- Mayor Andrew Knack wants to re-evaluate Edmonton's winter plowing policies for the next budget cycle following unprecedented snow, with December 2025 being the city's fifth-wettest December on record with 50.2 mm of precipitation. Knack discussed snow removal challenges in a Substack post, in which he acknowledged resident frustration and thanked crews. He noted that a 2022 report on alternative methods, like full snow removal, projected significant cost increases, adding $20 million to double removal speed or $71 million to reduce clearance time by one-quarter to the current $67 million annual budget.
- Edmonton drivers are navigating deep ruts on roads and experiencing vehicle damage following significant snowfall around the late December 2025 holiday season. Residents across the city report dangerous road conditions, with some incurring costly repairs due to severe ruts and potholes. The accumulated snow and ice have created hazardous commutes, leading to public scrutiny of the City of Edmonton's winter road maintenance efforts.
- More than 200 suites in a south Edmonton townhouse complex were without running water for five days after a water main break on New Year's Day. Dozens of tenants in the complex experienced the outage, which began on Jan. 1. Water was restored Jan. 6.
- Marigold Infrastructure Partners construction manager Jonathan Cox warned that Edmonton risks losing skilled construction workers if LRT expansion stops after current projects. The City of Edmonton has developed specialized capacity for building rail in northern climates, and these workers might go to other municipalities if LRT expansion stops. Edmonton's $2.6-billion Valley Line West LRT expansion is still years from completion, and while Capital Line LRT expansion to Ellerslie Road is planned, further projects lack funding. Mayor Andrew Knack supports continued expansion but said it depends on federal and provincial funding.
- Alberta's new policy banning sexually explicit material in schools led to the removal of dozens of library books from schools this week, as the law officially took effect on Jan. 6. Edmonton Public Schools removed 34 titles to comply, while the Calgary Board of Education removed 44. Both divisions stated they would not share lists of the removed books. The provincial policy requires schools to remove books containing explicit sexual images or illustrations.
- Some recipients of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped recipients and disability advocates are concerned about proposed medical review panels that will decide eligibility under Alberta's planned disability income reforms. Starting in July, the province will launch the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, which pays less than AISH but allows higher employment earnings without clawbacks. Critics warn the panels could limit access to AISH, lack transparency, and issue decisions that cannot be appealed. The government says the changes reflect calls for more flexibility to work and that current recipients will continue to receive support.
- Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation filed a lawsuit against the Alberta government alleging provincial actions allowed the Alberta Prosperity Project to collect signatures for a provincial separation referendum. The First Nation argues Bill 14, which removed the constitutional alignment requirement for referendum questions, violates Treaty 8 and requires First Nation consent for any change to the treaty relationship.
- The Edmonton Oilers placed goalie Tristan Jarry on long-term injured reserve, with coach Kris Knoblauch expecting him to be out for a few more weeks. Jarry sustained a lower-body injury on Dec. 18, shortly after being acquired from Pittsburgh and winning all three of his starts for Edmonton. The Oilers activated forward Kasperi Kapanen, who returned after being sidelined since Oct. 19 with a lower-body injury.
Headlines: Jan. 7, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim