Headlines: Nov. 9, 2023

Nov. 9, 2023 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack

Doctors are sounding the alarm on overcrowding and long waits at the Grey Nuns Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital emergency departments. Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Paul Parks said on Nov. 7 that the Grey Nuns was at 150% capacity and unable to safely receive new patients. Dr. Neeja Bakshi said in a social media post that the health care crisis is causing emergency department waits up to 36 hours, a lack of privacy, and major strain on health care staff.
The city and the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta hosted a commemorative event for National Indigenous Veterans Day at City Hall on Nov. 8. The day was first recognized in Manitoba in 1994 to recognize the military contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis veterans. The event opened with a prayer from Elder Gladys MacDonald and featured music, dancing, cultural celebrations, and speeches from Indigenous partner organizations including the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, formerly the Métis Nation of Alberta.
CTV News published a list of Remembrance Day events happening on Nov. 11 in Edmonton and surrounding communities. The city will host a ceremony beginning at 10am at City Hall, and the province will host a service at the Alberta Legislature rotunda on Nov. 9 beginning at 11am.
Speaking Municipally co-host Troy Pavlek wrote a social media post exploring what happens if Edmonton city council fails to pass a budget, and criticizing councillors Tim Cartmell, Sarah Hamilton, Andrew Knack, Jennifer Rice, and Karen Principe for the "deeply unserious behaviour" of voting against budgets after deliberating individual amendments. If council doesn't pass the budget amendment, the city will have to re-do the process since it contains legally required payments like police salary settlements. It could also affect the city's credit rating. Council is set to begin its budget adjustment debate on Nov. 21.
Expedia Group, the company behind Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, included Edmonton on its list of top "tour tourism" destinations for 2023, alongside several other cities like Kuala Lumpur and Mexico City. The cities have "piqued the interest of savvy music lovers" and offer hotel rooms on major concert tour stops for less than $150 per night, says Expedia.
The Edmonton Oilers promoted goalie Calvin Pickard of the Bakersfield Condors to replace former goalie Jack Campbell, who has cleared waivers and is now assigned to the Condors. Pickard, 31, has a 2-2 record with a 2.03 goals against average and a .912 save percentage over four appearances with the Condors this season. He has appeared in 116 NHL games, primarily as a backup.
The Edmonton Oilers partnered with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government this past summer to run a hockey camp for Métis girls to support participation in hockey. The camp included five kids and ran July 24 and 28, with appearances from Oilers and Oilers alumni. "They've been amazing to work with," said Lorna Dancey with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, noting the government is looking for partnerships to advance reconciliation. Five of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action relate to reconciliation and sports.
The province announced plans for a sweeping overhaul of Alberta Health Services, which includes creating four new organizations dedicated to acute care, primary care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction. Under the new system, AHS will focus only on acute and continuing care, and mental health will be overseen by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange appointed a new seven-member board, while a longer-term governance structure is to be determined. The new primary and acute care organizations will be unveiled in fall 2024, while the complete transition will take up to two years. A day before the government's announcement, the Opposition NDP shared leaked documents material showing the UCP's plan will cost $85 million and impact about 250,000 healthcare workers. Critics say the plan lays the groundwork for more privatized health services.