- Edmonton's new mayor, Andrew Knack, and 12 city councillors were officially sworn in during a ceremony at city hall on Oct. 29. Alberta Chief Justice Ritu Khullar administered the oaths during the ceremony, which featured performances by the Red Elk Singers and the Korora Choir. Knack, along with eight returning and four newly elected councillors for the 2025 to 2029 term, highlighted the need for regional cooperation, despite the former Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board no longer existing. Council's inaugural meeting approved meeting schedules and committee assignments.
- Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack stated his municipal election victory signals a rejection of "big money and party politics," embracing optimism that the "city isn't broken." Raised in Spruce Grove, he began his political journey after unsuccessful council bids in 2007 and 2010, before being elected councillor for Ward 1 (later Ward Nakota Isga) in 2013. Outgoing Mayor Amarjeet Sohi noted Knack's attentive listening. Challenges during his upcoming term include building council consensus on infill and public safety.
- Alberta students returned to classrooms on Oct. 29 after the provincial government invoked the notwithstanding clause, ending a teachers' strike that began Oct. 6 and affected approximately 750,000 students. Both Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools confirmed they will proceed with fall break as scheduled, with no immediate plans to extend instructional days. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides acknowledged concerns over lost learning time. Meanwhile, high school students across Alberta plan an Oct. 30 walkout to protest the back-to-work legislation, which imposes a four-year collective agreement on teachers.
- Unions are mobilizing against the UCP government, with the Common Front coalition aiming to topple the government and introduce a "workers agenda." Members of the United Food and Commercial Services Union (UFCW) voted 79% in favour of a general strike option, potentially affecting grocery stores and food processing plants. Bea Bruske of the Canadian Labour Congress and Jason Schilling of the Alberta Teachers' Association highlight widespread opposition to the UCP's use of the notwithstanding clause.
- Large class sizes continue to challenge Alberta's education system after teachers were legislated back to work, following a three-week strike, CBC News reported. Jason Schilling of the Alberta Teachers' Association noted students in classes of 30-40, including those in Edmonton, struggle for individualized support due to increased learning complexities. Darryl Hunter of the University of Alberta highlighted the academic boost smaller classes offer younger grades.
- Boyle Street Community Services has unveiled a new logo for okimaw peyesew kamik ("King Thunderbird Centre"), created in collaboration with Indigenous artist Virgil Grandbois and guided by elders through ceremony. The new purpose-built community facility will begin opening its services on Nov. 12, with media tours on Dec. 15 and a public open house on Dec. 16.
- A CityNews-Canada Pulse Insights poll found that more than half of Edmontonians feel newcomers are not having a positive impact on the city. The poll, conducted between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, found 53% of Edmontonians support maintaining current reduced immigration levels, while 37% favor halting it entirely. Many link higher immigration volumes to local issues; 59% blame them for crowded hospital emergency rooms, 64% for affordable housing shortages, and 69% for young people struggling to find jobs. Alberta's Minister Joseph Schow said current immigration levels are "too high" for the province to manage.
- Most Edmontonians will vote in new or redrawn provincial ridings in the next election, as an interim report from the Electoral Boundaries Commission recommends adding two new seats to Alberta's legislature, bringing the total to 89. One new seat will be in Edmonton, increasing its total to 21, and the other in Calgary. The report proposes a new Edmonton-South East constituency and a new Edmonton-West-Enoch constituency, which covers parts of Edmonton and areas just outside city limits. The commission will issue a final report on March 26.
- Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Zach Hyman will be sidelined for at least another week due to a wrist injury. Hyman, who suffered the injury on May 27 during the Western Conference final against Dallas and underwent summer surgery, had been targeting a Nov. 1 return. However, medical staff are holding him back. Knoblauch noted Hyman's absence affects the team's goal-scoring and tenacity, contributing to the Oilers' current 5-4-2 record.
- The Edmonton Elks have extended the contract of defensive back Tyrell Ford through the 2027 season, the team announced Oct. 29. Elks VP of Football Operations and General Manager Ed Hervey emphasized Ford's consistency and professionalism in reinforcing the team's commitment to building a championship-calibre roster.
Headlines: Oct. 30, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim