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Headlines: Oct. 15, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said the city still lacked written instructions for the province's ordered zoning rollback a week after the directive was announced, despite a three-month compliance deadline. BILD Edmonton Metro said it was also waiting for written directives, but that City of Edmonton administration said existing rules remain in effect until council enacts new bylaws.
  • The Edmonton Police Service reported that average crime severity in its downtown Crime Treatment Zone fell 13.6% from January through September compared with the same period in 2025. It attributed improvements to targeted enforcement and said it would expand the approach while maintaining downtown coverage. CBC reported that experts cautioned enforcement alone would not solve underlying problems.
  • Edmonton city council's community and public services committee will consider a proposed community bylaw court that would waive eligible participants' fines and connect them with services. Administration estimated annual costs of about $1.17 million, with a late-2027 launch contingent on council funding and provincial court participation. The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness opposed the court approach, arguing an administrative process could waive fines without criminalizing poverty. "We don't need to put people in a courtroom in order to get their tickets rescinded," coalition board member David Rivera-Kohr said.
  • An 18-year-old motorcyclist is facing charges of dangerous driving causing death and injury after crashing into an Edmonton bus stop at 120 Avenue and 97 Street on Oct. 13. The Edmonton Police Service alleges the motorcyclist had been racing a BMW that fled the scene before the striking four pedestrians shortly before 9pm. A 21-year-old man later died in hospital, while a 46-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman suffered serious injuries; the woman's 10-month-old baby was hospitalized with potentially life-threatening injuries. The motorcyclist was not seriously hurt, and police are seeking information about the BMW driver.
  • The City of Edmonton reopened 34 Street between Roper Road and 64 Avenue after replacing the Fulton Creek culvert near Pylypow Wetlands. The City said crews completed the work about a month ahead of schedule.
  • The Edmonton Police Service charged a 29-year-old man in connection with a tent slashing at the Edmonton Heritage Festival in August. Edmonton police said the incident happened around 3pm on Aug. 3, when the man allegedly climbed a metal security fence surrounding the Israel pavilion and cut the tent with a knife. Security guards detained the suspect until police arrived and arrested him. Police said their investigation found insufficient evidence that the incident was motivated by hate. Abdimalik Jama faces charges of mischief under $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
  • More than half of Alberta physicians surveyed by the Alberta Medical Association say they would leave the province and stop practising there if Alberta separates from Canada. Of the 1,649 respondents, 55% said they would move to another province or territory, while 8% said they would retire or leave medicine earlier than planned. Only 15% said they would remain in Alberta and continue practising, while 18% were undecided.
  • Premier Danielle Smith said she voted for Alberta to remain in Canada in advance voting for the Oct. 19 referendum. She urged voters to support the other nine proposals on immigration and constitutional reform. Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi urged voters to reject those proposals and vote to stay in Canada. Elections Alberta said nearly 175,000 Albertans voted in the first day of advance polls on Oct. 13.
  • Some voters at advance polling stations for the Alberta referendum say Elections Alberta staff told them to cover clothing displaying Canadian or Alberta symbols, Postmedia reported. Elections Alberta said that it had received no reports of such incidents but had instructed staff not to prohibit the attire. It said flags and slogans such as "Celebrate Alberta" or "Celebrate Canada" do not constitute referendum advertising on their own. Advance voting continues until Oct. 17, ahead of the main voting day on Oct. 19.