The Pulse: April 28, 2025

This week, councillors are scheduled to review the city's practices for selling land below market value to affordable housing providers, the neighbourhood structure plan in Kendal, and more. There is a public hearing scheduled on April 28, an audit committee meeting scheduled on April 29, and a non-regular council meeting scheduled on April 30.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• The city auditor recommends in a report that administration develop guidelines for when to propose the sale of city-owned land below market value for affordable housing. The auditor also recommends that administration improve the monitoring of whether organizations that buy such land fulfill obligations laid out in the sale. The city said it accepts the auditor's recommendations and will take action to address them before relaunching the Affordable Housing Investment Program in 2026. Council's audit committee is scheduled to review the report on April 29.
• Council is scheduled to review the neighbourhood structure plan for Kendal, the final neighbourhood to be planned under the Windermere area structure plan. The neighbourhood is bounded by 28 Avenue SW to the north, 170 Street SW to the east, 41 Avenue SW to the south, and the river valley to the west. The proposed plan now includes a regional water reservoir and an increase to residential density; the neighbourhood will have about 45 dwelling units per net residential hectare instead of the 27 that was originally proposed. Council is set to debate the plan at a public hearing on April 28.
• The owner of a bungalow at 11450 79 Avenue NW in McKernan has applied to rezone the property to allow for a three-storey building with at least three housing units. Twenty people expressed opposition, with many arguing the proposed development would worsen traffic congestion in the neighbourhood. Council is scheduled to debate the application at a public hearing on April 28.
• The federal election is happening on April 28. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi took a leave of absence to run to be an MP for the federal Liberal party in the Edmonton Southeast riding. If Sohi wins the vote in that riding, he will resign as Edmonton mayor. Sohi said if he loses the election, he will return to his position as mayor but will not run for mayor in 2025.
• Edmonton city council is expected to vote on April 30 to approve a 5.7% municipal property tax levy increase for 2025, which is 0.4% less than the increase approved in the fall due to changes in provincial Grants in Placement of Taxes payments. Tax notices will be mailed on May 23, with property taxes due June 30.

Meetings stream live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.

Also: What issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why? The 2025 municipal elections are approaching. Let us know what matters, and read more about what we plan to do with what we gather.

• The Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA) is ending the Downtown Spark after four years, citing funding challenges and a shift in its mandate. CEO Puneeta McBryan of the EDBA noted the festival, known for its large art installations, was initially supported by COVID-19 recovery funding, which is no longer available. Instead, the EDBA will focus on smaller events throughout the spring and summer, including the Summer Block Party Series on Rice Howard Way, and the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market, which will run every Saturday until Thanksgiving.
• Premier Danielle Smith, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek were among the Albertans who expressed their condolences following an attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver on April 26 that killed at least 11 people. Balay Coffee in Edmonton has opened as a safe space and started a "Bayanihan Fund" to provide food and support, while Harlijk Mirasol of the Alberta Philippine Heritage and Festival Society said local Filipino leaders are planning a meeting to determine how to best support the Vancouver community. About 22% of Canada's Filipino population lives in Alberta.
• The Valley Line Southeast LRT, which since starting service in November 2023 has provided more than 3.79 million rides, won an Award of Excellence in Project Management at the Consulting Engineers of Alberta Showcase Awards Gala in early April. The 13-kilometre line from Mill Woods to downtown Edmonton is the first phase of the 27-kilometre Valley Line. The total funding was approximately $1.8 billion, with contributions from the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Edmonton.
• Rehabilitation of the Coliseum LRT bridge is expected to reduce the capacity of the Capital and Metro LRT lines. Only one track will be available for trains to cross the bridge beginning April 28 until mid-September.
• The Edmonton Police Service is investigating an arson that caused extensive damage to a building under construction in Crestwood near 141 Street and 98 Avenue. The fire happened around 8am on April 23, and is believed to have been deliberately set. Police are asking residents to check security and dashcam footage for suspicious activity between midnight and 7am on April 23, and to contact Crime Stoppers with any information.
• Bill and Kathy Wagner from San Diego became Edmonton Oilers fans after being quarantined in a Jasper hotel with COVID-19 in 2022. They were on a trip from Jasper to Vancouver when they contracted the virus and started watching Oilers playoff games while stuck in their hotel. To celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary, the couple drove across Canada and attended their first Oilers game at Rogers Place on April 14. They have "Jasper" and "Alberta" jerseys to show support for the town's wildfire recovery.
• The Edmonton Police Service has charged six teenagers in connection with a possible hate crime against members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Police said the youths allegedly lured and violently assaulted a victim through the dating app Grindr. The attack left the victim seriously injured and the investigation is ongoing.
• Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein argues that Canadian political discourse has become increasingly hyper-partisan, characterized by lying, deception, and the vilification of institutions. He suggests several ways individuals can promote healthier discourse, including reducing time on social media, diversifying information sources, and engaging in real conversations. Gerein urges Canadians to participate in sustaining democracy and hopes that political leaders will practice humility.
• Liberal Leader Mark Carney campaigned in southeast Edmonton on April 27, the day before the federal election. Carney met with Liberal Party candidate Amarjeet Sohi ahead of the rally. Sohi is taking a leave of absence as Edmonton's mayor to run in the election.
• According to Elections Canada data, more than 815,000 Albertans voted at advance polling stations ahead of the April 28 federal election, an increase from 2021. Calgary Crowfoot had the fourth-highest advance voter turnout in Canada, while St. Albert-Sturgeon River and Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan also reported high numbers. Advance polls were open throughout Easter weekend, and the agency increased the number of voting tables and workers at advance polls for this election.
• Mykel Lewsaw, who has a passion for antiques, is the new owner of the Old Strathcona Antique Mall. Lewsaw, who also owns the nearby Rocky Mountain Antique Mall, will take over in June. "It's always been a passion of mine. I've always liked antiques," the 26-year-old said.
• University of Alberta grad student Arne Andres is developing the Atlas app, which uses AI to identify accessibility barriers such as bumps and gaps in Edmonton. Andres, who uses a power wheelchair, is working with the start-up Click and Push to launch the app by the end of 2025. The app can scan pictures and videos to highlight barriers, and can also be used in real time with a GoPro.
• Several Albertans received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of their contributions to the community. Habitat for Humanity volunteers Ted McClung, Geoff Baxter, and Reno Laseur were among those honoured at a ceremony on April 25.
• A wildfire near Maskwacis, approximately 80 kilometres south of Edmonton, destroyed four homes on April 25, two on Samson Cree Nation and two on the Ermineskin Cree Nation. The Maskwacis Fire Department declared a state of emergency, and multiple agencies responded to bring the fire under control. Highway 611 in Samson Cree Nation was closed between 2 Mile Road and 3 Mile Road due to the fire, but later reopened.
• Emails to Premier Danielle Smith's office showed unanimous opposition to her appearance at a PragerU fundraiser in Florida on March 27, where she spoke with far-right commentator Ben Shapiro. The emails, obtained by Postmedia through a freedom of information request, came from Albertans, Canadians, and Americans, with many criticizing the use of taxpayer money for the trip and questioning Smith's priorities. Smith defended the appearance, stating it allowed her to share Alberta's priorities with an influential audience.

The city's finalized property tax rate, the integrity commissioner's report, and the province targeting bike lanes were on the minds of the hosts of Episode 305 of Speaking Municipally. Here's a quick glimpse:

1. Property tax rate finalized

The city finalized a 5.7% municipal property tax levy increase for 2025, which is 0.4% less than the increase approved in the fall. The "headline change" leading to the lower tax rate, according to co-host Mack Male, is thanks to changes to the provincial Grants in Placement of Taxes payments. However, the province is also increasing the education property tax rate, so homeowners can expect to see an increase of 6% on their tax bill when that's factored in.

"For the average property owner, basically, the (United Conservation Party) said, 'We're paying our taxes so you can reduce your property tax bill, and then increased your property tax bill,'" co-host Troy Pavlek said. Tax notices will be mailed on May 23, with property taxes due June 30.

2. Integrity commissioner's (final?) report

Council recently reviewed the integrity commissioner's annual report, which detailed that the commissioner investigated 35 complaints in 2024, 32 of which were related to the same incident. The report doesn't detail what the incident was. The commissioner didn't find any code of conduct breaches in any of the reported incidents.

Recently, Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver introduced Bill 50, which will repeal all municipal codes of conduct if passed into law. McIver said some councillors across Alberta have used the conduct codes to target other members of council. Pavlek said code of conduct complaints are rarely investigated, and when they are, the offending party is rarely sanctioned. "It's enough to make one disillusioned with the process," Pavlek said.

This is potentially the last integrity commissioner report, as it's expected the UCP will use their majority to pass Bill 50 into law, Pavlek added.

3. Provincial minister targets bike lanes

Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen visited Edmonton on April 17 to discuss the 132 Avenue NW renewal project, which will turn the four-lane road into a narrower collector with bike lanes and wider sidewalks. Dreeshen, who's the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, said he's opposed to bike lanes that take driving lanes away from vehicles and said Alberta could follow Ontario in requiring provincial approval for such projects.

Both co-hosts called the minister's visit "bizarre."

Pavlek said Dreeshen's move was meant to distract Albertans from the ongoing CorruptCare scandal and MLA Peter Guthrie's removal from the UCP caucus. "If you want to distract from a scandal in health care, there's no more reliable way to get Albertans riled up than talking about bike lanes," Pavlek said. "I think it's transparently a distraction tactic."

The April 25 episode of Taproot's civic affairs podcast also discussed the mobile-only parking payment rollout, the municipal election, the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs, and more, and included 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.

• Federal Election Day starting at 7:30am
• Sales Spark Sessions starting at 12pm online
• nêhiyawêwin (Cree Language) Classes starting at 6pm at Edmonton Public Library (Highlands)
• Creator Canteen - Launch Party starting at 6pm at EPIC Market
• Dentons Workshop: Bring in the Suits: Working with a Startup Lawyer starting at 6pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• Meeting of the Secret LongTree Society starting at 7pm at Felice Cafe
• Audreys Book Club starting at 7pm at Audreys Books

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 5: Public Lecture – The Art and Science of Addiction at Myer Horowitz Theatre
• May 7: Edmonton Arts Prizes Awards Presentation at Roxy Theatre
• May 8: The State of the City at Edmonton Convention Centre

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