Emissions Reduction Alberta is investing more than $41 million into the province's construction and electricity sectors as part of $91 million allotted for its Industrial Transformation Challenge. The arm's-length agency of the Alberta government is making the investment to improve resiliency and efficiency in building and energy. "These investments are cutting emissions, creating opportunities for Albertans, and positioning Alberta as a global leader in the development and deployment of clean technology," CEO Justin Riemer said in a news release.
RoBIM Technologies is among the recipients, getting $2.81 million
to put towards a $6.2-million project to use robotics and AI to manufacture construction components with less waste. RoBIM is using robots to build trusses for Honomobo in a pilot arranged through Edmonton Unlimited's Built World Tech program. The pilot may validate RoBIM's potential for nationwide success, given that there are roughly 1,100 modular home builders in Canada, Alton told Taproot earlier this year. "Having real-life prefabrication projects — like with Honomobo — battle-tests our solution for the broader market," Alton added following the ERA announcement.
On the energy side, the Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation will receive $5 million from ERA to develop small-scale nuclear technology in partnership with the University of Alberta. The $10-million project will build an unfueled test reactor as part of a project to provide reliable, emissions-free power for communities and industries. "This funding … is a major step towards our goal of delivering sovereign energy solutions for Canada's defence and economic prosperity," founder and CEO Daniel Sax said in a release. "A new research reactor will be a key foundational block on which not only we, but the entire nuclear energy industry in Alberta can build, delivering innovation, skilled labour, academic excellence, and technological development."
Aksis, an Indigenous business and professional association, shared how it supports urban Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals through business development, economic participation, and cross-sector relationship-building. "The easiest way to explain Aksis is that it is focused on Indigenous prosperity in the economic development space," co-executive director Marnie Suitor told Alberta Native News. "The role of Aksis is to create safe spaces for non-Indigenous businesses and professionals to learn and share alongside Indigenous members, while increasing capacity to participate in the economy."
Edify published a feature on Edmonton's defence-industry opportunity, arguing that Ottawa's plan to significantly increase defence spending represents the largest economic opportunity for the city in generations. Mayor Andrew Knack has become a vocal supporter of the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance, which is pushing Ottawa and defence contractors to invest billions in the region.
The Taste of Place Summit comes to The Westin Edmonton from June 15 to 16. "This national gathering brings together leaders in culinary tourism, destination development and agritourism to explore how food, place and storytelling can drive sustainable growth and meaningful visitor experiences," posted economic development specialist Lorie Watson.
Explore Edmonton has appointed Teresa Spinelli, president of the Italian Centre Shop, to its board of directors. Spinelli is known for growing the family business into a multi-location organization and for championing inner-city revitalization and cultural initiatives.
Antigoni Studios is planning to open a coworking space for women with childcare as one of its first acts since launching as Canada's first femtech venture studio. Co-founders Riya Ganguly and Kate Ellis said the studio aims to connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and end users in women's health innovation.
Pe Metawe Games, an Indigenous-owned board game store at 118 Avenue and 94 Street, celebrated five years in business with an open house. Owner David Plamondon named the store after the Cree phrase meaning "come and play," with a goal of making everyone feel welcome.
Punchcard Systems shared its work on Arvo, a digital platform that connects local farmers' market producers with consumers. Sam Jenkins of Punchcard and Whitney Shaw of Arvo sat down with RealAgriculture to explain the need the service can fill.
Artificial Agency has made its first acquisition, bringing in Reflection Tree, an on-device collaborative planning system for the game development software Unreal Engine 5. Founder Alando Ballantyne will join the team as the technology is folded into Artificial Agency's generative behaviour engine.
The Executive Wins Podcast heard from Amir Shami, president of Rotaflow, to discuss leadership, diversification, mentorship, and the value of a "less is more" approach to decision-making in the industrial sector.
The Rosanova family has opened a franchise of Fix Auto in north Edmonton. The business traces its roots through more than three generations of automotive work.
Pharmacy Brands Canada has launched OpenRx, a zero-fee model giving independent pharmacy owners access to national-scale purchasing power while maintaining control over their operations.
