- Edmonton city council was set to begin debating its $3.8-billion 2026 budget, which proposes a 6.4% property tax increase, on Dec. 1. The City of Edmonton faces a projected $52 million fiscal shortfall in its municipal budget. This deficit stems from reduced provincial and federal funding, inflation, population growth, and the rise of e-commerce. Surrounding communities depend on Edmonton for services and amenities like Rogers Place without fully contributing to the supporting infrastructure, the City noted. Administration plans to provide council with options for service reductions and explore increasing non-tax revenue through user fees and fines. Edmonton also faces an underfunded annual infrastructure renewal gap of approximately $3.6 billion.
- Edmonton's population growth is accelerating, reaching 1 million in 2021 and adding 100,000 residents between 2022 and 2024. City council received a briefing about managing this rapid growth, with administration now forecasting 1.25 million people by 2027, five years sooner than expected. Deputy City Manager Kim Petrin attributed this surge to increased migration. To manage costs and expedite tax revenue, the City set a target of 50% of new development as infill, reducing reliance on urban sprawl.
- Edmonton Police Service Chief Warren Driechel is seeking to fire Det. Dan Behiels, who admitted leaking documents and making corruption claims to a journalist. Behiels, facing a Police Act hearing in Edmonton, pleaded guilty to misconduct for passing case files about convicted mortgage fraudster Abdullah Shah (Carmen Pervez) to CBC reporter Janice Johnston. Behiels's lawyers argue he acted as a "whistleblower," following a moral compass, while the police chief's lawyer argued his compass is "calibrated inaccurately." Calgary police investigated Behiels's corruption allegations against senior Edmonton police officials, finding no wrongdoing.
- One child died and three others were hospitalized following an early morning house fire in Edmonton's Belmont neighbourhood on Nov. 28. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services received a 911 call at 1:21am about the blaze near 132 Avenue and 31 Street. Fire Chief David Lazenby confirmed firefighters rescued two children, one of whom later died. Another child is in critical condition, and an adult is in serious but non-life-threatening condition. The fire department is investigating.
- The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the driver of a red four-door SUV involved in a hit-and-run that seriously injured a 31-year-old man in a wheelchair. The collision occurred around 8pm on Oct. 25, in Edmonton's Calder neighbourhood at the intersection of 123 Street and 127 Avenue. The driver of the SUV, turning left, struck the man and another pedestrian. The driver briefly stopped, spoke to the victims, and then fled the scene, heading east on 127 Avenue. Police have released surveillance video and are asking for public assistance.
- The Canadian Association of Journalists has added two new awards: the Janice Johnston Award, honouring the late CBC Edmonton crime reporter, and the Geoffrey Stevens Award for standout local government reporting. Johnston's prize is the CAJ's first named after a woman, with fundraising led by Edmonton journalist Jana G. Pruden. Entries for the 2025 awards open Dec. 2.
- In an investigation, The Globe and Mail reported extensive connections between Edmonton-based medical supply entrepreneur Sam Mraiche and Premier Danielle Smith's government amidst Alberta's healthcare procurement controversy. Mraiche's company, MHCare Medical, received more than $600 million in Alberta Health Services contracts, the outlet reported. Athana Mentzelopoulos, former CEO of AHS, alleged wrongful dismissal in February 2025 after investigating procurement ties and alleged pressure regarding Mraiche's private surgical projects in Red Deer and Lethbridge. Smith's former chief of staff, Marshall Smith, lived in a house owned by Mraiche's sister and hired Mraiche's relatives, including his son, Khalil. The RCMP and Alberta's Auditor-General continue to investigate.
- At the United Conservative Party AGM on Nov. 29 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, Jeffrey Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project garnered loud support for Alberta separation from members, prompting cheers while Premier Danielle Smith's statement of supporting "an independent Alberta within a united Canada" was met with boos and heckles. Pro-independence supporters secured the balance of power on the party's new board, with five of the nine new officers backed by the Alberta Prosperity Project.
Headlines: Dec. 1, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim