- Talks between the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the province stalled on Oct. 15, as a provincewide teachers' strike continued into its second week. The dispute centres on wages and working conditions. Finance Minister Nate Horner said the ATA's new proposal seeks nearly $2 billion more than the government's $2.6 billion four-year budget, while ATA President Jason Schilling maintained its request, including class size caps, is realistic. The government's previous offer of a 12% pay raise over four years was rejected. Horner said the province will consider back-to-work legislation if the strike is still happening when the legislature reconvenes on Oct. 27.
- The federal government, City of Edmonton, and Canada Lands Company announced the grand opening of 91 affordable rental homes in Edmonton's Village at Griesbach community on Oct. 15. The Parkside North Townhomes received $44.9 million in combined funding, including from CMHC's Affordable Housing Fund and the Federal Lands Initiative. Nonprofit organization HomeEd developed and will operate the homes.
- A CBC News poll found three in four Edmontonians want the next city council to prioritize housing affordability due to rapid inflation and significant population growth. Since October 2021, renters in the Edmonton area have seen costs jump almost 26%, with median rent rising $220 by October 2024. Homeowners' costs are up 22%, and single-family home prices increased $84,000 from October 2021 to August 2025. While City of Edmonton policy changes, like the new zoning bylaw in 2024, boosted housing starts, overall supply remains level. The municipal election is set for Oct. 20.
- The Food Security and Food Justice Edmonton (FSFJE) network, a collaboration of community organizations, invited candidates for the Oct. 20 municipal election to share their vision for addressing rising food insecurity in Edmonton. Organized by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, FSFJE asked mayoral, city council, and school board trustee candidates about the City's role, existing plans, land access for urban agriculture, and strengthening community-led initiatives. As of Oct. 15, 19 of 119 candidates responded.
- The University of Alberta Students' Union (UASU) hosted an Edmonton Student Alliance mayoral forum on Oct. 10, featuring candidates Tim Cartmell, Andrew Knack, Michael Walters, and Rahim Jaffer. Moderated by former CBC radio host Mark Connolly at the Horowitz Theatre, the forum addressed transit safety, youth unemployment, and student consultation. Candidates discussed increasing police presence, partnering officers with social workers, creating more day shelters, attracting international investment, and fostering a robust tech economy. All candidates emphasized involving students in city decision-making. Edmonton's municipal election is Oct. 20.
- The Alberta government is changing the design and slogan of its licence plates to incorporate the phrase "Strong and Free." The phrase is already found in Latin on Alberta's coat of arms, and is also used by the governing United Conservative Party. Albertans can vote for a new design from Oct. 15 until Nov. 5. The new plates are expected to be available in late 2026.
- The Alberta government received a final third-party report into allegations of corruption over health contracts on Oct. 15, and plans to release it in a few days. Premier Danielle Smith commissioned former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant in March to review multimillion-dollar contracts for children's medication and for-profit surgeries. The allegations stemmed from a wrongful dismissal lawsuit by former Alberta Health Services head Athana Mentzelopoulos, which also triggered ongoing RCMP and Auditor General investigations. The United Conservative Party government denies any wrongdoing.
Headlines: Oct. 16, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim