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Your Boss Will Think You’re an Ecom Genius
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Good morning, Edmonton, Happy Wednesday! 🎉
Happy Wednesday, Edmonton and surrounding areas. We have clouds and a chance of showers rolling through today with a high of 18°C, so your midweek might come with a little rain. But inside your inbox, it is all heat. A coaching controversy that has Oilers fans completely divided, a bridge Canada just built that Trump refuses to accept and a military escalation in the Strait of Hormuz that has oil markets rattled. Let us get into it.💛
Edmonton Council Votes on the $6.5M Homelessness Hub
A unanimous city committee vote on June 9 moved Edmonton one step closer to a permanent community hub for people experiencing homelessness.
Mayor Knack's motion directed the city to evaluate two options before budget deliberations: a year-round day shelter or a full community hub with healthcare and wraparound supports.
The city's $1 million pilot program at four existing sites recorded 38,000 visits from more than 6,600 individuals.
Is $6.5 million the right investment, or does Edmonton need to go even further? Tell us what you think.
🏒 Is Babcock Really Coming Back?
The Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHLPA about potentially hiring Mike Babcock as their next head coach, and the reaction across Edmonton has been complicated.
Babcock resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 after reports emerged that he asked players to show him personal photos. He has 700 career wins, two Olympic gold medals and a Stanley Cup.
Connor McDavid reportedly supports the hire and the team's leadership group is said to be behind the move, but the NHLPA consultation suggests the organization wants to get ahead of any potential objections.
Is this the bold swing Edmonton needs, or a hire the Oilers will regret? Drop your take.
🚵 Edmonton Gets Its First Mountain Bike Park This July
After close to a decade in the making, the Edmonton Bike Park at Queen Elizabeth Park officially opens July 25.
More than 30,000 volunteer hours went into building four zones including a flow trail, a pump track, a skills area and a dirt jump zone.
The $1.24 million project was funded through provincial and city grants plus private donations.
Are you getting your bike tuned up for July 25? This one is going to be worth it.
Alberta Needs 60,000 People to Pull Off Its October Referendum
Elections Alberta has launched the largest electoral worker recruitment drive in provincial history, and the numbers behind it are staggering.
The October 19 referendum requires 60,000 workers to hand-count 45 million ballots across 10 questions, all within 48 hours. The 2023 provincial election needed just 1.8 million ballots counted.
Albertans 16 and older who are eligible to work in Canada can apply. Some positions require 18+, and all workers must pass a criminal history check.
Think you would sign up to be part of history? Applications are open right now.
Canada Just Built a Bridge. Trump Refuses to Accept It.
The $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan is set for its official ribbon cutting this Friday.
Prime Minister Carney confirmed the opening on June 9. That same day, the White House told Global News that Trump's opposition to the bridge "has not changed."
Trump threatened earlier this year to block the opening until the US received compensation for what he described as everything America has given Canada.
The bridge was designed, built and paid for entirely by Canada. Will it open on schedule anyway?
He Flew 900 Flights Without the Right Licence. Nobody Caught It for 17 Years.
Peel Regional Police have arrested former Air Canada captain Geoffrey Wall, 59, after an investigation found he captained Boeing jets on international routes without a valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence from 2009 to 2025.
Wall faces seven criminal charges including fraud over $5,000 and uttering forged documents. He flew Boeing 767, 777 and 787 aircraft carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers over nearly two decades.
Air Canada says safety was never compromised because Wall passed all routine competency checks. He held lower-level pilot qualifications, just not the top-tier licence required to captain those specific aircraft.
Would Air Canada's explanation be enough for you if you had been on one of those flights?
Your Boss Will Think You’re an Ecom Genius
Optimizing for growth? Go-to-Millions is Ari Murray’s ecommerce newsletter packed with proven tactics, creative that converts, and real operator insights—from product strategy to paid media. No mushy strategy. Just what’s working. Subscribe free for weekly ideas that drive revenue.
Iran Shot Down a US Military Helicopter. America Struck Back Within Hours.
A US Army Apache helicopter was brought down over the Strait of Hormuz on June 9 by Iranian forces, and the American response was swift and significant.
US Central Command struck Iranian air defence systems, radar installations and ground control stations near the Strait within hours of the incident. Both American pilots were recovered safely by an unmanned rescue boat.
Iran then fired back at US military positions in Bahrain and Kuwait. It is the most serious direct exchange between the two countries in weeks and throws the fragile ceasefire framework into serious doubt.
Alberta's oil royalty revenues are directly tied to what happens in that Strait. This one matters close to home.
YOUR TURN 💌
Know someone who loves staying on top of Edmonton news without having to wade through a wall of text? Forward this issue to them and let them know The Urban Brief is their new favourite five-minute read. Every share helps us bring more good local coverage to more neighbours across Edmonton and surrounding areas.
Did you know, clicking and checking out our sponsors content, it helps us keep the light on. So, kindly check out all three sponsors in this issue, they are easy to spot as they are the only ones not within a purple frame. Can you spot them?
I love to hear from you, tell me which story hit you hardest today. I read every one.
Your Boss Will Think You’re an Ecom Genius
Optimizing for growth? Go-to-Millions is Ari Murray’s ecommerce newsletter packed with proven tactics, creative that converts, and real operator insights—from product strategy to paid media. No mushy strategy. Just what’s working. Subscribe free for weekly ideas that drive revenue.
Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬇3° lower than historical avg, Night ⬆2° higher than historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Wednesday June 10th
Wednesday is bringing a mix of clouds and a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers to Edmonton and surrounding areas, with a high of 18°C and winds picking up from the northwest. Keep a light jacket nearby and stay dry out there.
Feature My Business
Do you have a business you’d like us to show case or shine a spotlight on? Tell us about it by submitting a request here ➡ [email protected]
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
Wednesday June 10th
🌸 Wild Rose Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 10 · ⏰ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · 📍 Evario Events Centre, Edmonton
A local vendor market with more than 45 small businesses.
🌸 Sustainival 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 10–11 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Fan Park at ICE District, Edmonton
The carnival continues through the middle of the week.
🌸 Halal Ribfest Edmonton 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 10 · ⏰ 11:00 AM–9:00 PM · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
The food festival continues on Wednesday.
🌸 Royal Alberta Museum after-hours programming 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 10 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton
An after-hours museum option listed in June event roundups.
Around Edmonton
🌸 Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 9–10 · ⏰ 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · 📍 Lamont County
An open-air heritage site about 40 minutes east of Edmonton.
🌸 Concerts and regional listings east of Edmonton 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 9–10 · ⏰ Varies · 📍 Regional communities
The east-of-Edmonton calendar includes additional community events in surrounding towns.
June 11
🌸 RAM Film Screening: Animal Nation – Bison 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 11–13 · ⏰ Screening times vary · 📍 Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton
A special film screening tied to Indigenous knowledge and bison restoration.
🌸 Summer Art Cart 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 11–13 · ⏰ 1:00 PM–4:00 PM Saturdays only, but the series runs through June 13 · 📍 Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
A free drop-in art activity series in downtown Edmonton.
🌸 Edmonton Events Calendar listings 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 11 · ⏰ Varies · 📍 Edmonton
The citywide calendar includes live music, workshops, and community activities.
June 12
🌸 Royal Canadian International Circus 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 12–14 · ⏰ Showtimes vary · 📍 West Edmonton Mall overflow parking lot
A circus running all weekend.
🌸 Teddy Bear Picnic 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 12 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Lions Park, St. Albert
A free kids’ event with crafts and activities.
🌸 K-Pop Superstars LIVE 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 12 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Midway Music Hall, Edmonton
An all-ages concert with K-pop tributes.
🌸 Edmonton Dragon Boat Racing Club Open House 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 12 · ⏰ Afternoon · 📍 Edmonton Dragon Boat Racing Club House
A free open house with paddling and BBQ.
Farmers’ markets
🌸 Bountiful Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 11–13 · ⏰ Fri–Sun · 📍 3696 97 Street NW, Edmonton
A year-round market open across the whole period.
🌸 Beverly Towne Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 11 · ⏰ 3:00 PM–7:00 PM · 📍 Riverview Crossing Shopping Centre, Edmonton
A Thursday evening east Edmonton market.
🌸 Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 11 · ⏰ 3:30 PM–7:30 PM · 📍 Terwillegar Recreation Centre parking lot, Edmonton
A weekly Wednesday market.
🌸 Callingwood Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 14? · ⏰ Sundays only, so not in this window
HIT OR MISS 🎯
Edmonton's Best Craft Breweries and Taprooms
Summer is here and so is the craving for a cold local pint in a great atmosphere. We want to know which Edmonton and area breweries are absolutely nailing it right now and which ones are missing the mark.
Drop your top pick or your biggest disappointment in the replies. Who is hitting and who is missing?