The Pulse
June 15, 2026

This week, council is set to make some adjustments to the final year of the 2023-2026 capital budget, examine options for building the southeast transit garage to its original scope, and hear an update on the state of community league facilities.

There is a public hearing scheduled on June 15 and a council meeting scheduled on June 16 and 17.

Here are some key items on the agenda this week:

• Administration recommends several adjustments to the final year of the 2023-2026 capital budget, including new projects totalling $45 million, scope changes totalling $44 million, and recosting adjustments totalling $4.8 million. A report to be presented to council says most new projects are related to projects previously approved that are moving to a new stage and require funding. However, one new funding request is for $600,000 to demolish the Koermann Block, one of the few buildings along The Armature, which the city had listed for sale for affordable housing. The report said the building needs to be demolished immediately due to critical structural failures, safety hazards, and ongoing liability risks. The interior of the building is collapsed, there are large holes in the roof, and the basement is flooded, posing a risk to unauthorized occupants, the city said. The building is listed on the inventory of historic resources, meaning it is deemed to have historic value, but it doesn't have full legal protection from alteration or demolition. The building is historically significant for its connection to the local German community prior to the First World War. Council will also discuss changes to the capital budgets for waste services and renewable energy systems.
• Administration has laid out four options for building the southeast transit garage to accommodate more buses. In April, councillors learned that plans for the garage had been scaled down from a capacity for 430 buses to between 255 and 290. Emily Stremel, chair of Edmonton Transit Riders, told Taproot that garage capacity is key to expanding transit service in future years. Councillors asked administration to return with options to build the facility out to its original capacity, which are laid out in a private attachment.
• A review found that community league facilities face significant challenges, including aging infrastructure, an unfunded capital liability, and inconsistent service levels across the city. Community leagues need $100 million in the next decade for infrastructure renewal, and about $19 million has been deemed critical for safety, said a report that will be presented to council. The city and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues are designing a new framework to establish a long-term roadmap to address infrastructure deficits as the city's population grows.

• The City of Edmonton's proposed user fee policy aims to boost financial sustainability by aligning service costs with users while maintaining accessibility for all income levels. While full cost recovery isn't required, partial recovery helps guide budget planning. Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson expressed concerns that escalating fees could decrease demand for services. Edmonton Transit Service plans to reveal fee scenarios this summer but needs the budget for final numbers.
• Residents of Edmonton's Parkview neighbourhood are opposing multiple infill housing projects by developer Davach Properties. Corisandra Leyton-High is leading efforts to appeal multi-unit infill plans, citing insufficient clearance for infrastructure. While her efforts were denied by the Edmonton Subdivision and Development Appeal Board in May, she has escalated the case to the Alberta Court of Appeal, with a hearing scheduled for August.
• An infestation of tent caterpillars has overrun several Alberta campgrounds, frustrating campers and posing a challenge for park management. The caterpillars, known for defoliating trees and creating silk tents, have particularly affected the Edmonton area and surrounding regions. Despite the inconvenience, park officials said that refunds will not be issued. Campers are advised to avoid areas heavily affected by the caterpillars and to report any issues to park staff. While a natural occurrence, this year's infestation is notably severe.
• Postmedia published an explainer on the Oct. 19 provincial referendum. Albertans will vote on 10 key questions, most notably whether Alberta should begin the process to hold a referendum on separation from Canada, which will appear as two options on the ballot: maintaining provincial status or exploring separation. Five questions address immigration, including Alberta's control over immigration, access to social services for immigrants, and fees for non-citizen use of health care and education.
• About 56,000 households in Edmonton and Calgary will soon switch to community mailbox delivery to reduce Canada Post's financial losses. The transition is part of a broader initiative to shift four million addresses from home delivery within five years. The move comes after Canada Post reported a $541 million loss, before taxes, in November 2025. The federal government said the change could save $400 million annually. The plan also includes revising delivery standards and lifting the moratorium on rural post office closures.
• Edmonton's Lynnwood community has opened its first accessible playground after five years of planning and construction. The new facility aims to provide an inclusive environment for children with accessibility needs, allowing them to play alongside their peers.
• Camrose students organized a protest against sexual assault threats after the emergence of a disturbing group chat. The protest followed revelations of conversations advocating harm and offensive language toward women. Students from Camrose Composite High School called for a safer school environment. They highlighted inadequacies in current policies addressing such threats, and sought immediate action from school authorities to ensure student safety and accountability.
• Four Alberta NDP MLAs, including Marlin Schmidt from Edmonton Gold Bar, and Lori Sigurdson from Edmonton Riverview, will not seek re-election after their current term. Schmidt, first elected in 2015, previously served as the advanced education minister, while Sigurdson held roles including seniors and housing minister. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi commended their service and dedication. MLAs Joe Ceci from Calgary Buffalo and Luanne Metz from Calgary Varsity will also step down. The party has nominated 21 candidates for the next election.
• During her radio show on June 13, Premier Danielle Smith defended changes to Alberta's disability support, transitioning some Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) recipients to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) starting July 1. Smith said ADAP's goal is to accommodate diverse needs. Critics raised concerns over the plan, citing a recent death by suicide allegedly linked to these changes. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the government, calling it "unspeakably cruel."

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Taste of Place Summit at Westin Edmonton
• Library Lunchtime Concert starting at 12:15pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Ride with Kira: Edmonton Welcome Event starting at 3:30pm
• ERIN Member Monday starting at 4pm online
• World Building Fun for Fiction Writing starting at 7pm online
• 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:

• June 19: Edmonton Sustainable Fashion Show 2026 at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• June 20: The Andrea Graham Quartet at The Red Door by The Art of Cake
• June 24: Tech For Good Alliance Working Group at Arcadia Brewing Co.

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

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