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Stephanie Swensrude

This week, councillors will consider reducing fines for violating parking bans, learn about the state of municipal assets, and review a framework for promoting Edmonton.

There is a community and public services committee meeting on Jan. 19, an urban planning committee meeting on Jan. 20, and an executive committee meeting on Jan. 21.

Here are some key items on the agenda:

• The community and public services committee is to discuss amendments to the traffic bylaw that would lower the fine for violating parking bans from $250 to $150. The fine was increased from $100 to $250 in 2022 in an effort to increase compliance, but administration said it’s been challenging to discern whether it worked given the wide variety of influencing factors, including the degree to which the bylaw has been enforced. If council lowers the fine, administration estimates an annual revenue reduction of about $232,500. Councillors had also asked administration to consider reducing fines further for people who pay tickets within seven days. The report said that change would require updated ticketing software, which would cost about $80,000, and more staff, which could cost at least $70,000 annually. City council will vote on any recommended changes at a future meeting.
• Just over half of the city’s assets are in very good or good condition, according to an annual inventory of municipal assets set to be presented at council’s executive committee. While the percentage of assets in poor and very poor condition has improved slightly and is within an acceptable margin, the city must invest more to maintain the portfolio, administration said. Transit vehicles especially need investment, as more than half of the city’s buses and light rail vehicles are in poor or very poor condition. Based on the age of the Edmonton Transit Service fleet, 250 buses should be replaced every four years, not including growth to accommodate service expansion. Council voted in the fall operating budget adjustment to purchase 25 new buses to accommodate growth. The asset data is meant to provide context for upcoming city council discussions, including the 2027-2030 capital budget.
• The executive committee is scheduled to review a framework for the city’s brand, which administration said “amplifies Edmonton’s strengths and presents a clear, credible, and consistent value proposition that attracts investment, talent, and opportunity.” The framework includes high-level vision and guidance instead of specific objectives and tactics, as different partners have unique mandates, needs, and timelines, reads the report. If the executive committee approves the framework, administration will implement it.

Here are some other items on the agenda:

• Councillors will revisit a conversation postponed from a council meeting in December so that representatives from Winspear Centre can provide input. In a report set to be presented to the executive committee, administration said it does not support creating a revenue sharing agreement to allow the Winspear Centre to earn revenue from the Century Place parkade. In 2014, the city loaned the Winspear $12.9 million to construct a parking structure. It is not yet open, but it has fewer than half the number of parking stalls than were originally planned, meaning the Winspear will collect less parking revenue than expected, affecting its ability to pay back its loan. Several options are under consideration. Administration said the city has no legal obligation to provide parking revenue to the Winspear.
• The urban planning committee will consider granting authorization to applicants looking to create statutory plans for two new neighbourhoods: Kettle Lakes, a neighbourhood in Decoteau, and an industrial area north of Highway 19 in the city’s southwest.
• Council’s executive committee is scheduled to consider designating the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre as a municipal historic resource. Peter Hemingway, a notable Edmonton architect who also built the Muttart Conservatory, designed what was then known as the Coronation Pool as part of the Canadian centennial project. The building was renamed to honour Hemingway in 2005. While buildings that are designated municipal historic resources normally receive funding for restoration and rehabilitation, the centre has already been undergoing renovations since 2021.
• Administration recommends that council update the storefront improvement program to make it possible to reapply for funding after 10 years. This is expected to yield one or two extra applications per year, and the proposed changes can be accommodated through the program’s current budget. Administration also recommends adding the storefront refresh grant to the policy. The grant was piloted in 2019 for smaller projects that wouldn’t be eligible for the storefront improvement program. The larger grants have typically gone to property owners for large exterior building repairs, while tenants are responsible for smaller maintenance, repairs, and signage. The grants are available to business and property owners in business improvement areas and in the target areas of Little Italy and Norwood Boulevard.

Lastly, here are some updates from the last time council was in chambers:

• At a public hearing on Dec. 15, council voted 12-0 (Coun. Anne Stevenson was absent) to approve rezoning applications for 11 properties without debate, including for residential properties in Garneau and McKernan, and for a fire station in Athlone.
• Several hours of the public hearing were spent on a rezoning application in Crestwood. The rezoning passed 9-4, with Mayor Andrew Knack and councillors Karen Principe, Thu Parmar, and Reed Clarke voting against. Council also spent several hours discussing a rezoning application in Grovenor. That application passed 10-3 with Principe, Parmar, and Clarke voting against. Seven agenda items were postponed to a public hearing on Jan. 26 because of the limited time remaining in the meeting.

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• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. On the agenda are options to address a parking revenue shortfall for the Francis Winspear Centre for Music (FWCM) following its Completion Project, which included an underground parking structure smaller than originally planned. FWCM is seeking additional revenue from the nearby City-owned Century Place parkade to meet its $12.9 million loan obligations, though the City has no legal requirement to provide this funding. Administration has proposed three options: (1) a Parking Funding Agreement, giving FWCM net revenue from after-hours and weekend parkade use, but requiring $1.1 million in security upgrades; (2) a Parkade License and Management Agreement, where FWCM would manage Century Place and cover operating costs in exchange for parking revenue; and (3) a one-time payment or loan forgiveness, estimated at $5 million, which preserves City control and avoids operating impacts. FWCM prefers the third option, though it requested $7.5 million.
• The Executive Committee will discuss the City of Edmonton’s 2025 Infrastructure State and Condition report. It provides a detailed snapshot of the City’s assets, including their quantity, replacement value, and physical condition. Edmonton’s infrastructure portfolio has grown to a replacement value of approximately $39.8 billion, up $5.1 billion from 2023, with 54.2% of assets rated Very Good or Good, 33.2% Fair, and 10.2% Poor or Very Poor. While overall conditions remain stable, aging assets, particularly in Facilities and transit rolling stock, pose risks of deterioration and increased maintenance costs if investment levels are not maintained. The report organizes assets by service area to better inform decision-making and highlights the importance of continued investment to sustain service levels, manage renewal needs, and address the “renewal gap.”
• Mayor Andrew Knack says frustration over neighbourhood snow removal has reached a tipping point, with poor compliance during parking bans making it harder for crews to do their work effectively. With Phase 2 blading underway, Knack said vehicles left on restricted streets slow plows and reduce the quality of snow clearing for entire blocks and has called for stronger enforcement, including towing and impounding vehicles, in future budgets. Knack said City crews are meeting the service levels set by council, but acknowledged those standards may no longer be sufficient, especially during one of the snowiest winters on record. After recently visiting Edmonton’s sister city of Harbin, China, he said the scale of investment and intensity of snow removal there highlighted what stronger resourcing can achieve. With major winter events like the Deep Freeze festival approaching, he added the City will look at whether additional short-term measures are needed to improve safety and accessibility.
• Edmonton’s office market showed signs of recovery in 2025, with vacancy rates falling to about 19%, close to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new CBRE report. Vacancies had peaked near 23% in 2023, but stabilization was helped by office-to-residential conversion projects and a broader return to in-person work. Commercial real estate experts say mandates bringing provincial employees back to the office are creating a ripple effect, encouraging more companies to follow suit. Several downtown towers have been partially converted to residential use, reducing excess office inventory and adding more activity to the core. Major financial institutions have also recommitted to downtown Edmonton, including National Bank’s investment in Manulife Place and ATB’s continued presence.
• Edmonton is considering a new bylaw that would require businesses to sort their waste, including organics and recyclables, as non-residential sectors generate 70% of the city’s waste, half of which is organic. The City plans to offer grants, educational toolkits, and look at programs for construction and demolition waste, while surveying businesses before finalizing the plan for a Council Committee this summer. Business owners support the idea in principle but want transparency to ensure their efforts make a difference and infrastructure improvements to handle increased organics. Similar bylaws exist in Calgary, Vancouver, Regina, and Halifax, and proponents say it levels the playing field and removes discretion from individual businesses.

• Canvassing is underway for Alberta’s Stay Free Alberta petition, which seeks a referendum on separating from Canada. Supporters at recent events expressed frustration with federal overreach, concerns over economic stability, and a desire for more control over taxes and resource exports. Many believe independence would allow Albertans to make their own decisions and better protect future generations financially. The petition, approved by Elections Alberta, requires 177,732 signatures by May 2nd, and organizers say strong turnout indicates they are on track to meet the goal. Additional canvassing events are scheduled across the province in the coming weeks.
• Tensions are escalating as US officials, including Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Montana State Senator Steve Daines, characterize Alberta’s electricity market rules as discriminatory toward American producers. They claim that the Alberta Electricity System Operator (AESO) prevents Montana power from entering the province, which stifles cross-border investment. Alberta Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf asserts that the Province treats all neighbouring jurisdictions equally and prioritizes grid stability. Alberta is effectively an “energy island” with limited ties to BC, Saskatchewan, and Montana, meaning curtailments can occur when supply exceeds what the system can safely manage, even if imported power is cheaper. While increasing connections would improve reliability, Neudorf says that necessary infrastructure work could cost $500 million. Another Montana State Senator, Daniel Zolnikov, cautions that investors will avoid new projects until regulatory clarity is established. 
• Wineries, retailers, and restaurants are calling on the Alberta government to repeal its new wine tax, introduced in April 2025, which imposes additional charges of 5-15% on bottles over $15 per litre. Industry representatives say the tax disrupts Alberta’s previously competitive liquor model, increases costs for restaurants, and discourages consumer spending, with some businesses absorbing the higher prices and others reducing Canadian wine purchases. The Import Vintners and Spirits Association and Wine Growers British Columbia warn that the tax has already caused declining sales and threatens small businesses, with some BC wineries considering leaving the Alberta market. Restaurant owners say the added costs are unsustainable, reducing customer visits and squeezing already tight profit margins. Industry groups argue that Alberta should maintain a simple, flat liquor tax to support business viability and consumer choice. Government officials defend the tax, noting it applies to only 16% of wines sold and remains lower than prices in other provinces.
• Alberta is introducing new regulations to expand its provincially-regulated online gambling market and attract private operators currently limited to Ontario. The changes provide a framework for companies like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings to legally accept bets in the province. The government notes that unregulated sites make up as much as 70% of Alberta’s online gambling activity. The regulations, modelled on Ontario’s system, cover virtual casinos, sports betting, tax rates, website rules, and responsible gambling measures such as self-exclusion and time or financial limits. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally expects operators to join the market within a few months, with the intention of creating a safer and more controlled environment for Albertans. Currently, the province’s only regulated platform, Play Alberta, generated $270 million in net sales last year, up $35 million from 2023-24.
• An Alberta teacher’s audio rant criticizing the province’s conservative political culture has sparked an internal review by Elk Island Catholic Schools and criticism from Premier Danielle Smith. The recording, from a Fort Saskatchewan social studies class, included profane references to anti-Trudeau stickers and NDP lawn signs, prompting concerns about professionalism and political neutrality in the classroom. The school division says the conduct does not align with its values and is investigating, while the Alberta Teachers’ Association has declined to comment, noting it is a matter for the school.

What began in the spring of 2022 is scheduled to open ahead of schedule on Tuesday, January 27. The new facility is located in Coronation Park (111th Avenue and 142nd Street) brings a new look and new amenities to the city. Take a photo tour and mark it on your calendar to visit in person.

MILLWOODS MOSAIC has just been published to helpget the New Year off to a good start. Read it to get a behind the scenes look at news that has Millwoods in focus.

What's on in Edmonton this weekend? Pop by the Mitchell Art Gallery to check out the exhibition from where the grain itself can speak, enjoy a fresh line-up of International, National and Regional bluegrass bands at the RiverCity Bluegrass Festival, join New Music Edmonton for Drawing and Sound Gathering with artist Asal Andarzipour and sound artist Michael Reinhart, step into the heart of Edmonton’s Alberta Avenue District for a magical celebration of winter at the Deep Freeze Festival, attend Light + Vibrotactile: An Interactive Installation at Latitude 53 for a technical exploration informed by Deaf-Blind sensory experiences, join the Edmonton Recital Society as they celebrate their 20th Anniversary Season with a presentation of Benjamin Butterfield and Leanne Regehr, and so much more!

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• On Thursday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a Special City Council Meeting. The majority of the meeting will be held in-camera to discuss Strategic Planning. The meeting will continue on Friday at 9:00 am.
• Mayor Andrew Knack is inviting residents to rethink how the City approaches snow removal after an unusually snowy start to winter. Citing snowfall well above the 30-year average, Knack acknowledged widespread frustration with road conditions while also thanking City crews who have been working around the clock to keep major routes passable. According to Environment Canada, December was among Edmonton’s wettest on record, putting added strain on an already stretched snow-clearing system. The City currently budgets about $67 million annually for snow removal, following several increases in recent years. Past reviews showed that significantly faster or more comprehensive snow removal would come with substantial additional costs. Knack argues the issue now belongs in a larger budget conversation as Edmonton prepares for its next four-year cycle.
• Edmonton’s $2.6 billion Valley Line West LRT build is progressing, but construction manager Jonathan Cox says the city risks losing hard-won skilled trades capacity if major rail projects stall after completion. Cox argues Edmonton has invested in specialized workers and expertise for building LRT in a northern climate and if future expansions remain unfunded, that talent may leave for other cities, raising costs to bring them back later. City of Edmonton Valley Line West director Brian Latte reports the project was on budget and on schedule at the end of 2025, with major intersection work completed on time. The team aims to have all tracks connected by the end of 2026, followed by extensive testing and commissioning. Reliability testing is expected to be the longest phase, with passenger service still tentatively targeted for 2029.
• Edmonton has begun replacing private security on public transit with additional peace officers, deploying 15 so far and planning to add another 15 by the end of summer. The shift is funded using money from a previous security contract and is intended to increase enforcement capacity, as peace officers have broader legal powers than private guards. Once fully implemented, the City’s transit peace officer unit will grow to 126 officers, with larger patrol teams and a stronger focus on high-incident areas. The City says this increased uniformed presence is meant to improve both actual safety and public confidence, while also supporting faster response times. Officers will continue working alongside police and outreach workers, connecting vulnerable individuals to social services when appropriate. The approach emphasizes engagement and prevention first, while still allowing for tickets, fines, or transit bans for repeat or serious offenders.
• Emergency room doctors in Edmonton are calling for a medical state of emergency in the Edmonton zone due to severe overcrowding and long wait times, citing a recent death of a 44-year-old man in the ER. Hospitals are operating at near full capacity, with admitted patients often spending days in emergency before reaching a proper hospital bed. A major factor is the high number of patients who no longer need acute care but cannot yet move to home care, rehab, or long-term care, blocking new critical cases. Doctors say the system was already stretched before this year’s severe influenza season, and ongoing staffing and systemic issues have worsened the crisis. While government statements highlight efforts to reduce Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients and acknowledge high volumes, ER staff warn that Edmonton’s situation is among the worst in Canada. Patients in urgent need are facing unsafe delays for treatment such as antibiotics, pain relief, and emergency procedures. 

• Premier Danielle Smith is renewing her push for expanded pipeline access to global markets in light of recent events. Smith said the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro - and Washington’s stated interest in securing Venezuela’s oil resources - shows the risks of relying on unstable or politically sensitive suppliers. Smith argues Canada should prioritize exporting its own oil to a wider range of buyers, including Asian markets, through a new pipeline to British Columbia’s West Coast. She pointed to a recent agreement with Prime Minister Mark Carney that sets timelines for a potential Indigenous co-owned pipeline and reviews federal policies such as the tanker ban. Smith emphasized that Alberta supports pipelines “in all directions” and is urging Ottawa to move quickly, framing export diversification as both an economic and energy-security priority amid growing global uncertainty.
• Speaking of pipelines, the Alberta government has launched a new website to share information about a proposed bitumen pipeline to the northwest BC coast, positioning it as a central source for updates and public engagement. The site aims to address misinformation, emphasizing that construction has not started, no route has been finalized, and the Province is not funding the full project. Alberta has committed $14 million to early planning, with the expectation that private companies and Indigenous partners would eventually lead development. The project is tied to a recent federal-provincial energy agreement and could be submitted for federal review by July 1st under a process meant to accelerate projects of national interest. Early work includes Indigenous engagement, route and capacity planning, and assessing market demand and economic viability. While several major pipeline companies are advising the Province, no firm has yet agreed to build the pipeline.
• A recall effort targeting Alberta’s Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides is running well behind pace, with organizers estimating roughly 6,000 signatures collected and about 10,000 more needed before the January 21st deadline to trigger a vote. The campaign organizer says a final push is planned but acknowledges reaching the threshold in such a short time would be difficult. The recall is part of a broader wave of petitions launched in late 2025, many driven by opposition to the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end a teachers’ strike. Even if it falls short, the organizer says the campaign has succeeded in increasing political engagement within the constituency.
• A petition calling for a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada has officially launched, with its inaugural signing event held in Water Valley and follow-up events in Didsbury and Westrose. The petition, managed by the newly created group Stay Free Alberta, aims to collect 177,732 valid signatures by May 2nd to trigger a constitutional referendum, with only registered canvassers allowed to gather signatures. Alberta Prosperity Project, which helped organize the initial events, continues as an educational group promoting independence information, while Stay Free Alberta handles the official petition process. Additional signing events are planned across the province throughout January as more canvassers are approved and trained.
• Several Alberta school boards have removed a limited number of library books following the Province’s new policy restricting sexually explicit images in school materials. Edmonton Public Schools pulled 34 titles, while the Calgary Board of Education removed 44 - both emphasizing that these represent a very small share of their overall collections. Edmonton Catholic Schools reported removing six titles. None of the divisions released specific book lists, noting the reviews are ongoing and subject to change. The policy, introduced by the Government of Alberta, was revised in the fall to focus on explicit images rather than written descriptions, after concerns were raised that well-known literary works could be unintentionally caught by the rules. Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides have said the intent is not to restrict classic or challenging literature. 

