The Pulse
June 29, 2026

This week, council will discuss its policy for engaging Indigenous groups regarding river valley development, review regulations for megaphones in public spaces, and discuss Diwali celebrations and the use of fireworks.

There is a community and public services committee meeting on June 29, an audit selection committee meeting on June 29, an executive committee meeting on June 30, and an urban planning committee meeting on July 2.

Here are some key items on the agenda this week:

• Urban planning committee will discuss a report on Indigenous engagement regarding redevelopment on River Valley lands, on the heels of a contentious public hearing on June 23 regarding a zoning decision in Rossdale. Council postponed its decision about new zoning regulations for Rossdale in anticipation of future development, citing concerns that Indigenous groups had not been consulted adequately. Mayor Andrew Knack encouraged those concerned about the development to attend the July 2 committee meeting, as well as a July 9 public hearing. The report to committee says municipalities do not have a legal duty to consult Indigenous groups under section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, but Edmonton has established its own framework for Indigenous engagement, and administration said it is endeavouring to follow it, as well as the city's memoranda of understanding with the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and Enoch Cree Nation.
• Administration has laid out ways that council can regulate amplification in public spaces. A report that will be presented to community and public services committee said that while noise pollution is a legitimate concern, regulating it is complicated because limiting the use of megaphones or speakers could potentially impact Charter rights. Some Edmontonians said they were against amplification in public spaces, while others said it can be important for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Administration said it could develop a time, duration, place, or volume (TDPV) regulation, which puts a restriction on when, how long, where, or how loud a disruptive sound may occur. It could also prohibit sound amplification unless someone has a permit.
• Administration plans to host an invite-only Diwali celebration at City Hall in 2026, with the possibility of a larger event in 2027, says a report that will be presented to community and public services committee. The report said community members would prefer a large event at Mill Woods Park in 2026, but the city has not confirmed about $90,000 of the event's funding. The city will also improve communications about the use and sale of fireworks with signage as well as online and print communications in multiple languages. Diwali fireworks were blamed for property damage in 2025.

• Edmonton has broken its June rainfall record with 255 millimetres as of noon on June 28, surpassing the previous mark of 216.5 mm set in 1914. Given further rains on June 28 and more in the forecast, the city is within reach of breaking the all-time single-month record of 282 mm, set in July 1901. Edmonton, St. Albert, and Sherwood Park remained under an orange weather alert for rainfall, with extensive flooding in two mobile home parks in Strathcona County, several road washouts in and around the city, and trail closures in Edmonton's river valley.
• Edmonton police shot and killed a 59-year-old man following a series of alleged assaults and hit-and-runs. Police allege the man first drove his vehicle into an Edmonton Fire and Rescue Services truck and attempted to assault emergency workers with a blunt object around midnight on June 26. Police said two more hit-and-run incidents followed. When police located the man at a residence in southwest Edmonton on June 27, an interaction occurred that resulted in the fatal shooting. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating.
• The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled that the Edmonton Police Service must disclose officer misconduct records to defendants in criminal cases, dismissing EPS's bid to restrict that disclosure. The court found that the administrative removal of a misconduct record after five years of good behaviour does not affect its disclosure obligations in criminal proceedings, and ordered EPS to pay the defendant's legal costs.
• A document from Recovery Alberta obtained by the Investigative Journalism Foundation reveals that Edmonton's Henwood Treatment Centre and the Addiction Recovery Centre at Alberta Hospital Edmonton are among the sites under consideration as interim locations for Alberta's involuntary addiction treatment program this fall. Converting those facilities would require closing voluntary programs — a plan that critics say will produce a "net loss" in an already-strained system. The province plans to build two 150-bed facilities in Edmonton and Calgary, but they won't be ready until 2030. It had previously stated that community-based voluntary treatment beds at those sites would not be used for involuntary programs.
• Sherritt International Corp. is shutting down operations at its Fort Saskatchewan refinery after running out of feed material from its Moa mine in Cuba, which suspended operations due to fuel shortages caused by U.S. sanctions cutting off Venezuelan oil. The company says no jobs were lost and that it is continuing to produce fertilizers and sulphuric acid using existing inventory. The refinery is the only producer of battery-grade cobalt in North America, Richard Hiller of the Energy Futures Lab told The Canadian Press.
• Edmonton fans erupted with joy after Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles, advancing for the first time to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup. Stephen Eustaquio scored the goal during injury time; the team seemed noticeably energized when Edmonton's Alphonso Davies subbed in at the 75th minute, marking his first time on the pitch since suffering an injury in May.
• Postmedia's Fish Griwkowsky shared his eight favourite pieces of art on display at The Works Art & Design Festival in Churchill Square and surrounding venues. The festival runs until July 1.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Marketing 101 with Chris Lerohl starting at 6pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• All The Feelings Tour: Metric, Broken Social Scene, Stars starting at 7pm at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
• Rough Cut Comedy - Weekly Comedy Showcase starting at 8:30pm at River City Revival House
• The Works Art & Design Festival at Churchill Square

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• July 22: Musicians for Canada: A Benefit Concert for Canadian Unity at William Hawrelak Park
• July 25: Edmonton Bike Park Grand Opening at Queen Elizabeth Park
• Aug. 13-23: Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival at Fringe Theatre Arts Barns

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 6-Across or 3-Down? You'll find both here.