Headlines: Feb. 7, 2024

Feb. 7, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

Edmonton's community and public services committee agreed to restore landscaping funding to 2019 levels during its Feb. 5 meeting, which was the first regular meeting to happen since the Jan. 23 attack at city hall. The committee, which met online as city hall remains closed to the public, unanimously approved a proposed $1.3 million ongoing increase for turf maintenance and $900,000 for horticulture operations. If approved by council, the funding would address the expanded green space that city crews are responsible for compared to 2019, totalling an additional 197 hectares for turf and 334,621 more square metres for horticulture.
Edmonton's Animal Care and Control Centre has stopped taking in healthy animals because of space shortages exacerbated by a recent influx of dogs and cats. The centre is giving priority to animals that are injured or in distress, and is urging people who find animals to attempt to reunite them with their owners or care for them until an appointment can be arranged. The city also has resources available to support pet owners who are struggling with care costs.
The Edmonton International Airport said it served 7.5 million passengers in 2023, a 29% increase over 2022 and a more than 90% recovery of its pre-pandemic numbers. A study shows the economic output of YEG and the Villeneuve Airport rose to $4.9 billion in 2023.
The Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro shared in an online post that Edmonton's urban planning committee has directed city administration to work with it on advancing the Downtown Pedestrianization Plan and implement short-term actions. The organization has partnered with Paths for People, the Downtown Edmonton Community League, the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, and the Downtown Recovery Coalition on the development of the plan, which outlines ways to make the city's downtown safer and more accessible for Edmontonians.
The mayors of St. Albert, Edmonton, Morinville, Strathcona County, Gibbons, Fort Saskatchewan, and Beaumont have formed a subcommittee to work with the board of directors at Edmonton Global to find ways to improve the organization's operations. Five municipalities have voted to leave Edmonton Global in recent months. St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron said she's optimistic they will reverse course.
Edmonton Oilers fans flocked to Las Vegas to watch the team in its historic bid to tie an NHL record for most consecutive wins. The Oilers ultimately lost their Feb. 6 game against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1, ending the team's winning streak at 16 games, one shy of the league record of 17 set by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1992-93 season. "You forget sometimes how bad you hate losing. It's a good reminder," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after the game.
Item removal company Just Junk has started a community "freecycle" program, opening its Edmonton warehouse at 9766 54 Avenue every Monday night to offer salvaged furniture to those in need. Owner Peter Carvalho said about 150 people come through the warehouse each Monday night. He started the initiative to support people in need and reduce waste by saving items from the landfill.
Leduc city council voted to declare its commitment to uninterrupted emergency shelter spaces during a meeting on Feb. 5 that featured dozens of impassioned speakers. The city's only homeless shelter, the Leduc Hub Association, could close by April 30 unless it finds a new location. The hub also provides support services and meals to Leduc's homeless community, its executive director told council.
The Edmonton Elks announced they have signed two-time Grey Cup champion kicker Boris Bede to a two-year contract. Bede, 34, previously spent three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts.