- Edmonton police investigated 23 hate-motivated crimes in the first quarter of this year, up from 13 during the same period last year. "It is critically important that the public report any and all instances of hate, and we are very thankful to those who came forward as witnesses in these files," Sgt. Gary Willits of the hate crimes unit said in a release outlining charges laid in six incidents. "We want our diverse communities to know they are valued, and we take these reports very seriously." Data from last September suggests that the number of hate crimes reported to police may account for less than 1% of such incidents.
- Infill development is key to Edmonton's most recent City Plan as it offers a way to prepare for population growth, but lessons from Vancouver show that upzoning land for higher density doesn't always increase affordability. Patrick Condon, a professor of urban design at UBC, told Postmedia that Edmonton must build affordability into land regulations and focus on "disciplining the land market," or else the city's recently revealed plans to rezone the entire city for more infill development could decrease affordability.
- When the Oilers hit the road to continue their playoff series against the L.A. Kings, fans in Edmonton will be able to attend watch parties at Rogers Place. Tickets to watch the game on the Jumbotron will be $5, and the concessions will be open.
- The City of Edmonton received an award from the American Planning Association for its work in developing the Edmonton Carbon Budget, a municipal first in North America that integrates greenhouse gas emissions into the budgeting and prioritization process.
- EPCOR's controversial solar farm in the river valley has been named kīsikāw pīsim, Cree for "daylight sun." Chief Billy Morin on the Enoch Cree Nation said the name was determined during a pipe ceremony earlier this year. The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition has long opposed the solar farm near the E.L. Smith water treatment plant; in April, a judge ordered the coalition to pay some of EPCOR's legal costs.
- NAIT and the University of Alberta have announced honorary degree recipients for their upcoming 2022 convocations. Recipients from NAIT are Olympic cyclist Kelsey Mitchell, business leader Angela Armstrong, AHS interim CEO Mauro Chies, and CBC radio personality Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe. Recipients from the U of A include comedian Rick Mercer, Métis leader Lorne Gladu, and two Supreme Court judges.
- Three organizations were recognized at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Ball at the Edmonton Convention Centre on April 30. The 2020 Northern Lights Award of Distinction was given to DynaLIFE, the 2021 Northern Lights Award of Distinction was given to Edmonton's Food Bank, and the inaugural Community Impact Award was given to Unbelts.
- The City of Edmonton's compost giveaway starts May 8. The compost, which is suitable for landscaping, gardening, and top dressing, is made from collected yard waste and can be picked up for free at the Ambleside and Kennedale Eco Stations. The service, launched in 2021, is possible because Edmontonians have been participating in the curbside collection program and separating their waste, the city said in a release.
- Soccer star Alphonso Davies spoke to Bayern Munich News about his upbringing in Edmonton. "Edmonton is my home and always will be," said Davies. "All of my childhood friends are there, as well as the local soccer and community programs I regularly visit and support when I can."
Headlines: May 5, 2022
By Kevin Holowack