Next week, I'm bringing forward a motion to Edmonton City Council on regulating and restricting large scale data centres.

We are witnessing the rapid expansion of data centres across Canada, especially here in Alberta. Over 90% of currently proposed data centre capacity is planned for Alberta.

There are real concerns about environmental impact, pollution, water and energy use, noise, and utility rates that demand attention.

Projections estimate that a single data centre could add hundreds of dollars a year to Albertan's utility bills.

Large scale data centres are expanding at a scale and intensity that we have not seen before. This requires significant attention from all levels of government.

I know many people are concerned about the impact this could have on our communities. So am I. That's why I am bringing forward a motion to look at all of the levers, mechanisms, powers, and processes we have to protect our environment and safeguard the liveability of our communities.

The motion includes establishing a clear definition of large scale data centres, options to remove large scale data centres from standard zoning, and other municipal tools.

It also asks for an overview of jurisdictional authority, regulatory framework, property assessment and taxation information, and governance.

Additionally, I am requesting an assessment of the cumulative and incremental impact of large scale data centre development in Edmonton and the Edmonton region with particular consideration given to estimated utility rate increases, generation and transmission capacity, grid reliability, affordability, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

This motion is scheduled to come forward at the October 27/28 Council meeting.

As the Mayors of Alberta’s largest cities (Jeromy Farkas, Cindy Jefferies), we are standing up against the referendum for a referendum and encouraging Albertans to vote this October.

Leaving Canada would create uncertainty for Alberta’s economy, threaten jobs and investment, and put at risk the quality of life we’ve worked so hard to build.

Our country is stronger together. The diversity of our people, communities, and regions is one of our greatest strengths.

On October 19, stand up against the referendum for a referendum and vote for a strong Alberta in a strong Canada.

I expect disagreements in politics, but what’s frustrating is seeing the Province continue to share blatantly false information when the City has already provided the facts.

This morning, I sat down with Ryan Jespersen to address these claims directly. If you have the chance, I’d recommend watching or listening to the entire show. There are additional fact checks and you also can hear from Major Jeromy Farkas from Calgary.

Did you know about the 400 acre data proposed to be built near Beaumont? The proposed address is 24549 Township Rd, 502. That’s a bit close to home, no? Only 20 minutes from century park. And what’s more, is it’s just ONE of THREE centres proposed to be built in Edmonton’s IMMEDIATE VICINITY by the Beacon group. I’ve attached a map for your reference.

Since they are still in the proposal stage and have not been approved, I strongly suggest that we make our voices heard on this matter. Let them know that we don’t want this.

Noise and light pollution, Nitrous Oxide emissions, massive e-waste (lead, mercury, forever chemicals, etc) and the impact on our electric bills and water is a definite no-go for me, especially so close to us. Nevermind the fact that the Saunders location alone will take up 400 acres and has requested 300 000 gallons of water per day, from Leduc County.

I understand that data centres will inevitably be built (though I do not support them for obvious reasons) but a centre so close to us is just awful.

I’ve attached a link to contact the cabinet minister for technology and innovation ⬇️

As well as a flyer for an upcoming protest at the legislature.

https://www.alberta.ca/contact-a-cabinet-minister

MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.

Look, we need to have a serious talk about Edmonton’s Single-Use Item Bylaw (specifically the mandatory paper bag fee) and why it's time to demand City Council vote to scrap it once and for all.
We are literally on an island in this province. Calgary repealed their exact same bylaw back in 2024 after just a few months when they realized it was a mess. Meanwhile, Edmontonians are still being nickel-and-dimed every time we hit a drive-thru or grab takeout. 

Here is why this bylaw is completely broken and failing at its own goals:
1. It's a corporate cash grab, not an environmental tax. That 25-cent fee for a paper bag (and $2 for reusable ones) doesn’t go to city green initiatives, parks, or recycling programs. It goes straight into the pockets of the businesses. Why are we legislating a mandatory profit boost for multinational franchises like McDonald's under the guise of "saving the planet"? 
2. Compliance is a joke. Most of the time, workers at fast-food joints don't even ask or care. When I go to a drive-thru and explicitly say "no bag," the workers are so rushed to clear the line that they just hand me my food in a paper bag anyway. If the policy is so universally ignored on the front lines that customers can't even successfully opt-out, it's a failed policy.
3. The city's own data proves it's missing the big picture. Council recently reviewed the waste data in March 2026. While they patted themselves on the back for a drop in single-use bags, the exact same report showed that takeout container usage actually shot up by a whopping 75% in residential waste and over 80% in business areas. We didn't solve the waste problem, we just shifted it. And worse? Because they think the bag fee was a "success", some councillors want to explore adding more fees to things like disposable cups. 
It's an annoying, ineffective tax that mostly just pads corporate margins while aggravating everyday residents.

If Calgary can admit they made a mistake and repeal it, so can Edmonton. We need to start putting pressure on our councillors to bring this back to a vote and finally ditch it.

Is anyone else completely over this, or is it just me? What’s your experience been at the drive-thrus lately; do they even listen when you say no bag?

