- An Edmonton city auditor's report revealed significant issues with the October 2025 municipal election, citing long lines, inadequate staff training, and ballot box problems. Mayor Andrew Knack called the long wait times "unacceptable," with 16% of voters waiting more than an hour. Edmonton Elections and the auditor suggested more comprehensive training and addressing staffing levels in response to provincial mandates for hand-counting ballots and new voter registers. City council's audit committee will discuss the report on Feb. 4.
- The City of Edmonton has no plans to end hybrid work arrangements for approximately 1,280 staff in Edmonton Tower, who currently work in the office two to four days weekly. While downtown business and real estate leaders advocate for a full return to boost the core, Mayor Andrew Knack said that flexibility is important and a full return isn't the right tool for revitalization. Bryce Jowett of Civic Service Union 52 said the current approach is efficient and ending it would be a political move. Jowett also questioned whether the City has enough space given plans to consolidate staff by selling Chancery Hall and Century Place.
- The Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre in Edmonton, which includes the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre at 11160 135 Street NW, officially opens on Jan. 27 at 5:30am and will host its public grand opening celebration on Jan. 30, from 11am to 2pm. This facility is North America's first indoor triathlon training centre, featuring a 50-metre pool, running track, and cycling track, along with indoor courts, a bouldering wall, and fitness areas. Mayor Andrew Knack will speak at the event.
- Edmonton Transit Service will implement its mid-winter service changes beginning Feb. 8, adjusting several bus routes and school specials to better match seasonal ridership. The changes include bus bay reassignments at Meadows and Northgate transit centres, along with a routing adjustment for Route 506 and a shortened trip for Route 654 serving Strathcona High School. Routes 2 and 2-Owl remain on detour due to the Wellington Bridge replacement until at least fall 2026.
- Edmonton city council is considering how much residents are willing to pay to improve snow removal amid a winter marked by unusually heavy snowfall. Coun. Aaron Paquette will put forward a motion at the Jan. 27 council meeting asking City of Edmonton administration to outline costs and options for boosting snow and ice control capacity during extreme weather. Paquette said better service would require either shifting money from other city programs or raising property taxes by several dollars a month. Mayor Andrew Knack said current service levels fall short and noted that hauling snow away would nearly double the city's $55 million annual roadway budget.
- The City of Edmonton is seeking ideas to preserve and adaptively reuse the historic Rossdale Power Plant. The plant was Edmonton's first electrical facility, operating until 2008. River Crossing project lead Avril McCalla said the Request for Information process, which remains open until April, aims to gather community and market expectations for repurposing the decommissioned plant while honouring its legacy. Principal heritage planner David Johnston highlighted the plant's long presence in the city.
- The Edmonton Oilers have recalled forward Josh Samanski from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors and loaned forward Isaac Howard. Samanski recorded 28 points in 39 games with the Condors this season. He will join Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl on the German national squad for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Howard scored five points in 28 games with the Oilers and 23 points in 16 games with the Condors.
Headlines: Jan. 27, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim