In this Urban Brief Edmonton Edition…
🚆 Alberta's Dream of a Calgary to Edmonton Train Is Closer Than It Has Ever Been
Forty years of studies, five reports and zero action. But this time something feels different.
⚡ The Moment: Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen confirmed last week that the Alberta Rail Master Plan has been completed and is expected to be released within the next few weeks.
Dreeshen described it as "probably one of the biggest visionary growth plans" the province has seen in transportation
The plan includes a high speed rail corridor between Edmonton and Calgary with LRT connections in both cities, links to both international airports and a stop in Red Deer
The backbone runs along the Highway 2 corridor where 80% of Albertans live
Expressions of interest from private rail companies are coming next, with the province relying heavily on private sector investment to make it happen
Alberta has completed five studies on this exact corridor since 1985, the question every Albertan is asking is whether this one actually leads somewhere
Calgary to Edmonton in under an hour. Would you use it? And do you actually believe it will get built this time? Be honest in the comments.
📚 Alberta Just Made History, And Not the Good Kind
Alberta schools have pulled at least 166 titles, mostly graphic novels, from library shelves to comply with a provincial order, and the ripple is landing hard right here in Edmonton and surrounding area classrooms.
Access to information requests filed by CBC News and Toronto Metropolitan University's Centre for Free Expression revealed the full scale of the removals, which stretch from illustrated classics to coming of age memoirs and dramatic retellings of mythology.
Among the removed works are graphic versions of The Handmaid's Tale and 1984, titles that have been taught in classrooms for decades
Alberta now accounts for nearly three quarters of all known book challenges documented in 2025 at all Canadian libraries.
A provincial Education ministry spokesperson said the order protects kids from graphic imagery, while civil liberties groups are calling it the most significant book removal order in Canadian history
Edmonton Public Schools and Parkland School Division are both among the divisions that have complied with the removal order
Calgary high school student Josephine Trigg, 17, whose Catholic school recently prevented her from reading a poem about sexual assault in a contest, said she is in disbelief that the government is limiting what students can read.
Do you think the province got this right, went too far, or not far enough? This one is getting people talking across the country — what do you think?
Edmonton Is Getting 10 New Schools, And It Cannot Come Soon Enough
Edmonton schools are full, with some needing to hold enrollment lotteries. That is not a metaphor. That is Tuesday morning at schools across this city.
Edmonton will receive funding for 10 new school projects as part of Alberta's Budget 2026, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced March 9.
This funding is part of $3.3 billion allocated province wide over three years and addresses growth pressures, especially at Edmonton Catholic Schools
Budget 2026, if passed, will also fund 16 new school projects in smaller cities and rural communities, bringing the total number of rural school projects underway to 79
The announcement comes as families in fast growing Edmonton neighbourhoods have been scrambling for spots and busing kids across the city
Surrounding areas including Spruce Grove and St. Albert are also experiencing school capacity pressure as the population boom around Edmonton continues
No specific locations for all 10 Edmonton schools have been announced yet — that conversation is coming
Which neighbourhood in Edmonton or surrounding areas do you think needs a new school the most? Drop it in the comments.
68 Restaurants. 11 Days. No Excuses Left Not to Eat Downtown
The best excuse to finally make that reservation you have been putting off since January just arrived.
⚡ The Moment: The Edmonton Downtown Business Association's Downtown Dining Week kicks off this week, with 68 restaurants offering deals for $15 to $65 from March 11 to 22.
The week comes just before some participants will face new fees for large patios that overlap with sidewalks or other public land, with year round patios subject to $6,900 per year starting April 1
One restaurant owner told CBC he is still 30% down from where he was pre-COVID, so showing up this week genuinely matters for these businesses
Multi course menus, discounted prix fixe options and local favourites across downtown Edmonton are all in the mix
This is also a perfect window to support restaurants before the new patio fee hits their bottom line in April
Who is your go-to downtown Edmonton restaurant and are you booking a table this week? Tag someone who owes you a dinner.
A Brand New 31,000 Square Foot Playground Just Opened on St. Albert Trail
It has bowling lanes, an arcade and food service. Consider your weekend plans officially reconsidered.
Splitsville Entertainment has opened a 31,000 square foot location at 13543 St. Albert Trail NW featuring 21 ten pin bowling lanes, a large arcade and food and drink service.
A second Edmonton location at South Edmonton Common is planned for 2027
The St. Albert Trail location sits right along the corridor connecting Edmonton to St. Albert, making it an easy stop for families across the entire northwest region
With spring break coming up and families looking for things to do, the timing could not be better
Splitsville operates entertainment venues across North America and the St. Albert Trail location is one of its largest Canadian openings to date
Date night, family outing or a team bonding event — what are you using this for first? And who are you dragging with you?
Spruce Grove Is Growing Up, And the Rent Rolls Are Coming With It
The city just west of Edmonton is no longer just a bedroom community. It is becoming a destination.
Construction is underway at The Elm at Legacy Park, the first two rental residential buildings being developed at the project by Forum and Dawson Wallace in Spruce Grove, just outside Edmonton, with possession to be handed over to tenants in late spring 2026.
The development is located near the intersection of Jennifer Heil Way and Highway 16A and will include a mix of one and two bedroom suites with underground parking, a fitness centre, lounge and an outdoor patio with barbecues and fire pits.
There is an additional 10 acres of land that will eventually be used to build additional commercial retail units at the site ranging in size from 1,100 to 5,000 square feet.
Spruce Grove unveiled a brand new city brand earlier this month, its first update in more than 20 years, developed through community engagement with more than 600 residents.
The combination of new housing stock, retail and a fresh city identity signals that Spruce Grove is actively shaping what it wants to become.
Are you watching Spruce Grove grow in real time? What is one thing you wish developers would add to the area? Tell us below.
The World's Largest Meat Company Is About to Go on Strike, And Your Grocery Bill Will Feel It
About 3,800 JBS meatpacking workers in Greeley, Colorado, plan to go on strike starting March 16, crippling production at one of the largest US beef plants as consumers face record high prices.
Eight months of contract negotiations collapsed last week and now the first major meatpacking strike in decades is days away.
Beef prices have set records this year after the nation's cattle supply dropped to a 75-year low, squeezing everyone from ranchers to families at the checkout
JBS says it employs more than 270,000 people around the world and pays $3.1 billion for livestock each year, making it the world's largest meat supplier
99% of unionized members voted to strike, with the union saying JBS is putting profits ahead of people after eight months of stalled talks
The last meatpacking strike in Colorado was in 1980, and the last in the US was in 1985 at Hormel Foods in Minnesota, this is genuinely historic
For Canadians: beef prices at Canadian grocery stores are already elevated and any prolonged US supply disruption will push them higher. Alberta ranchers and grocery buyers are watching this closely
Have you already cut back on beef because of prices? Or are you holding the line on your burgers and steaks? Tell us where you stand.
Edmonton local Weather
Day⬇ 3° lower than historical avg, Same as historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Wednesday March 11
The weather is shaping up to be the nicest day of the week, a high of around 0°C, mostly clear and only a 10% chance of snow. Get outside and enjoy it because Thursday drops back down to -7°C with a 35% chance of snow rolling in.
Classic Alberta, one good day, then winter reminds you it is still in charge. 😄
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
🎫 Electrical Learning EXPO Details Tickets
🗓 March 11 · ⏰ 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre, Hall F
A free one‑day trade show from the Alberta Electrical Alliance with exhibitors, new tech demos, and networking for people working in or selling to the electrical industry.🎵 Imar – Live in Sherwood Park Tickets
🗓 March 11 · ⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Festival Place, Sherwood Park
Acclaimed Celtic folk group Imar plays a high‑energy set of Irish and Scottish tunes on fiddle, pipes, and guitar in an intimate theatre setting.🎸 Radios, Rayguns and Little White Lies Details
🗓 March 11 · ⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Festival Place, Sherwood Park
A live music night at Festival Place featuring local acts Radios, Rayguns and Little White Lies for a mid‑week concert option close to home🕯️ Candles and Charcuterie Workshop Details
📅 Wednesday March 11 | ⏰ 6.00 pm - 8.00pm
📍 11811 105 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 0L9
🎭 SkirtsAfire Festival 2026 Details
🗓 March 11-15 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Old Strathcona & other venues
A women‑led theatre and arts festival with performances, exhibits, and events tied to International Women’s Day.🍽️ Downtown Dining Week Details
🗓March 11, 2026 10.00 am to Sunday, March 22, 2026 10.00 pm
📍 68 restaurants offering prix fixe menus from $15 to $65.Book now before your favourite fills up.
🎭 Les Misérables at the Jubilee Tickets
🗓 March 10 - 15 · ⏰ 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🎭 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.🎭 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