The Pulse
Nov. 6, 2026

This week's roundup of calls for public engagement includes a survey about the planned replacement of the Low Level Bridge, as well as an "Ask Me Anything" session from Edmonton's mayor and a public hearing on amendments to Fort Saskatchewan's land use bylaw.

Administration is asking Edmontonians what should be prioritized as it designs the new Low Level Bridge. The survey is open until Nov. 30. The city announced in May that the structure, which is actually two separate bridges, was nearing the end of its fitness to carry vehicle traffic.

The city plans to build a new bridge between the existing Low Level Bridges and the James MacDonald Bridge. It will carry both northbound and southbound vehicle traffic and provide space for active transportation. The design will be functional rather than a "signature" piece like the Walterdale Bridge, administration said in the summer, aiming to provide a reliable, durable, and economic river crossing.

The survey asks the three most important things the city should consider when designing the new bridge. Options include reliable movement of vehicles, reliable movement of transit, safe facilities for active transportation, access to nearby neighbourhoods, river valley protection, and fitting with the historic Low Level Bridge.

The city said it plans to begin construction on the new bridge in 2029. When the bridge is finished in 2031, the southbound bridge will be demolished and the historic northbound bridge, which opened in 1900 and was the first bridge to cross the river in Edmonton, could be repurposed into a bridge for people walking, rolling, and cycling.

Administration's proposed budget, which was released on Nov. 2, includes a composite capital profile that, over multiple decades, would fund the replacement of the Low Level Bridge and High Level Bridge. The city has set aside $21 million for the planning and design of the Low Level Bridge replacement out of the total profile of $156 million.

• WIN House began site preparation for a 64-unit transitional housing development in northeast Edmonton for women and children fleeing violence. The $34-million Miller Project received funding from all three levels of government and is expected to open in early 2029. It will house more than 150 people for stays of two to three years.
• The City of Edmonton said unseasonably warm weather would help crews finish construction work before winter. Infrastructure delivery manager Jason Meliefste said concrete and asphalt work depend heavily on weather, and early frost can interfere with construction.
• The federal budget released on Nov. 5 allocated billions of dollars to address affordability and sovereignty. The budget document says the Build Communities Strong Fund will benefit Arts Common 118 and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.
• The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce said many of the measures in the budget aligned with its recommendations. "Budget 2026 recognizes that a stronger economy starts with businesses having the confidence and capacity to invest, innovate, and expand," president and CEO Doug Griffiths said in a statement. "The next step is turning these commitments into results for businesses here in Edmonton." The chamber was disappointed that the budget did not include investment in Highway 28 between Edmonton and Cold Lake, which it sees as key to military readiness and regional economic growth.
• The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating an Edmonton man's death following a wellness check on Oct. 11. The agency said two Edmonton Police Service officers left the man in his mother's care before paramedics arrived. According to the agency, his condition deteriorated after officers left, and paramedics pronounced him dead after attempting life-saving measures.
• The Edmonton Elks have opened the upper bowl at Commonwealth Stadium for the Nov. 7 Western Final against the BC Lions. Edmonton finished the regular season with a 13-5 record, earning a bye to the division final. The winner will advance to the Grey Cup final in Calgary on Nov. 15.
• The Edmonton Police Service released a photograph of a man it believes was involved in a hit-and-run on 99 Street last month. Police sought the driver of a dark-coloured Dodge Journey and asked anyone with information to call its non-emergency line.
• The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and the Alberta Cancer Foundation will bring The Time Store pop-up back to Rogers Place on Nov. 7. The interactive display will be near Section 119 during the Oilers' Hockey Fights Cancer game. The foundations said proceeds from this year's initiative will support cancer research, including expanding immunotherapy at Edmonton's Cross Cancer Institute.
• Alberta's new licence plates, which feature the slogan "Strong and Free" will be available at registry offices starting Nov. 9. Drivers switching before registration renewal will pay a $20 government fee and a $15 registry service charge. Existing plates remain valid if they are in good condition.

