- Edmonton area municipal leaders are working to revive regional cooperation after the shutdown of the Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Board, with Fort Saskatchewan hosting a December meeting for all 13 former members. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says the region needs a unified approach to economic development and transportation, arguing that a stronger Edmonton strengthens the entire metro area. Several mayors note that residents don't see municipal borders, making coordinated planning essential despite the loss of provincial funding. Rural leaders caution that any new structure must address past tensions, but most agree collaboration is vital for attracting investment and managing growth.
- Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette proposes transforming Edmonton's $1 billion Ed Tel endowment fund into a sovereign wealth fund to combat property tax increases and boost business attraction. Paquette said the city's budget is strained by inflation and provincial cuts, with no further efficiencies possible. He said increasing the fund to $6 billion within 10 to 15 years could eliminate the need for future property tax increases.
- Mayor Andrew Knack is calling for a dedicated traffic safety unit after a 58-year-old woman died when a driver in an SUV hit her in a crosswalk. Police say the woman was walking her dog across 153 Avenue near 82 Street when she was hit on Nov. 15; she later died of her injuries. Knack wants the upcoming budget to include a traffic enforcement team similar to Calgary's and hopes the province reconsiders its ban on photo radar. The Edmonton Police Service major collisions unit is investigating. Police say neither speed nor alcohol were factors.
- Coun. Aaron Paquette is raising concerns about social disorder at the Community of Hope emergency shelter on Fort Road. Paquette reported issues like open-air drug use and violence affecting nearby businesses. He plans to introduce a motion to city council on Nov. 18, requesting increased support for the shelter, which is operated by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta, and greater enforcement for residents and businesses. The motion will also seek data on service calls and explore options to transition the shelter to an alternative location once its lease expires. The Fort Road Business Association supports Paquette's efforts to find solutions.
- Meijun Chen, a distinguished clarinetist and educator, graduated from the University of Alberta with the school's first doctorate in wind band conducting. Chen, who earned three music degrees from the U of A, won the Debussy International Music Competition in 2023 and was named to CBC Music's "30 Under 30" list for 2025. She previously served as an emerging artist with the Edmonton Opera and a conducting intern with the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, and will present on Chinese-inspired wind band works at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December.
- The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a string of break-ins at 11 gaming and collectible trading card shops across Edmonton since September. Thieves have stolen thousands of dollars worth of rare Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and One Piece cards. Darcy Gouldie of Cerberus Gaming reported a $20,000 loss on Oct. 20, while David Bibby of Red Claw Gaming lost about $8,000 in cards on Nov. 9. Teaspot and ENV Collectibles, hit on Nov. 11, sustained about $40,000 in losses and damages. Owners are increasing security and urging public vigilance when buying collectibles.
- JR Figueiredo, president of the Alberta Soccer Association, was removed from the board and suspended for five years after an investigation found he engaged in workplace harassment and "inappropriate conduct," CBC reported. The probe, initiated following an August complaint, detailed behaviours including verbal threats, yelling, micromanagement, and creating a hostile work environment. Figueiredo, elected president in February, is suspended pending ratification by association members at a special general meeting.
- Toys "R" Us Canada has closed at least 38 stores this year and put another 12 up for sale including all three locations in Edmonton, each valued at more than $15 million. This downsizing comes amid increasing competition from retailers like Walmart and Amazon.
- The Alberta government introduced Bill 10 on Nov. 17, proposing to add citizenship status and health care numbers to Alberta driver's licences. The province argues the changes will enhance efficiency and reduce red tape, moving Alberta away from paper health care cards. Critics, however, express concerns about the complexity of citizenship verification and note that other provinces have abandoned similar licence practices. The bill also amends the All-season Resorts Act to include private lands in resort developments, aiming to boost tourism, though some critics worry about environmental impacts.
- The Alberta United Conservative Party (UCP) filed a statement of claim in the Court of King's Bench on Nov. 7 against former MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair, the Alberta Party, and its leader Lindsay Amantea, alleging it conspired to damage the UCP's reputation by using the Progressive Conservative name. The UCP, formed by a 2017 merger of the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties, claims ownership of the PC party name. Guthrie and Sinclair, who were expelled from the UCP caucus earlier in 2025, joined the Alberta Party, which then sought to rebrand as the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party in August 2025.
Headlines: Nov. 18, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim