On Monday at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Community and Public Services Committee. The Committee will consider replacing the current Animal Licensing and Control rules with a new Animal Care and Control Bylaw, developed after two years of public engagement involving more than 18,400 responses. The new bylaw would introduce enhanced animal welfare provisions, including offences for abandonment and neglect. It strengthens dog regulations with a tiered enforcement system based on a bite severity scale and mandates reporting of attacks, while adding stricter controls for “vicious dogs.” For cats, it distinguishes unowned and feral populations to support Trap-Neuter-Return programs and restricts owned cats from roaming on private property. The bylaw also updates licensing rules, fees, and pet limits, including new provisions for urban hens and bees and temporary excess animal permits for rescue fosters. If approved, the bylaw would take effect May 19th, 2026, after preparation and public communication efforts.
The Committee will also discuss options to prioritize snow clearing and repairs in Edmonton’s high-importance areas. A report will be presented that uses a High Priority Sidewalk Index and Social Vulnerability Index to guide service improvements, aiming to better support pedestrians, especially in vulnerable communities. Edmonton currently manages nearly 5,800 km of sidewalks and spends $67 million annually on snow and ice control, with about 45% allocated to active pathways. Enforcement requires property owners to clear sidewalks, with proactive and reactive inspections and fines for non-compliance. Four service-level options are proposed, ranging from no budget change to significant investment, with tax impacts from 0% up to 0.88%, increasing priority clearing and repairs, enforcement, and equipment. No budget is allocated for enhancements in 2025-2026, so the current practice will continue unless future budgets provide funding.
On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. The agenda includes a discussion about excess revenue from the Alley Lighting Maintenance Tax. Yet again this year, the City collected too much money under its special tax for Alley Lighting Maintenance - $344,270 too much. But, once again, they’re not going to give it directly back. The Committee is going to recommend that Council apply the money to future years. The City says that alley lighting costs were $895,263, significantly lower than the budgeted $1,239,533 due to more LED conversions and fewer service calls. At this point, it just looks like inability to plan.
The Executive Committee will also review a proposal to sell land in the Spruce Avenue neighbourhood below market value to NiGiNan Housing Ventures to develop a minimum of 60 supportive housing units. Alongside the land sale, the City recommends providing NiGiNan with up to $5.2 million in grant funding to assist with capital costs, totaling nearly $6.9 million in support. NiGiNan is an Indigenous-led nonprofit focused on affordable, culturally grounded housing for Indigenous Edmontonians experiencing chronic homelessness, with a model integrating Indigenous teachings and trauma-informed care. The project includes barrier-free studio units rented at a maximum of 30% of household income and will offer 24/7 on-site healthcare support. Although the land was not offered through a competitive public process, the direct sale is being justified by NiGiNan’s project readiness and alignment with City priorities, including Indigenous housing strategies.
The first light rail vehicle (LRV) for Edmonton’s Valley Line West LRT has arrived in the city, marking a significant milestone for the project. Manufactured by Hyundai Rotem in South Korea, the vehicle was shipped in two parts via the Port of Tacoma and offloaded at Edmonton’s Gerry Wright maintenance facility for final assembly. The City of Edmonton plans to receive a total of 46 LRVs, with deliveries continuing through 2027. Testing of the new trains will occur on the Valley Line Southeast tracks without disrupting passenger service. Construction on the Valley Line West is expected to be completed by 2028, with major progress made in 2024 following slower years earlier in the project.
Hawrelak Park, closed since 2023 for major repairs, is scheduled to reopen this winter, with construction expected to finish by fall 2025. The extensive rehabilitation included replacing deep underground utilities such as storm, sanitary, water, power, and irrigation systems. The full park closure allowed simultaneous work on utilities, facilities, and open spaces while ensuring safety. Final tasks like electrical, mechanical work, paving, and landscaping will continue through the summer and fall to prepare for reopening. The park’s reopening is anticipated before the Silver Skate Festival in February 2026. During the closure, many residents explored other nearby parks, highlighting the growing need for green spaces as Edmonton’s population increases. Events like the Edmonton Heritage Festival adapted by moving to other locations but look forward to returning to the upgraded park.
