A new bylaw in Edmonton will restrict the sale of knives – excluding everyday cutlery – in convenience stores.
City officials say this will limit “convenient or impulsive access to knives.”
“Building a city that’s safer for everyone is our top priority, and by removing these easily accessible potential weapons from convenience stores, all Edmontonians will feel more safe,” Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said in a news release.
The bylaw will not apply to sporting goods/recreational and kitchen supply retailers.
In a news release, the city says the bylaw is in response to concerns from the police and community members regarding the accessibility of knives.
According to recently published Edmonton Police Service end-of-year statistics, criminal incidents with a knife went up 3.2 per cent in Alberta’s capital from 2023 to 2024.
“Incidents involving edged weapons, in particular knives, continue to be an ongoing issue in Edmonton,” EPS Supt. Keith Johnson said in the release. “We’re pleased with the city’s decision to proceed with this bylaw and are hopeful it will have positive impacts on community safety citywide.”
The bylaw will come into effect for new stores that apply for a business licence, or when existing stores renew their licences. The city says the bylaw will take at least two years to implement fully.
“However, stores are strongly encouraged to voluntarily participate and remove knives from their store shelves immediately,” the city wrote.