Explore the Alberta Youth Employment Incentive, a cost-effective way to hire talent. Qualified employers can receive up to $7,500 to hire Albertans aged 15 to 24, helping you fill workforce needs today while investing in the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
Third places such as neighbourhood cafés, pubs, and bookstores are returning to Edmonton as infill development brings more residents within walking distance of local businesses, wrote Ranon Soans of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association, or IDEA. Soans cited places such as Stopgap Coffee and Iconoclast Coffee Roasters as examples. "There is something that happens to a city when enough of this accumulates," Soans wrote. "It is difficult to describe precisely but easy to recognize — a sense that the street belongs to the people on it, that you care about your city's future, and that something worth sticking around for is happening."
Edmonton city council voted to cut the maximum wall height for new infill housing in the city's mature neighbourhoods. The new limit for developments in RS zones is 9.5 metres, reduced from 10.5 metres. The change addresses concerns about the overall bulk of new builds, though structures with pitched roofs can still reach 10.5 metres at their highest point if the design slopes down.
Edmonton city council is reviewing a nearly $64-million shortfall tied to the Quarters Downtown Community Revitalization Levy, a financing program launched in 2012 to fund infrastructure through projected future property tax growth. A city report said revenue expectations for the 20-year levy have fallen to $92.8 million, leaving a projected $63.6 million gap that could be repaid by 2041 if future municipal tax revenues in the area are redirected. The levy has already funded about $100 million in projects, including streetscape upgrades, drainage work, Kinistinâw Park, and conversions of city-owned buildings into arts spaces, while attracting more than $450 million in private developments that are completed, underway, or planned.
CBRE is overseeing the relocation of Canadian Utilities Limited, an ATCO company, to 10303 Jasper Avenue. CBRE noted it was one of the largest office moves in downtown Edmonton in more than a decade. ATCO will begin transitioning employees to the renovated former Canadian Western Bank building starting in 2028.
The Alberta government announced a $400-million investment to fund 11 shovel-ready projects that will create more than 1,100 continuing care spaces. These new spaces, part of a larger provincial plan, will be available within 18 months to address growing senior populations. Edmonton projects include Golden Age Meadow Continuing Care ($75.3 million), Belle Rive Multi-Generational Housing ($62.3 million), and Beverly Heights Seniors Community Conversion ($19.5 million). Leduc's Salem Manor Society Continuing Care will receive $45.9 million.
More headlines
MacEwan University has renamed its School of Business the Triffo School of Business following a major gift from Ron Triffo, a business leader and philanthropist who helped grow Stantec. The donation is the largest to date in MacEwan's ongoing fundraising campaign.
Alberta unions and government representatives marked the National Day of Mourning on April 28 in Edmonton, remembering 144 workers who died from work-related illness or injury in 2025. This year, the event highlighted psychological health in the workplace, addressing stress, harassment, and burnout. Gil McGowan of the Alberta Federation of Labour said that psychological injuries are preventable and should be seriously addressed, noting only 44% of WCB psychological injury claims are accepted.
CTV Edmonton visited Caraway students at the Argyll Centre school to see their miniature world economy, built over three months, complete with small businesses, a stock market, bank accounts, and their own currency.
Capital Power reported a steep drop in first-quarter earnings, with net income falling to $15 million (four cents per share) from $151 million ($1.03 per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. Adjusted funds from operations also declined, dropping from $218 million to $154 million.
The Walrus published an excerpt from Tyler Dawson's book The Republic of Alberta, arguing that separating from Canada would be an economic disaster for Alberta. The analysis challenges separatist claims about tax savings and equalization, noting Alberta's deep economic integration with Canada and the complex, costly nature of any transition. Yet Spruce Grove resident Stacey Innes, who has struggled to find work, told Dawson she welcomes separation. "Honestly, I hate this country right now. If I could leave, I would," she said.
Happenings
Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:
CPA Alberta is the professional organization for more than 30,000 Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) across the province. CPAs are known for the experience, expertise, and business acumen they bring to organizations everywhere. CPAs are leaders, entrepreneurs, business advisors, personal financial advisors, management consultants, financial analysts, and so much more!
