- The city has saved about $5 million in contracted services and budgeted overtime because of a lack of snow during the driest November on record, but says that it's still too early to predict overall savings this season. Staff from the city's snow and ice control program have been redeployed to complete other work, such as pothole filling and park maintenance. The city says any unspent snow and ice clearing funds from the season could be put in the city's financial stabilization reserve.
- Businesses that rely on cold, wintry weather say the unusually warm temperatures so far this season have put a damper on activities. The Edmonton Ski Club says the above-average temperatures have made it difficult to fully open, with only one lift open and none of its snow guns operating. Snow removal contractors like Griffin Landscaping and Snow Removal Inc. say the lack of snow means reduced hours and income, as well as fewer overtime opportunities for their employees. Gary Hunt, owner of Sherwood Park-based Helpful Guys, says he has had a 50% drop in requests for property clearing services. "It's Christmas season, and it's the last part of the year, which is really important to all the workers," Hunt said.
- The Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board says the city's transit system need to improve safety, cleanliness, and service due to concerns about substance abuse and violence. The group, which presented a new report to the urban planning committee on Dec. 5, based its findings on surveys done from 2017 to 2022. Recommendations include forming an advisory board for safety, hiring cleaning teams, and enhancing service consistency. City administration said it has reviewed the recommendations, but noted work is ongoing to enhance safety, including investing more than $5 million for improvements. The discussion came one day after the Edmonton Police Service announced that a 55-year-old woman had been severely assaulted in a random attack on Nov. 26 at the Coliseum LRT Station platform, and the same day police asked for witnesses to a Nov. 12 attack at the same station that left a 58-year-old man with serious injuries.
- An Edmonton Police Service disciplinary hearing has ruled that Const. Matthew O'Mara will be demoted from a five-year constable to a three-year constable for assaulting a homeless man in December 2017 and leaving him in the river valley. O'Mara was found guilty of assault in 2019 and sentenced to 18 months of probation. The demotion will come into effect if O'Mara, who has been on medical leave since 2020, returns to work for the police service.
- Applications are now open for a new grant aimed at supporting gang violence intervention programs for at-risk youths. The grant is offered under the federal Building Safer Communities Fund. The city will distribute $1.5 million to new community-driven projects in 2024 through two streams: gang prevention and gang intervention/exiting. Programs can access a maximum of $250,000 per year for up to two years. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 31.
- University of Alberta president Bill Flanagan and vice-president of research and innovation Aminah Robinson Fayek are at the COP28 conference in Dubai to talk about the post-secondary institution's environmental efforts. The pair headlined a panel on Dec. 5 focused on net-zero energy solutions. Among the efforts being highlighted are the university's work on carbon capture and storage, including a geothermal project south of Grande Prairie, and its research into alternative fuels.
- The United Nurses of Alberta says it is "deeply concerned" about potential job losses as Alberta Health Services (AHS) undergoes restructuring efforts that include the creation of several new health service delivery agencies. The union said it received a letter from AHS indicating "there will be some reductions in positions" resulting from the creation of these new agencies. Union president Heather Smith said the uncertainty is making it difficult to retain and recruit nurses amidst ongoing staff shortages. "This is the opposite kind of signal that AHS should be sending to nurses and health care workers right now," Smith said. The concerns come as the union's 30,000 members prepare for collective bargaining in 2024.
- Jeff Jackson, CEO of Hockey Operations for the Edmonton Oilers, says he is confident the team is on the right track. "It was a rough start to the season for a few reasons, but the team's playing much better of late," Jackson said in an interview with TSN's Gino Reda. The team has won its last four games, and seven of the last 10. "If we can keep this going, we'll dig ourselves out of the hole we put ourselves in," Jackson added.
Headlines: Dec. 6, 2023
By Mariam Ibrahim