Edmonton Weekly Digest — Mar 23–29, 2026

Edmonton police arrested 47‑year‑old John Angus Joseph MacArthur in PEI on March 17, charging him with second‑degree murder after investigators say Marika (Mika) Sutton, 29, was killed and likely dumped along Highway 2 between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe in Aug. 2025.

Police arrested William McMullin, 56, on March 17, accused of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women he met on dating apps; investigators believe there may be more survivors and ask anyone affected to come forward.

Over two dozen Edmonton‑area MAID practitioners say Alberta’s draft law to limit MAID to people likely to die within 12 months (and to ban MAID info in health settings) would cause needless suffering and put clinicians in ethically untenable positions.

Local man Brandon Loney spent 18 months seeking a diagnosis for severe pelvic/back pain; a privately funded MRI found a Tarlov cyst and the couple are fundraising for treatment amid long neurology waitlists in Alberta.

EPCOR says Edmonton tap water is safe despite a stronger chlorine smell during spring runoff; running cold taps for a few minutes or using carbon filters can reduce the odour while organics settle over the next 3–5 days.

City council approved creating a non‑residential derelict tax subclass — owners of rundown commercial properties could face up to a 57% tax hike, with assessment notices possibly issued in about two years.

Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists on March 28 to move back into the NHL scoring lead as the Oilers beat Anaheim 4–2, their third straight win; Edmonton is 27–5–5 when scoring first this season.

The Oilers signed Czech defenceman Tomas Cibulka to a two‑year entry‑level contract (announced March 27); Cibulka had 42 points in 90 games over the past two seasons in Czechia.

Calgary has reached a key repair milestone on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and began refilling repaired sections, but water restrictions will stay until safety tests are complete and a full steel replacement is planned by December.

A new WildfireScore app now rates wildfire risk for Canadian properties from 1–5 and offers a $20 30‑year probability report — a handy tool for homeowners and cottage owners as wildfire seasons get fierier.

Calgary realtors report more first‑time buyers entering the market thanks to the federal GST rebate and a softer rental market; Calgary rental inventory rose to about 3,100 units in March (up ~15% year‑over‑year).

Reports from MEI and Clean Prosperity say the Trans Mountain expansion narrowed price discounts and added about US$16.7 billion to industry revenues — reinforcing calls for more pipeline capacity to coastal markets.

Renewed talk of another B.C. pipeline is growing as Trans Mountain nears capacity, but B.C.’s government and Coastal First Nations oppose it; Enbridge’s CEO says the conditions to build aren’t there yet.

Ottawa is investing $28.9 million via the Energy Innovation Program toward carbon capture and renewable projects — nearly $15 million for carbon capture work in Saskatchewan and over $9 million for solar projects.

Jason Stephan, the premier’s parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs, urged Albertans to sign a petition for a referendum on separation — a move that drew criticism from the NDP and raised questions about government messaging.

Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on March 27 that an Alberta referendum on separation “can have an effect” on investor confidence, even as Ottawa and Alberta keep working on energy co‑operation.

The Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission recommends adding two MLAs (raising the total from 87 to 89), creating new Calgary and Edmonton ridings and consolidating others to reflect population shifts.

Elections Alberta found Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally accessed a confidential electors list for an unauthorized purpose during his recall response but closed the file without penalty, offering advice on future use.

A legislature committee recommended Phillip Peters to replace Doug Wylie as Alberta’s auditor general; Peters would start April 29 and take over a high‑profile probe into health contracts.

Alberta plans a provincewide Councillor Accountability Framework to restore codes of conduct with independent oversight and to publish municipal officials’ salaries in the name of transparency.

Alberta tabled Bill 21 to implement interprovincial mutual recognition for many consumer goods (exempting food, alcohol, cannabis, live animals, etc.), aiming to cut red tape for small businesses.

Families in Ardrossan were told on March 20 that Where It’s at Country Daycare must leave Holy Redeemer school within 90 days after a lease termination, leaving about 30 registered families scrambling for childcare.

Central Auto & Truck Parts owner Nick Spina says a pooling/drainage problem at 170 St & 129 Ave has plagued his northwest Edmonton business for decades; EPCOR says a blocked private culvert and complex alignment are factors and longer‑term designs are being reviewed.

RCMP charged 44‑year‑old Mouhamad Fadi Orfahly with first‑degree murder and arrested 43‑year‑old Mahmoud Ali Abdallah Mansour in Toronto after the Feb. 19 house fire that killed St. Albert dentist Mai Diab, 59.

RCMP arrested 18‑year‑old Jimmy Gassner in Saskatchewan and charged him with second‑degree murder in the March 14 QEII drive‑by shooting that killed 22‑year‑old Birinder Singh; police say more suspects may be involved.

James Hjelmeland, 31, of Red Deer was sentenced to 17 years in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty in Orlando to attempted enticement of a minor and child‑sexual‑material charges from a December 2024 sting operation.

Calgary man Malik Buccini‑Small, 23, faces 10 charges including luring and sexual offences after allegedly targeting girls aged 7–15 via social media; investigators warn there may be more victims.

A national survey from the Black Women’s Institute for Health found nearly half of Black women, girls and gender‑diverse people in Canada delayed or avoided health care fearing racial discrimination and recommends a national Black health equity strategy.

Four people died in separate northern B.C. avalanches on Sunday (three heli‑skiers near Terrace, one near the Klehini River); Avalanche Canada rated danger there from ‘considerable’ to ‘moderate.’

Drumheller’s giant T. rex “Tyra” is structurally sound but needs about $154,000 in immediate repairs and ongoing maintenance; the attraction brings ~150,000 visitors a year and locals are debating its future lease.