The Pulse
Nov. 4, 2026

A rise in the presence of coyotes in Edmonton doesn't inherently mean increased risk for humans, but fall is a time to watch out for a little teenage rebellion, an expert says.

"This is the time of year when the young are often dispersing away from the den," said Sage Raymond, who served as a graduate student researcher for the Edmonton Urban Coyote Project out of the University of Alberta. "Those are often going to be young coyotes heading out in all different directions, trying to make their way in the world. It's very much like a teenager stage, where sometimes those animals are going to be trying new things."

In mid-October, one Reddit user spotted a coyote near Rogers Place after dark, and another spotted a few in Queen Alexandra in broad daylight. But such sightings don't tell the full story. In autumn, nightfall comes sooner, and that's when coyotes are most active; during the day, fallen leaves make coyotes easier to see. Data, especially since COVID-19, shows more coyotes reported in Edmonton, but that may have more to do with us than them, Raymond said.

"People (have been) paying more attention," Raymond told Taproot. "We were all locked up in our houses and looking out our windows and noticing coyotes — some of us noticing those animals for the first time. We were, as a population, spending more time walking around in the river valley because we couldn't do anything else with our free time, and of course a lot of coyotes live in the river valley."

But coyote-spotters aren't delusional; data shows that acts of boldness have increased in Edmonton and other parts of North America.

"Animals are perhaps abnormally comfortable with people and their infrastructure," Raymond said of the apparent spike in daytime sightings. "These animals might be more likely to approach people or their pets, making us a lot more likely to see them."

Bolder coyotes doesn't necessarily mean a greater number of coyotes who are bold. Raymond said boldness-prone coyotes are more likely to find a habitat in cities, and urban environments exacerbate their boldness. More access to human food changes eating habits (and even physiology), and exposure to humans and our junk numbs a natural avoidance.

• Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack gave an initial nod to the proposed 2027 to 2030 budgets, which include a 4.9% property tax increase for 2027 and a $6.3 billion capital plan. Coun. Reed Clarke supported the proposed $100 million for road widening, while Coun. Erin Rutherford favoured renewing existing arterial roads. Global News reported criticism of rising property taxes as the city proposed more funding for policing and snow clearing.
• Mayor Andrew Knack asked Alberta to expand Edmonton's enforcement powers against builders who repeatedly break rules. He wants the city to revoke business licences and impose fines above the current $10,000 maximum. Knack also sought sanctions to prevent builders from reopening under new company names.
• The Edmonton Police Service said an international cellphone scam linked to call centres in Pakistan has caused an estimated $20 million in losses for Edmontonians. Fraudsters impersonated telecommunications providers, offering free or discounted phones before redirecting shipments and reselling the devices. Police have received about 100 reports this year and charged a 31-year-old with fraud over $5,000 and two other offences. Information from the investigation helped international authorities disrupt several suspected call centres in Lahore, Pakistan. Police are warning residents to verify unsolicited cellphone offers directly with their service providers.
• The RCMP began terrorism peace bond proceedings against a 17-year-old Albertan after arresting the youth over alleged online correspondence with ISIS-affiliated users. The youth was released with conditions; a terrorism peace bond is a preventative court order that can restrict travel and electronic communications.
• The Alberta government introduced Bill 38, which would require post-secondary institutions to remain neutral on political issues. The bill would also cap tuition increases at 2% for Canadian students in the 2027-2028 academic year. Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall said the neutrality requirement would not apply to students, faculty, or administrators as individuals.
• Premier Danielle Smith defended proposed urban-rural electoral ridings, while Justice Minister Mickey Amery said he expected a legislature motion on Nov. 4. The Rural Municipalities of Alberta, which began its four-day convention at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Nov. 2, warned that hybrid ridings could dilute rural representation. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi promised a court challenge if the legislature approved the proposed boundaries.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• NextGen Lunch & Learn: Entrepreneurship Culture: Building from the Ground (and Below) Up starting at 11:30am at Matrix Hotel
• DisruptHR YEG 16.0 starting at 4:30pm at Cineplex Odeon Windermere and VIP Cinemas
• Bioeconomy Guild Night - Bridging the Scale-Up Gap in Cultivated Meat starting at 5pm at MKT Fresh Food | Beer Market
• Tech Wednesdays starting at 5:30pm at The Pint Public House
• Cannes Lions Screening: Best of 2026 starting at 5:30pm at Cineplex Cinemas North Edmonton
• Artist Talk with Professor Emeritus Walter Jule starting at 5:30pm at Fine Arts Building Gallery
• Net Impact Trivia Night starting at 6pm at Double Dragon
• "From the Library of Jurgen Leitner" Book Launch by Premee Mohamed starting at 7pm at Audreys Books

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Nov. 7: CFL Playoffs Edmonton Elks vs BC Lions at Commonwealth Stadium
• Nov. 14: The Edmonton Underground Film Festival at Freemasons Hall of Edmonton
• Nov. 19: The Future We Can Afford at ArtsHub Ortona

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 5-Across? You'll find it here.