The Loop

The housing infill conversation at Edmonton's city council is particularly heated of late. In recent years, the city has made big changes to what can be built where, and neighbourhoods are starting to see the impacts of those bylaws. Housing has remained relatively affordable, but the look of some neighbourhoods has shifted — and some longtime residents are left feeling overlooked. The CBC's Colton Hutchinson takes over this episode and breaks down our infill feelings with reporter Morgan Black.

The University of Alberta wants to eliminate equity, diversity and inclusion from its hiring policy. This comes one year after the school's president announced it was moving away from the term, saying it had become polarizing. But now staff and students are speaking out against the removal of these kinds of policies and where this pressure comes from. CBC reporter Emily Williams joins host Clare Bonnyman to dig deeper into the issue.

Edmonton's McCauley neighbourhood has a PR problem. The inner city community is home to Commonwealth Stadium, the Italian Centre and Chinatown. But it also has a disproportionate number of resources for the homeless community. But residents believe in their neighbourhood. Perhaps none more than Teresa Spinelli. Host Clare Bonnyman joins Spinelli for a talk about the work the community is doing, to make McCauley better and the lessons the rest of the city can learn from them.

It was nine years ago when the Bowes family lost their baby boy, Huxley. The infant was born in an Edmonton hospital and died just three days after his traumatic delivery. Their loss prompted a series of regulatory reviews, systemic changes to the operation of the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and a now-dismissed wrongful death lawsuit. What has all of this changed? CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon joins the podcast to dig into the story.

The data makes it clear — transit-related violence has risen across Canada over the past decade. And Edmonton has one of the most dangerous transit systems in the country. But what do we know about who is at the source of the violence? And how has our city handled growing concerns around safety on the LRT? We dig into an investigation from CBC and the Investigative Journalism Foundation with reporter Nicholas Frew.

The Stollery Children's Hospital is getting a new home, in part because the current space is packed. A population boom, plus more outbreak emergencies and a lack of beds has caused delays in chemotherapy for some kids. CBC's Ariel Fournier spoke to parents about what happens when kids can't get care, and why this new stand-alone hospital is so important for pediatric patients.

It's fair to say 2025 was a busy year at Alberta's legislature, and there was no shortage of stories to cover. There was a teachers' strike, citizen petitions, controversial policies and an auditor general's report that raised eyebrows. So how do these stories continue into 2026, and what do Edmontonians need to know? We sit down with two provincial affairs reporters to get their takes on the year ahead.

It's cold and when temperatures drop in the city many scramble to make sure people can stay warm. Edmonton has been making moves to beef up daytime winter warming spaces to serve a growing homeless population — meanwhile the province says shelters have more than enough room. So what's actually needed? And who's responsible for making that happen? CBC reporter Emily Williams joins us to take a bigger look at the recurring challenge.

At the end of the year, it can be hard to remember everything that happened. So for our final episode of 2025, we wanted to help! We enlisted three reporters from the CBC Edmonton newsroom to share a story that defined the year, and why it's sticking with them. Whether it was a big deal, a lot of fun or made a difference. Join us as we look back, and prepare to move forward into 2026.

This time of year, there's a lot of talk about the food bank. Edmonton's Food Bank was actually the first in Canada, and what started as a temporary answer to hunger has become a massive support system for community members. We sit down with the executive director of Edmonton's Food Bank, Marjorie Bencz, to talk about how food insecurity has changed and how the organization has grown.If you'd like to donate to your local food bank as part of CBC's Make The Season Kind Campaign, you can go to www.cbc.ca/kind/yeg.

This year Edmonton has had the deadliest year on record since introducing Vision Zero, a plan to prevent deaths from traffic-related serious injuries and fatalities. At the same time, things are changing provincially and locally that affect how we manage our streets. This week we look at why Edmonton's roads feel more dangerous than before.

In recent weeks the provincial government has used the notwithstanding clause four times, after not touching it for more than two decades. Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a powerful piece of legislation – so why use it now to put teachers back to work, and to push forward legislation impacting transgender youth? This week we take a deep dive into our province's history with the notwithstanding clause. Plus we speak to an Edmonton law student about their own deep dive into Section 33, and why they wanted to help others understand it.

Bless you! It's cold, flu and COVID season in Edmonton — and now measles is also on the radar. As we enter into an infectious time, there seems to be less desire to get vaccinated than ever. We sit down with microbiologist Jason Tetro to talk about the germy season, vaccination hesitancy and what it means that the measles have returned.

Food affordability is top of mind these days and in the last six years food prices in Alberta have increased more than 30 per cent. So how does that affect our diets, and where we choose to shop and eat? This week Clare speaks to Mary Bailey, editor and publisher of The Tomato Food and Drink. She's been following Edmonton food and restaurants for decades, and weighs in on the impact that rising costs has on our culinary decisions and the city's food scene.

Hospital safety is a growing concern in Edmonton, especially for health-care workers. Now the Royal Alexandra Hospital downtown is testing out a high-tech weapons screening system in their emergency department, hoping the added security can better protect patients and staff. CBC reporter Liam Newbigging breaks down what health-care workers are facing, and how new technology like AI could improve things.

This week, the Alberta government fast-tracked Bill 2, the Back to School Act, which sends about 750,000 students and 50,000 teachers back to the classroom. It ended a contract dispute and three weeks of job action, invoking the notwithstanding clause to do it. CBC reporter Emma Zhao joins host Clare Bonnyman to break down what's in the bill and reaction to it. Plus, an Edmonton psychologist talks about taking care of teachers, parents and students during uncertain times.

Election night in Edmonton was interesting to say the least. Many voters waited in long lines before casting their ballots and new rules put in place by the government meant every vote had to be hand-counted, meaning a winner wasn't clear until well into the next day. On this episode, host Clare Bonnyman breaks down some of the issues and the reaction to Edmonton's 2025 Election.

Edmonton's population is booming — but how is what we're building meeting that demand? CBC reporter Liam Harrap took a deep dive into our city's growth, and how the housing landscape is changing. He sits down with host Clare Bonnyman to talk about what home means to those in Edmonton today.

Edmonton's municipal election takes place on Oct. 20. With the vote just weeks away, host Clare Bonnyman sits down with Mack Male of Taproot Edmonton to talk about concerns, candidates and how you can be informed as a voter.

They say there are two seasons in Edmonton, summer and construction. But now that season is bleeding into the fall. A number of projects in the city's west are creating chaos for commuters. Host Clare Bonnyman breaks down the traffic troubles with reporter Sarah Reid, as they talk about the work in the west and why it's all happening at once.

Three years after a Grande Prairie man died in an RCMP holding cell the arresting officers were cleared of any wrongdoing. Now Addison Hartzler's father is calling for change, to find justice for his son. Reporter Wallis Snowdon has been covering the story for years, and joins host Clare Bonnyman to talk about the case, and the fight his father is taking on.

This week on the show, we feature the first episode of See You In Court, a new podcast from CBC that dives into the court battles that shaped how Canadians live today, one case at a time. In the first episode, Host Falen Johnson and producer Clare Bonnyman look at the case of Delwin Vriend, an Edmonton instructor who lost his job at a religious college for being gay. Continue on to ep. 2 here: https://link.mgln.ai/Vriend-ep2Find the full series here: https://link.mgln.ai/syic-main

As Alberta students headed back to class this fall, teachers went to the bargaining table, the government tabled new guidelines around books and letters went out to female athletes and their families requesting verification of sex at birth. How is all of this affecting Edmonton's teachers and students? CBC provincial affairs reporter Janet French joins the podcast to make sense of all the news.

Tik Tok has become a hugely popular app, but its impact is going beyond doom scrolling and into diagnosis. Its unique algorithm is helping a new generation of women identify ADHD and reach out for support. The CBC's Emily Fitzpatrick dove into the reasons why this app became so powerful, and the way this new community is making mental health a priority.

We all go somewhere when we die. Whether you're partial to cremation or a coffin you require a bit of room and that's becoming a problem for cemeteries in rural Alberta. While some local cemeteries expand, others are searching for more space. It's raising real questions about what the graveyards of the future could look like.

The Edmonton International Fringe Festival is a staple of the summer, and it's grown to the largest fringe festival in North America. But how did we get here? And what makes Edmonton such a theatre-forward, fringe-friendly place? Host Clare Bonnyman heads to the fringe grounds to meet Gerald Osborn, the first official Edmonton Fringe historian, to talk about the festival's place in our city.

South of Edmonton, a new space is creating inclusive ceremonies for two-spirit and trans youth. The four-day fasting camp happens at The Humble Lodge, a space led by Dr. James Makokis, and is meant to reconnect Indigenous youth with traditional health systems. Host Clare Bonnyman went to visit the camp earlier this summer, and shares some of the work being done on the land and the lives it's changing.

Perogies, green onion cakes and Alberta beef all make the list for top Edmonton foods — but with a food scene that is more and more diverse, what is the most Edmonton dish you can eat? Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with food writers Phil Wilson and Sharon Yeo to talk about the ins and outs of Edmonton's food culture.

It's a key element of Edmonton summers — driving out to see some big stuff. Roadside attractions are huge across the province and they're hard to miss, even in our city. And why would you want to? From pumpkins to mushrooms, a giant perogy or a sausage link, there is something for everyone. Big stuff expert and CBC producer Adrienne Lamb joins host Clare Bonnyman to talk about attractions near and far and dig into why we love them so much.

