- Renowned artificial intelligence researcher and University of Alberta professor Richard Sutton launched the Openmind Research Institute in Edmonton with a $4.8-million grant from Huawei Canada, despite the federal government's restrictions preventing the company from working with publicly funded universities. The institution, which is independent of the university, will focus on open-source AI research without pursuing intellectual property rights, and will adhere to the Alberta Plan. Openmind began its activities this month with a retreat in Banff, and while there are concerns about Huawei's involvement due to potential national security risks, Sutton said the institute's agenda will be set independently of its funding sources.
- The SouthWest Edmonton Seniors Association hosted a holiday social event for about 100 seniors last week at Blue Quill community hall to address senior isolation. Association executive director Alriss Schmid said it was important to support seniors and create opportunities for them to be socially active, highlighting the need for sustained support services. The event was supported by a grant from the Canadian Red Cross.
- Edmonton has had no snow this November for the first time since the Edmonton International Airport weather station began operating in 1960. Meteorologists attributed the anomaly to an El Niño weather pattern that typically results in warmer and drier conditions. The current El Niño is expected to peak in December and lead to a warmer than normal winter, said Alyssa Pederson, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. Karla Bergstrom, executive director with Alberta Canola, said she isn't concerned about the impact on farming yet. However, she noted that next year's crops could be at risk if dry conditions continue and that snowfall is needed to "rebuild those healthy snowpacks and replenish the surface water going into the spring."
- The family of an Edmonton man who died in Ukraine says they can't legally declare him dead because of challenges recovering his body. Joshua Mayers, a 34-year-old paramedic, died while serving as a medic with the Ukrainian military near Bakhmut on Nov. 10. His family said they learned of his death through a Telegram chat. A fundraiser has been set up to help his widow with legal, funeral, and mortgage expenses. A celebration of life is scheduled on Nov. 29 in Edmonton.
- Climate Justice Edmonton organized a protest outside City Hall to call for urgent action on renewable energy as Premier Danielle Smith prepares to attend the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. The rally, which was part of a global day of action, highlighted concerns with decisions from the provincial government, such as the moratorium on new renewable energy projects. A statement from the premier's office defended Alberta's energy sector, calling the province a "long-time global leader in energy production" that "continues to be at the forefront of the global energy transition towards new technology and innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
- The Alberta Sheriffs Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit is expanding, with four new positions in Edmonton and two in Calgary, following a $27.3-million provincial funding boost first announced in the 2023 budget. The SCAN unit collaborates with law enforcement to shut down properties involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking. In the past five years, the Edmonton SCAN team investigated 2,088 properties, resulting in 18 community safety orders. The SCAN unit was created in 2008, and has investigated more than 8,000 complaints across Alberta.
- Local businesses are hoping to draw in customers for the holiday season by creating advent calendars showcasing their products. Melissa Simon, owner of Chocolate Escapade, crafted a calendar featuring 24 unique chocolate flavours, which retails for $70. Analog Brewing offers a 12 Beers of Christmas box featuring collaborations with local brewers. The box is $75, with $5 from each sale supporting Edmonton's Food Bank. The owners of Vintage Fork Loose Leaf Tea have created an advent calendar that comes in three varieties: black tea, green tea, or a mixture. The box, which features a special surprise for the 24th day, retails for $59.99.
- Pokémon leagues are growing in popularity in Edmonton, with dozens of players from across Alberta descending upon Top Deck Games this weekend to compete in the Edmonton Pokémon League Cup. The trading card game attracts enthusiasts young and old, including those who have been collecting the cards for decades. League leader Tony Wong said the diversity among players is inspiring. "It's staggering at first," he told CBC. Edmonton has five Pokémon leagues and hundreds of players.
- The provincial government will use the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act this week to introduce a resolution against federal clean energy regulations. During her weekly radio call-in show on Nov. 25, Premier Danielle Smith expressed her frustration with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and noted that courts have recently ruled against the federal government for both its ban on single-use plastics and its proposed energy regulations. The sovereignty act, passed last year, allows Alberta to reject federal laws deemed harmful to the province, but has yet to be tested in court.
Headlines: Nov. 27, 2023
By Mariam Ibrahim