Residents and developers told Edmonton city councillors at a public hearing on April 7 that proposed changes to the zoning bylaw won't make a material difference to the feel of the infill structures from the street and will only make units less livable. Administration recommended reducing the maximum height in the small-scale residential (RS) zone from 10.5 metres to 9.5 metres, arguing it would help reduce the perception of massing while still allowing three-storey developments with basement windows above grade. Jan Hardstaff, speaking on behalf of a coalition called the Residential Infill Working Group, said reducing the maximum height "will not resolve impacts imposed by large, long, intensive multiplex RS zone infill, at least not meaningfully." Hardstaff said the zone needs amendments to setbacks to better integrate infill developments into the surrounding homes.
Meanwhile, the development industry also opposed the changes. Mauricio Ochoa, president of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association, said the current 10.5-metre maximum height allows for family-oriented infill development with functional basements and standard ceilings. He added that the change would bring the zone's maximum height even lower than the suburban equivalent of the RS zone, which caps buildings at 12 metres. "If our goal is to encourage housing in established neighbourhoods, this move is in the wrong direction," he said.
Kalen Anderson of BILD Edmonton Metro said the organization trusts councillors to make a decision, but urged that any changes should be made with clarity and confidence, and the changes should be phased in so they have less impact on developments that are underway. Administration said that if the changes are approved, some existing developments will become legally non-conforming, so staff will introduce a clause to the bylaw allowing planners to vary the maximum height for buildings with a valid development permit. Council postponed debate on the changes until a public hearing on April 27.
Edmonton will host matches in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup in July as Canada prepares for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Canada plays Spain at Clarke Stadium on July 4, followed by a double-header on July 11. Mayor Andrew Knack expects the events to generate $7 million in economic impact.
Mayor Andrew Knack and Edmonton Global are on a trade mission to Japan and China to promote the capital region for investment in advanced manufacturing, technology, and sustainable energy. Edmonton Global CEO Daryn Edgar told CTV the discussions could represent up to $2 billion in capital investment and 300 to 400 permanent jobs.
Laurent Ferreira, CEO of National Bank of Canada, outlined the bank's strategy in Western Canada after its $5-billion acquisition of Canadian Western Bank in February 2025. Ferreira told Postmedia that Edmonton now serves as National Bank's regional headquarters for Western Canada. With nearly 2,000 of about 3,000 Western Canadian employees in Alberta, the bank aims to double its regional presence in five years, focusing on commercial banking, retail, and wealth management.
DIALOG and HNTB (an American firm with experience on Edmonton projects such as the Yellowhead freeway conversion) have been selected to design the new Event Park at the site of Fan Park in the ICE District. The indoor-outdoor venue concept was chosen from 19 qualified submissions, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce hosted Consul General Zhao Liying for a business-focused discussion on China-Alberta trade at the World Trade Centre. Zhao pointed to improving trade conditions, noting recent tariff adjustments helped Alberta beef and canola return to the Chinese market, and cited $15 billion in bilateral trade last year as a foundation to build on.
Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation CEO Andrew MacIsaac said the war in the Middle East has led to renewed calls for a sovereign Canadian medical supply chain after Iran-linked disruptions to Qatar's natural gas exports cut liquid helium supplies — used as coolants in MRI machines — by 50% for at least one provincial health authority. The Alberta not-for-profit said it could serve as a short-term domestic supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients should drug shortages worsen.
Anohka Distillery owner Gurpreet Ranu weighed in on the new Alberta Whisky Act which defines and protects what can be labelled as Alberta whisky in an effort to support the province's craft distillery industry. "It's nice to see that all the hard work that we've been doing trying to make the best whisky in the world — and winning awards for making some of the best whisky in the world — has resulted in some recognition," he told CBC Edmonton's Radio Active. "Alberta grows more barley than any country in the Western Hemisphere. We have literally all these ingredients right under our feet, and historically, for the most part, we were just exporting this stuff or feeding it to cows."
Sturgeon County council approved $75 million for infrastructure improvements in the Industrial Heartland.
Startups and SMBs
Augusta Fashion and Textiles owner Maria Augusta is debuting her new slow-fashion collection, called 54°N, at Vancouver Fashion Week on April 11. The collection draws on Edmonton's textile manufacturing history, informed by research from the Anne Lambert Museum and Provincial Archives. "Canadian fashion has a deeper history than most people realize — and uncovering it feels both grounding and exciting," Augusta said.
