- Edmonton city council approved rezoning for a vacant lot at 99 Avenue and 112 Street in the Wîhkwêntôwin area on Feb. 24. Councillors voted 9-3 to change the property's zoning to mixed-use, overriding city administration's recommendation for direct control zoning. The rezoning application, submitted by EINS Development Consulting Ltd., will allow a larger Stopgap Coffee shop to be built on the site, while ensuring heritage protection and preventing four-storey development. Mayor Andrew Knack noted that the mixed-use zone offers more heritage guarantees and height restrictions than the previous residential zoning, which allowed four-storey apartment buildings.
- The City of Edmonton renewed its Social Objectives Agreement with Capital Power, securing $75 million in direct payments and continued annual community funding. The agreement requires the company to keep its head office in Edmonton for at least 10 years, supporting local employment and economic activity. It also grants Capital Power greater corporate governance flexibility through a special limited voting share from EPCOR.
- The Edmonton Police Service charged three teen boys with theft under $5,000 in connection with a series of 15 online marketplace robberies reported in the city over the past month. Police said that in each case the suspects posed as buyers of high-priced items on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace, then, with accomplices, robbed sellers. Police advised Edmontonians to meet in safe public locations for online marketplace transactions, such as police Buy and Sell Exchange Zones. More safety tips are available on the police website.
- As the spring sitting of the legislature convened on Feb. 24, the Alberta government outlined its legislative agenda. The government is planning to introduce 18 bills, including legislation on immigration, medical assistance in dying (MAID), and major projects. House Leader Joseph Schow said the immigration bill will give the province greater control, while proposed MAID changes would prohibit access for "mature minors," people with mental health as their sole condition, advanced requests, and adults lacking decision-making capacity. Budget 2026, set to be tabled on Feb. 26, is projected to be in deficit. NDP Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the UCP for not addressing cost of living, health care, or education.
- The Alberta government plans to move all sheriffs to the new Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS). Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis tabled legislation on Feb. 24 to transfer 1,200 sheriff employees and their budget to the ASPS, training about 600 as police officers with six weeks of additional instruction. The ASPS will work alongside existing police and will continue the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods program. Concerns remain regarding startup costs and adequate training.
- The Edmonton Oilers remained uncertain whether Connor McDavid would play in the team's Feb. 25 game against the Anaheim Ducks. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said the decision depends on McDavid's health, energy, and the gruelling travel back from the Olympics, with Feb. 26 being a more likely return given the back-to-back games. Leon Draisaitl, who skated with the Oilers Feb. 24 in Anaheim, is ready to play and reiterated his previous comments that the team needs to "be better" from top to bottom.
Headlines: Feb. 25, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim