- City council began its debate over the 2024 budget adjustment and a proposed 7.09% property tax increase, which is about 2% higher than what councillors previously approved. The meeting on Nov. 21 began with a presentation by city administration outlining reasons for the proposed tax increase. Several organizations, including the Edmonton Public Library and Explore Edmonton, also made requests for additional funding. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said his priority is maintaining and improving public services, but noted during the meeting that this is "the most difficult" municipal budget he has worked on. Council has set aside five days for the deliberations, and is expected to finalize the budget on Nov. 29.
- The Central, Bay/Enterprise Square, Corona, and Government Centre LRT stations will be closed on Nov. 25 and 26 because of planned maintenance work on the Capital Line. During the closure, trains won't run between Churchill and University LRT stations. Edmonton Transit Service will provide replacement bus service, which will run every seven to eight minutes. Capital Line trains will run every 15 minutes from Clareview to Churchill LRT stations, and from University to Century Park LRT stations. Metro Line will run at the same frequency from Churchill to NAIT LRT stations. Service on the Valley Line Southeast LRT won't be affected.
- Alberta Health Services has brought back its Toys for Tickets campaign, which allows people to donate a new, unwrapped toy instead of paying for parking tickets received at AHS sites between Nov. 14 and Dec. 15. Last year, AHS collected 470 toys through the campaign. Recommended items include books, art supplies, and electronics. Donations must have a minimum value of $25 and can be dropped off at any AHS parking office until Dec. 15.
- The Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund awarded 25 local artists $15,000 each during a ceremony at the Art Gallery of Alberta marking the fund's 25th anniversary. The award is a partnership between the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Arts Council. Recipients included Cree singer-songwriter Cikwes and her daughter, multimedia visual artist Cheyenne Rain LeGrande.
- The city's Why Edmonton site published a profile of Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and his journey since arriving in Edmonton as an 18-year-old immigrant in 1981. Edmonton has grown significantly since then, Sohi said, becoming a more vibrant and diverse big city while maintaining its spirit of community support. Sohi began his City of Edmonton career as an Edmonton Transit Service bus driver before transitioning to politics. "This community has lifted me up, and it continues to lift many people like me up so that they can live up to their full potential," he said.
- The Opposition NDP criticized the UCP government for awarding more than $700,000 in sole-source contracts to political allies, including $253,000 to former Reform Party leader Preston Manning to lead a COVID-19 panel review. Premier Danielle Smith defended the contracts, saying the government followed all ethics rules and chose the "very best" for the jobs. However, the NDP accused the government of cronyism and raised concerns about the lack of open competition. Other contracts under the microscope were awarded to former Wildrose MLA Shayne Saskiw's firm Alberta Counsel, Smith's campaign manager Matthew Altheim, and former Wildrose president David Yager.
Headlines: Nov. 22, 2023
By Mariam Ibrahim