How well do you know our city? Learn about the quintessential, random, and occasionally infuriating things that make Edmonton, Edmonton. One story a week, about the city we love. Hosted by Clare Bonnyman, every Wednesday.
Living in Edmonton is a weird, wonderful and sometimes frustrating experience. Every Wednesday This Is Edmonton brings you the most Edmonton stories you've never heard, and the context you need to understand what's going on in our city. Host Clare Bonnyman gets into it all, unpacking the essential, random and occasionally shocking things that are uniquely Edmonton.
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 sto...
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 say...
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 Societ...
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.
In less than a week, Edmontonians will cast their ballots in the federal election. It’s been a national campaign like no other, especially as our country faces tariff threats from the United States. But what other issues are Edmontonians thinking about? Host Clare Bonnyman sits down with CBC reporter Madeleine Cummings, who has been covering Edmonton’s election issues. We also hear from a panel of young, first time voters.
There are so many tragic stories when it comes to a family fighting to save a loved one battling addiction. Angie Staines’s son, Brandon, is one of the lucky ones. After suffering from addiction, he’s now living a healthy and fulfilling life. His mother embraced harm reduction to help get him to the other side. We’ll hear their story on this week’s episode of This is Edmonton. To hear the full documentary produced by CBC's Tanara McLean mentioned in this episode go to https://www.cbc.ca/listen/l...
The rising cost of rent is an issue across Edmonton. This week, we zero in on the Southwoods Village Townhomes complex in Hazeldean. Since new management took over, rent has increased for many tenants. Some by hundreds of dollars. The company says the increases are needed to bring units up to market value but it’s leaving some tenants with few options but to look elsewhere.
For years now, CBC Edmonton AM host Tara McCarthy has been sharing Alberta music on her weekly Provincial Playlist segment. Now, that weekly column came to life on stage. The first ever Provincial Playlist Live show at Felice Café featured three musicians playing music and sharing stories with Tara. We bring you some of that live show, with artists Caylie G, Kija Lado and Jessie Bird.
Young Albertans who grow up in the child welfare system age out at 18. Should they die anytime up to the age of 22, the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate will conduct a review of the death. Now, the Alberta government is proposing legislation that would see death investigations conducted only on a discretionary basis for former child welfare clients between the ages of 18 and 20, and none for those who die older than 20. This week on the podcast we hear a conversation with three young Edmon...
A federal election could be called at any moment, and it’s almost certain that our next elected prime minister will be from Alberta. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is from Calgary, and Liberal Leader Mark Carney was raised in Edmonton. This is Edmonton host Clare Bonnyman discusses the implications for Alberta with CBC writer Jason Markusoff, producer and co-host of the House Party podcast.
Francis the Pig became part of Alberta’s history more than three decades ago when the rebellious swine escaped from a slaughterhouse. The ham on the lam inspired a generation with his freedom loving spirit. He was immortalized in bronze but recently the statue seemingly went missing. Hear more about Francis’ legacy and the Edmonton sculptor who helped keep Francis’ story alive on this week’s episode.
Companies and institutions are moving away from equity, diversity and inclusion policies, including here in Edmonton. Many felt compelled to make a commitment after the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests. Now many are choosing to back away. We’ll look at what’s behind the changing attitudes toward the policies.
Looming U.S. tariffs have many Edmontonians taking a closer look at where the products they purchase are coming from. We take a look at this change in behaviour and what Trump tariffs could mean for the local economy. Listen in to our chat with Heather Thomson, who's with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.
Edmonton’s public spaces bylaw sets out what’s allowed and what’s not allowed on our city streets. This week on This is Edmonton we’ll look at some of the proposed changes meant to protect public safety and businesses. We’ll also hear from those who say the changes target the city’s most vulnerable.
Redeveloping neighbourhoods with increased density and affordable housing is a contentious topic here in Edmonton. Everyone has their opinion of what the city needs and what they want and don’t want to see in their communities. From skinny houses to new condos to affordable living —we’ll wade into the debate.
Many people’s relationship to alcohol is changing. Some people are choosing to drink less or do away with it altogether. There’s never been more options for people with the rising popularity of mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. But what does our changing relationship with alcohol mean for our social lives?
Neutrality groups are popping up all over Canada. The organizations petition councils to get rid of certain crosswalks and flags –and they are changing laws in some Alberta communities Clare Bonnyman speaks with CBC reporter Liam Harrap about the rise of these groups and the reasons behind their concerns.
Edmonton homeowners received their property tax assessments in the mail. The city has seen a lot of change over the last few years with so many new faces calling the city home. So, what does it mean for homeowners, those looking to get into the market and affordability? On the latest episode of This is Edmonton host Clare Bonnyman hears from a resident in Central McDougall about what a huge property value increase could mean for the community. She sits down with Tahirih Foroozan, who reached out...
The new year opened with reports of intimate partner violence leading to homicides in Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax and other places in Canada. Where did the bump in cases come from? And how do we tackle this issue, which doesn’t seem to let up? In this episode we hear from the daughter of a woman in Edmonton who was a victim of intimate partner violence last month, and talk to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters about what needs to happen next. Non-emergency resources and hotlines available in...
Last year was the worst on record for frostbite amputations in Edmonton, and 2025 just kicked off with a cold snap. So what have we learned from the data? What are experts calling for to break the pattern? We sit down with investigative reporter Taylor Lambert to look at the factors that lead to frostbite, and hear about a locally made prototype hoping to tackle the problem.
