The Pulse
April 27, 2026

This week, council is set to finalize a budget increase for a recreation centre in the west end, review a rezoning application for the Army & Navy building, and vote on the future of seven advisory boards.

There is a public hearing on April 27, a council meeting on April 28 and 29, and a private council meeting on April 30.

Here are some key items on the agenda:

• The Lewis Farms Community Recreation Centre could cost more than $32 million over the original budget, despite being scaled back. Council is set to vote on a borrowing bylaw, which makes public the dollar amount increase that was approved in March. "I wish we had hit 'Stop' and had a chance to sit down and try to bring other people into the mix," said Coun. Michael Janz, who has opposed the project since he was elected.
• The owner of the Army & Navy building at 10411 Whyte Avenue NW has applied to rezone the property to allow for public access to the rooftop, additional signage, and more flexible reuse of the building. Leder Investments, the holding company of the family that owns Supreme Steel, has proposed rezoning from one direct control zone, which is in effect for several buildings along Whyte Avenue between Gateway Boulevard and 105 Street, to another direct control zone.
• Council is set to make a final vote on bylaws that would disband seven advisory boards, including the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (which was paused in 2023), the Edmonton Historical Board, the Edmonton Salutes Committee, the Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board, the Energy Transition Climate Resilience Committee, the Women's Advisory Voice of Edmonton Committee (WAVE), and the City of Edmonton Youth Council. Reports accompanying the bylaws say council decided to sunset the boards in a private meeting on March 25. Members of some of the committees told Taproot they were shocked and disappointed by the decision, but Mayor Andrew Knack said there are better mechanisms to hear from people.

• The City of Edmonton is increasingly adopting automated machines, such as robotic floor scrubbers and autonomous line-marking robots, to improve service quality and sustain maintenance levels. City officials said the technologies are intended to help staff, not replace them, allowing employees to focus on more detailed work. The City, which trialed automated mowers in Coronation Park from 2019 to 2021, is considering using them in Hawrelak Park. Mayor Andrew Knack said automation can help the City keep pace with Edmonton's population growth and meeting climate targets.
• The City of Edmonton and Marigold Construction Partners announced lane reductions on 87 Avenue in west Edmonton between 159 Street and Anthony Henday Drive for the Valley Line West LRT construction. Traffic shifts begin April 27 at 178 Street, and May 4 at 170 Street, near West Edmonton Mall and Misericordia Hospital. The closures, lasting until late 2026, will allow crews to rebuild the road and are expected to be the final major roadwork of the project. The City said the project remains on budget, with track and station work anticipated to conclude in 2028.
• Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader John de Ruiter and his wife, Leigh Ann, were stayed due to Crown misconduct, defence lawyers Dino Bottos and Zachary Al-Khatib said in court. They said Crown attorneys Domina Hussain and Aisling Ryan significantly edited expert reports, shaping conclusions to align with the Crown's theory, including changing a forensic psychologist's opinion. The alleged interference with evidence rendered the trial unfeasible. The defence plans to file complaints, and the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service has launched an internal review, while the defence seeks legal costs.
• The Edmonton Police Service issued a public precaution on April 24 after charging 33-year-old Muhammad Ahmed for harassment-related incidents at the University of Alberta campus. Ahmed allegedly engaged in unwanted, escalating, and at times threatening interactions with women in public spaces on campus twice in March. Ahmed now faces several charges and is also subject to a court order to stay away from the university campus.
• The Alberta Prosperity Project is facing a court hearing over allegations it promoted an independence referendum without registering as a third-party advertiser, The Tyee reported. Alberta's election commissioner, Paula Hale, is seeking an injunction to force the group to disclose its funding and halt advertising. Investigators allege the group ignored repeated orders to provide financial records tied to online campaigns, events, and a billboard. Alberta Prosperity Project lawyer Jeffrey Rath denied the claims, arguing the group is not a legal entity and did not meet spending thresholds. The case runs alongside a separate legal challenge to the referendum, including First Nations concerns over treaty rights.
• The Alberta government announced new certifications to expand teacher eligibility and address teacher demand across the province. The new pathways allow final-year bachelor of education students and qualified international teachers to begin teaching sooner. Additionally, eligible tradespeople and skilled professionals can teach Grades 7-12 in their areas of expertise after completing initial post-secondary courses and a practicum, with an additional six courses required within three years for permanent certification. The specialized courses are expected to be offered as early as this fall.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Honouring Lives Lost: Preparing for the Day of Mourning starting at 10am online
• Engaged and Empowered: Advancing Person-centred Care Summit starting at 12:30pm at Edmonton EXPO Centre
• Ward tastawiyiniwak In-Person Engagement for 2027-2030 Budget starting at 5:30pm at Northgate Lions Seniors Recreation Centre
• Haven Reading Series starting at 7pm at Upper Crust Café
• Audreys Book Club: The Lost Century starting at 7pm at Audreys Books
• Come ye, and behold, as we assuredly DIE-NASTY starting at 7:30pm at Varscona Theatre
• Ron James starting at 7:30pm at Winspear Centre
• Rough Cut Comedy - Weekly Comedy Showcase starting at 8:30pm at River City Revival House

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 4: 2026 Edmonton Arts Prize Presentation at Garneau Theatre
• May 7: YEG Startup Community Awards
• May 11-14: Housing Forward: 2026 Prairies Affordable Housing Summit at the Edmonton Convention Centre

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

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Need a hint for 1-Across and 9-Across? You'll find one here.