Reg Rygus

What's on in Edmonton this weekend? Browse original artworks as the iHuman Art Walk transforms the street outside into a vibrant showcase of youth talent, soak up the last of the season with two days of live music at Down by the River, celebrate the vibrant spirit of the Filipino community at the Edmonton Filipino Fiesta 2025, check out the new exhibition Shift by Marie Lannoo and Katie Ohe at the AGA, witness Yann Martel’s acclaimed novel come to life onstage at the opening of The Life of Pi at the Citadel Theatre, kick off the fall season of Script Salon with a reading of Tough Guy by Hayley Moorehouse, and so much more!

SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS

The Alberta Teachers’ Association has announced their intention to begin “job action”, otherwise known as a strike, on October 6th - just three and a half weeks from now.

Alberta has not had a full teacher strike since 2002, so many Albertans may not be aware of just how extremely disruptive they can be.

A strike would have a severe impact on students, families, and the economy - especially given such a high proportion of our population in Alberta is school-aged children, more so than any other province.

Academic studies of the impact of teacher strikes have found that they:

1. lower immediate test scores,
2. increase absenteeism,
3. reduce the life-long education students attempt to receive,
4. harm life-long earnings for students, and
5. hurt immediate earnings for the family of the student.

So, obviously, we are all hoping a strike can be avoided.

But, we also need to tell you something important about the way Alberta’s funding model currently works in relation to this strike, which many other commentators are likely to miss.

In Alberta, September 29th is “September Count Date”.

When we talk about funding following the child to the school of their choice, this is the day that determines how much will follow them!

So, if a work stoppage would prompt you to make other arrangements for your children’s education, you should strongly consider moving your child to that arrangement by September 29th:

• Charter schools are non-union, though you probably cannot find a seat, since they all have long waiting lists already.
• All but one independent (or private) school is also non-union, but many of them are also fully subscribed.
• Reimbursements for home education expenses (and provincial transfers to the supervising school authority) also have a September Count Date of September 29th!

We encourage you to share this information with other parents and inform as many as we can.

We will continue to mention it in major media appearances, as well.

Ultimately, though, we understand that some parents won’t know about the September Count Date, and even more parents won’t want to make alternate arrangements, in hopes that a settlement is reached.

We also hope that will happen!

But if it does not, we need a backup plan.

In the past, we have advocated for a more dynamic funding model that responds to mid-year changes more seamlessly.

And, as you all know, we think funding should always follow the child.

But, during a strike, it’s even more vital that it does.

That’s why we’re calling on the Government of Alberta to introduce a temporary program that would see their child’s share of provincial education funding to follow them to whatever alternative education arrangements parents can make to continue their learning during a strike.

We have called this idea an Education Continuity Allowance.

This allowance could be used towards a school that is open and willing to take the child, towards tutoring, temporary home education materials, an online course, hands-on training in a profession, or any combination of these.

If a student's school is closed, the money should follow that child to any education their family chooses to fill the gaps!

With the money that would already be spent on a given child, families should decide how best to replace the education opportunity torn away from the child by squabbling adults!

If you agree and want to tell the Government of Alberta to introduce these Education Continuity Allowances, please sign the petition to Strike-Proof Alberta Students:

SIGN THE PETITION

After you've signed, please send it to your friends, family, and every Albertan!

DAILY HIVE has just published Allison Stephen's article below listing the names of 12 candidates who are running for mayor in next month's election. In addition to the names there is a brief description of the candidate's priorities and links to their websites (if they have one) where more information can be found.

If you want to know about the various candidates for Mayor the article below is a good place to start.

Kellen Westman first heard about the "bike bus concept two years ago and then waited until his child was old enough for school and he could set up a bike bus. Basically a "bike bus" is a group of kids riding bikes to school instead of being transported there in some vehicle. A bike bus uses the safety of numbers, plus adult supervision, to allow kids to bike to and from school safely. The first "bike bus" ride September 9th and about 20 children and adults rode along. Westeman hopes to have bike buses at 60 different schools in the next five years.

Thank you Kellen Westman

Since 2009 FEMco has been responsible for running Fort Edmonton Park, but the City decided on July 7th not to renew their contract and will take over operations of the park on January 1st, 2026. Day-to-day operations at the park remain the same with no impact to any bookings and rentals.

• The Alberta government is revising a ministerial order on school library books to clarify that only texts containing pornographic images will be removed, leaving classic literature untouched. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides asked school boards to pause book removals after Edmonton Public Schools began pulling more than 200 titles, including literary classics. Premier Danielle Smith said the pause is brief and confirmed the policy will still be fully implemented on October 1st. She criticized what she described as misunderstandings of the original order. The issue comes amid stalled collective bargaining between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the government, with a potential strike or lockout looming. Both sides emphasized the need for clear guidelines and age-appropriate material while negotiations remain unresolved.
• The Alberta Party is seeking Elections Alberta approval to rebrand as the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party after 94% of its members voted in favour of the change. Former UCP MLAs Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair are leading the effort, viewing the rebrand as the fastest way to revive the party that governed Alberta for over four decades. The party submitted the new name for approval on August 29th, and while Guthrie is optimistic it could be approved by the end of September, Elections Alberta noted the process may take up to 60 days. Guthrie and Sinclair hope to enter the legislature as representatives of the rebranded party when MLAs return on October 27th. Once approved, they plan to develop policy, attract members, and build a platform to appeal to voters dissatisfied with the two dominant parties. The move has faced potential legal challenges from the UCP, which claims rights to the Progressive Conservative name. The party name is currently listed as “reserved” on Elections Alberta’s website, with a reservation set to expire on November 26th.
• Alberta has unveiled its new Jobs Strategy, a province-wide blueprint designed to boost employment through training, education, and partnerships. The plan is built on four pillars: career awareness, career readiness, removing barriers, and employer focus. Nearly 50 programs are being integrated, ranging from literacy and language initiatives to Indigenous employment partnerships and the Alberta Health Workforce Strategy. Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow said the goal is to “empower people in Alberta to seize the opportunities of tomorrow.” Business and education leaders praised the plan, highlighting the importance of aligning training with industry needs and strengthening trades education. Officials say the initiative will help ensure Alberta remains competitive, while offering clearer career paths for job seekers and a stronger workforce for employers.
• The province’s unemployment rate rose sharply in August to 8.4%, the second highest in the country after Newfoundland and Labrador’s 10.7%. Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey shows the province lost 14,000 jobs last month, a 0.6% decline and the second straight month of losses. The jobless rate is now the highest Alberta has seen since 2017 outside of the pandemic years. Edmonton was hit hardest among the big cities, climbing to 8.5%, while Calgary held steady at 7.7%. Lethbridge and Red Deer also saw increases, both sitting at 6.7%. Job declines were concentrated in manufacturing and in wholesale and retail trade, reflecting weaker consumer confidence and trade uncertainty. Calgary Economic Development noted the city’s labour force participation remains among the strongest in Canada, but acknowledged momentum is slowing across both goods and service industries, leaving Alberta vulnerable to broader national economic headwinds.
• An Alberta judge has recommended that bars implement heated outdoor shelters, free coat checks, and other safety measures to prevent patrons from dying of hypothermia after leaving. The recommendations follow the deaths of two young men in south Edmonton, who froze to death a year apart after being asked to leave a club without proper cold-weather protection. The judge’s report also calls for Alberta’s liquor authority to establish policies on alcohol service, hypothermia risks, and procedures for ensuring intoxicated patrons get home safely. Suggested measures include clear guidelines for over-serving and security monitoring.

What's on in Edmonton this weekend? Enjoy a wildly joyful celebration of the arts in the heart of the Alberta Avenue Arts District at the 20th Kaleido Family Arts Festival, discover music from hardcore heroes to electronic explorers at the Purple City Music Festival, take in the city skyline as you check out the works of emerging and professional artists at the Strathearn Art Walk and Music Festival, join the dancing musical procession through Old Strathcona with Edmonton’s favourite bird at The Magpie Parade, celebrate Grandparents’ Day with Edmonton author Melissa Morelli with a book signing and meet and greet, and so much more!

SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS

Linda Hoang has just listed the following events for this week in her Lindork's Lists #281. She wrote that just when you thought festival season was winding down… this weekend has tons!

• Attend the 20th anniversary of Kaleido Family Arts Festival (90-95 St., 118 Ave.)
• Kaleido Family Arts Festival, a FREE-to-attend, family-friendly, joyous, exuberant, radically open arts festival returns for its 20th anniversary this Sept. 5-7. Kaleido Festival features music, theatre, dance, street performances, food, artisans, art galleries, markets, and more in alleys, rooftops, parks and along Alberta Avenue.
• Experience the Strathearn Art Walk & Music Festival (89-91 St., Strathearn Dr.)
• Check out the annual Strathearn Art Walk & Music Festival, a FREE, family-friendly art market and music festival showcasing local creativity along the city's beautiful river valley and scenic skyline!
• Be part of Edmonton’s newest dance festival (Fan Park at ICE District)
• The new DSTRKT25 two-night festival at ICE District in downtown Edmonton is this Friday & Saturday Sept. 5 & 6. There will be indoor and outdoor stages, food vendors, and immersive production elements. The festival brings “together fans from across the prairies to celebrate dance music in one of Canada’s most iconic urban spaces."
• Check out the Purple City Music Festival (various locations)
• The Purple City Music Festival runs this weekend Sept. 5-7 at various venues across downtown Edmonton. This is an all-ages music experience featuring pysche rock to punk rock, avant garde to folk.
• Catch the India Film Festival of Alberta (various locations)
• Get tickets to the India Film Festival of Alberta, which runs this weekend at various venues in Edmonton Sept 5-7 showcasing films made by independent filmmakers from India and Canada.
• And some how, here are even more events you might be interested in:
• Cabinet of Curiosities Night Market returns on Friday, Sept. 5.
• Late Night Fridays at the TELUS World of Science is this Friday Sept. 5.
• Martin Kerr's Album Release Show - Overdue for a Revolution - is on in Leduc on Sept. 6.
• Griesbach neighbourhood’s Party in the Party runs this Saturday, Sept. 6.
• There's a Movie Night in the Park in Lewis Estates on Saturday, Sept. 6.
• The Akisan Edmonton Cultural Day takes place this weekend at Queen Mary Park this weekend Sept. 6 & 7. FREE to attend but registration required.
• ALSO: The final Edmonton Mural Festival Tour that Linda is hosting takes place this Saturday, Sept 6 - Downtown. There are just a couple of spots left before sell out. Explore downtown art with her, plus dig into some tasty food from local restaurants, and meet and see live artists in action!
• Follow Edmonton Mural Festival on Instagram for more mural updates!

🎉 Woodvale Community League Day 🎉

Sept 20 1PM - 4 PM

Come join us for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating community, connection, and YOU!

This is your chance to meet your neighbours, enjoy some sunshine, and take part in a variety of activities for all ages. Whether you're bouncing through obstacle courses, getting your face painted, or sipping on lemonade, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

🌟 Event Highlights:

🎈 Bouncy castle & obstacle course

🎨 Face painting fun

🏀 Sports & games

🍋 Ice-cold lemonade stand

📚 Art making station provided by ArtVentures – create your own to take home!

🚲 Edmonton Bike Swap

📍 Alberta Aviation Museum (11410 Kingsway NW)

📅 Saturday, September 7

The Edmonton Bike Swap is back! We’re a non-profit providing a safe place to buy, sell, or donate bikes. Normally held in May, this year’s swap is in September.

Event Schedule:

• 8:00–14:00 – Bring bikes to sell. We’ll safety-check them and verify they aren’t stolen.
• 14:00–14:30 – Lost a bike? Check our inventory against your police report.
• 14:30–16:00 – Buy a bike! (Line up early—by 10:30 is best). $2 admission supports donated bike repairs.

✅ Kids’ bikes available

✅ Donated bikes go to Sport Central & Bike Edmonton

✅ We partner with 30+ community groups

We still need volunteers—come spend a day touching a lot of bikes!

👉 Volunteer here

Community League Memberships And Renewals Are Now Online

League memberships are still only $25 per household and are available at www.woodvale.org or from the League Office located at the Facility Building on the Mill Woods Golf Course (Call 780-462-2101 ext 3).

View all the benefits and sign up here:

https://www.woo

ON THE AGENDA

Stephanie Swensrude

Council is scheduled to review how administration reports on its municipal funding agreements, its handling of the city’s digital assets, and the district energy sharing system in Blatchford.

There is a utility committee meeting on Sept. 2, an audit committee meeting on Sept. 3, a city manager and city auditor performance evaluation committee meeting on Sept. 4, and a non-regular city council meeting on Sept. 5.

Here are key items on this week’s agenda:

• The city disbursed $236.4 million to nearly 2,500 community partners in 2024, according to a report that will be presented to council on Sept. 5. The report is the city’s first formal corporate-wide annual reporting of municipal funding. The funding was provided through grants, subsidies, rebates, sponsorships, or operating support and was designed to align with one or more of the city’s strategic goals. The city provided $17 million to business programs, $50 million to community programs, $30 million to housing programs, $7 million to specific and targeted community needs, and $132 million to agencies, boards, and commissions. City administration updated the municipal funding arrangements policy in November to establish monitoring procedures that ensure requirements in the funding agreements are being met. Administration will begin reporting on the outcome of the funds annually, the report said.
• The city’s governance of its investments in digital technology assets like hardware, software, data, and cybersecurity is ineffective at achieving its strategies, according to a report from the city auditor. The audit found that while the city has a corporate business technology investment framework, no one is assigned to be accountable for its results or ensure compliance with its processes, and there is not consistent reporting on the framework. The auditor recommended that the city provide training to the executive leadership team and the technology investment advisory group to improve their understanding of the foundation for making technology decisions and that the city regularly evaluate the technology investment framework.
• Administration plans to prepare amendments that will limit developers from opting out of connecting their homes to Blatchford’s district energy sharing system. Builders can currently choose not to connect to the city-owned system if they prove that the housing they are building is net zero. But the exemption process has generated operational and financial challenges for the utility, said a report that will be presented to council’s utility committee on Sept. 2. Administration will prepare an amendment that limits any further exemptions, and council will vote on the amendment in the fall.
• Council will receive a private update from a consultant at a meeting on Sept. 4.

Meetings stream live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.

