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Good morning, Edmonton, Happy Thursday! 🎉
Happy Thursday, Edmonton and surrounding areas. A mild 16°C day is on the way, so it is a good one to get outside between stories. And there are some good ones today. A Chinatown landmark is losing its key community champion over cost overruns and consultation concerns, Trump is publicly walking away from CUSMA with the July 1 review date three weeks out, and Russia has threatened a Canadian company by name. Also, the World Cup officially starts today. Canada plays tomorrow. Let us get into it..💛
Chinatown's Harbin Gate Is Losing Its Community Champions
The Chinese Benevolent Association has pulled its support from Edmonton's $8.7M Harbin Gate project, saying the community was not meaningfully consulted and costs have ballooned well past the original $6M estimate because of supply chain issues and steel tariffs.
The association says those funds would be better directed toward broader Chinatown revitalization, where many businesses and residents are still struggling.
The City of Edmonton says it will continue working with other community partners and has not paused the project.
Should the city keep going without the association's support, or is it time to pause and listen? Tell us what you think.
A New Trolley Is Rolling Through Downtown Right Now
Explore Edmonton launched the Edmonton Explorer Trolley Service this week, giving visitors and locals a fun new way to hop between 20 of the city's top attractions all summer long.
Riders can grab a Discovery Pass to access the full route, which connects downtown to key cultural and tourism destinations.
The service launched June 10 and is designed to make it easier to explore the city without needing a car this summer.
Planning to hop on? Let us know which stop you would hit first.
Spruce Grove's Community Pantry Has a Permanent Home at Last
After four moves in six years, the Spruce Grove Rotary Community Pantry has finally settled into a permanent home in Stony Plain, thanks to a $400K grant that also funded a brand new commercial kitchen.
The pantry serves children and families across Spruce Grove and Parkland County, providing food and support to those who need it most.
The new kitchen lets the pantry go beyond dry goods and move into fresh and prepared food programs, dramatically expanding what it can offer.
This is the kind of community win that deserves some noise. Share it with someone who cares about Parkland County.
Trump Says He Is Walking Away from CUSMA
At an Oval Office appearance on June 10, Trump said "I'm not looking to renew it... we don't need anything Canada has" about CUSMA, the trade agreement that covers $1.3 trillion in cross-border commerce and protects the bulk of Canada's exports from his tariffs.
The formal review deadline is July 1, now less than three weeks away. Prime Minister Carney held a virtual meeting with all premiers the same day to coordinate Canada's response.
CUSMA is what keeps most Canadian goods moving south without heavy tariff penalties. Walking away from it would be a significant escalation in the trade war.
What do you think Canada's move should be from here?
⚽ The World Cup Kicks Off Today and Canada Plays Tomorrow
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially opened today with Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching the biggest sporting event ever hosted across Canada, the US and Mexico.
Canada plays its first-ever home World Cup match tomorrow, June 12, in Toronto against Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, with all three of Canada's group stage games taking place on home soil.
Edmonton, find your watch party and get loud. This is history.
Who do you think wins tomorrow? Drop your prediction for Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina.
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US and Iran Exchange Strikes for a Second Straight Day
The United States struck Iranian targets for a second consecutive day on June 10, following Wednesday's retaliatory strikes after Iran shot down a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran fired back with drones and missiles at US military positions in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, with both sides now locked in an active exchange that puts the ceasefire framework under serious strain.
Alberta's oil royalty revenues move with oil prices, and oil prices are moving on every development in that Strait. This one matters close to home.
How concerned are you about where this escalation is heading?
Russia Just Threatened a Canadian Company by Name
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova threatened to publish the address of Hamilton, Ontario drone company Sentinel R&D at a Moscow press briefing on June 10, after Ottawa signed a drone production deal with Ukrainian company Airlogix.
Defence Minister McGuinty responded directly, saying Canada will not be intimidated by Russian threats and stands firmly behind the deal.
The threat came just two weeks after the deal was signed and signals how seriously Moscow is taking Canada's growing role in supporting Ukraine's drone program.
Does Canada's response go far enough, or should Ottawa be doing more?
YOUR TURN 💌
Know someone who loves staying on top of Edmonton news without wading through a wall of text? Forward this issue to them and tell them 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.
Free gummies for better weather
The sun is here and we're back outside!
Longer days, lighter hangs, and THC gummies that fit the vibe. Grab a free pack of gummies from Cycling Frog! Just cover $4.99 shipping. Fruity, perfectly dosed, and made for campfires, park days, and whatever summer turns into.
Must be 21+ and only valid on 10ct bags of gummies.
NOT VALID IN OH, CA, CO, AL, LA AND NJ.
Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬇5° lower than historical avg, Night ↔Same as historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Thursday June 11th
Thursday is bringing a mild 16°C to Edmonton and surrounding areas. Keep a light layer handy for the morning and enjoy the afternoon.
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
Thursday June 11th
🌸 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.
Friday June 12th
🌸 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.
SPOTTED IN EDMONTON 📸
The World Cup Is Here. Show Us Where You Are Watching.
The biggest sporting event on the planet kicked off today and Canada plays on home soil tomorrow. We want to see where Edmontonians are gathering to cheer on the boys. Whether it is a packed sports bar, a backyard setup or a living room shrine, snap a photo and share it with us.
Tag us or reply with your best shot. We will feature our favourites right here.