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Headlines: Sept. 22, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Beginning Oct. 1, Edmonton residents will be able to recycle more materials through residential blue bag and bin collection and at recycling depots. Newly accepted items include takeout containers and to-go cups, foam packaging such as meat trays, and all plastic packaging, including chip bags, snack wrappers and bubble wrap. The changes come under Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility policy, which makes Producer Responsibility Organizations responsible for recycling in the province; Circular Materials oversees the program in Edmonton. The City will continue to provide collection, processing and recycling information, and residents can use the WasteWise app or online search tool to determine how to dispose of specific items.
  • The City of Edmonton and the **Edmonton Police Service are reviewing how they collaborate on public safety, with a report expected to go to council in late 2027. The review will examine current practices between the City's Community Services branch and the police service, as well as potential changes to improve coordination while protecting officers and ensuring accountability. City officials said there will be no changes to service delivery while the assessment is underway. The review will include input from city and police employees, community groups and other jurisdictions, and will outline the costs, risks and requirements of different organizational models.
  • A recovery group in Edmonton is aiming to support inmates released from custody by facilitating a smoother transition back into the community. The initiative, led by the Soberhood Society of Edmonton, provides essential resources such as housing, employment assistance, and mental health support. The group collaborates with local businesses and agencies to offer comprehensive services designed to reduce recidivism rates and help former inmates build stable lives after their release.
  • Demolition of Edmonton's historic Northlands racetrack is on schedule, with the $10.8-million project expected to have the site graded and ready for redevelopment next year. Work has also begun on demolishing the former Edmonton Coliseum, with physical demolition expected to start next spring and be completed by spring 2028. About 80% of materials from the demolitions, including concrete and steel, are expected to be recycled. The cleared site will eventually become part of a new Exhibition Lands neighbourhood with about 3,500 homes, including a mix of single-family homes and a 12-storey building, with the first 20 acres potentially under construction as early as 2027. The full development is expected to take 20 to 30 years, depending on market conditions and other factors.
  • Elections Alberta has revealed the locations for more than 1,400 polling stations for the upcoming Oct. 19 referendum. Voters can check Elections Alberta's website for their designated location, or wait for a "Where to Vote" card. Additionally, 310 polling stations will be available during the advanced voting period from Oct. 13 to 17, accessible to anyone voting early. The referendum will include 10 questions, notably whether Alberta should remain in Canada or hold another binding vote on separating from Confederation. More than 520,000 mail-in voting applications have been submitted.