- Supporters and clients of Boyle Street Community Services are worried about the impacts of the organization's announcement that it will close its downtown location when its lease ends on Sept. 30. "I was heartbroken to find out we were going to lose yet another of the already severely limited options for people that are struggling to have housing in this city," said Jim Gurnett with the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. Boyle Street is looking for a way to continue its services without interruption until the King Thunderbird Centre opens in fall 2024, but may need to rely on partner organizations.
- City manager Andre Corbould said administration will continue to curb discretionary spending to help address a projected $73.8-million operating budget deficit, which is equivalent to about 2.6% of the overall tax-supported expense budget. "However, the deficit is large and will add to the financial pressures the city is already facing through the 2023 to 2026 budget cycle," Corbould said. City administration reports show that of the $73.8 million, $43 million is because of recent salary settlements, including with the police union, $12 million from transit revenue shortfalls, and the rest from lower ATCO gas franchise fees and construction permit revenues.
- The family of Pacey Dumas, a young man who was left with life-altering injuries after being kicked in the head by an Edmonton Police Service officer in 2020, is pursuing a private prosecution of the officer. Earlier this year, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team said there were reasonable grounds to believe Const. Ben Todd committed a criminal offence, but the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service declined to proceed with the case. The family will appear before a judge in October to argue the case should be prosecuted. They are seeking a charge of aggravated assault against the officer.
- Of the 275 surface parking lots in downtown Edmonton, only about 30 have permits, according to a report headed to city council's urban planning committee on Sept. 19 at the request of Coun. Ashley Salvador. The report says stricter enforcement against lots without permits is not the best option, suggesting it could compel a landowner to close the lot and leave vacant land.
- The Alberta government announced $16-million to fund the repair and maintenance of government-owned affordable housing facilities not currently in use and said it is working with housing providers to identify priority projects.
- The Edmonton Oilers released their 2023 rookie camp roster, which will participate in the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C. from Sept. 15-18.
Headlines: Sept. 14, 2023
By Kevin Holowack