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Headlines: Aug. 20, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • The City of Edmonton launched the Rental Protection Program, which will help non-profit housing providers buy and renovate existing rental buildings for long-term non-market housing. The program is funded with $1 million each from the city and the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund. A building must include at least 30% affordable units to qualify, and rents for those units cannot exceed 80% of the average market rate. Housing researcher Steve Pomeroy told Taproot in 2025 that non-profit acquisitions can preserve inexpensive rentals by keeping future rent increases tied to operating costs.
  • Several 2SLGBTQ+ groups withdrew from the upcoming Edmonton Pride Festival after organizers announced a larger, more visible police presence. Those leaving include RaricaNow, whose founder, Adebayo Chris Katiiti, said that a greater police presence could make marginalized community members less safe because of law enforcement's history of targeting them. Pride Corner on Whyte also cut ties with the event, saying that the decision disregards unanswered calls to action from Black and Indigenous trans and queer community members. The Edmonton Pride Festival said that the increased presence is a public-safety measure, not an endorsement of policing. Festival organizer Trevor Watson said police will provide security but will not participate in Pride activities, citing deadly vehicle attacks at Berlin Pride this summer and Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in 2025. Indigenous Pride producer Kisik Whiskeyjack said there will be no police presence at Sunday's powwow and pageant.
  • Edmonton city council voted 7-6 to have administration prepare a budget package for a fare-gate pilot at one downtown LRT station. Coun. Jon Morgan said the pilot is intended to reduce fare evasion and improve cost recovery. Mayor Andrew Knack supported gathering more information but said that he is extremely unlikely to support it during budget deliberations.
  • After organizers confirmed that the Servus Edmonton Marathon course was 674.7 metres too long, the Boston Athletic Association said that adjusted results will not count toward Boston Marathon qualification. Race director Tom Keogh said in a statement the Edmonton Marathon "will review our certification processes with our partners and ensure this error does not happen again."
  • Coun. Karen Principe has asked city administration to study the effects of multi-unit infill on nearby property values after Edmonton Neighbourhoods United funded a study that found homes within 50 metres of such projects sold for about 7.4% lower on average.
  • Coun. Thu Parmar is backing a campaign to bring a Northern Super League team to Edmonton. The seven-team women's professional soccer circuit recently added Winnipeg. Parmar cited large crowds at Edmonton's PWHL games and the CPKC Women's Open as evidence of demand for women's sports. Supporters aim to collect 5,000 petition signatures.
  • EPCOR will transfer responsibility for the eroded Horseshoe Creek roadway crossing at 137 Avenue to the City of Edmonton on Aug. 31 because the planned 2,000-millimetre culvert is considered bridge-size. The redesigned crossing will widen the embankment for the road and a multi-use path, eliminating the need for the wooden pedestrian bridge. EPCOR will monitor and secure the site until the handover.
  • Parking-related issues made up more than 40% of the 50 most common complaint categories in 2025, according to Edmonton's 311 data. Abandoned vehicles ranked first, followed by safety issues.
  • The Edmonton Elks lead the CFL West Division at 7-3. Their 42-12 win over the Toronto Argonauts was the team's largest margin of victory since becoming the Elks. Quarterback Cody Fajardo, second in CFL passing yards, was named the No. 2 CFL Player of the Week.