- Seventy-six people signed up to share feedback about the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative at city council's urban planning committee meeting on June 20. Postmedia reported that the meeting was "tense at times" as speakers discussed climate change, housing affordability, and a lack of meaningful public engagement about the issue. However, several speakers from the development industry spoke positively of city's engagement efforts. The room was asked to maintain decorum as Coun. Ashley Salvador sought to contextualize the results of a survey commissioned by a group of concerned residents during an exchange with former MLA Kevin Taft, who represents the group. Meanwhile, city manager Andre Corbould wrote a letter to Postmedia suggesting some concern about the proposed zoning bylaw, including comments Taft made in his June 15 opinion piece on the issue, are rooted in misinformation. "Long story short — a highrise is not moving in next door," wrote Corbould, who encouraged Edmontonians to visit the city's website to learn more about the changes and share their thoughts.
- Edmonton is experiencing the wettest June in the past 20 years, with about 81 millimetres of rain since June 18. From June 1-12, there was only 0.5 millimetres of rain. The average rainfall for June in Edmonton is 78 millimetres. The wet conditions prompted the city to issue a warning about North Saskatchewan River levels last week and also led to trail closures in parts of the city.
- Edmontonians can expect an increase in mosquitoes when warmer weather sets in after the rain, which has created perfect conditions for mosquito eggs, according to Sarah McPike from the city's pest management lab. "I anticipate that we will see noticeable mosquito activity in two weeks-ish depending on the weather," said McPike. She is encouraging Edmontonians to empty standing water in their yards periodically to prevent the spread of the Northern House Mosquito (Culex Pipiens), a species that is a known vector of West Nile Virus and recently discovered in Edmonton, although McPike said it has not been identified as a vector in Edmonton specifically.
- Officials have provided no clear timeline or cost for the removal of an excavator that got wedged under the overpass at Whitemud Drive and Anthony Henday Drive on June 16. The crash, which caused extensive structural damage to the overpass, happened just before 10am when a semi carrying the machinery was exiting the Henday at the Whitemud exit ramp. Alberta Transportation said it is working to set up a shoring tower to support the overpass before the vehicle is removed.
- The Town of Whitecourt, about 100 kilometres northeast of Edson, declared a state of local emergency on June 20 due to flooding, which has impacted areas across Yellowhead County. Some residents with properties along the McLeod River and Athabasca River were ordered to evacuate, while the hamlet of Peers was ordered to shelter in place. Rain also fell overnight in Edson, which declared a local state of emergency on June 19. Mayor Kevin Zahara said his town has experienced extensive flooding of homes and businesses. Edson's chief administrative officer, Christine Beveridge, said 135 millimetres of rain has fallen in the town in the past week, adding that local emergency efforts will again be focused on wildfires once floodwaters recede.
- Premier Danielle Smith has apologized for breaching ethics rules as detailed in ethics commissioner Marguerite Trussler's May 18 report. "Although I had no ill intent, the ethics commissioner found it was improper for me to contact the minister of justice in the way I did," Smith said on June 20 in front of all 87 MLAs, who were gathered in the legislative chamber to elect a Speaker of the House and deputy Speaker, which followed the swearing-in of the UCP caucus. Smith also said she accepts Trussler's recommendations, which include training new MLAs about the roles of the three branches of government. Shortly before Smith's apology, the NDP sent a letter to the RCMP asking for an investigation of Smith over potential violations of the Criminal Code, which were beyond the mandate of Trussler's investigation. "You don't get to apologize your way out of breaking the law," NDP Leader Rachel Notley said to reporters.
Headlines: June 21, 2023
By Kevin Holowack