One parcel of vacant land in Edmonton, directly north of Re/Max Field, was rezoned at a public hearing on July 6. Several speakers expressed concerns that Indigenous nations had not been consulted on plans for the area. Councillors aren't legally allowed to discuss land sales and agreements when making land use decisions, so it was only after the public hearing that they could reveal the city is working on agreements with Indigenous partners. "Now that the public hearing is over, we can openly speak about the fact that we're actively pursuing partnerships with Indigenous nations in order to safeguard this area, and to ensure that the Indigenous perspective remains, and in fact becomes prominent for these very important historical lands," Coun. Aaron Paquette said.
The confederacy said the site could support between 2,500 and 4,000 homes, mixed-use commercial space, and major public-realm investment, and it estimates the development could be worth more than $1 billion. Speaking on behalf of Enoch Cree Nation and the Treaty 6 Confederacy, Roger Smith said the groups were fully supportive of the amended bylaws at the public hearing "as a necessary first step to engage in real discussion as to how these lands should be properly developed, having regard to economic and responsible development, while preserving historical sites."
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a proposed route for a 3,300-kilometre Northern Shield pipeline to carry oil, natural gas, and other energy products from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Southern Ontario. The line would run from Hardisty and pass near Regina and Winnipeg on its way to Sarnia, ON, carrying an estimated 500,000 barrels of oil a day with potential expansion to 800,000. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said his province won't join the project because Indigenous groups weren't involved from the start.
Stefan Rutkowski of CAREERS and Shad Smereka of Fountain Tire explored how to address the talent shortage in skilled trades. Youth employment programs like the one CAREERS runs help, said Smereka. "It is a clear win-win: students gain real career insight, and we get skilled, committed future employees who already feel connected to the work," he wrote.
Closing the gender gap in healthcare is not only the right thing to do, but it's also good for the economy, says a new report from the Alberta Women's Health Foundation. The report argues that "investing in women's health is one of our province's greatest opportunities," citing $5.9 billion in economic impacts based on data from the McKinsey Health Institute. The foundation adds that Alberta is uniquely positioned to be a women's healthcare leader because of its wealth of researchers at institutions such as the University of Alberta.
The Alberta government unveiled a new logo to promote the province's whisky industry, emphasizing the regional quality and international potential of locally produced spirits.
Startups and SMBs
Swift Charge is now pursuing growth beyond hospitality after securing a contract with InnVest Hotels to install more than 300 EV chargers at over 70 hotels across Canada. "We're already starting to see the ceiling as a hotel-focused operation," co-founder and CEO Sheldon Zhang told Taproot from China, where he was visiting manufacturers. "We're significantly winning in the hospitality segment in Canada already, so we have to expand beyond hotels."
A blood clot-screening device developed by Edmonton's Somagen Diagnostics is expected to arrive at the International Space Station this fall, the Investigative Journalism Foundation learned. The Canadian Space Agency signed a $425,000 contract with Somagen in January to study the feasibility of deploying the portable, point-of-care testing device on the ISS.
Trust Science has signed a master services agreement with TD Bank to improve loan approval and origination turnaround times. TD Auto Finance became the first business unit to deploy the technology through its network of 5,500 dealers, offering real-time lending decisions. CEO Evan Chrapko hailed the deal as the result of years of perseverance by his team.
CarePros founder Charles Wong has launched PurposeFund, a founder-led advisory practice supporting founders, boards, and executive teams building technology-enabled service businesses across North America and Asia. The practice focuses on strategy, governance, leadership, long-term value creation, and angel investment, drawing on Wong's decade of experience across healthcare, technology, real estate, and social impact.
Hingston & Olsen Publishing, the boutique publisher behind the Short Story Advent Calendar, is winding down after selling 20,000 short story collections over 10 years. Co-founder Michael Hingston, who now runs Porch Light Books, said rising shipping and paper costs eroded the company's margins, though he doesn't feel despair about the future of print.
Suvi Sharma, founder of jewellery brand Silver's Wind, spoke with The Gateway about building a brand rooted in purpose and South Asian culture. She started selling homemade bracelets as a child to fund her brother's surgeries, and is now planning a fashion house inspired by her grandmother's embroidery work. "Entrepreneurship always needs to be rooted in a purpose," she said.
KB&Co has closed its original location at 10224 104 Street NW. Owner Kristina Botelho cited a sales decline of 75%, the end of the business's lease, and personal reasons. The locally founded chain has locations in Windermere, Sherwood Park, and St. Albert.
The Colombian's Confluence Podcast explored the trap of over-commitment, urging entrepreneurs to identify what they're truly exceptional at and audit their commitments before spreading focus too thin. "There is always another wall to paint," the episode notes. "But just because you can paint it doesn't mean you should."
Well by Design founder Steven Langer discussed the hidden costs of high-performance success on the Business Development Podcast. Langer and host Kelly Kennedy talked about the burnout, anxiety, and health warning signs that drove Langer to develop "work-life coherence" as a more sustainable alternative to work-life balance.
Edmonton city council has directed administration to prepare amendments to the zoning and business licence bylaws to further regulate lodging houses. The proposed changes, made in response to concerns raised by homeowners and developers, would limit lodging houses to single-detached or semi-detached housing in most zones and amend the definition of row housing to dwellings with more than three individually rented bedrooms instead of more than four. The business licence bylaw amendments would prohibit hourly rentals by establishing a minimum booking period of 12 hours. Any changes will have to be voted on at a public hearing. Hear more about the issues under discussion on Episode 363 of Speaking Municipally.
Josan Properties held a grand opening for Connect Tower, its partial residential conversion of the former Phipps-McKinnon building on Rice Howard Way. BILD Edmonton Metro shared excitement for the launch and a quote from Josan's president and CEO, Raka Josan: "Conversations about downtowns have sometimes focused on challenges in recent years. But when faced with challenges, cities have the chance to evolve. Connect Tower is an example of the potential for evolution," he said. "Dormant buildings can be reimagined for new purposes, giving people the chance to live, work, and connect."
Avison Young's H1 2026 Greater Edmonton multifamily report found population growth of 6.3% in Beaumont, leading the greater Edmonton region. Leduc County (4.7%) and Spruce Grove (4.2%) also saw significant increases, driven largely by interprovincial migration from Ontario and B.C. Multifamily rental construction reached 10,151 units in 2025 — more than double the 10-year average — though Q1 2026 starts fell 17% year-over-year as the market absorbed recent supply. Brandon Imada cited affordability and lower taxes as key draws, and said south Edmonton is facing growing development pressure. The advocacy group BILD Edmonton Metro wants to accelerate development south of 41 Avenue SW, but Coun. Michael Janz warned of the increased costs of extending services such as police and transit.
The Greater Edmonton Area real estate market recorded 2,746 sales in June 2026, up 7.5% from May but down 4.1% year-over-year, as inventory rose 22.2% compared to June 2025, the REALTORS Association of Edmonton reported. The average selling price fell 1.6% from May to $483,600, while condo prices weakened most as inventory and competition increased. "June appears to be a peak month for the number of sales — though not enough to keep up with growing inventory," said RAE board chair Darlene Reid.
Edmonton ranked seventh in Royal LePage's 2026 Most Affordable Canadian Cities report, with an average home price of $472,300 and an affordability factor of 26.3% — making it the most affordable city in Canada with a population of more than one million. "The pricing in Edmonton has just remained so stable," said broker Tom Shearer of Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate, noting the city has actually grown more affordable since 2024, its strongest-ever year for resales.
The Federation of African Canadian Economics is bringing its Melamoon pitch competition to Edmonton on July 18. It's the fourth stop on a five-city national tour designed to connect Black founders with capital and visibility. Top performers at the Jamaica Association of Northern Alberta's downtown JANA Centre will advance toward the Toronto grand finale, where $200,000 in non-dilutive funding will be awarded.
Lime has acquired Neuron Mobility Canada and will take over its e-scooter and e-bike operations in St. Albert and Beaumont, as well as 10 other Canadian cities.
Mineral exploration company Grizzly Discoveries Inc. has engaged Departures Capital Inc. for a 12-month investor marketing program at $25,000, using digital outreach and video interviews to expand the company's visibility in the global investment community. The board also granted 1.2 million stock options to company consultants.
Lighting designer Daveed Henriquez joined the InfraSound Communications Podcast from reVerb Communications to trace his journey from electrician to commercial and residential lighting designer. "Light is vida," said Henriquez, who explored how lighting shapes our connection to the built environment.
Jessi Rampton, the former press secretary to Alberta's health minister, is now lobbying provincial health agencies for tobacco, pharmaceutical, and healthcare companies, the Investigative Journalism Foundation found. She left the health ministry in April 2025 and began lobbying in April 2026, satisfying the province's one-year cooling-off period.
Happenings
Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:
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