Regional Roundup
April 1, 2026
The Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission has released its final recommendations, incorporating feedback from a series of hearings. The new configuration would cut one seat from Edmonton's core and add two urban-rural ridings — one combining parts of southeast Edmonton with the city of Beaumont, and the other combining west Edmonton, Enoch Cree Nation, and other rural areas. The interim report had only one riding that crossed Edmonton's municipal boundary, and envisioned Beaumont split along 50 Street into two ridings. With Beaumont joining south Edmonton, there is now a Leduc-Devon riding. The commission acknowledged strong ties between Leduc and Beaumont but said a combined district would have been the most populous constituency in the province.
Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said he fears hybrid ridings could dilute representation, adding that he was concerned about separating communities with similar interests. "There would be more logic to retain some of the smaller municipalities together — as has been the case for decades — than breaking up the capital city," Knack said. Meanwhile, Beaumont Mayor Lisa Vanderkwaak said the outcome, with Beaumont in one district instead of two, isn't exactly what her council wanted but is "still a win."
The report also includes a boundary configuration supported by a minority of the commission, along with, for the first time in the commission's history, maps of those proposed boundaries. The commission's chair, Dallas Miller, questioned the motives of the two panellists who produced the minority report, which proposes far more urban-rural hybrid ridings as well as urban ridings with much higher populations than rural ones. Miller — who was appointed by the UCP, as were the dissenting commissioners — hinted that the minority proposal amounted to gerrymandering. The final report still has to be tabled in the Legislature, and once approved, will be implemented through an amendment to Alberta's Electoral Divisions Act. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the government is "looking at all of the options" in the report.
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Economic development
- Wyvern, the University of Alberta, and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando) will share $6 million from the federal government's Defence Industrial Strategy. PrairiesCan is hosting a webinar on what Canada's defence industrial strategy means for Prairie businesses on April 2. And Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence has launched a pitch competition, with expressions of interest due by April 6.
- Representatives from the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance were in Calgary from March 24 to 26 for DEFSEC West to showcase Edmonton's potential in the defence and dual-use ecosystem.
- Porter Airlines will offer seven new flights per week between the Edmonton International Airport and the Montreal Metropolitan Airport beginning on June 16.
- Aurora Hydrogen has secured a $3-million investment from Hamburg-based Oldendorff Overseas Investments to advance its microwave methane pyrolysis technology for marine applications.
Municipalities
- Sturgeon County raised concerns about a proposed budget for Gibbons after the town presented its plan at a March 24 council meeting, calling the proposed 4.89% tax increase "dramatically insufficient" to address the town's financial challenges. The county flagged there is no money being directed to debt or reserves, nor to the town's existing infrastructure. The county said it is seeking clarity on these matters because it is the municipality that may absorb the town if its residents vote for dissolution. Gibbons representataives said the budget process began with a projected shortfall of about $2.5 million, which would have resulted in a 66% tax increase. Town council is scheduled to continue reviewing and amending the budget through April before approving it on April 28.
- Sturgeon County council voted down a proposed residential subdivision called Century Hills after residents complained about density, traffic, and the loss of rural character at a public hearing. Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said the proposal fell short but expressed hope that residents and the developer could work together on "a better product."
- St. Albert Mayor Scott Olivieri spoke to CBC Edmonton's Radio Active about the city's work to update its land use bylaw. City administration is also completing an assessment to determine current and future housing needs.
- Spruce Grove and Strathcona County said they are reviewing proposed changes to their provincial ground ambulance service agreement after Emergency Medical Services asked them to absorb additional costs or transfer operations to another provider. Leduc and St. Albert also received similar orders. The municipalities have until May 31 to respond.
- Nearly 40% of calls to St. Albert ambulances in 2025 sent them outside the city, according to a report from the city's fire chief.
- Fort Saskatchewan city council voted to approve a new design for city entrance signs. Council voted 4-3 to approve Concept 2 against administration's recommendation of Concept 3. The signs are being updated to align with the city's new branding and updated municipal boundaries.
- Strathcona County has opened applications for its 2026 Community Grants program, offering Community Connection grants of up to $400 for neighbourhood events and Community Change grants of up to $2,000 for social impact projects. Applications are open until April 30.
- Parkland County is accepting applications for several advisory committees, including its agricultural services board and economic diversification committee. The application deadline is April 16.
Headlines
- Nominees for the 35th annual Emerald Awards, presented by the Alberta Emerald Foundation, include the Edmonton and Area Land Trust for its Conservation Land Stewards Program; Dow for a project that integrates agricultural plastic waste into polymer-modified asphalt; Diesel Tech Industries for addressing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles; Alberta Municipalities for its Clean Energy Improvement Program; the University of Alberta for an agroforestry project; Strathcona County for its Gold Star compost auditing program; W.P. Wagner High School for its natural science program; Complete Care Restoration for its restoration waste reduction project; Applied Research at NAIT for microplastics research in Alberta's rivers; Beyond the River for bringing together Indigenous youth to care for the North Saskatchewan River; and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance for its Youth Water Council. The awards will be presented in Calgary on June 4.
- Spruce Grove-based El Taco Loco has closed the Edmonton location it opened in November, citing an issue with the building manager.
- Chartier's new executive chef, Crystal Higgins, spoke to Edify about developing her first menu for the Beaumont restaurant. She promised the popular French onion soup and poutine are safe, but she is developing new dishes that lean more French than Québécois, with plans to add a new steak dish, a new burger, and more veggies. "I want to bring it back to more classic stuff," Higgins said, citing Julia Child as an influence.
- The St. Albert Gazette profiled afternoon tea options, highlighting three Edmonton destinations: Café Bel Air, Lady Bea's English Tea House, and The Art of Cake. "I truly believe we have the best high tea in town, our longevity and popularity speaks to that," said Art of Cake co-owner Gloria Bednarz. "People want to slow down, have good food and conversation. But they definitely like to dress up too."
- The Spruce Grove Public Library hosted a teddy bear clinic where children aged three to 10 could bring stuffed animals for health check-ups, including blood pressure, temperature, and weight readings. The event aimed to teach children about basic health and wellness.
- Sturgeon County is urging residents to check old burn piles for holdover fires as wildfire season begins, noting that buried embers can reignite when temperatures warm.
- Applications are open until April 24 to be Stony Plain's first artist laureate.
Happenings
Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:
- April 2: Imagine a Progressive Future: A Community Dialogue starting at 7pm at St. Albert Inn and Suites
- April 3: Good Friday Sugar Shack Experience starting at 12:30pm at Chartier
- April 3-6: Breakfast with the Easter Rabbit at Prairie Garden and Adventure Farm
- April 4: Strathcona County Egg Hunt starting at 10am at Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion
- April 4: Rum Ragged starting at 7:30pm at Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts
- April 7: Deepening Your Relationship with Yourself starting at 1:30pm at St. Albert Public Library (Downtown)
And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:
- April 12: Barbra Lica at Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts
- April 14: Shaun Majumder at Dow Centennial Centre
- April 17: St. Albert Lifestyle Expo & Sale at Servus Place
Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.
This roundup was sponsored by Park Power.
Park Power is your friendly, local utilities provider, offering electricity, natural gas, and internet throughout Alberta. Park Power offers low rates, awesome service, and through their Community Partners program, shares 10% of electricity profits with some awesome Alberta charities. Their Green Power program supports the production of renewable energy in Alberta and their Solar Club helps Albertans gain more value from their investment in solar power.