Who’s ready for their weekly round up?!
2026 is well under way, and the cold is trying to tighten its grip on all of us. Use this week’s newsletter as a chance to relax and catch up on all that’s going, with hopefully a coffee in hand!
Today’s Edition:
Council decisions continue to shape how and where the city grows
Transit reliability and winter maintenance remain active pressure points
A colder turn reasserts itself after a brief mid-winter lull
Late-January festivals lean into Edmonton’s winter identity
A small set of local reads and places suited to slower evenings
This Week In YEG
Edmonton city council approved funding to advance design work for neighbourhood renewal projects scheduled to begin construction in 2027, keeping several long-planned upgrades on track.
City administration reported continued challenges meeting winter road maintenance timelines following freeze–thaw cycles earlier this month, prompting renewed discussion about materials and response standards.
Edmonton Transit Service released updated on-time performance data showing modest improvements on LRT lines compared with late 2025, while bus reliability remained uneven during cold snaps.
Alberta Education confirmed enrolment growth in Edmonton public and Catholic schools, adding pressure to several south and southwest neighbourhoods already facing capacity constraints.
Environment Canada forecast a return to seasonal temperatures after an unusually mild start to January, with overnight lows expected to dip below −20 °C later in the week.
Events You’ll Love
Flying Canoë Volant
January 22–24 — A Francophone winter festival combining art installations, night skiing, and storytelling along the Mill Creek Ravine.Ice on Whyte Festival
January 23–25 — International ice carving, live music, and winter patios in Old Strathcona.Nextfest Winter Edition
January 24 — An evening of experimental performance and contemporary art presented by Edmonton Fringe Theatre.
Worth Your Time
“Why Edmonton’s Growth Is Increasing Pressure on Local Infrastructure” — A measured look at how population growth is intersecting with roads, schools, and utilities. Read the story.
“From Boomtown to Big City: Edmonton at 1.1 Million” — A reflective essay on what recent census trends mean beyond headline numbers. Check it out!
Local Finds
Bundok — A downtown restaurant whose seasonal menu and restrained room suit mid-winter dinners when lingering feels earned rather than rushed.
Glass Bookshop — An independent bookstore in Oliver known for thoughtful curation, especially strong in poetry, small presses, and design-forward titles.
Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site — A compact, walkable historic home that offers a quiet counterpoint to winter’s scale and pace.
Before You Go…
It’s been an amazing week here in Edmonton. Hope you’re loving the start to the new year, and that your resolutions haven’t been left to the wayside just yet. If they have, here’s your reminder to pick them back up and KEEP GOING.
Time will fly.
Until next time.
E. Lister