The Pulse: April 15, 2025

On the heels of opening two new cafés in six months in the Edmonton region, the founders of The Colombian are on a mission to grow their business exponentially.

"We are actively looking to open in 75 communities, internationally, in 10 years," said Santiago Lopez, co-owner of The Colombian.

Lopez, along with his business partner and wife Kristin Panylyk de Lopez, opened the pair's first café and roastery in Glenora in 2018. Since 2021, the pair has steadily added one location per year. The Colombian now operates shops in the Bonnie Doon, Parkallen, Mill Creek, and Forest Heights neighbourhoods. Last month, the duo opened their first shop outside the city, in Sherwood Park.

"Sherwood Park has embraced the shop, and already has regulars," Panylyk de Lopez said. "There are lots of families visiting the café."

Demographics are a key factor that determines where the company decides to open, as The Colombian tries to appeal to inter-generational customers. Lopez is also guided by internal data that shows where online coffee bean deliveries are made. All of this information led to them considering Sherwood Park.

"It's a great community that is under-serviced," Lopez said. "It's better than St. Albert because people stay in Sherwood Park and are more willing to support businesses there. People in St. Albert come into Edmonton for most of their services. I haven't seen a coffee business succeed in St. Albert."

The Colombian has been very intentional in positioning itself in areas where third spaces are missing. "If we open in smaller communities, we become the gathering spot in the neighbourhood," Lopez said. "We go into places that need the community."

Lopez wouldn't say where the company plans to expand, but indicated the plan will be "very organic" just as its growth from one location to six has been. "We feel that we can impact several communities in North America," he said.

• As coyote denning season begins, the City of Edmonton is reminding residents to exercise caution, especially when walking dogs near river banks and areas with dense vegetation. Coyotes become more aggressive in late April, May, and early June to protect their pups, with dogs being the primary target. The City's approach focuses on public education and non-lethal methods, such as using projectile launchers with inert pepper balls to deter coyotes from high-risk behaviours in areas like Argyll Park and Victoria Park.
• Edmonton woman Sandy Saunders, who uses a wheelchair, is lobbying the City of Edmonton and local businesses to prioritize wheelchair users' access to parking. Saunders seeks increased awareness and enforcement to prevent able-bodied individuals from misusing these spaces, in an effort to improve accessibility for those who need them most.
• The Edmonton Police Service introduced Blaise, Alberta's first operational stress intervention dog, to support the mental wellness of sworn and civilian police service employees. Blaise, a Black Labrador, was selected and trained by B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs. The dog is trained to comfort officers during high-stress situations, unlike those in the canine unit which are trained to chase suspects.
• The Alberta government is investing $100 million to transform the University of Alberta Biological Sciences Building into the Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies Centre. This project will double lab capacity to 3,200 seats, enabling more than 3,000 additional students to pursue science programs.
• The Alberta government is granting $200,000 to the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and Jewish Federation of Calgary to combat antisemitism. Minister Jason Nixon announced the funding on April 13, noting the federations' role in educating Albertans and building a connected Jewish community. The money will support an Alberta conference on antisemitism, scholarships, educational materials, and meetings with government and law enforcement. The Edmonton Police Commission is scheduled to receive an update on hate crimes in the city on April 17.
• Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein's latest column discusses the potential for rising separatist sentiments in Alberta should the Liberals win the upcoming federal election on April 28, framing it as a test of Albertans' identity as Canadians. Gerein notes that while there is anger in Alberta related to federal policies and equalization payments to Quebec, he doesn't sense a strong appetite for secession in Edmonton.
• Frank Paonessa, general manager of West Edmonton Volkswagen, says the ongoing trade war with the U.S. is creating uncertainty in car prices. Paonessa said that while April prices might not change, it's hard to predict beyond that, as it is still unclear which parts are being taxed. Despite the uncertainty, The Auto Experience show manager Eleasha Naso says Edmontonians are still eager to buy their next vehicle.
• Alberta has launched a campaign urging residents to buy local food and beverages, featuring the "Made in Alberta" label now on over 800 products. A new website helps people find and shop for these local items. The initiative aims to boost the provincial economy, support Alberta businesses, and respond to rising demand for locally made goods.
• The Edmonton Police Foundation and the Edmonton Police Service Bomb Squad hosted the fourth annual Beeping Eggs Project at Emily Murphy Park on April 13, creating an accessible Easter egg hunt for visually impaired children. About 200 audible eggs were hidden for the 70 registered kids to find. The police service collaborated with Cyber Eagles, a Strathcona County robotics team, to build the eggs, which beep to help the children locate them.
• Budweiser Canada launched a limited-edition "Edmonton" can on April 14, 2025, crafted at Labatt's Edmonton brewery to celebrate Edmonton's "City of Champions" spirit. Mark Messier, who last won a Stanley Cup with Edmonton 35 years ago, collaborated with Budweiser on the can. During the brewing process, one of the original City of Champions signs was hung in the brewery as inspiration. The cans are available at participating locations across Alberta.
• The Alberta government continues to explore the idea of establishing a provincial police force, but it remains unclear whether municipalities support the transition. Municipalities have until the end of June to provide feedback on the proposal, with many expressing concerns about costs, governance, and local control.
• Alberta Native News published a profile of NDP candidate Blake Desjarlais, the first openly two-spirited MP in Canada, who is seeking re-election in Edmonton Griesbach in the upcoming April 28 federal election. Desjarlais was raised in the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement by his Aunt Grace, after his mother Brenda, a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, asked Grace to take him in. Prior to becoming an MP, Desjarlais served as the National Director at the Métis Settlements General Council for six years.
• Premier Danielle Smith suggested Alberta may implement a "wait guarantee" to address long surgery wait times, where the province would compensate patients who travel out of province for quicker procedures. Smith also promoted the government's new activity-based funding model, which she said aims to encourage facilities to increase surgeries. She said she expects chartered surgical facilities will outperform Alberta Health Services in reducing backlogs, though data from the Parkland Institute suggests AHS has been more efficient.
• The Edmonton Oilers have secured a playoff spot for the sixth straight season and will face the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1. Fans can join the excitement at Rogers Place, the ICE District Plaza, and the Play Alberta Fan Park, with various watch parties and free events planned throughout the series. Tickets for home games and Rogers Road Game Watch Parties are available, with proceeds supporting local charities through the Oilers Community Foundation.
• Mattias Ekholm will miss the Edmonton Oilers first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings due to an undisclosed injury, adding to Edmonton's growing list of sidelined players. He briefly returned last week but left after two shifts and has not played since. The Oilers also chose to keep Connor McDavid off the ice for the team's April 14 game against the Kings as a precaution, though he and several other key players are expected back for Game 1.
• The Edmonton Oilers signed Finnish defenceman Atro Leppänen to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2025-26 season. Leppänen, 26, is coming off a season with Vaasan Sport in Finland's Liiga. The Oilers also signed Quinn Hutson to a two-year entry-level contract. Hutson, a 23-year-old right-winger, led Boston University in scoring this season with 23 goals and 27 assists in 37 games.

A city-connected gardening program is dead, a downtown property remains a problem, and the United Conservative Party has proposed new measures to limit municipal powers, the co-hosts of Episode 303 of Speaking Municipally said. Here's a quick glimpse:

1. Front yard blooms go bust

The Front Yards in Bloom program, the City of Edmonton's collaboration with the Edmonton Horticultural Society and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on yards with more than grass ends this year. The program was launched in 1999 to encourage Edmontonians to add decorative and edible plants to their outdoor areas. The program's end inspired Edify to write an obit. The cancellation was approved in 2024 as a budget-pruning measure.

"The decision to axe this program is intended to save taxpayers some money," co-host Mack Male said. "This (cost-cutting measure) is only saving $40,000. It's a pretty small amount."

That said, citizens continue to tend yards with more than grass through initiatives like the Lawn Transformation Campaign by Waste Free YEG and fruit reclamation by the Leftovers Foundation.

2. Properties causing problems

The former Bank of Montreal building in downtown Edmonton has not been adequately dismantled since city council approved its demolition in 2017. The lot the building sat on has become a well-known eyesore.

It's "not a new debate" when it comes to property negligence for the people who live or work in the core, Male said, but instead a persistent blight. "There's concrete and rebar sticking out of the ground — there's all kinds of garbage."

Male quoted a recent post from Puneeta McBryan, the executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association. McBryan described Regency Developments's management of the site it owns as "shameful." Regency's Raj Dhunna has said he spent more than $250,000 to keep the property safe.

3. New rules for munis from the province

Last week, Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party government introduced bills 49 through 51. In order, if made law, the bills would update rules on policing, municipal ethics, and education. There might be Trojan horses hiding in them, co-host Troy Pavlek suggested.

"Bill 50 really frustrated me. It's got some changes to parties, it's got some changes to council's code of conduct," Pavlek said. "This is omnibus at its absolute worst."

The April 11 episode of Taproot's civic affairs podcast also discussed the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market. Plus managing editor, Tim Querengesser, gave an update from the Taproot newsroom. Speaking Municipally comes out on Fridays. Listening and subscription options are all right here.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Tuesday Afternoon Book Club - The Friday Afternoon Club: A family memoir by Griffin Dunne starting at 2pm at St. Albert Public Library (downtown)
• Managing Menopause starting at 5:30pm at Sherwood Park Strathcona County Primary Care Network
• Create a Sustainable and Clutter-Free Pantry by Shopping Bulk starting at 6pm at Community Natural Foods
• Tap Into Tech starting at 6pm at EPIC Market
• Gnocchi Masterclass starting at 6pm at Get Cooking
• Rice noodle soup and green onion cake starting at 6pm at YES Cooking School
• Polish Pierogis with Chef Max starting at 6pm at L'OCA Quality Market (Sherwood Park)
• Federal Election Forum - Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park starting at 6:30pm at Agora Community Centre
• Book Clubs of EPL: Watching You Without Me starting at 7pm at Edmonton Public Library (Woodcroft)
• Wardrobe Secrets: Colour and Shape for Your Best Spring Look starting at 7pm at St. Albert Public Library (downtown)
• Tuesday Jam Hosted by Wenhao Guo starting at 8pm at Yardbird Suite
• Brett Young starting at 8pm at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• April 24: Capital City in Conversation: Shopping Local online
• May 1: Women of Distinction Awards at Royal Glenora Club
• May 2-10: Jane's Walk at various locations

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.