One year ago, a devastating wildfire burned through Jasper. Around a third of structures in the mountain town were destroyed. Thousands of residents and workers were pushed out of their homes. So, how much can be done in 365 days? CBC reporter Liam Harrap and producer Ariel Fournier asked that question, and dug deep into what it looks like to recover from a wildfire. They share what they learned with host Clare Bonnyman.

Edmonton has always been a hotbed for arts and theatre, but our comedy scene is unmatched. Improv, standup and sketch have been a huge part of the scene for a long time, but in recent years, new comedy theatres and troupes are making their mark on the city. This week, host Clare Bonnyman dives into the capital city comedy scene with Bryon Martin and Jules Pepin of the Grindstone Comedy Theatre to talk about what makes this community tick.

Edmonton is known as a festival city, but our music-focused festivals really shine in the summer months. So, what kind of work goes into making a great music festival, and how are current geo-political tensions influencing musicians and the industry at large? Host Clare Bonnyman digs into Edmonton's music ecosystem with Aimee Hill, one of the founders of Interstellar Rodeo, and an arts and culture worker in the city.

Indigenous dancers from across the Prairies spend the summer visiting communities for powwows. But it takes a lot of time, and a lot of work to prepare your skills. An Edmonton group hosts weekly practices to make sure dancers are in tip-top shape. This week, host Clare Bonnyman visits an inner-city powwow practice and speaks with dancer Danni Okemaw about her own dancing journey.This episode first aired June 12, 2024

Students from the University of Alberta are advocating for Edmonton's first 'Houseless Intensive Care Unit'. The idea is to provide 24/7 wrap around health-care for people experiencing homelessness, a demographic that disproportionately relies on emergency services. Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with two of the graduate students involved to talk about the project and the impact it could have.

Edmonton has a big place in Canada's 2SLGBTQ+ history — but it doesn't always get the credit it deserves. Now, there are people trying to change that. In recent years, projects highlighting Edmonton's queer history and stories have gained traction, and there is work being done to preserve decades of activism and community for the next generation. Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with Ron Byers of the Rainbow Story Hub, to talk about Edmonton's queer history and what's so unique about our city's story.

So the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers are in the Stanley Cup final — again. For the second year in a row, the city is full of blue, orange and cheers to bring Lord Stanley's Cup home. But can they do it this time? Host Clare Bonnyman digs into how the playoffs pump our city up year after year. CBC's Mark Connolly is in Florida talking with Clare about taking down the Panthers, once and for all.

Wildfire season has begun in Alberta, and already more than 4,500 people have been evacuated from their homes. There is planning and preparation across the province for these kinds of situations, but what do they look like in an urban setting? CBC producer Tanara McLean dug deep into Edmonton's plans and the many elements that make up preparation for a wildfire in the city.

Cadomin Cave has been closed to the public for more than a decade, but once a year researchers are allowed in to count the number of bats hibernating in Alberta's largest bat cave. This yearly count has become increasingly important as a deadly fungus puts populations at risk. CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon hiked into the cave's twisting chambers to bring us an exclusive look inside.

In April, the Alberta government brought in a $15 flat-rate fee for daycare. It's a partnership with the federal government and the province that is meant to help parents pay for affordable childcare. But parents say the plan isn't actually more affordable — instead they've been hit with additional fees and fewer options. Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with CBC reporter Sarah Reid who's been following the changes to Alberta's system.

Construction season is in full swing, especially in Edmonton's northeast. But The 132 Avenue Collector Renewal Project has a stick in the spokes: residents are speaking out against construction. On top of the regular headaches from dust and noise, some residents and business owners say they aren't happy with the city's bike lane plans for the area and communication. Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with CBC Edmonton producer Pippa Reed, who spent some time in the area to hear what residents are saying.

Everyone knows the cliched image of ballroom dancing, but have you heard about the underground queer subculture version? It is where people "walk", perform, model, dance and lip-sync in a diverse range of categories. First created by Black and Latina queer and trans folks in the U.S., ballroom culture was built as a welcoming space that allowed participants to be themselves and celebrate each other. Producer Tahirih Foroozan gives us a closer look at YEG Ballroom, a part of the Fruit Loop Society of Alberta, and their upcoming Kiki Ball.

In the downtown core, a new series of cooking classes is connecting neighbours, rethinking where food comes from and feeding some of the city's most vulnerable residents. A tall order for one group, but multiple not-for-profit organizations are banding together to put on Cooking 4 Community, a monthly series held in Boyle-McCauley. This is Edmonton's Clare Bonnyman went to visit one of the classes, and hear about how collaboration is fueling action for young Edmontonians.