- Edmonton city councillors made budget decisions on Dec. 3 that could push a 2026 property tax increase from 6.4% to 6.9%. Council voted to fund Explore Edmonton with $11 million annually from the tax levy, a 0.47% increase, providing ongoing financial certainty for the tourism marketing organization. It also allocated nearly $3 million to maintain Dedicated Accessible Transit Service levels, preventing a 10% service reduction, and about $500,000 for transit cleaning while paying a living wage. Additionally, revenue from an Old Strathcona parking lot will now go to general city revenue, and two more peace officers will be hired for downtown.
- The City of Edmonton's Animal Care and Control Centre is holding its annual PAWS for a CAUSE Pet Food Drive from Dec. 1 to 14. This initiative, supporting Edmonton's Food Bank, helps families provide food and supplies for their pets during the holiday season. Last year, the drive collected more than 8,000 kilograms of pet food. Donations of new, unopened pet food, cat litter, treats, leashes, and collars are accepted at various Edmonton locations.
- Negotiations are underway to redevelop Edmonton's old Royal Alberta Museum site after the province received six pitches, determining three were viable. The 58-year-old building, vacant since 2015, incurs $700,000 in annual maintenance and needs an estimated $75 million in deferred maintenance. Stuart Adams of the Save the Old RAM Task Force expressed encouragement, emphasizing the group's goal to preserve the building.
- The Edmonton Police Service has issued warrants for Matthew Edward Williams, 36, also known as Matthew Galpin, for uttering threats to cause bodily harm and criminal harassment. Williams is accused of repeatedly harassing and threatening women he met on dating and escort sites like Tinder and LeoList since 2022, allegedly using fake names, photos, and multiple phone numbers. He is already under release orders for similar investigations in Calgary and British Columbia, police said.
- An eastbound Valley Line LRT train in downtown Edmonton experienced minor delays on Dec. 3, after it was hit by the driver of a truck. The incident happened near the Churchill Stop, at 102 Avenue NW and 100 Street NW, in front of City Centre Mall. Edmonton police said the truck was travelling east on 102 Avenue when it turned northbound against a traffic light, striking the train, which had a green light. No injuries were reported. The City of Edmonton, TransEd, and Edmonton Police Service are investigating the collision.
- Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod said a pilot project by the Edmonton Police Service to trial facial recognition on body-worn video cameras requires her approval. While police contend it doesn't legally need approval for this 'proof of concept' stage, McLeod said that privacy laws apply to all technology testing involving personal information. The police service said it submitted a privacy impact assessment for the program involving up to 50 officers.
Headlines: Dec. 4, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim