- Provincial data shows Alberta emergency services responded to 339 opioid-related incidents the week of June 26, breaking the record of 277 calls set the previous week. Elaine Hyshka, a researcher at the University of Alberta School of Public Health, said the recent numbers are alarming and called for a response that includes both recovery and harm reduction. At a July 6 news conference, Premier Danielle Smith touted the province's recovery-oriented system of care and said the government is working to address xylazine, also known as "tranq dope," which has recently been appearing in North American drug supplies. "We do not believe that there is such a thing as a safe supply of opioids," Smith said. The province is also considering legislation that would in some cases allow police, family members, or guardians to put drug users into treatment without their consent.
- Data shared with Postmedia shows the city removed 1,103 encampments, even as local shelters are near capacity, which is unusual for the summer. Edmontonians have made more than 5,700 complaints about encampments this year, which is 60% higher than the same period in 2022. The number of encampments in parks decreased slightly this year, but there were more instances of people sleeping in other areas. Jennifer Flaman, deputy city manager for community services, told council the city's encampment teams lack resources to meet the growing need, although they are more coordinated with outreach groups than in the past. According to Homeward Trust, around 1,300 people were living rough or staying in shelters as of June 23.
- Alberta is seeing an increase of babies born with syphilis, according to 2022 provincial statistics. The rate of congenital syphilis cases rose to 169.1 per 100,000 in 2022, up from 152.2 in 2021, and 30.8 in 2018. Dr. Ameeta Singh, an infectious disease specialist who practices at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Edmonton STI Clinic, said the numbers are "horrifying," and that the province should treat the situation as a public health emergency. The Edmonton Zone was among the hardest hit areas in 2022, with 86.4 syphilis cases per 100,000. Alberta declared a syphilis outbreak in July 2019, but by 2021 the threat was overshadowed by the pandemic response.
- The Edmonton Police Service and Alberta Motor Association are partnering with Kal Tire on a catalytic converter engraving program. Until Aug. 31, Edmontonians can have their vehicle's catalytic converter engraved for $40 per vehicle and $20 for additional converters in the same vehicle. Each vehicle will get decals that state the converter is traceable, which police believe will deter thieves. Catalytic converter thefts in Edmonton increased more than 80% between 2020 and 2022, with 1,249 thefts so far in 2023.
- Edmonton businessman Ross Vincent Bayne and his associate Mary Cooney were found guilty of defrauding a woman of nearly $350,000 over five years. Beatrijs Penn loaned Bayne the money under the belief that he was investing in humanitarian projects, but it was instead used for Bayne's personal expenses. Penn, a psychotherapist in her 60s from the Netherlands, met Cooney in 2009 at an event run by self-proclaimed spiritual leader John de Ruiter, where they bonded over spirituality and alternative medicine. De Ruiter was charged with seven counts of sexual assault earlier this year.
- Alberta Health Services has lifted the water quality advisory for Big Lake just northwest of Edmonton, which was first issued Jan. 19 after a wastewater pipeline burst and caused sewage run-off to enter the lake and its shoreline. AHS says water quality and fecal bacteria are now at acceptable levels to use the lake for recreational purposes.
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is again accepting applications to Camp Inspire, which aims to promote firefighting as a career for women and gender-diverse people. The program is free and takes place Sept. 15-17. Applications will be accepted until July 23.
- A motorcyclist died after colliding with an Edmonton Transit Service bus at 106 Avenue and 79 Street on the afternoon of July 5. Police said the motorcycle was speeding when it struck the right side of the bus, which was turning onto 79 Street.
- The Edmonton Oilers have one of the worst prospect teams in the NHL, according to prospect expert Byron M. Bader, who ranked Edmonton 28th out of 32 teams based on the chance of prospect players becoming NHL stars. Postmedia columnist David Staples wrote that the ranking isn't surprising because Edmonton is in a "win-now mode" and has been trading away top picks.
Headlines: July 7, 2023
By Kevin Holowack