Kakio Studio Cafe owner Dallas Arcand told Global News that he hopes his new business at 10219 106 Street NW can inspire and welcome people. Arcand is sharing the space with Tee Pee Treats, an Indigenous food business that has moved around over the last five years before finding a permanent home.
Alberta Native News profiled Julie Laflamme, founder of Beauty 2 Brows, an aesthetics training school and studio where independent beauty professionals rent space to run their own businesses. Laflamme initially invested about $100,000 in a brick-and-mortar location before pivoting to a shared studio model.
X5 Management president Mike Mack has launched his new book, , Succession: The Quiet Crisis of Transition and How to Prepare for It. The book blends a business fable about family dynamics, a case study from Williams Engineering CEO Naseem Bashir on navigating leadership transitions, and practical tools for leaders and advisers.
Victor Cui, co-founder and former CEO of ONE Championship — Asia's largest MMA organization — discussed his career in sports management on What the Job?, a podcast from the University of Alberta's Alumni Association. The Edmonton-born executive also served as president and CEO of the Edmonton Elks from 2022 to 2023.
Father and son Ted and Sean LeLacheur of Western Moving + Storage discussed their fourth-generation family business on an episode of the Table Talk with ABFI podcast. Sean LeLacheur discussed leaving the company to try other ventures before returning and leading the acquisition of a competitor three times its size. Host Matt Knight of the Alberta Business Family Institute heard their thoughts about making adjustments as businesses change hands from one generation to the next.
Bitcoin Well has reported strong early momentum in the U.S. market, with its Bitcoin Portal generating more than US$9 million in transaction volume and its registered American user base growing from roughly 11,000 in 2024 to more than 20,000 by March 2026.
NiaHealth co-founder and CEO Sameer Dhar discussed reimagining preventative care on The Thin Air Labs podcast. NiaHealth can test blood for early signs of more than 1,000 health risks. Dhar previously founded Sensassure, an elder-care incontinence monitoring company that was acquired in 2016.
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Edmonton city council approved a rezoning application for a new modular home development near Terwillegar Drive. The decision paves the way for the construction of modern, prefabricated homes on the land, proposed by ATCO's Viva Homes. The project will have 32 units. The company said the modular design will lead to lower rents. A nearby church opposed the development over fears of increased traffic.
Edmonton's office vacancy levelled off in the first quarter of the year, while industrial space continued to tighten, according to CBRE. The report's authors said the city's office sector may be reaching a turning point as demand shifts.
Most Edmonton mortgage clients opt for the minimum 5% down payment because saving more is out of reach for many buyers. A 20% down payment avoids insurance premiums, which can add up to $19,000 on a $500,000 purchase, but many don't have that kind of money up front. Meanwhile, a Zoocasa report found it takes a little more than seven years to save up a minimum down payment for the average detached home in Edmonton.
The province has threatened to block future federal Housing Accelerator Fund deals after Ottawa terminated Red Deer's $12-million agreement, arguing the city was treated unfairly compared to Ontario municipalities. "Alberta has approved increases to the City of Edmonton and the City of Airdrie HAF agreements. However, our province has deep concerns that these funding agreements are being made at the expense of other municipalities and rural communities," ministers Jason Nixon, Dan Williams, and Nate Horner wrote to federal housing and infrastructure minister Gregor Robertson. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the threat as "turning away free money" during a housing crisis.
Alberta School of Business assistant lecturer Edward Acuna and his wife donated $2,500 to the University of Alberta's Student Experience Fund, which supports undergraduates in accessing experiential learning. Acuna, a former commercial banker, said opportunities outside the classroom often differentiate graduates more than grades.
The Unapologetic podcast featured Constance Scarlett, president and CEO of TELUS World of Science - Edmonton, in a conversation about inclusive leadership and designing public spaces where all community members can genuinely see themselves.
The Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship podcast featured Jodi Abbott, president and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation, in conversation with lawyer Heather Barnhouse. The two discuss navigating complexity, developing bold strategies, and the role of values in leading organizations through change.
Alberta's government proposed legislation that would require employers to register with the province before hiring temporary foreign workers, giving Alberta more oversight of its labour market. The bill, introduced by Jobs and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, also aims to establish a licensing system for immigration consultants and recruiters, with maximum fines of $1 million for individuals and $1.5 million for corporations.
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