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• The Council Services Committee will meet on Friday at 9:30 am. The Committee will review a report on renovating the Councillors’ Wing on the second floor of City Hall to address noise and privacy concerns in the existing open office layout. The project involves enclosing 12 administrative areas with architectural wall systems, including full glass doors and lower solid panels with upper glass sections, which is intended to improve acoustic performance by 20 - 25% and provide visual privacy below desk height. Work will also include modifications to the HVAC system, removal and reinstallation of workspace components, and project management and design fees. Construction is scheduled for the December 2025 Council recess, with follow-up HVAC adjustments completed either during the recess or outside office hours in January 2026. The total project cost is estimated at $300,000, funded through one-time Office of the City Clerk resources.
• On Friday, at 1:30 pm, there will be a Non-Regular Meeting of City Council. The agenda features the first formal, corporate-wide annual outcome report for municipal funding arrangements, summarizing 2024 activities and financials. In total, the City has provided $236.4 million to 2,494 partners, including $132.7 million to Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (ABCs) like the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Public Library, and $103.7 million to other organizations. Funding types include grants, subsidies, rebates, sponsorships, Council-directed funding, and below-market leases for non-profits, all designed to advance the City’s strategic goals, especially Healthy City and Regional Prosperity. Programs included business initiatives ($17 million), community programs ($49.9 million), and housing programs ($29.5 million).
• Council has approved changes to how roadway upgrades in the Lewis Farms area will be funded and delivered, aiming to address growing traffic pressures in west Edmonton while avoiding costly delays. The amendment to a 2006 bylaw shifts certain projects, including adding lanes on 215 Street NW, Whitemud Drive, and Webber Greens Drive, from City-funded to developer-funded, though overall financial obligations remain the same. Council members emphasized timing and planning, recalling past missed opportunities that led to higher costs. Administration noted the changes address immediate “pinch points” and safety concerns, but full widening of 215 Street NW will require additional design and planning. Some Councillors debated whether the planning should proceed outside the City’s four-year budget, but ultimately, a motion to align the work with the four-year budget was defeated, allowing early planning to move forward.
• City Council has also approved a master agreement for the development of a new public event park and the Village at Ice District, alongside the demolition of the Coliseum. The project, a partnership between the City, the Province, and the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), involves more than $300 million in combined funding. Council debated the deal but had limited ability to negotiate due to a September 1st provincial deadline, leading some Councillors to raise concerns about the fast timeline and lack of amendments. Supporters emphasized that the agreement protects the City financially while enabling transformative infrastructure projects in downtown Edmonton. OEG hailed the project as a model of public-private partnership and highlighted its potential to strengthen the city’s core. The approval followed an earlier extension of the community revitalization levy (CRL), which will help fund the City’s portion. Opposition focused on procedural concerns rather than the merits of the project, with four Councillors voting against the agreement. The next steps include finalizing grant agreements with the Alberta government by November 30th, aiming for construction to begin in 2026.
• A recent poll suggests that a majority of Edmontonians feel the city is heading in the wrong direction, with 58% expressing this view and only 33% saying the city is on the right track. The sentiment is strongest among residents over 55, while younger voters aged 18-34 are more optimistic. With just over six weeks until the municipal election, the mayoral race is crowded and competitive, with Councillor Andrew Knack slightly leading at 12%, followed by Councillor Tim Cartmell at 10%, Michael Walters at 7%, and Rahim Jaffer at 5%. Nearly half of voters remain undecided. Key voter priorities include lowering taxes, reducing poverty, cutting spending, increasing access to social housing, and improving basic services like snow clearing and garbage collection. Candidates are highlighting issues such as affordability, safety, and growth management, and several stress the need for new leadership to address these challenges. Voter engagement appears moderate, with 49% saying they will definitely vote and another 18% very likely to vote.
• Alberta’s Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen met with Edmonton residents upset about planned bike lanes in the Delton and Alberta Avenue neighbourhoods, highlighting concerns over inadequate local consultation. The bike lanes, part of the City’s $100-million Active Transportation Network Expansion Program, would convert driving lanes into cycling infrastructure, which some residents say reduces road capacity and duplicates existing bike lanes. Dreeshen criticized the City for moving ahead on contracted projects despite his request for a pause and said the Province is considering legislative changes to require traffic impact assessments when bike lanes replace vehicle lanes. Residents argued that only a small portion of the community was consulted in 2019 and feel their opposition has been ignored.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Many Edmonton businesses are raising concerns about the City’s new mobile-only parking system, citing customer confusion, limited signage, and accessibility issues such as language barriers in the app.

The City maintains the change was driven by cost savings, estimating $6 million would have been needed to upgrade traditional parking machines.

Have you tried the new system? What do you think? Let us know!

• Alberta’s deficit is now projected to reach $6.5 billion this year, more than a billion dollars higher than what was forecast in the spring budget. Finance Minister Nate Horner attributed the worsening outlook to falling oil prices and uncertainty caused by US trade disputes, both of which continue to weigh heavily on Alberta’s resource-dependent economy. The Province’s debt has also climbed to $84.3 billion, while expenses have increased due to new labour agreements with public sector unions. Despite the worsening numbers, Horner said the government does not plan a drastic response but may set Ministry spending targets for the next budget. Alberta is also committed to implementing a $1-billion income tax cut, which will further reduce revenue. Deficits are expected to persist until at least 2027. 
• ​​Alberta has launched the new Alberta Wallet app, allowing residents to store government-issued documents digitally, starting with Canada's first mobile health card. Premier Danielle Smith said the app is designed to modernize services, making it faster and more convenient while keeping personal data private. The mobile card will function the same as the paper version and can be presented at hospitals, clinics, and other facilities. Parents and spouses will also be able to share health cards within the app. Future updates aim to include other documents like driver’s licences, permits, and certificates, with compatibility for Apple and Google Wallets in development. Technology Minister Nate Glubish stressed that the app is optional and built with strong encryption. In addition, Alberta plans to release a new integrated plastic identity card by 2026, combining the driver’s licence and health card into a single durable document. The Province says these steps will improve convenience, reduce misuse, and strengthen the health-care system.
• Premier Danielle Smith criticized the Edmonton Public School Board after it released a list of more than 200 books slated for removal under new provincial library rules. The list included widely respected titles such as The Handmaid’s Tale, The Color Purple, and The Great Gatsby, which Smith suggested was an act of “vicious compliance” rather than a good-faith response to the government’s directive. The new ministerial order, introduced by Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, requires schools to remove materials with explicit sexual content but allows exceptions for religious texts and non-graphic depictions. Smith said the intent was only to block sexually graphic books from elementary schools, not classics or acclaimed works, and offered to work with the Board to clarify the policy. Nicolaides said he would be seeking answers from the Board on how it compiled the list. Other school districts, including Calgary and Red Deer, are still reviewing titles, while Fort McMurray has so far only targeted the original four graphic novels that prompted the policy change.
• Speaking of schools, Alberta teachers could face a lockout as negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government remain at an impasse just before the school year begins. The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association has voted on a potential lockout, pending approval from the Labour Relations Board. The government has offered a 12% wage increase and the hiring of 3,000 additional teachers, citing the need for sustainable public-sector agreements. The ATA rejected the offer, claiming growing workloads, large class sizes, and insufficient support for teachers, and described the education system as being in crisis. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the union is politicizing the situation. No strike has been called yet, and schools are expected to open as planned.
• Alberta is exploring a potential investment in Japan's refining sector to expand its oil export markets beyond the United States. The Province is in early discussions with Japanese refiners about funding a coker unit, which would allow processing of Alberta’s heavy oilsands crude, currently incompatible with most Japanese facilities. This move would increase flows on the Trans Mountain pipeline and support Alberta’s push for a new export pipeline to the Pacific coast. While talks are preliminary and no agreement has been finalized, such a partnership could reduce Japan’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil and shipments through the South China Sea. Alberta has been actively promoting its oil in Asia, with China, the US West Coast, and South Korea emerging as major buyers since the Trans Mountain expansion. 
• Speaking of energy, Alberta is exploring the possibility of developing a nuclear power industry and is seeking public feedback on the initiative. Premier Danielle Smith indicated that the private sector would ideally lead any nuclear projects, but the government is prepared to create a Crown corporation if necessary. A panel, chaired by Chantelle de Jonge, Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities, has been established to gather input through an online survey until September 25th, and the government is also consulting Indigenous communities and requesting information from industry and local governments until October 25th. Engagement on the issue is expected to last about a year, and if there is sufficient interest, a nuclear plant could take up to a decade to materialize due to legislative, regulatory, and infrastructure requirements. Potential projects could include small modular reactors for oilsands operations or full-scale plants supplying the grid.