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Headlines: July 2, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • The City of Edmonton opened a new tow lot to manage hundreds of abandoned vehicles cluttering streets and parking lots. Located near 122nd Street and 124th Avenue, the facility can accommodate about 150 vehicles. Despite easing some pressure, more than 362 vehicles remain queued for towing. Coun. Erin Rutherford expressed doubts about the long-term effectiveness of the solution, citing a 45% rise in parking enforcement requests in two years. The main impound lot, managed by the Edmonton Police Service, has no plans for expansion, despite ongoing demand for increased capacity.
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney's planned Canada Day visit to Edmonton was canceled due to severe storms in Ottawa. Carney, an Edmonton native, was scheduled to speak at a Mill Woods event but could not depart Ottawa after celebrating Canada Day there earlier. His Canada Day message emphasized national unity, urging Canadians to embrace their diversity and work collectively for a stronger country. The visit was particularly significant, given Alberta's Oct. 19 referendum on holding a separation referendum.
  • Unity was a central theme at a Canada Day citizenship ceremony in Edmonton, where 50 individuals from 21 countries were sworn in as new citizens. Justice James Clover emphasized the importance of Canadian unity, highlighting its roots post-World War II. NDP MLAs David Eggen and David Shepherd welcomed the new Canadians, acknowledging their role in upcoming referendum votes impacting Canadian unity.
  • The Edmonton Oilers traded veteran defenceman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks for Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp, as NHL free agency kicked off on July 1. Nurse, who contributed significantly to the Oilers' recent playoff runs, struggled with a costly contract. The Oilers also signed defenceman Ryan Shea and goaltender Frederik Andersen to boost its lineup. Additionally, it acquired goalie Devon Levi from the Buffalo Sabres and secured a one-year deal for forward Kasperi Kapanen, focusing on restructuring its team dynamics.