Edmonton Morning Briefing: February 20, 2026

Good morning, Edmonton. Here are the top five stories you need to know this Friday, February 20, 2026.

1. Major Indigenous Investment Announced for Downtown Development

A consortium of Indigenous investment groups announced a $340 million commitment Thursday for a mixed-use development project in downtown Edmonton. The project will occupy a 2.5-acre site on 104 Street between Jasper Avenue and 102 Avenue.

The investment partnership includes the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations Investment Corporation, the Métis Capital Housing Corporation, and Enoch Cree Nation Economic Development. The development will include commercial retail space, 280 residential units, and a cultural center featuring Indigenous art and programming.

Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2026 with completion targeted for 2029. The project is expected to create 450 construction jobs and 120 permanent positions.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi praised the announcement at Thursday’s press conference. “This investment represents a significant step forward in our commitment to reconciliation and economic partnership,” Sohi said.

The development will include ground-floor commercial space designated for Indigenous-owned businesses. Twenty percent of the residential units will be designated as affordable housing.

2. Entertainment District Expansion Planned South of Whyte Avenue

City council received a proposal Wednesday for a new entertainment district spanning four blocks south of Whyte Avenue. The development would occupy the area bounded by 79 Avenue to the north, 76 Avenue to the south, 103 Street to the west, and 99 Street to the east.

The proposal includes plans for a 2,500-capacity live music venue, six restaurant spaces, a craft brewery complex, and a multi-screen independent cinema. The project is led by Gateway District Development Group, a partnership between three local development firms.

The proposal requires rezoning approval from city council. A public hearing is scheduled for March 15. The development would replace several older commercial buildings and two surface parking lots currently on the site.

Ward O-day councillor Anne Stevenson said the proposal aligns with the area’s existing character. “This builds on the creative and cultural energy that already exists in Old Strathcona,” Stevenson said.

Local business owners have raised concerns about parking capacity and increased traffic. The proposal includes a 400-space parkade and transit improvements along 76 Avenue.

3. Private School Funding Petition Falls Short of Requirements

An Alberta-wide petition calling for the revocation of public funding for private schools failed to meet the threshold required for legislative consideration. The petition closed Wednesday evening with 147,892 verified signatures. The threshold required 152,000 signatures.

The petition was organized by the Public Education Alliance of Alberta. The group launched the campaign in November 2025 seeking to redirect approximately $280 million in annual provincial funding from private schools to the public education system.

Alberta currently provides funding to 147 accredited private schools serving approximately 38,000 students. Private schools receive 70 percent of the per-student funding allocated to public schools.

Sarah Chen, spokesperson for the Public Education Alliance, said the organization will continue advocacy efforts through other channels. “While we didn’t reach the signature threshold, we demonstrated significant public concern about education funding priorities,” Chen said.

The petition drew opposition from faith-based school organizations and parent groups. The Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta argued that funding supports parental choice in education.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said Thursday the petition results reflect balanced public opinion. The provincial government has no plans to alter the current funding model.

4. Property Tax Increases and Grocery Store Controls Debated

City administration presented preliminary budget projections to council Tuesday showing property tax increases between 4.2 and 5.7 percent for 2027. The projections reflect increased costs for police services, transit expansion, and infrastructure maintenance.

The proposed budget includes $42 million in additional police funding and $28 million for expanding Valley Line LRT service. Infrastructure repairs account for $67 million in the projected increase.

Council will review the preliminary budget through March with final approval scheduled for April 15.

Separately, council continues debate on proposed regulations for grocery store development in established neighborhoods. The proposed bylaw would require special land-use approval for grocery stores exceeding 50,000 square feet in residential areas.

The proposal emerged from community concerns about a planned supermarket development in the Belgravia neighborhood. Residents argued the development would increase traffic and alter neighborhood character.

Grocery industry representatives oppose the regulations. Jim Williamson of the Retail Council of Canada said the restrictions could limit grocery competition and consumer choice. “These regulations create barriers to food access in growing communities,” Williamson said.

Ward Nakota Isga councillor Andrew Knack proposed amendments that would exempt developments within 800 meters of major transit corridors. Council will vote on the bylaw March 8.

5. Sports: Oilers Playoff Push and Olympic Hockey Update

The Edmonton Oilers sit in second place in the Pacific Division with a 38-22-6 record entering Friday’s home game against the Vancouver Canucks. The team has won seven of its last ten games.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch addressed media Thursday about the team’s playoff positioning. “We’re focused on maintaining consistency through the final stretch,” Knoblauch said. The Oilers have 16 regular season games remaining.

Captain Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 97 points in 66 games. Leon Draisaitl ranks third in league scoring with 88 points.

In Olympic hockey, Canada defeated Sweden 3-2 in Wednesday’s quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Canada advances to face the United States in Saturday’s semifinal.

The victory came with significant cost. Captain Sidney Crosby sustained a lower-body injury in the third period and did not return. Team Canada medical staff evaluated Crosby Thursday.

Hockey Canada has not provided a definitive update on Crosby’s status for the semifinal. Assistant captain Brad Marchand told reporters the team is preparing for multiple scenarios.

Canada has won gold medals at the last two Olympics in 2022 and 2010. The team defeated Russia in overtime in the 2022 final in Beijing.

Weather: Extreme Cold with Frostbite Risk

Bundle up this Friday. Edmonton faces extreme cold conditions with sunny skies and dangerous wind chill values.

The high reaches -15°C today with wind chill making it feel like -29°C this morning and -19°C this afternoon. Winds up to 15 km/h. Frostbite risk exists for exposed skin.

Tonight will be clear becoming partly cloudy. The low drops to -25°C with overnight wind chill reaching -30°C. Frostbite risk continues.

The extended forecast shows gradual warming through next week. Saturday brings a high of -17°C with morning wind chill of -29°C. Sunday reaches -15°C with a 60 percent chance of flurries overnight.

Significant warming arrives mid-week. Tuesday reaches -3°C under sunny skies. Wednesday climbs to +5°C with a mix of sun and cloud. Temperatures return to seasonal normals by week’s end.

Good travel conditions are expected despite the cold. Limit outdoor exposure and cover all exposed skin.