In this Urban Brief Edmonton Edition…
⛽ Your Wallet Just Noticed the Iran War
Edmonton drivers pulled up to the pump this weekend and felt the Middle East conflict hit them right in the gas tank.
⚡ The Moment: Gas prices in Edmonton jumped to $1.50 per litre and beyond over the weekend as global oil prices exploded upward, driven by the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran. The spike is hitting Albertans fast and hard, with no government relief in sight.
West Texas Intermediate crude went from $71 USD per barrel Monday to $90 USD by Friday, the biggest weekly gain since Russia invaded Ukraine
By Sunday night, oil crossed $100 USD per barrel for the first time since 2022, with prices surging toward $120 USD by Monday morning
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed there is no gas tax relief planned despite the price spike
Industry analyst Richard Masson says the global energy market is "in turmoil" right now
Alberta's own budget, tabled just weeks ago at a $9.4 billion deficit, was based on oil at $60.50 USD per barrel. Billions more in royalties could now flow in if prices hold
At what price per litre does it change how you live your life? $1.50? $1.75? Click here and tell us in our FB page comments.
Here’s the whole story - Pumping Pain Across Edmonton →
Edmonton Is Now Using Your Property Taxes to Fund Traffic Safety
When the province killed photo radar, someone had to pick up the tab. Turns out that someone is you.
City of Edmonton councillors learned last week that a $4.4 million deficit is projected for the city's traffic safety budget in 2026, a direct result of Alberta's removal and restriction of photo radar. The annual funding gap going forward is an eye-opening $14.7 million.
Mayor Andrew Knack is pushing back hard, arguing that traffic enforcement revenue should fund safety, not your property tax
This week councillors are also reviewing the Edmonton 2026 to 2030 Waste Reduction Roadmap
Among the ideas being piloted: a Curbside Giveaway Weekend where residents put unwanted items at the curb with a "free" sign for neighbours to claim
Budget planning meetings continue throughout the week at City Hall, with a special council session on March 13
Would you actually put stuff on your curb for free pickup? And do you think Edmontonians are being stuck with bills that should belong to the province? Weigh in. Lets hear your thoughts on our FB page comments.
On International Women's Day, Edmonton's Numbers Tell a Hard Story💜
Nearly 10,000 domestic violence calls in one city in one year. That is not a statistic. Those are 10,000 nights someone needed help.
On International Women's Day, a new report from the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters confirmed that domestic violence remains widespread across Alberta despite growing public awareness. The Edmonton Police Service laid 1,561 domestic violence charges in 2024 alone.
EPS responded to nearly 10,000 domestic violence related calls in Edmonton in 2024
The federal government announced nearly $631,000 in new funding to expand support tools for survivors of gender-based violence
Alberta has one of the highest rates of self-reported spousal violence in Canada
Shelters across the province offer counselling, safety planning, children's programs and emergency housing, far more than most people realize
Need help now? WIN House: 780-479-0058 | ACWS shelter finder: acws.ca | Sheriff King Home: 780-423-2081
This International Women's Day, what is one action you're taking or one organization you're supporting? Share it in comments on our FB page and let's build a list together.
St. Albert and Sherwood Park Took a Pounding on Sunday
If it felt like the wind was personally targeting your neighbourhood this weekend, you were not imagining it.
Environment Canada issued weather warnings Sunday specifically naming Edmonton, St. Albert, and Sherwood Park as dangerous gusts between 90 and 110 km/h ripped across the region, knocking out power and causing damage throughout the area.
At its peak, more than 8,000 Alberta residents were left without power
FortisAlberta confirmed downed power lines, trees down on lines, and infrastructure damage across the province
The outage count dropped to around 2,000 by Sunday evening and warnings for the Edmonton region were lifted by Monday morning
Residents were reminded to stay at least 10 metres from any downed power line
Environment Canada is now tracking a possible return of flurries later this week
Did the windstorm do any damage near you? Drop what you experienced in the comments of our FB page, whether that is a downed fence, a lost power line or just a blown-over garbage bin.
Iran Has a New Supreme Leader and the Hardliners Are Still in Charge
Nine days of war, the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and now Iran has made its answer very clear.
Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, as Iran's new supreme leader on Sunday March 8, signalling that the country's ruling establishment has no intention of backing down despite the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign.
Mojtaba Khamenei is a mid-ranking cleric with deep ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps
Western diplomatic records previously described him as "the power behind the robes" with a reputation for being "capable and forceful"
His appointment signals continuity of hardline rule despite the conflict
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Israel reserves the right to target any new supreme leader
The US and Israel launched fresh waves of airstrikes over the weekend targeting Iranian oil depots, which sparked the first significant disagreement between the two allies over the scale of the strikes
Iran's foreign minister vowed the country would fight "as long as it takes"
Are you following the Iran conflict closely or finding it overwhelming to keep up with? How is the news affecting you day to day? Tell us in the comments on our FB page.
Edmonton local Weather
Day⬇ 2° lower than historical avg, Same as historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Tuesday March 10 looks pretty decent for Edmonton!
A high of around -1°C, mostly sunny skies and only a 10% chance of snow. A good day to get outside before the colder snap arrives later in the week. Nothing dramatic, just a crisp early spring day. 🌤️
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonto
🎭 SkirtsAfire Festival 2026 Details
🗓 March 5-15 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Old Strathcona & other venues
A women‑led theatre and arts festival with performances, exhibits, and events tied to International Women’s Day.🍛 Naija Pastry Pop-Up at Lochi Afro Nija Tickets
🗓 March 10 🕙 5.00pm - 7.00 om
📍 Lochi Afro Nija, Edmonton Celebrate the launch of Edmonton's first Black Futures Dining Guide at this special evening pop-up celebrating authentic Nigerian food and community culture
🎭 Les Misérables at the Jubilee Tickets
🗓 March 10 · ⏰ 7.30
📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
The blockbuster musical continues its Edmonton run, with big‑production staging and a classic story that’s perfect for a weeknight night out🎭Put Your Lips Together Tickets
🗓 March 10 · ⏰ 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm
📍 Local theatre venue (see listing for exact location)
A surreal neon‑noir play about women in the workplace, following four strangers whose lives intersect after a vigil for a young woman killed following a harassment reportDowntown Edmonton Restaurant Week
📅Running March 11 to 22. Eat your way through the best restaurants downtown Edmonton has to offer.
🎤 Dion Timmer Live Details
🗓 March 10 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Temple Ballroom, Edmonton
High‑energy EDM DJ Dion Timmer brings his bass‑heavy set to the Temple for a high‑vibe Tuesday night.🎤 Imar Concert Tickets
🗓 March 11 · ⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Festival Place, Sherwood Park
Celtic folk band Imar plays a lively set of traditional Scottish and Irish music with fiddle, pipes, and guitar.🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 March 7 – April 12, 2026
🕢 Evening shows: 7:30 PM | Matinees: 1:30 PM
📍 Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave, EdmontonThe Citadel Theatre brings the classic story of Dorothy and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road to life in a vibrant stage musical featuring iconic songs, colourful characters, and a magical adventure for all ages
🤔 BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW
Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River Valley park system spans more than 7,400 hectares, making it the largest urban park system in Canada.
That is bigger than the entire city of Paris.
You basically live next door to a national park and most people drive past it every day without thinking twice about it. Whether it is the trails at Mill Creek, the ravines near Hawrelak or the paths out near Fort Saskatchewan, the river valley is quietly one of Edmonton's best kept secrets hiding in plain sight.
📸 Drop your favourite river valley or surrounding area trail photo in the FB page comments. We want to see Edmonton through your eyes.