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Headlines: Oct. 23, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton city administrators proposed industrial development incentives for council's 2027-2030 budget deliberations in December. One would reimburse a single major component of oversized industrial infrastructure, at a cost of $23 million over four years. The other would cut property taxes on new industrial buildings by 25% for three years, with costs still undetermined.
  • The Alberta government issued written directions to Edmonton and Calgary to reverse infill zoning changes that allowed greater density and building heights on small-scale residential sites. An Order in Council signed Oct. 22 requires Edmonton to restore rules that were in place before a 2024 bylaw amendment, as well as minimum parking requirements that applied before July 1, 2020. Mayor Andrew Knack said the directive could negatively affect housing affordability, construction and supply, adding that the city would review the order and assess its implications. Edmonton has three months to pass and implement the required amendments. The province has also given the city 18 months to review its Zoning Bylaw to ensure it complies with provincial policies.
  • Edmonton city council will consider a proposed bylaw requiring flyers containing graphic or disturbing images to be delivered in sealed, clearly labelled envelopes. The community and public services committee voted 4-0 on Monday to recommend the amendment, which was introduced by Coun. Aaron Paquette after parents and women who had undergone abortions raised concerns about images of fetuses appearing in their mailboxes. The rules would apply to all unsolicited, hand-delivered materials featuring disturbing imagery, including animal rights literature, but would not cover mail delivered by Canada Post.
  • Edmonton's Citadel Theatre has received a $1-million donation from longtime supporter Arnold Rumbold to establish a fund supporting the development of new Canadian plays. The Rumbold New Play Prize will help artists develop original theatrical works, with the goal of producing a new work each year for audiences in Edmonton and across Canada. The donation builds on the theatre's work commissioning new plays and supporting emerging projects through its Playwrights Lab, which has selected Amanda Samuelson, Nicole Moeller, Mhairi Berg and Jana O'Connor for its 2026-27 program. Led by Associate Artistic Director Mieko Ouchi, the lab runs until June 2027, when participants will present readings of their work at the Citadel's Collider Festival. The prize will be held in an endowment fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation.
  • Covenant Health began screening for weapons at two more Edmonton emergency departments. The systems at Misericordia Community Hospital and Grey Nuns Community Hospital screen patients and visitors. Patients who refuse screening can still receive emergency care under Protective Services oversight, Covenant Health said.
  • Wings Safe Housing and Support marked 40 years of helping women and children who face family violence in Edmonton. The organization said it has served more than 6,000 women and children since opening in 1986. It operates 50 furnished apartments and provides resources such as case management and safety planning.
  • Edmonton's Community Mural Grant Program supported 15 new murals this summer, marking its 15th anniversary. The City said its Beyond Belonging action plan provided an additional $40,000 to fund five murals promoting inclusive public spaces.
  • Edmonton entrepreneur and philanthropist Irving Kipnes has died at the age of 90. His philanthropy included a $25-million gift to create the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute in 2025. The University of Alberta is flying its banner at half-mast through Oct. 25 in his honour.
  • The Edmonton Oilers said in a release they have activated Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from injured reserve and placed Jason Dickinson on injured reserve.