Good morning, Edmonton, happy Saturday!!☀️
Jeremy Hansen is home. A judge just hit pause on the separation referendum. Your rent might actually be getting a little cheaper. And in Islamabad right now, the people who could end a war are finally in the same room. Oh, and someone in Edmonton has been quietly loading up dodgy Arc Cards for nine months, and the city just found out.
Grab your coffee, tea or a drink. It is a big one today. 💛
An Edmonton Judge Just Put the Brakes on Alberta's Separation Referendum
First Nations went to court this week and walked out with a win.
Justice Shaina Leonard ruled Friday afternoon that Elections Alberta cannot certify petition signatures or refer the matter to the government until the First Nations court challenge is fully decided. The stay lasts at least one month while the case is heard on its merits.
Signatures can still be collected until the May 2 deadline, meaning Stay Free Alberta can keep gathering names. But even if they submit, nothing moves forward until the court rules.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation lawyer Orlagh O'Kelly called the ruling a chance "to consider this momentous case on its merits." Chief Sheldon Sunshine said his nation expects the province to follow the order and not change the rules again mid-process.
The separation movement claimed it already had enough signatures. The court just said: not so fast. 👇
🌙 He Made It. Jeremy Hansen Is Home.
Canada's first lunar traveller splashed down safely last night and the whole country exhaled.
At 8:07 PM ET Friday, the Artemis II Orion capsule hit the Pacific Ocean off San Diego right on schedule after a 694,481 mile journey. All four crew members are safe and aboard the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks.
Hansen was the first off the helicopter, walking to the medical bay waving with a broad smile. NASA chief Jared Isaacman met each crew member on deck with hugs and congratulations.
Ten days. Around the moon. Farther than any human has gone in over 50 years. Canada was part of that. 💛
What a ride, Jeremy. Welcome home. 🌙🇨🇦 👇
🏠 Good News, Renters: Edmonton Apartment Prices Dropped in March
A small but welcome break in the affordability story.
A new report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation shows average apartment rent in Edmonton fell 2.2% to $1,488 in March. Nationally, average asking rents dropped 5.3% year over year, the largest decline in nearly five years.
Analysts point to record apartment completions, higher vacancy rates and declining population growth as the main drivers. Landlords are offering more incentives to attract tenants as supply catches up.
It is not a dramatic drop, but for anyone hunting for a place to live right now in Edmonton, more options and slightly lower asking prices is genuinely useful news.
Not a full fix, but the right direction. If you are apartment hunting right now, this weekend might be worth a fresh look. 👇
🚌 A Glitchy Transit Machine Cost Edmonton $45,000 and Nobody Noticed for Nine Months
Your tax dollars, a faulty Arc machine and a very long gap in oversight.
A malfunctioning Edmonton Transit smart fare machine was exploited for fraudulent transactions from September 2024 until the city discovered the problem on June 13, 2025, nearly nine months later. An estimated $65,000 in fraudulent transactions were conducted by an unknown number of people at the faulty machine.
The city recovered roughly $20,000 by identifying and blocking over 300 suspicious Arc Cards, leaving Edmonton out $45,000 in lost revenue. The matter was reported to Edmonton Police Service when discovered.
The city auditor revealed the details publicly in the 2025 annual report, discussed at Friday's audit committee meeting. City council's audit committee will receive a confidential memo outlining what steps were taken to prevent it from happening again.
Nine months. Three hundred suspicious cards. And $45,000 gone before anyone caught it. It is the kind of story that makes you wonder what else slips through the cracks. 👇
Carney's Liberals Are One Step Away From a Majority and Feeling It
The Liberal convention in Montreal is buzzing and Monday's byelections could seal the deal.
Day 2 of the Liberal national convention sees PM Carney addressing delegates this afternoon in Montreal. The party is riding a wave of momentum with polling at a staggering 45% nationally after a string of floor crossings, including Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu this week.
Three federal byelections are set for Monday April 13. Two Toronto area seats are considered safe Liberal wins. The third is a tight contest in Terrebonne against the Bloc Québécois, and Liberal canvassers have been working the riding hard all weekend.
The Liberals need just two more seats for a clear 173 seat majority in the 343 seat House of Commons. After the latest floor crossing, Monday's results are no longer make or break. The majority looks all but certain.
For Albertans watching from here, a Liberal majority is a whole different political landscape heading into the fall. 👇
🕊️ Vance Has Landed. The Iranian Delegation Is in the Room. Talks Begin Now.
The most important diplomatic meeting since the war began February 28 is happening today in Islamabad.
JD Vance flew to Pakistan Friday and both delegations have arrived. Iran's team, led by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Araghchi, landed in Islamabad Friday and was greeted with bouquets and kisses on the cheek by Pakistani officials.
Iran is setting preconditions before formal talks begin, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Iran's Parliament Speaker put it plainly: two agreed measures have not yet been implemented. Vance warned Iran not to "play" the US. Trump said he would know within 24 hours whether talks would succeed, and has warships on standby if they do not.
Pakistan declared a two-day public holiday, sealed off Islamabad's Red Zone with shipping containers and deployed hundreds of additional troops. PM Sharif called it "a make or break moment" in a national address Friday night.
For Edmonton, what happens in that room today shapes oil prices, grocery bills and pump prices for months to come. Watch this one closely. 👇
Edmonton local Weather
Day⬇1° lower than historical avg, Night ⬆2° higher than historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Saturday April 11th
After yesterday's gorgeous 13°C sunshine, Saturday brings a cooler and cloudier day with a high of 9°C, still decent enough to get outside if you layer up. Tonight turns damp with a 40% chance of showers and a low of 0°C, so enjoy the daylight while it lasts. 🧥
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📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
🏒 Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 Rogers Place
One of the last home games before the playoffs. Catch the Oilers live as they close out the regular season.🎬 How to Train Your Dragon in Concert (Final Night) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Watch the DreamWorks film in HD while a full symphony orchestra performs John Powell's Academy Award-nominated score live.🎸 The Exploited 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 7 PM · 📍 The Starlite Room
Scottish punk legends bring their high-energy, no-holds-barred show to Edmonton.💿 Edmonton Record Fair Spring 2026 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 10 AM–4 PM · 📍 Edmonton Expo Centre
The biggest vinyl event of the year: dozens of sellers, thousands of records, CDs, tapes, and music collectibles.🎨 Sensory Festival 2026 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 10 AM–4 PM · 📍 Bison Lodge (Pioneers Cabin)
A one-day celebration of art, performance, and community voices designed for people of all abilities.🏊 2026 Speedo Canadian Swimming Open (Final Day) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 9 AM–6 PM · 📍 Kinsmen Sports Centre
Canada's top swimmers compete in this national championship event.📚 Comic, Zine & Book Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 11 AM–5 PM · 📍 Central Lions Recreation Centre (11113 113 St NW)
Treasure trove of indie comics, zines, and books from local creators.🪙 Edmonton Coin Show – Spring 2026 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11–12 · ⏰ 10 AM–5 PM · 📍 Central Lions Recreation Centre
Rare coins, currency, and collectibles from dealers across Western Canada.🌷 Easter Fun at The Fort Heritage Precinct 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 1–4 PM · 📍 The Fort Heritage Precinct (Morinville)
FREE family afternoon with crafts, games, face painting, scavenger hunt, and NWMP exhibit exploration.🏛️ Strathma Saturday 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 10 AM–4 PM · 📍 Strathcona County Museum & Archives
Hands-on crafts, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive exhibits. Admission by donation.🥤 Bring Your Own Cup Slurpee Day 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ All day · 📍 7-Eleven locations citywide
Bring any cup under 26 cm tall and fill it up for free. The weirder the cup, the better.🎭 The Bower (24th Anniversary Show) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 11 · ⏰ 8 PM · 📍 The Roxy Theatre
Celebrating 24 years of Edmonton's iconic alternative music night.🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 April 11 – 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
💃 Dirty Dancing in Concert 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 7 PM · 📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Watch the digitally remastered classic on a full-size cinema screen while a live band and singers perform the iconic soundtrack in real time. Nobody puts Baby in the corner.🎤 Brian McKnight 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 8 PM · 📍 River Cree Resort & Casino (Pearl Showroom)
R&B legend brings his smooth vocals and decades of hits to Edmonton for one night only.🥬 Old Strathcona Farmers Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 11 AM–3 PM · 📍 10310 83 Ave NW (Old Strathcona)
Edmonton's original year-round indoor market featuring fresh produce, baked treats, homemade kimchi, and local crafts.🛍️ Queen Mary's Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 11 AM–6 PM · 📍 12011 111 Ave NW
Over 130 vendors offering antiques, rare collectibles, local produce, artisanal goods, and services. Five individual restaurants on-site.📚 Malla Market: Another Weekend for the Books 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 11 AM–5 PM · 📍 Kingsway Mall
Themed market featuring a book swap plus 35+ local makers and small businesses.🐀 Rat Academy (Final Performance) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 8 PM · 📍 The Roxy Theatre (10708 124 St NW)
Final show of this Edmonton Fringe sensation! Physical comedy masters Dayna Lea Hoffmann and Katie Yoner star as Fingers and Shrimp, the last two rats in Alberta.🎭 Casey and Diana (Final Performance) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 Citadel Theatre (Maclab Theatre)
Last chance to catch this powerful drama about Toronto's Casey House preparing for Princess Diana's visit during the AIDS crisis.🎸 Hi-Light Festival 2026 (Final Day) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 5 PM onward · 📍 Various venues
Wrap-up night of Edmonton's local music scene celebration featuring the best of the city's indie talent.🎬 NorthWestFilmFest (Final Day) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ Various times · 📍 Metro Cinema (8712 109 St NW)
Last day to catch documentaries and shorts at Canada's longest-running doc fest.🪙 Edmonton Coin Show – Spring 2026 (Final Day) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Apr 12 · ⏰ 10 AM–4 PM · 📍 Central Lions Recreation Centre
Final day to browse rare coins, currency, and collectibles from dealers across Western Canada.
📖 STORY CORNER
A few years ago a man named Derek Redmond was running the 400 metre semifinal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He was one of the favourites. Sixty metres from the finish line, his hamstring snapped. He collapsed on the track.
He got back up.
He started hobbling toward the finish line, one leg dragging, tears streaming down his face. The crowd of 65,000 went completely silent. Then a man pushed through the security guards and ran onto the track. It was Derek's father, Jim.
He put his arm around his son. Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder and sobbed. And then, together, they walked the last sixty metres and crossed the finish line.
Derek did not win a medal that day. He did not even finish the race officially. But 65,000 people stood and cheered like he had won gold.
Sometimes finishing is not about speed. Sometimes it is about who shows up to walk the last stretch with you.
If you are in the middle of something hard right now, keep going. And look around — your person might already be on their way. 💛