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Weekly Edmonton Oct 19 - Oct 25, 2026

CFB Wainwright Funerals, Nugent‑Hopkins Return & New Flag Rules — Edmonton's Week in Review

49 articles 1 hour ago 7

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

  1. Funeral set in Edmonton for Sgt. Morgan Wong, a CFB Wainwright fire victim. The service starts at 10 a.m. local time Sunday in Edmonton for Sgt. Morgan Wong, a 26-year-old Edmonton-born CAF member who graduated from the University of Alberta in 2022 with a commerce degree and served on Operation Reassurance in Latvia from Oct. 2024 to June 2025.
  2. CFB Wainwright medic remains critical after repeatedly entering blaze to save comrades. Cpl. Liam Keane, a 23-year-old medic stationed in Edmonton with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, is in critical condition after reportedly running into the Wainwright fire multiple times, and his mother says he spoke before being airlifted from the scene.
  3. Military commander says rapid fire spread was main factor in Wainwright deaths and injuries. The top military commander attributed the fatalities and injuries at CFB Wainwright to the rapid spread of the fire during live-fire training, according to military statements released this week.

🏈 Sports

  1. Maple Leafs routed Oilers 7-2 at Rogers Place as William Nylander reached 300 career goals. Nylander scored twice, including his 300th career goal, in Toronto’s 7-2 win in Edmonton as the Leafs extended their run and Jack Roslovic, Auston Matthews and others also scored in the victory on Saturday.
  2. Leafs’ 7-2 win halted Oilers’ three-game streak; Draisaitl scored twice. Leon Draisaitl tallied two goals for Edmonton in the loss as Connor McDavid added two assists to extend his season-starting points streak to 11 games through that contest.
  3. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the shootout winner in his season debut as Oilers beat Hurricanes 6-5. Nugent-Hopkins also scored in regulation and had an assist in Edmonton’s comeback victory that left the Oilers 8-1-1, with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid each recording two goals and three assists.
  4. Oilers’ comeback win featured McDavid’s continued hot start with multi-point game. Connor McDavid’s multi-point performance contributed to Edmonton’s 6-5 shootout win over Carolina, marking another strong early-season showing and helping the Oilers to a multi-game winning stretch.
  5. Roughriders beat Elks 16-9; Tommy Stevens set CFL single-season rushing TD record. Stevens scored two short-yardage rushing touchdowns in Regina to surpass the previous CFL mark for rushing majors, while Edmonton rested starters in the regular-season finale.
  6. Elks and Riders used backup quarterbacks in the season finale as both squads rested starters. With playoff positions secured, both teams sat regulars Saturday; the Elks had clinched first place in the West and will host the division final on Nov. 7.
  7. Mike Babcock prepared to face his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Edmonton. Babcock, in his first season coaching the Oilers after leaving Toronto in 2019, downplayed his departure and praised former Maple Leafs players he helped develop.
  8. Connor Hellebuyck trade to New Jersey drew NHL reaction, with McDavid relieved he moved east. The three-time Vezina winner was traded to the New Jersey Devils, prompting public comments from NHL figures including Edmonton captain Connor McDavid.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Alberta government to table bills this fall on insurance, utilities and consumer protections. House leader Joseph Schow said the government will introduce legislation to lower auto insurance costs, add utility-billing protections, regulate ticket resales and used-vehicle sales, and set rules for AI data centres as the legislature returns next Tuesday.
  2. Alberta’s new school flag rules take effect in 2027, requiring Canada and Alberta flags outside schools. The rules permit select flags like Franco‑Albertan and municipal banners, limit display of First Nations and Métis flags to specified days, and require boards to seek provincial exemptions for other flags.
  3. Referendum aftermath: unions warn immigration-limiting ballot could worsen labour shortages in Alberta. With referendum returns showing a slim majority for proposals restricting provincially funded services by immigration status, a union rep at Cargill’s High River plant warned this could deepen staffing challenges at the abattoir.
  4. Inquiry into man’s death in Edmonton ER heard testimony about overcrowding and staff shortages. The public inquiry examining an ER death was told there were too many patients and not enough beds or doctors at the Edmonton emergency department under review.

💼 Economy & Business

  1. Parks Canada plan to cut 500 jobs drew criticism from its union. The federal agency’s proposal to cut 500 positions prompted public rebuke from the union representing Parks Canada workers this week.
  2. Former BioWare writer called the company ‘part of the city’s DNA’ reflecting on its impact on Edmonton. The ex-writer described BioWare’s long-term influence on Edmonton’s culture and local creative sector in a recent interview.
  3. Lloydminster and Cold Lake officials are pushing for scheduled commercial air service. Both municipalities have renewed calls this week for improved regional air connections to support travel and commerce.

🏥 Health

  1. Two more Edmonton hospitals have implemented weapons detection systems. Hospital administrations confirmed this week that additional weapons-detection equipment has been installed at two Edmonton-area hospitals to address safety concerns.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. Electrical distributor charged in 2024 workplace death in Edmonton. Prosecutors have charged an electrical distributor in connection with a workplace fatality that occurred in Edmonton in 2024, according to court filings.
  2. Edmonton city councillor Anne Stevenson resigned from the police commission. Councillor Anne Stevenson announced she is leaving her role on the Edmonton Police Commission in a decision reported this week.

🌦️ Weather & Roads

  1. Highway 63 saw multiple vehicles stuck and traffic jams due to winter road conditions, RCMP said. RCMP reported several vehicles became stuck on Highway 63 amid winter-like conditions, causing significant traffic delays.
  2. Snowfall warnings issued for northeastern Alberta this week. Environment authorities issued snowfall warnings covering parts of northeastern Alberta as the region moved into wetter, colder conditions.

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Source Articles (49)

‘Part of the city’s DNA’: Former BioWare writer reflects on company's impact on Edmonton

Videogame developer BioWare announced Wednesday it will be closing its doors after operating in Edmonton for more than 30 years. BioWare produced numerous popular game franchises such as Mass Effect and Baldur's Gate.

General Oct 22, 2026

Top court will hear appeal on ruling that found feds violated Charter during convoy protest

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal of a 2024 Federal Court ruling that found the government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau infringed the Charter rights of convoy participants when it invoked the Emergencies Act in 2022.

General Oct 22, 2026

Military shares new details on investigation into deadly CFB Wainwright fire

General Oct 23, 2026

‘2 years ahead of schedule’: Chief speaks about new police service as it replaces RCMP in Grande Prairie

The Grande Prairie Police Service has formally taken over for the RCMP in the northern Alberta city following a transition between services that took place more quickly than originally planned.

General Oct 23, 2026

Edmonton Oilers activate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from injured reserve

The Edmonton Oilers activated veteran centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off injured reserve before their game Thursday night against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.

General Oct 23, 2026

Edmonton Elks' Darien Newell suspended for 9 games after second doping violation

Darien Newell tested positive in May for cardarine and drostanolone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid. Both substances are banned under the CFL's drug policy. His appeal was denied by an independent arbitrator, resulting in a nine-game ban.

General Oct 23, 2026

Investigation into deadly CFB Wainwright fire 'will take as long as it takes,' commander says

Maj-Gen. Wade Rutland provided an update Thursday about the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta, where he corrected his previous statements about how long the complex investigation might take.

General Oct 23, 2026

'We will not shy away from answers': Canadian Armed Forces official

Maj-Gen Wade Rutland said Thursday there are multiple 'active investigations' to uncover all factors behind the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright. Rutland asked people to not speculate on what occurred at the Alberta military base, saying 'it would be unhelpful and inappropriate.'

General Oct 23, 2026

Spread of CFB Wainwright fire to training area part of investigation, provost marshal says

When asked by the CBC's Ashley Burke why firefighters could not put out the fire, Canadian Forces Provost Marshal Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan said location of the blaze prevented it, and strong winds then spread flames across the training range, leading to fatalities.

General Oct 23, 2026

The haunting call of Canada's common loon is becoming less common amid widespread declines, study suggests

A new study published Thursday in the journal FACETS reveals severe declines in loon chick populations across North America over the past three decades or more.

General Oct 23, 2026
Nugent-Hopkins returns as Oilers top Hurricanes

Nugent-Hopkins returns as Oilers top Hurricanes

While the Edmonton Oilers' big guns continue to make a lot of noise, another weapon was added to their arsenal and paid immediate dividends on Thursday.

Sports Oct 23, 2026
Nugent-Hopkins has shootout winner in Oilers’ win

Nugent-Hopkins has shootout winner in Oilers’ win

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the shootout winner to give the Edmonton Oilers a 6-5 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. 

Sports Oct 23, 2026

Parks Canada plan to cut 500 jobs draws criticism from union

Parks Canada is restructuring its workforce following a $145-million budget cut over the next three years. The union representing the public servants said the impending layoffs are "disappointing."

General Oct 23, 2026

Same scam. 2 countries. Why Canadians don’t get their money back

CBC Marketplace investigates bank scams, a global industry built on fear and deception, and exposes the stark contrast between how victims are treated in the U.K. and Canada.

General Oct 23, 2026
Advocates flag contributions, not costs, of newcomers in Alberta referendum aftermath

Advocates flag contributions, not costs, of newcomers in Alberta referendum aftermath

Critics have warned that the referendum's outcome could make Alberta less attractive to newcomers at a time when jobs desperately need to be filled. 

Politics Oct 23, 2026

Alberta legislation planned on ‘merit’ in public-sector hiring, data centres, report cards

The United Conservative Party laid out its plans for legislation tied to data centres, event tickets, report cards and more as part of the upcoming fall sitting. But what Albertans shouldn’t expect to see, the government said, are new laws tied to how they voted in the referendum on Monday.

General Oct 23, 2026

Edmonton city councillor Anne Stevenson leaves role on Edmonton police commission

Ward O-Day’min Coun. Anne Stevenson has resigned as a commissioner on the civilian oversight body for the Edmonton Police Service, saying she wants to focus her time more on safety concerns in Chinatown.

General Oct 23, 2026

Electrical distributor charged in 2024 workplace death in Edmonton

An electrical distribution company has been charged in the death of a worker in Edmonton two years ago.

General Oct 23, 2026

Connor McDavid is off to a historic start. Could some of Gretzky's records fall this season?

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid is known for his blistering speed — and so far this year he's also flying up the stats leaderboard at a pace not seen since the days of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

General Oct 23, 2026

Snowfall warnings issued for northeastern Alberta

Up to 40 centimetres of snow and "damaging" winds are in the forecast for parts of Alberta.

General Oct 23, 2026

Chiefs, Opposition call for Alberta government to drop appeal of decision that quashed separation petition

With the Alberta referendum now in the books, some First Nation chiefs are calling on the provincial government to drop its appeal of a judge’s decision to quash the citizen petition on separation.

General Oct 24, 2026

New regulations on flags flown at Alberta schools to take effect in January

The Alberta government says new legislation about which flags can be displayed at schools will take effect in January. Those rules include making the Alberta and Canada flags mandatory, and prohibiting flags that "advance a social or political cause."

General Oct 24, 2026

Rapid spread of fire was main factor in CFB Wainwright deaths, injuries: top military commander

The military's top commander believes the main reason soldiers couldn't escape the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright is because of how quickly it tore across the training area.

General Oct 24, 2026
Babcock faces former team as Oilers host Leafs

Babcock faces former team as Oilers host Leafs

Mike Babcock isn't dwelling on his departure from Toronto as he prepares to face his former team for the first time Saturday.

Sports Oct 23, 2026
Hellebuyck trade draws plenty of reaction

Hellebuyck trade draws plenty of reaction

The Connor Hellebuyck trade caught the attention of many in the hockey world, with a host of opinions and reactions.

Sports Oct 23, 2026
Elks, Riders turn to backups for season finale

Elks, Riders turn to backups for season finale

It's a battle of the backups Saturday when the Edmonton Elks face the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their CFL regular-season finale.

Sports Oct 23, 2026

Edmonton mayor, housing experts react to province’s infill regulation

Mayor Andrew Knack says the Alberta government’s recently released regulation on infill provides more clarity on Edmonton’s path forward when it comes to zoning, but he needs more time to review it to better understand what it will mean for the city.

General Oct 24, 2026

Inquiry looking into man's death in Edmonton ER hears about too many patients, not enough beds or doctors

An Edmonton physician says hiring more doctors won’t solve chronic overcrowding at Grey Nuns Community Hospital as the facility's five general medicine units have been operating above capacity.

General Oct 24, 2026

Oilers' Mike Babcock, who 'loved' coaching Leafs, prepares to face old team for first time

Head coach Mike Babcock isn't dwelling on his 2019 departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs as he prepares to face his former team for the first time Saturday. He has led the Edmonton Oilers to a Pacific Division-leading 8-1-1 record.

General Oct 24, 2026
‘He ran into the fire’: Military medic critically injured saving fellow soldiers in CFB Wainwright fire

‘He ran into the fire’: Military medic critically injured saving fellow soldiers in CFB Wainwright fire

His mother says Cpl. Liam Keane kept running into the deadly fire to save fellow soldiers until his own injuries overtook him.

Canada Oct 23, 2026
Affordability measures, consumer protection legislation coming: Alberta government

Affordability measures, consumer protection legislation coming: Alberta government

Alberta's government says it has a suite of legislation coming this fall to protect Albertans, their pocketbooks and their personal information.

Politics Oct 23, 2026
Alberta introduces new flag rules and restrictions for all schools starting in 2027

Alberta introduces new flag rules and restrictions for all schools starting in 2027

The rules say school boards can apply for exemptions but only for flags that don't "constitute a political, social or ideological statement." 

Education Oct 23, 2026

Referendum ballot counting delayed by days in first provincial vote after tabulator ban

Several days after Monday's referendum in Alberta, elections officers were still counting more than 20 million ballots that were cast concerning 10 questions. The referendum came a year after electronic vote tabulators were banned by the United Conservative Party government.

General Oct 24, 2026

Winter road conditions on Highway 63 cause several vehicles to get stuck, traffic jams: RCMP

RCMP are advising against travel on Highway 63, in northeastern Alberta, as multiple vehicles got stuck Saturday morning due to winter road conditions on the thoroughfare.

General Oct 24, 2026

Q&A: Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t need Alberta separatists’ support

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has told members of her party to back the province’s referendum results, or leave. In an interview with CBC’s West of Centre, she says she doesn’t need separatists to get re-elected.

General Oct 24, 2026

Snowy owls are now a 'sensitive species' in Alberta

Snowy owls, mountain bluebirds and hermit thrushes are now designated "sensitive species" in Alberta amid population declines across Canada.

General Oct 24, 2026

Lloydminster, Cold Lake push for commercial air service

Provincial government is exploring how subsidies could support regional air services while Lloydminster and Cold Lake push to bring commercial flights to their communities.

General Oct 24, 2026

Will the Alberta referendum feed a more polarized immigration debate?

Beside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's own political future, the most unresolved questions raised by her referendum concern immigration.

General Oct 24, 2026

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra offers Canada help following Wainwright tragedy

Four soldiers were killed and 39 injured on Oct. 17 when a fire that began during a training exercise on an anti-grenade launching range was picked up by fierce winds.

General Oct 24, 2026
Energized Leafs continue hot roll with 7-2 win

Energized Leafs continue hot roll with 7-2 win

Picking the Toronto Maple Leafs to win in Edmonton has become a safe bet in recent years.

Sports Oct 24, 2026
Leafs scorch Oilers 7-2 for fourth win in a row

Leafs scorch Oilers 7-2 for fourth win in a row

William Nylander had two goals, including the 300th of his career, as the Toronto Maple Leafs scorched the Edmonton Oilers 7-2 on Saturday.

Sports Oct 24, 2026
Riders top Elks 16-9, will face Lions in West semi

Riders top Elks 16-9, will face Lions in West semi

Tommy Stevens admits landing in the CFL record book is a bit surreal for him.

Sports Oct 24, 2026

There’s disappointment and hope among Albertans who supported the idea of independence

Now that the results of the referendum have come in, with three-quarters of Albertans voting to stay in Canada, we reached out to some residents who supported the other side to see how they feel and what they think happens next.

General Oct 25, 2026

Egg freezing is becoming significantly more popular in Canada

Over the last decade, egg freezing has become significantly more popular. According to data from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS), there were 2,663 retrieval cycles for the purpose of freezing, or banking, eggs reported in 2025. Compare that number to 2013, when there were only 217 such procedures logged.

General Oct 25, 2026

2 more Edmonton hospitals implement weapons detection systems

The Misericordia and Grey Nuns hospitals have become the latest health centres in Edmonton to put weapons detection systems in place.

General Oct 25, 2026
Funeral service to be held for Sgt. Morgan Wong, CFB Wainwright fire victim

Funeral service to be held for Sgt. Morgan Wong, CFB Wainwright fire victim

According to Sgt. Morgan Wong's family, the 26-year-old was training at CFB Wainwright to prepare to deploy on his second tour in Europe. 

Canada Oct 25, 2026

Smith scores slim majority on immigration questions, Albertans reject constitutional changes

Most Albertan voters have sided with the province on its questions relating to immigration, but have rejected constitutional reforms in a controversial referendum this week.

General Oct 25, 2026

Funeral held Sunday morning for sergeant who died at CFB Wainwright

A funeral home in central Edmonton was full Sunday morning, with most in attendance wearing poppies over their hearts, to honour the sergeant who died last weekend at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, in central Alberta.

General Oct 25, 2026

Edmonton Elks fall to Roughriders 16-9 in regular-season finale

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Elks faced off on Saturday, where the Riders took a big win over the Elks. Because of this, the Riders secured their spot in the semifinals.

General Oct 25, 2026