The Pulse: April 17, 2025

The Pulse will be off on Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, for the Easter holiday. We'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, April 22.

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Essentials

  • 9°C: Mainly sunny. Wind becoming north 20 km/h gusting to 40 near noon. High 9. UV index 3 or moderate. (forecast)
  • Red: The High Level Bridge will be lit red for World Hemophilia Day. (details)
  • 3-0: The Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5) defeated the San Jose Sharks (20-50-12) on April 16. (details)

A multi-unit apartment building under construction.

Homeward Trust grapples with changing municipal, provincial funding systems


By Stephanie Swensrude

The provincial government's move to "take out the middleman" from its funding of organizations that serve those experiencing homelessness could disrupt the sector's ability to respond nimbly to people in need, according to the head of an organization that currently disperses those funds.

In December, the province announced it will start to send money directly to service providers in the province's cities instead of through organizations like Homeward Trust. That non-profit organization has, until now, stewarded millions of dollars from the province to agencies that serve those experiencing homelessness. The transition is expected to be complete by October.

Susan McGee, CEO of Homeward Trust, told Taproot that Edmonton's social service ecosystem has developed a model where resources are aligned and distributed across many entities and priorities, an approach that has value. "We're not just a funder," McGee said.

McGee said she worries the province's move will stymie the social service ecosystem's ability to respond quickly to vulnerable people who require immediate assistance. Provincial governments have come and gone and homeless-serving organizations have evolved, but through it all Homeward Trust has built an infrastructure with community partners and workers that allows for an agile response when a vulnerable person needs help, McGee said. Plus, when there's a central body stewarding funds, it's like other emergency situations where different groups collaborate to address issues, she said.

"Suddenly a whole bunch of other things get set aside, and (organizations) just solve the problem," McGee said.

In December, Minister of Seniors, Community, and Social Services Jason Nixon said at a press conference that the current system of funneling funds through organizations in cities no longer works because homelessness is increasing in rural communities across the province. The new system will cut red tape and allow funding to go to organizations that fit with the province's mandate, he said. "We've seen evidence in the past of organizations distributing tents out into the community," Nixon said. "That would be a great example of where our government is focused on shelter and housing, not on providing encampments."

The province said the model change would not cut funding to front-line agencies.

On March 31, city council's community and public services committee asked administration to analyze what would happen to vulnerable people if the city started to cut its own funding to the social services that, it says, are the province's responsibility. The request followed the committee commissioning a report to detail the services the city funds to address homelessness, mental health, and addictions, which council says are all under provincial jurisdiction. Previously, council asked administration to come up with a "transition strategy" in which the city transfers ownership of these tasks to the province. The strategy report said the city spent about $34.7 million on such tasks in 2024.

Homeward Trust's role in the ecosystem will be somewhat up in the air once the provincial transition is finished in October. The province told Taproot in an emailed statement that Homeward Trust will still receive funding for their frontline services and to maintain coordination services. McGee said the organization is evaluating its programs and contracts to ensure the province understands its funding needs. "When we unpack all of that, it's kind of like a decoupling, untangling, and then reconstructing based on where the government values the role that we play … all of that is on a program level," she said.

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Headlines: April 17, 2025


By Mariam Ibrahim

  • Edmonton's housing market is bucking national trends, remaining strong despite economic uncertainties. According to the REALTORS Association of Edmonton, residential unit sales in the Edmonton area increased by 36.9% in March compared to February, with new residential listings up more than 44%. The Alberta government reports that housing starts in Edmonton are up 17% since January compared to last year, outpacing a record-breaking year. Tom Shearer of Royal LePage Noralta attributes the trend to Edmonton's balance of size, affordability, and opportunity.
  • Both elevators at Norwood Legion Manor in north Edmonton have broken down, leaving many elderly residents stranded in their apartments. Some, like 83-year-old Walter Karis, face serious health challenges and cannot manage the stairs without assistance. The building, owned by the Alberta government, has been without elevator service since April 11, with parts expected to arrive by April 24. Management says they followed the province's procurement rules, but residents are frustrated by delays and red tape.
  • Nanostics has relocated its clinical laboratory to the Biotechnology Business Development Centre (BBDC) in Edmonton Research Park, managed by Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has granted the lab provisional accreditation, allowing Nanostics to continue providing its ClarityDX Prostate test to patients. Nanostics, previously located within Alberta Precision Laboratories' downtown Edmonton facility, is the first clinical testing lab in the BBDC.
  • Former Cpl. Kire Kondoski, who previously worked in Edmonton's major crimes unit, was dismissed from the RCMP following a disciplinary review that substantiated a sexual assault complaint against him. RCMP conduct board member Colin Miller concluded in November 2024 that Kondoski committed discreditable conduct, stating that retaining Kondoski would "erode public trust" in the RCMP. The charge stemmed from a 2018 off-duty incident investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, although the criminal case was later withdrawn by the Crown. The complainant, a former civilian RCMP employee, alleged Kondoski sexually assaulted her after she attempted to end their affair. Kondoski had been suspended with pay since January 2021.
  • Long and McQuade in southeast Edmonton appealed to the public for help after thieves stole $118,000 worth of equipment from their store on April 15. According to assistant manager Steve Simpson, four masked individuals broke into the 92 Street and 28 Avenue location, taking guitars, DJ equipment, and microphones in just five minutes. The store has been targeted three times in the past year after experiencing no robberies in the previous 16 years. It is flagging serial numbers of the stolen items in its system.
  • The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public's help to identify a suspect in a deliberately set fire that caused more than $500,000 in damage last spring. The fire broke out around 2:38am on May 27 at Hamud Halal Meat and Grocery and spread to nearby businesses. Investigators have reviewed nearby security footage but are now turning to the public after running out of leads. Anyone with video footage from the area between 2am and 3am is urged to contact police.
  • Ahead of National Infertility Awareness Week, advocates are calling on the Alberta government to fund fertility treatments, noting that one in six couples experience infertility. The Alberta Reproductive Centre estimates in-vitro fertilization treatments can cost up to $25,000, while a survey found that 74% of nearly 650 Albertans did not pursue treatments due to cost. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec publicly fund in-vitro fertilization, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba offer tax credits.
  • The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a suspicious fire that happened at the Kingsway Superstore on April 14. A spokesperson for the store said a date for reopening the location is not yet known.
  • The province's 2025 budget will fund new school spaces and increase grant funding for francophone schools, in response to a growing francophone population. The budget includes funding for a new K-6 school in southwest Edmonton. The province is also providing $2 million for pre-planning activities for potential francophone school projects. The Francophone Equivalency Grant will increase by 25%, from $8.5 million in 2024-25 to $10.6 million in 2025-26. There are currently 45 francophone schools in Alberta.
  • With the federal election campaign past the halfway point, CBC looked at how candidates are communicating with voters. While lawn signs remain a low-cost way to increase awareness, local debates are less common. Only a few Edmonton-area ridings have debates scheduled, although the Wîhkwêntôwin Community League hosted a debate for Edmonton Centre candidates on April 16. Political scientist Alex Marland suggested debates may be diminishing in importance because candidates risk controversies that could damage their prospects.
  • Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse received a one-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings defenceman Quinton Byfield in their April 14 game. Nurse will miss the final regular-season game against San Jose, but will be able to play in Game 1 of the team's playoff series against the Kings. This is Nurse's fourth career suspension, with two previous suspensions occurring in the playoffs.
  • The United Conservative Party caucus expelled Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie on April 16 after he resigned from his cabinet post. Caucus cited Guthrie's public opposition to the government's approach to Alberta Health Services procurement practices and his support for a full judicial public inquiry into the controversy, which differed from the government's decision to await the auditor general and Judge Raymond Wyant's investigations. Guthrie had resigned as infrastructure minister in late February and was under a 30-day probation, which included being barred from UCP caucus meetings.
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An overhead shot of Wabamun in Parkland County.

Parkland County's new land use bylaw proposes more density


By Stephanie Swensrude

Proposed amendments to Parkland County's land use bylaw would allow for denser development in larger hamlets, add regulations for short-term rentals, and protect prime agricultural land.

A public hearing for the updated land use bylaw is scheduled for April 22 at the Parkland County Council Chambers at 53109A Hwy 779. Residents can sign up to speak or submit a written comment until April 18 at 4pm.

The mostly-agricultural county located west of Edmonton, which includes the Acheson industrial area and the hamlets of Entwistle and Wabamun, said it is revamping its land use bylaw (much like Edmonton did with its zoning bylaw renewal in 2024) to streamline regulations and integrate Wabamun into the county. Wabamun voted to dissolve and join Parkland County in 2020.

The proposed bylaw would allow duplexes and secondary suites in all residential districts. The county said this is to support housing affordability and multi-generational living. Apartment buildings and townhouses would also be permitted in the core of some hamlets. A municipal engagement project showed that Parkland County residents, especially those living in Wabamun, supported adding more forms of housing because they said they intend to age in place and more housing choice would help them do that.

The proposed bylaw introduces short-term accommodation, such as Airbnb rentals, as a defined use. It is allowed as a discretionary use in several districts, meaning it is permitted if the property reaches other criteria. Under the proposed bylaw, only one short-term rental is allowed per land parcel and it cannot be the primary use of a property. A maximum of 10 beds is allowed per rental.

The proposed bylaw also introduces an agriculture conservation district that is designed to preserve prime agricultural areas. While the general agriculture district allows a wider range of uses like agri-tourism and agriculture support services, the conservation district has tighter regulations to prioritize crop production and raising livestock. A landowner could start an agri-tourism attraction, a campground, or other business if it complemented agricultural operations and didn't degrade soil quality.

In February, Parkland County council approved its new municipal development plan, the document meant to guide the county's growth for the next 30 years. The plan was approved just before the dissolution of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board. As a result, the plan still adheres to the density targets laid out in the EMRB's growth plan, which specifies that villages and growth hamlets are meant to have 20 dwelling units per hectare.

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Shops along the street in the Parkallen Neighbourhood

Calls for public engagement: Parkallen corner store, naturalization, Towards 40


By Ben Roth

Here are opportunities to inform municipal decisions about snow and ice, inclusion, housing, and more. Please only answer surveys from the municipality where you live.

  • Parkallen Corner Store Improvements — The City of Edmonton is looking for feedback on how to improve the streetscape around the Parkallen neighbourhood's corner store until April 22
  • Naturalization — The City of Edmonton is looking for feedback on where to plant trees and what species residents would prefer. The city is aiming to increase the urban canopy through a federal grant to plant two million trees by 2030. The survey is open until April 25
  • Towards 40 — Watt Common — The City of Edmonton is seeking feedback on its draft design for the Watt Common and 54 Street / 4 Avenue project areas until April 28

More input opportunities

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A title card that reads Taproot Edmonton Calendar: edmonton.taproot.events

Happenings: April 17-21, 2025


By Debbi Serafinchon

Here are some events happening this long weekend in the Edmonton area.

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

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

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