Hello Better Infillers—

After a break in late 2025, we’re re-connecting with the countless Edmontonians who want to improve the city’s approach to infill. These are people like you, who want a voice in how infill projects are developed; who believe good design takes account of context; and who understand that “sleeping units” and neighbourhoods are more than profit opportunities for speculators and landlords, they are homes and communities where lives are woven.

A January 3, 2026, CBC headline said mayor Andrew Knack wants to “put infill debate to rest.” We don’t think infill debates will ever be put to rest, nor that they should be. Bylaws governing infill were amended countless times over the decades in response to new information and pressure from groups across the spectrum, and those dynamics are not going to suddenly disappear. The role of mayor and council is not to put infill issues to rest, but to constantly manage them for the public good. That’s fundamental to democracy.

In July 2025, one city councillor, reflecting city hall’s frustration with the public debate on zoning and infill bylaws, told the media that “politicizing land use” is “a poor way to run a city, incredibly poor.” Whether city hall admits it or not, land use decisions are always rooted in political power, which is why citizens need to watch them so closely. The question is: Whose power?

University of Alberta professors Pearlann Reichwein and Jan Olson have written a compelling account of the historic struggle by ordinary citizens, who opposed city plans to turn Mill Creek Ravine into a freeway and build a massive recreation complex that would have demolished 400 homes. The struggle began in 1957 and didn’t end until the 1980s, but citizens prevailed and Edmonton gained a beautiful natural park. Even now, though, debates simmer over the nature of Mill Creek Park. (You can read their account here: https://read.aupress.ca/read/bucking-conservatism/section/f6cd9dd1-0fdb-4cab-85d1-87cc67132837)

Reichwein and Olson close their article with a question: “Who has the right to the city as an ongoing negotiation and creation of space and social life?” Their answer: “Local people and residents can assert their active rights to imagine and shape the city, even in the face of state planners and capital.”

BetterInfill is one of many groups who believe local people and residents have a right to imagine and shape their city, even when city hall and some investors have other plans. We’re glad you’re connected with us and encourage you to connect with groups like Edmonton Neighbourhoods United (www.edmontonneighbourhoodsunited.com).

It's important to share your thoughts about infill with your city councillor. Their contact information is on our website. As well, contact your community league. Until recent years, community leagues were powerful advocates for neighbourhoods. When they are quiet, the infill industry has free run. If you aren’t satisfied with your community league, don’t complain, join its board. And as always, talk to your neighbours about your concerns.

The February 10 meeting of council’s urban planning committee will be important for infill. The committee will be receiving reports from administration on options for the following:

•Reducing the number of dwellings allowed on midblock sites in RS zones. (Currently eight dwellings are allowed on a typical 50-foot-wide lot.)

•Reducing the impact of height on adjacent properties.

•Retaining trees on private property.

