The Pulse: Jan. 19, 2026

This week, councillors will consider reducing fines for violating parking bans, learn about the state of municipal assets, and review a framework for promoting Edmonton.

There is a community and public services committee meeting on Jan. 19, an urban planning committee meeting on Jan. 20, and an executive committee meeting on Jan. 21.

Here are some key items on the agenda:

• The community and public services committee is to discuss amendments to the traffic bylaw that would lower the fine for violating parking bans from $250 to $150. The fine was increased from $100 to $250 in 2022 in an effort to increase compliance, but administration said it's been challenging to discern whether it worked given the wide variety of influencing factors, including the degree to which the bylaw has been enforced. If council lowers the fine, administration estimates an annual revenue reduction of about $232,500. Councillors had also asked administration to consider reducing fines further for people who pay tickets within seven days. The report said that change would require updated ticketing software, which would cost about $80,000, and more staff, which could cost at least $70,000 annually. City council will vote on any recommended changes at a future meeting.
• Just over half of the city's assets are in very good or good condition, according to an annual inventory of municipal assets set to be presented at council's executive committee. While the percentage of assets in poor and very poor condition has improved slightly and is within an acceptable margin, the city must invest more to maintain the portfolio, administration said. Transit vehicles especially need investment, as more than half of the city's buses and light rail vehicles are in poor or very poor condition. Based on the age of the Edmonton Transit Service fleet, 250 buses should be replaced every four years, not including growth to accommodate service expansion. Council voted in the fall operating budget adjustment to purchase 25 new buses to accommodate growth. The asset data is meant to provide context for upcoming city council discussions, including the 2027-2030 capital budget.
• The executive committee is scheduled to review a framework for the city's brand, which administration said "amplifies Edmonton's strengths and presents a clear, credible, and consistent value proposition that attracts investment, talent, and opportunity." The framework includes high-level vision and guidance instead of specific objectives and tactics, as different partners have unique mandates, needs, and timelines, reads the report. If the executive committee approves the framework, administration will implement it.

• The Alberta Avenue Business Association recently secured a $100,000 loan for a collective snow-clearing initiative benefiting its 267 members along 118 Avenue between NAIT and Northlands. Erick Estrada of the Alberta Avenue Business Association said the program, which follows a successful 2024 pilot, aims to improve accessibility for patrons by coordinating sidewalk clearing, purchasing equipment like a walk-behind machine, and complementing city efforts. Members will fund the five-year loan through a levy.
• In an update on Jan. 16, the City of Edmonton said crews had completed 43% of residential roadway clearing during the Phase 2 parking ban, which began Jan. 12. The City of Edmonton resumed its residential parking ban on Jan. 17 to accelerate snow clearing operations and complete Phase 2 by Jan. 23. Originally paused for the entire weekend, the ban restarted sooner to maintain progress. The City urges residents to move parked vehicles, the biggest obstacle to clearing efforts, and will increase enforcement due to low compliance.
• Edmonton Fire Rescue Services issued a warning to residents about the increasing danger of lithium-ion battery fires, noting it responded to eight such fires in 2025 and two e-bike battery fires last week alone. Assistant Deputy Chief Justin Lallemand said these fires are extremely dangerous, burning at more than 2000°C and producing toxic smoke. To prevent incidents, the fire service encourages residents to use the correct chargers and advises against overnight charging and improper disposal. Residents can safely recycle batteries at Eco Stations or participating Edmonton retailer.
• Overcrowding in Alberta emergency departments has led to at least six preventable deaths and more than 30 "near-misses" since early 2026, according to documents, obtained by The Globe and Mail. This includes the Dec. 22 death of Prashant Sreekumar who waited eight hours for medical care at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Paul Parks of the Alberta Medical Association shared the cases on Jan. 12 with Minister Matt Jones, citing a provincial crisis. Edmonton doctors have called for the province to declare a state of emergency in response to hospital crowding. In response, Jones announced new physician roles for triage in Calgary and Edmonton emergency departments, starting in February.
• Members of Edmonton's Iranian community called for international intervention in Iran due to increasing reports of deaths within the country amid widespread protests and a communications blackout. "We call on the Government of Canada to take leadership in a coordinated international effort to apply effective pressure on the Iranian government, with the urgent aim of halting the killings of civilians," a statement read during a protest on Jan. 17 outside the Alberta legislature said.
• Edmonton Oilers player Leon Draisaitl is taking a brief leave of absence to attend to a family illness in Germany, the team said in a statement. He is expected to return sometime this week. The team requested privacy.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Supply-Build Canada Showcase: From the Ground Up at Edmonton EXPO Centre
• Electoral Divisions Public Meeting at Matrix Hotel
• Library Lunchtime Concerts starting at 12:15pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Monday Afternoon Book Club starting at 2pm at Strathcona County Library
• City Hall Talks: AMA with MOVEMENT starting at 6pm
• Audreys Genre Book Club starting at 7pm at Audreys Books

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Jan. 25: Kiwis Can't Play the Violin at Winspear
• Jan. 28-31: Flying Canoe Volant
• Jan. 29-Feb. 8: Edmonton Chinatown Dining Week at various locations

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

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