Edmonton’s new City Council voted unanimously to create additional daytime shelter spaces, marking Mayor Andrew Knack’s first motion in office. The initiative will redirect $1 million from an existing public safety fund to provide immediate relief for unhoused residents who are increasingly turning to public spaces like libraries and parks. Knack said the measure is an early step toward improving both safety and perceptions of safety in the city, though he acknowledged it’s only a short-term solution. The City estimates roughly 1,866 people are unhoused or in emergency shelters, with about 1,748 daytime spaces currently available. Councillors Erin Rutherford and Aaron Paquette spoke to the need for stable, long-term funding and collaboration with the Province, noting that one-time allocations are insufficient to address Edmonton’s ongoing homelessness challenges.
Mayor Andrew Knack said the City is ready and willing to partner with Ottawa following the release of the federal budget, highlighting new funding for Rapid Fire Theatre and the Bissell Centre as positive signs of federal commitment to Edmonton’s growth. Speaking outside City Hall, Knack welcomed federal investments in housing, transportation, and infrastructure but stressed the need for predictable funding and faster approvals to match the city’s rapid expansion. He said he plans to meet with federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson to clarify how the Build Canada Homes fund and restructured transit programs will operate in practice. Knack also said Council will soon review City priorities to align with available funding. Provincial Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams reminded reporters that under Alberta’s Provincial Priorities Act, municipalities cannot make direct funding deals with Ottawa without provincial involvement, insisting the law ensures coordination and has not delayed projects.
Edmonton’s new Police Chief, Warren Driechel, formally took command this week, emphasizing community engagement and collaboration with social agencies as central to his leadership approach. Known for his hands-on style and rapport with residents, Driechel told attendees at his swearing-in ceremony that rebuilding trust and visibility will be key to addressing safety concerns and social disorder. He said policing must involve relationship-building, cooperation with other agencies, and a shared effort to respond to complex challenges such as addiction and homelessness. Mayor Andrew Knack said residents consistently identify safety as their top concern and called for a holistic approach that combines law enforcement with social support. Provincial Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis, a former Calgary Police officer, praised Driechel’s decade of street experience as an asset that will help bridge divides between police and the public. Despite a 6% drop in Edmonton’s crime rate in 2024, both leaders acknowledged that public perception of safety remains a pressing issue.
A wave of suspected arsons targeting high-value infill homes in Edmonton has left builders anxious about safety, insurance, and potential construction delays. Contractors in neighbourhoods such as Belgravia and Glenora, where several fires have occurred, say the incidents are putting lives, property, and livelihoods at risk. Industry leaders warn that if insurers begin refusing coverage, as occurred during past extortion-related fires, construction could slow or halt altogether, worsening housing affordability. Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Edmonton Metro said it is coordinating with City officials, including Police Chief Warren Driechel and Fire Chief David Lazenby, to address safety concerns. Lazenby noted that newer, lightweight construction materials make modern homes more vulnerable to fire damage. Police are investigating possible arson, with recent surveillance footage showing a suspect near one of the sites. Builders say theft, vandalism, and repeated fires have created a tense atmosphere across Edmonton’s growing infill construction sector.
O-day’min Park, Edmonton’s newest downtown green space, has officially opened. The 1.81-hectare park, named after the Anishinaabe word for “strawberry”, is located between 106th and 108th Streets and Jasper Avenue to 102nd Avenue and cost $48.6 million, funded through the Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy. The park was opened as part of the Warehouse Park Project, which converts gravel parking lots into a community-focused area. The Project aims to attract development, and several residential projects are already underway or planned nearby. Developers say the park and surrounding infrastructure improvements, including upgraded sidewalks and the Valley Line West LRT, make downtown more livable and appealing.