Resources:
City of Edmonton Single-Use Item Reduction Bylaw (Bylaw 20117) Official Details (Confirms the 25-cent paper bag / $2 reusable bag minimum fees, and that businesses keep the fees):
https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/single-use-items 
City of Calgary Repealing their Single-Use Bylaw in May 2024 (Official City of Calgary Newsroom Release):
https://newsroom.calgary.ca/single-use-items-bylaw-repealed/
March 2026 Utility Committee Data / Waste Audit (Taproot Edmonton coverage reporting the 75%+ increase in takeout container usage despite the drop in bags):
https://edmonton.taproot.news/briefs/2026/03/17/councillors-seek-more-data-before-changing-bag-bylaw

With one hand he is helping his UCP pals by distracting from the referendum, while the other is building an 8-plex he so publicly disavows.

Powerful protest by a lone Handmaid at the CK vigil held yesterday in Edmonton. After having CK supporters block her and invade her space her protest ended early. She was escorted to safety by the two officers that stood guard to ensure her safety throughout the protest.

Nearly 90% of downtown surface parking lots in Edmonton have been operating without permits for years.

This wouldn’t fly for any other business in Edmonton, and it shouldn’t for these ones either. Currently, many are not meeting basic standards for lighting, drainage, accessibility, and upkeep.

These property owners have been sitting on some of the most valuable land in our city, pulling in parking revenue while the rest of us pay the price in safety, vibrancy, and foregone tax revenue.

Over three years ago, I moved a motion to help address this. Owners have now been given over a year to comply, though fewer than half have applied for a permit. So as of July 1, we’re moving to escalating fines and enforcement.

We can’t force development to happen. But we can make sure everyone follows the same rules. This is about fairness and accountability.

Providing options for people to easily access downtown is important. So is safety, cleanliness, vibrancy, and attractiveness. Downtown is one our greatest assets and we should be using every tool in our toolbox to support vitality in our core.

Background: https://www.ashleysalvador.com/post/unpermitted-parking-lots-shouldn-t-get-a-free-pass

With lots of discussion about infill going on in light of Ms Smith's recent power grab, I wanted to air out something that's been bugging me about the discourse.

I noticed that people, here in this sub and IRL, very casually make remarks about "renters" that are very prejudicial, disparaging, even de-humanizing. If it was just from right-wing types I'd chalk it up to classism/racism, but I hear it from people who identify centre and left as well, which is baffling.

Just to give examples of some things I've heard and read about "renters:"

"Nobody wants to live next to a bunch of renters"

"I feel awful for homeowners who have to deal with noise from renters."

"People don't want rentals with social problems on their block."

Like, do people not understand that this all sounds like they're talking about barn animals and not people? Try replacing renters in those sentences with "newcomers," or "Indigenous people" or "poor people." Do you realize how it sounds?

Is it just so ingrained in people's mind that homeowners are "real community" and renters are some sort of outside disturbance? Do renter's don't get to be community members? Do they not have the same human rights and dignity as homeowners?

Hey everyone, my husband and I got our work permits denied despite having full time, permanent job offers and being qualified for our jobs. I'm a PHARMACY TECHNICIAN too! An in demand worker! The reason? Fucking Trump backing out of trade/immigration agreements with Canada. All I wanted was for us to start a new chapter in our lives and live somewhere better but apparently Orange Mussolini ruined that for us too. We've been here for almost two months (we came early to check the place out and gtfo asap) and I already love it so much. We had so many plans and had started making friends, people are so nice and welcoming here. I wanted to take my husband to Banff for his birthday, but now we have to drive the 39 hours back to NC instead.

Regardless, thank you all for being so kind and welcoming to us. I want you guys to know, as an American, I am going to continue supporting Canada in any way I possibly can. You guys have been there for us when we needed you and I am so disgusted by our government for so many reasons. America isn't home of the free anymore and hasn't been for so long, I hope one day I can be proud to live in the USA again.

Also, fuck the Trump supporters everywhere, why the fuck are there even Canadian Trump supporters in the first place?? Ya'll are disgusting and I hope you get your heads out of your asses and wise up ya bozos.

Anyway, rant over, it's been real and it's been fun. I'm going to miss Alberta and all of the kind people we met here. Please continue to be kind to each other and continue to be loud about hating Trump, it gives me hope for the future. Love ya'll ❤️

Edit: For everyone correcting me on the US backing out of the CPTPP in 2017, thank you cause I missed that info originally. Trump did back out of it though when he was president in 2017 so I'm still gonna blame him for this bs.

I cannot fathom voting for a party who has talked about or been talked about aligning with Americans or for regressing human rights by decades. Women's rights, trans rights, and overall our rights as Canadians are on the line.

If this is tied to your political party, how do you vote for them in good conscience? It's 2025. Gay marriage is a thing, trans rights are a thing. If your party has to attack groups of people perhaps they aren't working for all Albertans or all Canadians.

Of course there is more to platforms than just this ideological piece, but again, if your party has to target minority groups (i.e. trans people), what makes you align with them at all?

10 minutes in and out. Painless but also quite pointless. Please vote.

Can these people be deported or imprisoned yet, starting with dumb dani. I hope they trip on their dragging knuckles.

Can we fr though

I know this will ruffle some feathers but I REALLY don’t want Kerry Diotte to get elected in Edmonton-Griesbach.

Let’s not split the vote by voting Liberal. It might be different in other ridings, but the strategic vote here is for the NDP 🧡