Headlines: Nov. 17, 2023

Nov. 17, 2023 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack and Mariam Ibrahim

The city drew criticism for an Oct. 31 notice inviting news outlets to preview the Valley Line Southeast LRT. In the notice, which Postmedia reporter Lauren Boothby shared on social media, the city stated that media were required to seek permission before reporting, filming, or conducting business on Edmonton Transit Service property to "ensure media activities will not interfere with our ability to provide safe and effective service." In a letter to the city, the Canadian Constitution Foundation called the policy "unconstitutional" and an attempt to prevent "reporting on important matters that ETS likely prefers media not cover." The city called it a "misunderstanding," saying the rules only applied to the opening day of the Valley Line and that no broader policy exists. However, Postmedia reported that multiple Edmonton journalists said they have been required for years to seek permission to report on ETS property.
Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee said the city needs a coordinated approach to take down homeless encampments because of the safety risk they pose. In early November, two people died, and a third was seriously injured following a series of encampment fires. Police said seven people died in encampment fires last year. "The encampment strategy needs to be, we need to get enough resources to actually take them down and then figure out if those that want to be housed can be housed," McFee said at an Edmonton Police Commission meeting on Nov. 16.
The Edmonton Police Commission announced John McDougall as the third provincial appointee to the commission since the UCP government updated legislation in 2022 allowing it to select up to three members of local police commissions. McDougall has been a member of the Edmonton Police Commission since 2018 and previously served as its chair. His term will last from Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2026.
The city announced a series of major traffic changes related to the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion project. As of Nov. 16, the Yellowhead Trail and 127 Street intersection has been affected, with eastbound traffic on the Yellowhead being redirected to a new detour lane, removing the left-hand turn to travel north on 127 Street. The city has also opened new one-way eastbound and westbound service on the 156 Street to St. Albert section of the project, and two lanes have reopened in the area of the Fort Road Widening project.
We Belong in Jasper Place, a community-driven initiative supported by the Stony Plain Road Business Association, is seeking to strengthen community bonds in central and west Edmonton. The group is offering one-time funding up to $5,000 for community members to develop pilot projects and events that promote a sense of belonging in the Jasper Place area. Multiple proposals are allowed, and 10 projects will receive funding. The application deadline is Nov. 26.
The city launched two new grant programs intended to advance its Community Safety and Well-being Strategy. More than $2.6 million is available through the Early Intervention and Intervention Grant Program, which provides one-time funding for intervention and early intervention programming. The Collaboration Grant Program is intended to enhance or create new partnerships that support the goals of the city's strategy. More than $1.34 million in funding is available, of which at least $350,000 will go to ethnocultural organizations or anti-racism efforts. The deadlines to apply for the grants are Jan. 10 and Jan. 24 respectively. The city asks interested applicants to pre-register if they'd like to attend virtual information sessions about the grants on Nov. 29 and Dec. 13.
Students at the University of Alberta and MacEwan University are highlighting food insecurity among post-secondary students. Erin O'Neil, executive director of the U of A Campus Food Bank, says it used to serve around 200 people a month but now regularly serves more than 1,000. Gabriel Ambutong, president of the Students' Association of MacEwan University, said demand on the school's food hamper program, the Pantry, rose 61% in September this year compared to last. The issue is exacerbated by inflation, high grocery costs, and rising educational costs, including "exceptional" tuition hikes at the U of A in 2022 following the province's post-secondary cuts. Earlier this year, the province announced tuition caps for domestic post-secondary students, preventing schools from increasing tuition by more than 2% annually, but tuition for international students remains unregulated.
Pharmacies across Edmonton are reportedly shortages of some medications, including codeine and Ozempic, with some needing to limit how much they dispense. Pharmacy manager Ghada Haggag told Global News the situation is the worst she's seen in 23 years, adding the backlog can mostly be attributed to manufacturing shortages. Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, said the drugs will be difficult to get as the new year approaches.
Chrislain Eric Kenfack, a man from Gatineau, Quebec, has filed human rights complaints against the RCMP and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, alleging he was racially profiled and beaten by officials at the Edmonton International Airport in April. His case is being supported by the Red Coalition, a Montreal-based firm that advocates for the end of racial profiling and discrimination in Canada.
Alberta Municipalities, which represents 265 municipalities across the province, is encouraging citizens to speak up about the province's proposed changes to local elections, including making political parties more important at the municipal level. Earlier this year, Alberta Municipalities commissioned a Janet Brown opinion poll that found most Albertans believe heightened party lines in municipal politics is against the best interests of the community and would make governments more divisive. The UCP government is seeking feedback on its updates to the Local Authorities Elections Act and the Municipal Government Act through two surveys, which are open until Dec. 6.