polling stations across the city. The polls are open from noon until 8pm. Advance voting continues until Oct. 11.
- CBC profiled 66 of the 81 candidates registered to run in the Oct. 20 municipal election for a council seat across the city's 12 wards. Candidates shared their backgrounds and platforms, addressing key Edmonton issues such as fiscal responsibility, community safety, affordability, reliable transit, and housing.
- Edmonton city council incumbent Jennifer Rice has raised more campaign funds than any other current Edmonton city councillor, attracting diverse donors, including developers, Postmedia reported. Rice rebuffed offers to join PACE, opting to run independently in Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi. Rice said her popularity stems from representing "the people" and being seen as "a human being, not a politician." She believes her voting record against council measures aligns with public sentiment that the city is "headed in the wrong direction."
- Outgoing Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, who is not running for re-election, urged leaders to tone down divisive rhetoric, advocating for thoughtful leadership that unites people. Sohi reflected on his tenure, highlighting successes in securing provincial funding for Edmonton. He urged continued investment in municipal services to match the city's significant population growth. During his term, Sohi addressed an $88 million structural deficit and oversaw a 5.7% municipal property tax increase for 2025.
- Edmonton's downtown property values are a central issue for the Oct. 20 municipal election, as their decline significantly affects city finances and homeowner taxes. Puneeta McBryan, outgoing CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, noted the downtown area's contribution to the municipal tax base has fallen to 5.2% from a 2010 peak of 10.1%. This drop, attributed to factors like remote work and empty older office buildings, reduces overall property tax revenue.
- Edmonton's mayoral race turned tense as third-party advertisers launch attack ads against candidates Michael Walters and Andrew Knack. Left-leaning Working Families Edmonton is backing Knack, while the conservative group Edmonton Forward is targeting him. Walters accused Knack of hypocrisy for benefiting from Working Families' ads, but Knack denied any connection and urged tighter rules on third-party spending. The dispute has sparked a broader debate over campaign transparency and "dark money" in city politics.
- Edmonton artists Erin Pankratz and Christian Pérès Gibaut won a national award for their public art installation, "A Mischief of Could Be(s)." The piece, located in Churchill Square, was installed in 2021 and focuses on the theme of childhood imagination.
- The Edmonton Police Service announced they arrested two men and one woman on Oct. 2 in connection with an "unprovoked" stabbing and robbery. The incident happened around 5:30am on Oct. 1 at a transit station near 90 Avenue and 175 Street in west Edmonton. Three people reportedly demanded cellphones from two men, aged 24 and 45. When the victims refused, one suspect stabbed them before taking their phones. The victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and have been released from hospital. Police said they identified and arrested the suspects within 24 hours.
- A 49-year-old man died on Oct. 6 from injuries sustained in an e-scooter collision that occurred on Sept. 24, the Edmonton Police Service said. The accident happened at 82 Street and 115 Avenue. Police continue to investigate.
- Connor McDavid reaffirmed his commitment to winning a Stanley Cup in Edmonton by signing a two-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers at $12.5 million AAV. McDavid prioritized a deal allowing the team salary cap flexibility to strengthen the roster and extend its championship window. "I said I was committed to winning here, and I meant that when I said," McDavid said.
- The Edmonton Oilers finalized its team for the season opener against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 8. Forward Zach Hyman was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) while recovering from wrist surgery sustained during the Western Conference Final. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch expects Hyman to return by early November. The Oilers also recalled forwards David Tomasek and Isaac Howard from the Bakersfield Condors and loaned James Hamblin back to the AHL affiliate.
- The Edmonton Elks have signed running back Justin Rankin to a multi-year extension through the 2027 season, the club announced. Rankin, 28, leads the CFL in big plays and ranks second in offensive touchdowns, contributing 1,471 yards from scrimmage this season.
Headlines: Oct. 8, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim