The Pulse
Oct. 19, 2026

This week, councillors will discuss a proposed community court program, potential solutions to traffic in and around Belgravia, and two new incentive programs for industrial development.

There is a community and public services committee meeting on Oct. 19, an urban planning committee meeting on Oct. 20, an executive committee meeting on Oct. 21, and a special city council meeting on Oct. 23.

Here are some key items on the agenda this week:

• A community court program, which aims to connect people to supports as an alternative to prosecution, would cost about $1.17 million annually, says a report that will be presented to community and public services committee. Administration has presented the program as a way to mitigate the negative consequences that the public spaces bylaw may have on vulnerable Edmontonians. A community court aims to break the cycle of repeat infractions by addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the disorderly behaviour. Research on existing community court programs in North America suggests they reduce recidivism and court costs while providing a return on investment. David Rivera-Kohr of the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness told CBC that such a program would still criminalize poverty. Administration will present a funding package for the program as part of the 2027-2030 operating budget.
• A traffic study found that drivers attempting to avoid congested roads south of the University of Alberta by shortcutting through Belgravia resulted in delays of five to 25 minutes for those trying to leave the neighbourhood, while some residents told the city that it can take 45 minutes or more to exit. The roadways that surround and bisect Belgravia are considerably congested during rush hour periods because of heavy use from drivers going to and from the University of Alberta and the Groat Road Bridge, as well as those waiting for the LRT on the line running along 114 Street NW. Administration has presented options to reduce shortcutting, with a focus on improving traffic flow on the arterial roads surrounding the neighbourhoods to avoid incentivizing shortcutting. In the short term, administration proposes reconfiguring the intersections and signal timing where 114 Street crosses 76 Avenue, University Avenue, and 87 Avenue, with a pedestrian scramble proposed at 87 Avenue. The short-term measures are estimated to cost around $2 million and would require approval in the 2027-2030 capital budget. Longer term, options include redesigning intersections at 87 Avenue and Groat Road, Belgravia Road and 114 Street, and at Fox Drive and Whitemud Drive to significantly improve network efficiency and traffic flows.
• Council will be asked to approve two new incentive programs for industrial development as part of the 2027-2030 operating budget, says a report that will be presented to executive committee. The industrial infrastructure first mover program would fund a single major component of oversized industrial land development sites across the city, while a new tax abatement program would reduce property taxes by 25% over three years to accelerate construction of industrial buildings within priority sectors. Administration also recommends retaining nine existing industrial incentives and programs. Several key performance indicators on the 10-year industrial investment action plan did not meet their target, the report said. While administration purposely set high targets to keep pace with the results of residential growth, the KPIs signal that changes are needed to speed up a positive trajectory.

• Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans to vote to remain in Canada at a Forever Canadian rally at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Competing rallies were held across the province on Oct. 17, as both separatists and those in favor of staying in Canada made their final appeals to voters ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.
• A serious fire at CFB Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton, killed four soldiers and injured 39 people, including 19 critically as training exercises were underway on the base. The soldiers who were killed were identified as Pte. Aidan Goulding, Pte. Shaun Farrell and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of the Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based at CFB Edmonton, and Sgt. Morgan Wong of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. Military officials said they knew about the nearby grass fire before training continued, but investigators had not determined its cause. Mayor Andrew Knack issued a statement offering Edmonton's support. "On behalf of the Edmonton City Council and all Edmontonians, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragedy," he said in the statement.
• Edmonton city council sought clarity on the province's infill order at its Oct. 16 meeting. Council voted 12-1 to request written instructions; city officials projected a loss of 2,100 to 2,700 dwelling units in 2027. Officials told councillors that they understood the directive to cover only the small-scale residential zone, but awaited written confirmation of its scope.
• The Edmonton Police Service began a homicide investigation after a man died following a shooting at Alberta Pipe Trades College in northwest Edmonton. United Association Local 488 locked down its buildings after the parking lot shooting. Parkland RCMP said it located a suspect vehicle on Highway 16 and transferred suspects to Edmonton police after taking them into custody.
• A new report from public policy think tank MEI found that for every 100 new nursing graduates entering Alberta's health-care workforce, 36 nurses under age 35 leave the profession, slightly above the national rate of 34. The departures are worsening staffing shortages that contribute to lengthy emergency room waits, overcrowding and hospital ward closures. Alberta nursing leaders say deteriorating working conditions and a lack of psychological safety are making it harder to retain experienced staff.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Business Excellence Breakfast starting at 7:15am at Little White School House
• Small Business Launchpad starting at 8:30am at Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• Headshot Clinic starting at 10:30am at Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• Business Model 101 Lunch + Learn starting at 11am online
• Becoming Unforgettable: A Crash Course on Communicating with Confidence starting at 11am at Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
• Sushi Making Class Halloween Special starting at 6pm at Yuwa's Studio
• Green Drinks starting at 7pm at The Buckingham Pub

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Oct. 25: Edmonton Blues Hall of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony and Celebration at Yardbird Suite
• Oct. 28: Inclusive Transportation Book Launch at University of Alberta (Science Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science)
• Oct. 29: Breaking Ground Gala at Edmonton Convention Centre

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

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