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Regional Roundup
Oct. 28, 2026

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Four municipalities convene supply-chain players

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Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, the City of Fort Saskatchewan, and Lamont County will host the Regional Supply Chain Forum on Nov. 3, aiming to help local businesses access new supply chain and procurement opportunities. Businesses will learn about purchasing processes, supplier requirements, industry trends, and strategies for positioning themselves for future contracts. "Regional collaboration is essential to building a stronger, more competitive business environment," said Reade Beaudoin, senior economic development officer for Strathcona County. "By bringing together four municipalities and industry partners under one roof, we are creating opportunities for local businesses to establish relationships, better understand procurement pathways, and compete for work across the region."

The municipalities say this event highlights the growing importance of collaboration in economic development. "Rather than working independently, the four municipalities are leveraging their collective strengths to create a larger, more connected marketplace where businesses can access information, expand networks, and pursue new opportunities," a news release reads. Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, and Fort Saskatchewan are among the municipalities that left the regional economic development agency Edmonton Global, but all four are still members of Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association. Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack told Taproot in December that Edmonton Global's dwindling membership — down to nine municipalities from its original 14, with three more on their way out — could mean the various forums for sub-regional collaboration can focus on their strengths.

Strathcona County said the supply-chain event will feature presentations from industrial partners who will share insights about procurement and purchasing processes, followed by dedicated networking opportunities that allow attendees to engage directly with industry and procurement representatives. ATCO, Clark Builders, Keyera, PCL, North West Redwater Partnership, and Inter Pipeline are expected to have representatives in attendance.

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Data centres

  • The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved a 920-megawatt natural-gas power plant intended to supply a data centre in Sturgeon County. Heartland Power Generation LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Beacon Group Holdings, will build and operate the plant, with construction expected to begin this quarter and finish in late 2027. The approval covers only the power plant; the data centre requires municipal approval. This project is separate from Meta's hyperscale data centre and its power plant, which are also in Sturgeon County.
  • The Boreal Technology Hub data centre in Parkland County is sparking community concern in the Edmonton region. The proponents — Brookfield, CPP Investments, and TransAlta — held an open house on Oct. 7 to discuss the project. It is located just south of TransAlta's Keephills generating station with an initial power allocation of 230 megawatts. "People are really wanting to make sure that all the due diligence is being done," Parkland County Coun. Kristine Olson told Postmedia's Chris Varcoe. "People are wary. They really want to feel like they have a full understanding … I'm going to continue to listen and learn, and ask questions."
  • The provincial government is planning to introduce legislation providing "stronger protections for data centre development" in the fall session. Details were scarce at the news conference, but House Leader Joseph Schow suggested the province intended to continue attracting data centre development.

Economic development

Municipalities

  • Leduc County council has reappointed Tanni Doblanko to serve as mayor for the 10th consecutive year.
  • Strathcona County council extended its residential snow-clearing target, meaning crews will aim to clear streets within 12 days instead of 10. Administration cited more frequent freeze-thaw cycles, freezing rain, and a growing road network.
  • Strathcona County council agreed to consider up to $160,000 for repairs to Woodbridge Farms' street markers during budget deliberations. The project would replace 84 stolen bronze plaques with engraved concrete and repair 24 brick markers.
  • Strathcona County received the 2026 Organization of the Year award from the International Association for Public Participation Canada. The county's submission described a two-year project to modernize municipal public engagement standards. "This recognition belongs to the entire Strathcona County community," said Stacy Fedechko, the county's chief administrative officer. "We know trust is earned. Our staff are committed to continually improving how we listen, engage and create space for all voices to be heard."
  • Beaumont said 58% of its budget survey respondents rated city services as fair, good, or excellent value. Another 39.4% rated the value as poor or very poor. Keeping property taxes unchanged remained the most popular option at 38.5%, while 31.5% supported an increase.
  • The Town of Stony Plain is seeking applicants for two positions on its Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. Applications will remain open until the positions are filled.
  • Stony Plain community development officer Deanna Butz received the town's Matthew Claus Award for public service. The town cited more than 18 years of service and work developing the town's Inspired to Lead volunteer program.
  • Your turn, Taproot's weekly roundup of calls for public engagement, includes surveys about a future neighbourhood in Leduc County and parks in Spruce Grove.
  • The UCP government proposes to amend the Alberta Human Rights Act to prevent municipalities, among other public entities, from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion when making hiring decisions. The legislation is the first bill of the fall sitting of the Legislature.

Headlines

  • Contractors have filed construction liens exceeding $4 million for allegedly unpaid work and supplies at Spruce Grove's Energy City Metro Ballpark, CTV reported. Team owner Pat Cassidy has attributed project delays to regulatory issues and said earlier this year that he remained committed to completion. The Western Canadian Baseball League has given the Energy City Cactus Rats until Nov. 15 to meet eight milestones or risk missing the 2027 season.
  • Construction is complete on the Enoch maskêkosihk Recovery Community, with an opening expected in December. The 75-bed addiction treatment centre, owned by Enoch Cree Nation, will offer Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients up to a year of treatment at no cost. The province contributed $35 million to construction and will provide operating funding.
  • Shane Getson resigned as MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland, citing personal and family reasons. He had represented the riding northwest of Edmonton since 2019. His departure leaves the United Conservative Party with 46 seats in the legislature.
  • St. Albert Public Schools trustees called a Dec. 7 byelection to fill two vacant board seats after Stanley Haroun and Natalie Joly resigned. Nominations close at noon on Nov. 9. Haroun and Joly resigned in September, citing a lack of transparency and public access to meetings.
  • St. Albert's Gardens Community Church has rebranded after leaving the Christian Reformed Church in October 2025. Pastor Michelle Kool said disagreements over governance and the denomination's positions on sexuality and gender identity drove the split.
  • Shari Strachan, the director of St. Albert's Musée Heritage Museum, will retire on Oct. 31 after 22 years with the organization. Archivist Vino Vipulanantharajah, a 14-year museum veteran, will succeed her.
  • St. Albert's T8N100Men has raised more than $870,000 for local charities over 10 years. Co-founder John Liston said the group hopes to surpass $1 million by the end of 2027. "One of my favourite sayings is, 'No one drop of water ever blames itself for a flood,'" Liston said. "But when you get a bunch of one drops, it turns into a flood."
  • Beaumont's Community Circle Thrift Centre has closed as of Oct. 27 after the sale of its building. Board chair Paul Heide said rising costs had made finding an affordable replacement location difficult. The centre also serves as a hamper pickup depot for the Leduc & District Food Bank, which said it was finalizing an alternative location in Beaumont.
  • St. Albert's Red Willow Trail parkrun drew nearly 70 finishers to its inaugural five-kilometre event. The free, volunteer-led group meets Saturdays at 9am at the Red Willow Park trailhead.
  • The City of Fort Saskatchewan will host its free Lights Up! celebration at City Hall on Nov. 27. The Enchanted Forest display will open that evening and run through Jan. 7. Groups and businesses must register by Nov. 13 to contribute a tree.

Happenings

Here are some events coming up soon:

And here are more to keep in mind:

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

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