- The province announced a series of public safety measures in Edmonton and Calgary in response to crime, particularly in and around public transit. They include developing a plan to add 100 police officers over the next 18 months in both cities, at an estimated cost of $15 million, and a $5-million grant for each city to keep transit areas and stations "clean, safe, and welcoming." The province did not provide details on how the additional officers would be split among the cities or a timeline for when they would be on the streets. In its announcement, the province also encouraged the cities to transfer control of transit peace officers to police services to allow a more coordinated response. "Centring police as leaders within this work shows a key understanding that we cannot have wellbeing if we don't have safety," said Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee, who also praised the province's investment of $8 million over three years to increase the number of police and crisis teams (PACT), which would bring the number in Edmonton from six to 18.
- Mayor Amarjeet Sohi issued a statement following the province's announcement about public safety measures, in which he detailed the city's own actions to improve transit safety and expressed appreciation for the province's promised investments. He added that "even with this additional funding, there are still challenges that need to be dealt with" and called for long-term solutions to root causes such as supportive housing and other resources to address the mental health and substance use crises.
- City staff are exploring plans for a possible landlord registry that would identify landlords who consistently break bylaws or safety codes. The city is also reviewing a potential process for suspending the business licenses of landlords found to be in violation of rules. City administration outlined the options in a report accepted by councillors during an April 4 council meeting. "It's just making sure that folks who rent have greater protection and control about where they might call home," Coun. Andrew Knack told Postmedia.
- City council voted 9-3 to approve a land rezoning application in Windsor Park to accommodate a proposed six-storey apartment building by developer Westrich Pacific near 118 Street and 87 Avenue. The decision followed a public hearing where council heard at length from residents worried about traffic and the pace of densification in the area. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, who supported the rezoning, said the development is a chance to make the most of nearby bus, transit, and LRT infrastructure, and create more affordable housing compared to the average single-family home in the area. Councillors Michael Janz, Karen Principe, and Jennifer Rice voted against the rezoning. Westrich Pacific plans to break ground on the development by the end of 2023.
- Edmonton Public School Board trustees voted unanimously to commit to cutting the division's greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2035. They have also committed to cutting emissions 5% by 2025. The school board decided in 2021 to take part in the city's Corporate Climate Leaders Program, which requires participants to set emission targets for 2025 and 2035. Trustees received a 29-page report explaining the plan to lower emissions, which starts with small steps and progresses to larger changes that depend on grants and government funding. Ideas include partnering with other educational institutions to buy a pool of power from renewable resources and installing more solar panels.
- The province has recognized 11 organizations and individuals with Alberta Community Justice Awards, which go to Albertans who find ways to prevent crime and promote restorative justice in their communities. Recipients from Edmonton are the Family Violence Prevention Centre, which is a unit in the Edmonton John Howard Society; Zaki Hirabe, co-chair of the Chief's Community Council at the Edmonton Police Service; the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee; and Rupert Arcand, executive director of the Yellowhead Tribal Community Corrections Society.
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is accepting applications from Grade 10-12 students to join its Fire Cadet Program. Students can earn up to six high school credits by participating in the 10-month program, which begins September 2023. The deadline to apply is April 30.
- An online bidder paid $7,600 for a six-and-a-half-foot tall Connor McDavid bobblehead. The auction raised money for the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. The foundation has not provided information about the bidder.
- Chuck Thompson, head of public affairs for CBC, responded to Premier Danielle Smith's threats of legal action against the CBC for its coverage of her alleged contact with Alberta Crown prosecutors regarding pandemic-related prosecutions. "As we've said all along, we stand by our journalism on this story and, if necessary, will defend it in court," Thompson said in an email. On April 4, Smith told reporters the United Conservative Party is funding her potential legal action but did not elaborate.
Headlines: April 5, 2023
By Kevin Holowack and Mariam Ibrahim