Headlines: Dec. 15, 2023

Dec. 15, 2023 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack

Edmonton Police Service Staff Sgt. Michael Dreilich sent an email on behalf of the Encampment Response Team to outreach agencies, informing them that eight "high risk encampments" containing 134 structures will be closed and cleaned beginning Dec. 18. The email said occupants "may need/seek immediate assistance from your respective agencies" and asks outreach workers to remain out of the encampment areas for safety reasons. Progress Report, which shared a screenshot of the emails online, said police are planning "what is likely the largest coordinated encampment eviction in Edmonton history." In recent months, police Chief Dale McFee has called for a stronger approach to encampments, while the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights has launched legal action to try to pause the city's dismantling of encampments.
Alberta Health Services has added 17 adult ICU beds in Edmonton hospitals and five in Calgary hospitals amid rising rates of respiratory virus cases. According to AHS, ICUs across Alberta were treating 76 people with influenza, 37 with COVID-19, and 11 with RSV as of Dec. 13. With the added beds, Alberta's overall ICU capacity was at 89% on Dec. 12, compared to 95% on Dec. 5. Influenza has been driving ICU admissions recently, with "quite a bit" of it among 40-60 year olds as well as the elderly, said Shelley Duggan, an Edmonton-based critical care physician and president-elect of the Alberta Medical Association.
The Graduate Students' Association at the University of Alberta released a report on the financial realities of graduate students based on an August online survey of 640 masters and PhD students. It found 40% of respondents have considered leaving their programs due to financial pressure, which is 10% higher than what a Canada-wide survey found in 2021. The report also raises concerns over the rising cost of housing, tuition, and food. Last month, the Campus Food Bank reported seeing unprecedented demand. The university approved a 5.5% tuition increase for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The city's On Demand Transit service has provided Edmontonians one million rides since it launched in April 2021. In a release, the city said On Demand Transit services 61 communities, 19 seniors residences, and 15 transit centres, and is Edmonton Transit Service's "first-kilometre/last-kilometre" solution in more than 50 communities that are below the threshold for conventional bus services or difficult for conventional buses to access. It is the largest On Demand transit service in Canada and the first with child-friendly seats.
Royal LePage forecasts that the aggregate home price across Canada will increase 5.5% between the fourth quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2024, a trend driven by anticipated minor interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada. Edmonton's aggregate home price is forecast to increase 4% in the same period, while the median price of a single-family detached property will rise 7% and the median price of a condominium will rise 2%. Tom Shearer with Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate said Edmonton should expect similar activity as in 2023, but there will likely be a rise in home values due to a supply-demand imbalance and large numbers of people moving to the city.
Edmontonians are invited to nominate their own or someone else's winterscape for the city's annual Winterscapes photo contest. Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible nominations, and all photos submitted will be featured on the city's Facebook page. Nominations open Dec. 16. This winter, city teams will also give winterscape workshops at neighbourhood parks.
Air Canada is increasing its service frequency from Edmonton to Montreal and Calgary next year. During peak summer 2024 service times, Air Canada will offer three daily flights to Montreal, up from two, and four daily flights to Calgary, up from three.
The Edmonton Elks shared its 2024 schedule. The team will start the season with a home opener on June 8 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders with their new starting quarterback Tre Ford. The Elks will be celebrating its 75th regular season in the CFL.
Effective Jan. 1, the province is raising the threshold for reporting collision damage to law enforcement to $5,000. The threshold was previously $2,000. In a release, the province said the change better reflects current vehicle repair costs and will free up law enforcement, reduce the need to report minor collisions, and make fraud more difficult. Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam said the association is pleased with the province's action, which aligns with a resolution its members passed at their 2023 convention.