- The city's extreme weather response, which was activated Feb. 20, will end on March 1 at 6am. Edmonton Transit Service will continue to operate a shuttle bus to bring vulnerable people to warm shelters when temperatures fall below -10°C, and the Boyle Street Community Services warming bus will operate for the rest of winter regardless of temperature.
- The province's substance use surveillance data shows that Edmonton paramedics have responded to more opioid-related events than Calgary paramedics for the past two years. EMS responded to 3,477 opioid-related calls in Edmonton in 2022, compared to 1,761 in Calgary. Ginetta Salvalaggio, a professor with the University of Alberta's Department of Family Medicine, said the difference may be a result of macroeconomic trends, such as employment and housing, but is not due to differences in prescribing. Across Alberta, men represented a disproportionate number of drug poisoning deaths in 2022, and most deaths occurred among people aged 35-39.
- City council's community and public services committee voted 3-2 to allow Edmontonians to drink alcohol in 18 designated parks on a permanent basis after hearing the results of last year's pilot project. A telephone survey of 409 people last summer found 80% supported allowing alcohol in parks. Bylaw officers handed out zero tickets and gave out only three warnings in 2022 related to alcohol consumption in the designated parks. Councillors Jennifer Rice and Karen Principe voted against the proposal, citing safety concerns.
- The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 1,700 companies, has released its 2023 provincial budget recommendations, which revolve around innovation and diversification, skill development, labour attraction, and community safety. Among its recommendations are a call for investment in the Edmonton International Airport (YEG), the establishment of a direct bus route between YEG and downtown, support in addressing downtown social disorder, and the creation of an innovation fund modelled after the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. The 2023 provincial budget will be released Feb. 28 at 3:15pm.
- The province announced its plan to spend $125 million as part of its 2023 budget to help MacEwan University construct a new building for its School of Business. The seven-storey building at 109 Street and 105 Avenue will allow the school to increase enrolment by 7,500 students and further its goal of reaching 30,000 students by 2030. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, with the building expected to open by 2027.
- World Waterpark in West Edmonton Mall is getting two new waterslides. Once the slides open this summer, visitors will be able to suggest names for them for a chance to win a Family Multi-Play Pass.
- Alberta has signed a 10-year, $24-billion agreement in principle with the federal government for healthcare funding. The agreement includes $2.9 billion for shared health priorities and $233 million for a one-time boost to the Canada Health Transfer to address immediate needs.
Headlines: Feb. 28, 2023
By Kevin Holowack