On this day in 1979, Edmonton's CFL team was prepping for the Western Conference Finals, on the road to what would become a record-setting Grey Cup dynasty.

First, the team then known as the Eskimos would have to get past their southern rivals, the Calgary Stampeders. Reserved seat tickets for the Alberta showdown in the West were going for $7 to $13 a couple of weeks ahead of the game.

Edmonton beat Calgary 26-13, earning the right to move on to face a familiar foe in the 67th Grey Cup: the Montreal Alouettes. It was the fifth time in six seasons that the two teams had faced off for the Grey Cup, and the third year in a row. Montreal had handed Edmonton a frustrating 41-6 defeat in the 1977 Ice Bowl, with Edmonton coming back with a 20-13 win the following year. So both teams were eager for another rematch.

The 1979 season had seen Edmonton trading duties between its two quarterbacks, Tom Wilkinson and Warren Moon. That trend continued in the final game: Wilkinson took QB duties in the first half, opening up the scoring in the first quarter with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Waddell Smith. But Montreal would respond with three unanswered field goals, putting them in the lead in the third quarter. Moon would eventually find Tom Scott for a 33-yard touchdown pass, followed by a field goal to end the third quarter, leading to Edmonton's 17-9 win.

It was an odd game, especially when it came to the numbers. Stats-wise, Montreal led in most offensive categories. In fact, despite being the winning team, Edmonton was locked out of the individual player awards, which all went to Montreal. The Edmonton defence played its part, keeping the Alouettes out of the end zone and limited to a single-digit score, something that has not since been repeated in a Grey Cup game. Part of it was due to Montreal's lack of discipline — the team took 16 penalties for a total of 145 yards, compared to four flags for Edmonton.

The 1979 win was Edmonton's second in a row, but they didn't stop there. Moon would be chosen as the team's starting quarterback midway through the next season and led the Esks to three more consecutive Grey Cups, creating the CFL's longest dynasty. Combined with the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup wins, that streak would cement Edmonton's remarkable sports legacy in the 1980s.

The team, now named the Edmonton Elks, are headed to the Western Final again, facing the B.C. Lions at Commonwealth Stadium on Nov. 7. This is Edmonton's first playoff appearance since 2019 after a few dismal years. However, the Elks are coming off a strong regular season, leading the Western Conference with a 13-5 record. The winner of the game will head to the 2026 Grey Cup in Calgary to face either Montreal or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

This clipping was found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist Rev Recluse of Vintage Edmonton.

Here are some events happening this weekend in the Edmonton area.

• Nov. 6: J-Dag 5 starting at 11:59am at various locations
• Nov. 6: Trusted to Serve Documentary Launch and Screening starting at 3pm at University of Alberta (TELUS International Centre)
• Nov. 6: Gentiane MG: Can You Hear the Birds? starting at 8pm at Yardbird Suite
• Nov. 6: AIRTIGHT Presents Self-Cut Bangs with Creamo starting at 9pm at Bent Stick Brewing
• Nov. 7: Pumpkin for Pigs starting at 12pm at Earth's Refillery Coop
• Nov. 7: Critters & Cocktails 2026: Bark to the Future starting at 5pm at Italian Cultural Centre
• Nov. 7: CFL Playoffs Edmonton Elks vs BC Lions starting at 5:30pm at Commonwealth Stadium
• Nov. 7: Rivalry Series: Golden Bears Hockey vs Calgary Dinos starting at 7pm at Silent Ice Centre
• Nov. 8: The Songs of Place starting at 2pm at The Orange Hub
• Nov. 8: Poulet & Cuvée starting at 5pm at The Marc
• Nov. 8: VERS/E 4.3: Queer Poetry Open Mic with Nikki Reimer starting at 6pm at Frank's Community Pub
• Until Nov. 8: Farmfair International at Edmonton EXPO Centre

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Nov. 19: Greater Purpose Impact Circle: Business as Un-usual at Brighton Block
• Nov. 21: SkirtsAfire's Let it Luz Fundraiser at ArtsHub Ortona
• Dec. 6: Dancing Day at Winspear Centre

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

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