Please consider attending the February 10 meeting at city hall or watching it online.

Keep the movement growing!

--from the team at BetterInfill

What's on in Edmonton this weekend? Experience a late night spectacle at the

PepperMUNT Cabaret featuring acts by Scott Shpeley, Jacquelin Walters, Big Al, Elyse Roszell, Ainsley Hillyard, Homofonik, and more, catch a screening of two new documentaries made by Albertan filmmakers presented by the Broad View International Film Festival, attend the January Script Salon for a presentation by the Workshop West Indigenous Playwrights Circle led by Josh Languedoc, and so much more!

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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.

• Premier Danielle Smith has completed the legal restructuring of the province’s health system in 2025, replacing Alberta Health Services with four new agencies overseeing hospital care, continuing care, mental health and addiction, and primary health. Smith plans to use 2026 to demonstrate the results of the reforms, including a public dashboard tracking wait times and 1,500 new continuing care spaces annually. Expanding nurse practitioners’ ability to open practices aims to improve primary care access. Smith defends the changes as necessary to reduce bureaucracy, but critics, including the NDP, argue the restructuring has created chaos for front-line workers and contributes to instability in government. Smith has emphasized accountability and the optimization of the new health agencies as central to her government’s priorities.
• Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney says support for a proposed new West Coast oil pipeline among First Nations is currently mixed, estimating it at about evenly split between support and concern. She argues that opposition from outspoken groups will not delay Alberta’s plan to submit a pipeline proposal to the federal Major Projects Office by mid-2026, with deeper consultation to follow afterward. Sawhney says many communities are not outright opposed but are seeking answers about safety, spill risks, and modern tanker and pipeline technology. She maintains that no single organization speaks for all Indigenous communities along a potential route and emphasizes the importance of direct, in-person engagement. The project would require an exemption from the federal oil tanker ban on BC’s northwest coast and has already drawn resistance from some coastal First Nations groups. 
• UCP MLA Rebecca Schulz has resigned from Alberta’s cabinet, where she was serving as Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. She will remain the MLA for Calgary-Shaw only until May 2026. Schulz said the decision was about timing and pursuing new career opportunities. Her departure has fuelled speculation that Premier Danielle Smith may call an early provincial election, though Alberta’s fixed election date is in 2027. Smith thanked Schulz for her service and appointed Grant Hunter as the new environment minister, with Justin Wright becoming government whip. Schulz says she will continue supporting the UCP and hopes to be remembered as a strong advocate for economic growth and fiscal responsibility.
• The National Police Federation has criticized the Alberta Next Panel’s recommendation to create a provincial police service, arguing that Albertans are more concerned with issues like health care and education than changing policing. The panel’s report recommends establishing the Alberta Police Service (APS) and transitioning community policing from the RCMP and municipal services to the new agency, while ensuring current RCMP staff have employment opportunities. Alberta RCMP Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux emphasized that policing decisions rest with the Province and that the RCMP will continue serving roughly 40% of Albertans across 95% of the province. Daroux noted recruitment and retention challenges but highlighted that more than 4,600 applications have led to additional officers and civilian positions since April 2024. Alberta has already passed legislation, including the Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act 2025, to support the new Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS). Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said more legislation is expected and the government is reviewing the panel’s recommendations to improve public safety and give municipalities more policing options.
• Premier Danielle Smith says Calgary’s second major break of the Bearspaw south feeder water main in under two years highlights a failure of oversight, and suggested that the Province may need to take a more active role in supervising the city’s water system. Smith placed responsibility on former Calgary Mayor and current NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, claiming he did not act after the 2013 floods to inspect the feeder main, a claim Nenshi called “total garbage.” Smith indicated provincial oversight could include issuing repair orders and linking future funding to greater control over the system. Calgary has lost over 20% of water to leaks in recent years, well above the provincial goal of 10%.

What's on in Edmonton this weekend? Celebrate the Winter Solstice with an evening of experimental music featuring Echoradia, Soft Ions ft. Mustafa Rafiq, Jared Epp and and a poetry reading by Caitlin Sian Richards, take in an annual holiday tradition at Canada’s Ukrainian Nutcracker ,enjoy a poignant and powerful musical rendition of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Little Match Girl, and so much more!

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