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- Happy New Year! As 2026 gets underway, Common Sense Edmonton is ready to make this the year that common sense takes center stage in our city. Your support and engagement make it possible for us to push for smarter decisions, lower taxes, and greater accountability at City Hall. This year, we’ll continue speaking up for practical solutions that benefit all Edmontonians and ensure our city’s leaders are focused on the priorities that matter most. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and successful year ahead!
- Mayor Andrew Knack began 2026 with a trade mission to Harbin, China, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the sister-city partnership and attending the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. The three-day trip aims to strengthen economic development, cultural cooperation, and winter tourism, with activities including festival ceremonies, a winter expo, meetings with tourism agencies, and visits to local businesses. Knack is joined by a staffer and two Explore Edmonton representatives, and the City is spending $4,818.94 on flights, while Harbin will cover accommodations, meals, and local transport. The visit also ties into the planned reconstruction of Harbin Gate in Edmonton’s Chinatown, with input from both Harbin and local Chinese community organizations. Edmonton has five sister cities, and the visit marks the first Mayoral trip to Harbin since 2015.
- After an unusually snowy December, the City says back-to-back winter storms have significantly slowed snow removal, particularly in residential neighbourhoods. City crews have focused first on keeping major roads, transit routes, and business areas passable, working continuously for nearly three weeks across more than 12,000 kilometres of roadway. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton has received more than four times its typical December precipitation, with snowfall totals reaching as high as 67 centimetres in some areas. To support cleanup, the City implemented a Phase 1 parking ban on key routes, with residential streets expected to follow under a Phase 2 ban within the next two to three weeks, weather permitting. Mayor Andrew Knack emphasized that compliance with parking bans is essential to keep costs down and crews moving efficiently. Residents can track plow progress online as cleanup continues.
- Over two recent snow removal periods in Edmonton, the City issued a total of 245 parking tickets for violations of seasonal parking bans. The first ban, from December 17th to 22nd, led to 113 tickets, 1 warning, and 12 tows, while the second, from December 28th to noon on New Year’s Eve, resulted in 132 tickets, 7 warnings, and 21 tows. Tow truck enforcement returned this year after Council allocated $100,000 from the contingency fund, following two years without towing due to budget constraints. The fine for parking during a ban was also reduced from $250 to $150, with additional discounts for early payment.
- Edmonton’s new Police Chief, Warren Driechel, who assumed command in September 2025, outlined his plans for 2026, emphasizing organizational growth and modernization. With 30 years in the service, he aims to “grow and mature” the EPS by exploring new technologies like virtual investigations, online reporting, facial recognition, and AI-assisted report writing to free officers for community presence. Driechel noted rising organized and violent crime, including youth gang involvement and arsons linked to schemes like Project Gaslight, as well as ongoing challenges with opioid-related incidents. Traffic safety is another focus, with increasing collisions and traffic deaths prompting consideration of enforcement and educational measures. Driechel acknowledged that meaningful change will take time, with goals including stronger community policing, improved service delivery, and restoring public confidence in safety.