- Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack plans to pitch Edmonton as a strategic location for defence spending during his visit to Ottawa to this week for the Big City Mayors' Caucus. He will also advocate for increased federal funding for non-market and supportive housing, citing a significant gap despite Edmonton's strong market housing supply.
- Edmonton active transportation advocates want the city to better tackle icy conditions on bike lanes to improve safety and accessibility for cyclists. The advocates are urging the City of Edmonton to enhance its winter maintenance protocols for bike lane infrastructure. "It doesn't have to be down to bare pavement for safety. It just has to have some sort of grip for the users," said Ryan Jacques of Paths for People.
- During a discussion on housing policy at the University of Alberta on Jan. 31, former Calgary city councillor Courtney Walcott said that housing cost is the primary indicator of homelessness and poverty, surpassing factors like unemployment or income. Walcott highlighted that a 2021 surge in Calgary's affordable housing applications stemmed from escalating house prices, not the COVID-19 pandemic, with prices continuing to rise even during a market crash.
- The Edmonton Police Service announced charges against 37-year-old Charles Bernatchez in connection with 10 historical sexual offences. The charges relate to alleged incidents between 2009 and 2016 involving three teenage boys who were cadets with the Canadian Armed Forces while Bernatchez was a civilian instructor in Edmonton. Bernatchez was released with conditions, including remaining in Alberta and not supervising minors.
- In a letter to Canadians, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid says his leadership has evolved from learning on the job at 19 to an all-out focus on winning. He tied his legacy to Edmonton, rejecting the narrative of the Oilers as unlucky and reaffirming his belief in the team. He wrote that winning gold with Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off renewed his competitive fire. While he acknowledged the sting of recent Stanley Cup Final losses, he said they have reinforced his resolve. He ended the letter by looking ahead to the Olympics, saying he is determined to win for both Edmonton and Canada.
- The Canadian Visually Impaired Curling Championship (CVICC) is taking place this week in Edmonton at the Granite Curling Club in Old Strathcona. Local curler Natalie Morin, who is about 80% blind, is competing with Team Alberta. Adaptations like guidance for fully blind curlers and lights on skips' brooms help maintain competitiveness. Organizers hope the sport will grow enough to be included in the Paralympics in the future.
- Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides has opened applications for a new teacher advisory council, seeking 15 teachers and principals to provide direct advice on education issues. Applications are due Feb. 13, with appointments expected by the end of the month. Nicolaides also committed to releasing class size and complexity data in the coming weeks, ahead of the 2026 budget. Jason Schilling of the Alberta Teachers' Association questioned the delay in the data's release and the council's effectiveness.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Eleanor Olszewski as Ministerial Lead for Jasper on Feb. 2. As Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, Olszewski will coordinate federal recovery and rebuilding efforts following the devastating July 2024 wildfires that impacted Jasper National Park. The federal government has already committed more than $383 million to the efforts.
Headlines: Feb. 3, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim