The Pulse: June 23, 2025

Here's what you need to know about Edmonton today.

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Essentials

  • 16°C: A mix of sun and cloud with 30% chance of showers. Risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. High 16. UV index 6 or high.(forecast)
  • Red/White: The High Level Bridge will be lit red and white for the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. (details)

A photo of people partying at Edmonton's ICE District.

On the agenda: Sewer lines, costly policies, community revitalization levy


By Stephanie Swensrude

This week, city councillors will meet to discuss proposed changes to sewers that could save the city more than $500 million, existing policies that potentially add millions to the cost of building municipal assets, and hear from the public about the proposed extension to the downtown community revitalization levy.

There is a utility committee meeting scheduled for June 23, an audit committee meeting scheduled for June 24, an infrastructure committee meeting scheduled for June 25, an audit selection committee meeting scheduled for June 25, and a public hearing scheduled for June 26 and 27.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

  • The city could save $571 million if it changes the layout of wastewater utility pipes, according to a report that will be presented to council's utility committee on June 23. EPCOR assessed sanitary flows across the system in 2023, projecting future flows until 2062, and found that the configuration of pipes in new areas, as well as the timeline for when they would be needed, is no longer valid. The original plan assumed new areas would generate 350 litres of sanitary waste per capita per day. But reduced water consumption, inflow and infiltration reduction practices, improved sanitary technology, and better construction methodology have resulted in an actual rate of 140 litres per capita per day, and the projection indicates water consumption will continue to decline. Administration has proposed to eliminate several portions of wastewater pipes in the north, west, and south parts of the city. The proposed changes would also eliminate the need for complex river and creek crossings. If council's utility committee approves the changes, they will go to city council for a vote at a future meeting. Another item on the agenda to be presented to the committee appears to be about the proposed use of the $571 million, but city administration had not published its report on the city's website by Taproot's publication deadline.
  • Administration will review several city policies after a study, which compared Edmonton's cost to build municipal assets to costs in other municipalities, found that Edmonton's policies can increase administrative, legal, and design costs. In the study, a consultant designed a fire station to meet all of Edmonton's standards and one that met the minimum building code requirements, which is typical in smaller municipalities. The study found the minimum code station would cost approximately $13.3 million, while Edmonton's would cost approximately $21 million. Policies and processes that drove costs up the most were the climate resilience policy, the fire rescue service delivery policy, the City of Edmonton facility construction standard, and the Edmonton Design Committee process. The study also found that the operating cost of the hypothetical Edmonton fire station was estimated to be higher than the basic one. This contradicts administration's assumption that facilities built to high standards would cost less to operate long-term. Administration said the three policies are under review, and that the new mandate for the Edmonton Design Committee will include a clarification that its architectural advice is optional. The study will be accompanied by a report about the city's planning and design process for municipal infrastructure assets.
  • Administration has set two days aside for a public hearing on whether to extend the downtown community revitalization levy, which would allow the city to use tax revenue from new development to fund projects. Part of the proposed extension concerns the $250-million event park that's been proposed by the Oilers Entertainment Group beside Rogers Place. About $97 million of that cost would come from the province, $84 million would come from the group, and the remainder would come from the city, via the levy. Some councillors, including Coun. Michael Janz and Coun. Erin Rutherford, have raised concerns about using public funds to benefit private projects. Janz said that he wants this decision to be put to a referendum during the upcoming municipal election in October. He said he will introduce a motion at the meeting to refer the bylaw back to administration and see if it's possible to add a question to the ballot to gauge support for public money going to the event park and its proponents. "I resent the fact that there are some good things for Edmontonians in this," Janz said, "but they're conditional on giving out a billionaire bailout. No government should be picking winners and losers. No government should be telling a city that you can only have critical infrastructure funding and long-overdue funding if you agree to pay off one private business."
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Headlines: June 23, 2025


By Mariam Ibrahim

  • Provincial byelections are being held June 23 in Edmonton-Ellerslie, Edmonton-Strathcona, and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Political analysts suggest that the Alberta NDP is likely to hold Edmonton-Strathcona, where NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is running, but a UCP win in Edmonton-Ellerslie would be a significant setback for the opposition. Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University noted that lower voter turnout in byelections could lead to unexpected results.
  • Rohit Group unveiled Lewis Block, the second phase of Stadium Yards, a mixed-use urban village near Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium and Stadium LRT station. The development includes 229 new rental units and aims to provide a downtown-like lifestyle at a lower cost. The development also features a 21-foot-long art installation honouring Joseph Lewis, an early Black fur trader. Construction for the third phase is anticipated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 and be completed in 2029.
  • Ron Byers of the Rainbow Story Hub discusses Edmonton's unique place in Canada's 2SLGBTQ+ history with Clare Bonnyman on a recent episode of CBC's This is Edmonton podcast. Recent projects in Edmonton aim to highlight and preserve decades of Edmonton's queer activism and community stories for future generations.
  • Actor and Concordia University of Edmonton alumnus Nathan Fillion delivered a convocation address to the class of 2025, where he told them to be lucky, be grateful, and be bold. "Get out there and pretend you're ready," he said. "I am telling you, that is how the best adventures begin."
  • In an op-ed for Postmedia, Rowan Hanf of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, argues that the proposed Downtown Action Plan, a $553 million strategy, should better reflect the needs of all Edmontonians. Hanf suggests the plan leans too heavily toward business interests, and that more focus is needed on affordable housing, accessibility, and protections for groups like students. Hanf also suggests the proposed $250 million event park in ICE District may not be the best use of public money. Councillors will vote on the plan on June 26.
  • The Edmonton Police Commission has revised its gift policy to clarify rules for giving and receiving gifts, including Edmonton Oilers tickets. Commission chairman Ben Henderson said the revision was to define the rules, and ensure transparency and accountability. Commissioners and staff must decline gifts tied to procurement, avoid soliciting favours, and disclose gifts more than $300. Gifts like event tickets are allowed when attending in an official capacity.
  • A 10-squad model for Edmonton Police Service officers, implemented in 2022, aims to reduce burnout and improve response times. While a survey of patrol members indicates better coordination and satisfaction with day shifts, understaffing remains a concern, particularly for those on rotating and late-night shifts. According to acting Police Chief Devin Laforce, the police service hired more officers than it lost last year. Edmonton Police Commission chairman Ben Henderson said the model is being reviewed for ways to improve it.
  • Alberta Health Services has issued new measles warnings for multiple locations in St. Albert, Edmonton, and northern Alberta, as of June 22, as the total number of measles cases in Alberta hit 1,020. Specific exposure locations include the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Panda Express, Costco, Canadian Tire, and Walmart in St. Albert, as well as Uncle Weiner's, Kaye Edmonton Clinic, and Cabela's in Edmonton. People born in or after 1970 with fewer than two documented measles vaccinations who visited these locations during the specified times are advised to monitor for symptoms.
  • Some residents have been displaced from their homes after lightning ignited a house and an apartment complex in north Edmonton on June 18. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to the fires, which occurred in the Kensington area and the Dickinsfield neighbourhood. Damages from the apartment fire are estimated at $500,000. Mainstreet Equity, which operates the apartment building, has housed all residents in a hotel.
  • Undocumented students in Alberta are advocating for the right to enroll in schools. While elementary and secondary education is guaranteed for all children in Canada, proof of citizenship or immigration status is often required for enrollment, leaving undocumented children excluded. "It's not a privilege, it's a right," said Samantha Vaux with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association.
  • Alberta's education ministry will fund 16 new school collegiate programs with $27.5 million to provide students with early career training in areas like skilled trades, technology, and aviation, with programs beginning in September. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the funding will support space modifications, equipment, and startup costs. Edmonton Public Schools and the Edmonton Catholic School Division are among the recipients, along with school divisions in Banff, northern Alberta, and Medicine Hat. The province currently has 12 active collegiate programs, and the funding will also help four existing programs improve their facilities.
  • Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides expects to issue a ministerial order by early July, providing broad guidelines for school boards regarding graphic and sexual materials in libraries. The order aims to ensure explicit content is inaccessible to elementary school students, while still allowing schools to manage their libraries independently. The announcement follows a public survey that revealed divided opinions on government-set requirements, with parents showing more support than educators and librarians. The Alberta Parents' Union supports the move, while the Library Association of Alberta argues existing policies are sufficient.
  • The Edmonton Elks added running back Spencer Brown to their practice roster on June 22. Brown, who played college football at the University of Alabama Birmingham, previously spent three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. The Elks released American defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba on June 21.
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An open bloom of a wild rose

Happenings: June 23, 2025


By Debbi Serafinchon

Here are some events happening today 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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