The Pulse
Sept. 3, 2026

A group of young activists spent a weekend networking and learning advocacy skills that organizers say will help ensure that youth perspectives are considered in decision-making.

"We are in these systems right now. Sure, in 30 years, we'll be where they are, but we're also here, and we deserve to have our asks and our rights protected and uplifted, just like anyone else," said Marilynn Burch-Harvey, co-founder of Dear Future YEG, the group that organized Youth ACCCTIVATOR on Aug. 15 and 16. "It's … empowering young people and just giving them that validation — 'You're angry, I'm angry too, you feel this way, we do too. What can we do about it?'"

Dear Future YEG was born out of Apathy is Boring's RISE program, which brings together youth looking to make a difference in their communities. "Originally, part of that was looking to connect youth with resources through a database," Burch-Harvey said. "We've kind of strayed away from that, and we've stuck more to doing events and bringing together community."

Many Gen Z youth are motivated to engage in politics and civic life, but they haven't learned the skills necessary to do so, Burch-Harvey said.

"We live in a very wild time — we live in a very intense time politically, socially, emotionally," Burch-Harvey said. "We're kind of all standing here, and there are so many things that people want to do, and there are so many communities that we want to advocate for and protect and uplift."

Attendees heard from a panel featuring Basel Abou Hamrah from the Newcomer Centre's Rainbow Refuge program, Saniya Ghalehdar of 1800SheSaid, Jannie Edwards of Amnesty International Edmonton, and NDP MLA Sharif Haji. They also participated in workshops led by Mariam Karmazanashvili of the United Nations Association in Canada, Yaw Baayim of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and Teagan Melnyk, an artist and advocate.

• Edmonton city council is considering additional funding for volunteer groups helping clean up Chinatown. Members of council's executive committee voted unanimously on Sept. 2 to develop a pilot program, which will be considered during upcoming four-year budget deliberations. A survey identified concerns including inconsistent cleanups, overflowing bins, illegal dumping and hazardous waste. The City currently has three cleanup teams serving Chinatown through its Centre City Optimization Program, with a combined budget of just over $1 million.
• The City of Edmonton launched its Shop Local campaign amid rising prices and tensions over the Canada-U.S. trade war. The City said in a news release that residents can find promotions through the Shop Local Deals Directory. The City said 97% of nearly 30,000 businesses in Edmonton are small businesses and that $66 of every $100 spent at a small business stays in Edmonton's economy.
• University of Alberta Hospital installed a weapons detection system at its emergency department entrance, becoming Edmonton's second ER with this screening after Royal Alexandra Hospital installed one earlier this year. Patients and visitors now have to pass through screening, with secondary checks when the system flags possible prohibited items.
• The historic former Downtown YMCA is nearing the end of a $35-million redevelopment after almost nine years of work. Renamed Williams Hall, the building will open 90 affordable one-bedroom units in late fall, along with commercial and office space. Beljan Development acquired the property around 2018, but construction was delayed by the pandemic before resuming in 2023 with $15.05 million in government funding. The project preserves elements of the decades-old building, including remnants of its former swimming pool.
• The Edmonton Police Commission moved its remaining 2026 public meetings online and paused in-person public speakers, citing safety concerns after disruptions at a July meeting, when public speakers criticized Edmonton Police Service Chief Warren Driechel's trip to Israel. Written submissions will continue to be accepted, and the commission will revisit the policy change in 2027.
• The Edmonton Police Service said it charged a 19-year-old man with seven counts of mischief over $5,000 after a downtown vandalism spree that caused about $100,000 in damage, including shattered glass panels at the 100 Street Funicular. Police said the allegations also involved damage at two LRT stations and ATB Place.
• A 135.2-metre, 1,157-tonne industrial load will move from Tofield to Fort Saskatchewan starting at 4 a.m. on Sept. 4. Officials warned it would slow traffic as it will occupy the full highway and shoulders, travelling at a maximum speed of 50 kilometres per hour.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Selling to the City starting at 9am online
• Edmonton Community Foundation's Community Grant Sessions: Coffee, Conversations & Funding Ideas starting at 10am at Edmonton Community Foundation
• ECAMP Curiosity Walking Tours - Children of the Flats starting at 12pm at ArtsHub Ortona
• Edmonton Region Export Meet-up starting at 3:30pm at The Bell in Scona
• 124 Grand Market: Thursdays at 108 starting at 4pm at 124 Grand Market
• Retro Craft Night: 1990s edition starting at 5:30pm at Royal Alberta Museum
• Patio Series - PJ Perry Quintet starting at 6pm at La Cité francophone
• Startup TNT Happy Hour starting at 6pm at Fawkes Café & Bakery
• Homofonik Album Release starting at 7:30pm at The Aviary

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Sept. 12: The Night Travelling Star at Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre
• Sept. 16: Business Link Alberta's 2025-26 Report to the Community starting at 12pm online
• Sept. 17: The Annual Hurtig Lecture on the Future of Canada: Canada in a Turbulent World at Timms Centre for the Arts

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

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