- Under the headline "Summary of facts that show how the process was verified and sound," Edmonton Elections issued a news release detailing its ballot accounting process after incorrect municipal election results were initially published, which it attributed to human error during advance vote counting at the Edmonton EXPO Centre that saw results transposed between candidates. Edmonton Elections discovered the error on Oct. 22. A recount for the Ward sipiwiyiniwak councillor race was held the same day after a close initial preliminary result, confirming the transposition error. Additionally, five ballot boxes initially uncounted on election night were subsequently counted transparently on Oct. 22, with scrutineers present, after missing documentation was addressed. All ballot boxes remained in a secure chain of custody, the release said.
- Edmonton mayoral runner-up Tim Cartmell called for a citywide audit of the municipal election process after incorrect results were reported in Ward sipiwiyiniwak. A recount found Thu Parmar defeated Darrell Friesen by more than 600 votes, reversing an initial report that had Friesen winning by six. Edmonton Elections attributed the discrepancy to "human error" and a "transposition error" during advance vote counting that saw votes intended for Parmar incorrectly given to candidate Roger Kotch. Additionally, five ballot boxes from Keheewin School, St. Alphonsus Catholic School, and George H. Luck School were initially uncounted. Cartmell is seeking an independent third-party review, while Dan Williams, the minister of Alberta municipal affairs, expects an after-action report.
- Premier Danielle Smith announced on Oct. 23 that the Alberta government will introduce back-to-work legislation for striking teachers on Oct. 27. Finance Minister Nate Horner will table Bill 2, the Back to School Act, to end the Alberta-wide strike, which Smith said is harming students and teachers. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides noted procedural steps are required before schools reopen. Thousands of teachers and supporters vowed to resist the planned back-to-work order at a rally outside the Alberta legislature in Edmonton. Jason Schilling of the Alberta Teachers' Association said the legislation cannot silence the province's 51,000 teachers. Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi condemned the planned legislation as an "abuse of democratic rights."
- The Supreme Court pushed back against the bid to withhold officer disciplinary records by the Edmonton Police Service, emphasizing that the Crown, not police, should determine the relevance of expunged files for disclosure to the accused. This follows a case in which an officer's 2015 Police Act conviction was initially undisclosed to the defence. While the police service argued records are expunged after five years under Section 22 of the Police Act, Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Eric Macklin previously ruled for disclosure.
- The Edmonton Police Service is warning residents about new scams targeting seniors. Scammers are spoofing bank fraud department numbers, claiming cards are compromised, and sending Uber drivers to collect them, or instructing victims to e-transfer money to their own email. Another scam involves callers pretending to be a child in a crash, with another person posing as a police officer demanding e-transferred money to avoid charges. Police advise that banks will never send couriers and officers will not ask for money. Victims should hang up and contact their bank or police.
- An Edmonton-area teen, previously arrested in May and under a terrorism peace bond for alleged ties to the "764 online network," is facing new charges. RCMP allege the network targets vulnerable children, radicalizing them to violence and encouraging sexual acts, self-harm, and animal torture. A forensic examination of the 15-year-old boy's electronic devices led to charges including participating in a terrorist group, wilful promotion of hatred, uttering threats, and possessing child sexual abuse material, stemming from a February incident. He remains in custody at the Edmonton Young Offender Centre.
- St. Clare Church in Edmonton was targeted in two serious acts of vandalism, resulting in more than 25 shattered stained-glass windows and satanic graffiti on the building. The first incident occurred on Oct. 20, between 4:17am and 5:05am, with a second on Oct. 22 at 1am. The damage estimate for the windows alone is expected to exceed $250,000. The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the incidents. Despite the damage, Masses will continue, and the church is implementing additional security measures.
- Alberta's throne speech on Oct. 23 outlined the provincial government's agenda, which includes plans to build new pipelines to B.C.'s northwest coast and Ontario to "end the landlocking" of oilsands, while aiming to double oil and gas production. Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani stated Alberta will also become an "AI superpower." Premier Danielle Smith tabled Bill 1, the International Agreements Act, asserting provincial enforcement for international agreements. A second bill will order striking teachers back to work. Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the speech for not addressing public services, health care, or affordability.
- Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, who represents Calgary-Bow, faces a recall petition approved on Oct. 23. Calgarian Jennifer Yeremiy initiated the petition, alleging Nicolaides is "unfit" due to mismanagement of public education, leading to overcrowded classrooms and understaffed schools. Nicolaides contends the recall process is being misused for policy disagreements instead of ethical concerns. Yeremiy has three months to gather roughly 16,000 signatures, 60% of votes cast in the riding, making this the first such petition to recall an MLA since the 2021 legislation introduced by former Premier Jason Kenney.
Headlines: Oct. 24, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim