- Edmonton city councillors will review a report by Explore Edmonton and Night Time Economy Solutions aimed at boosting the city's economy by encouraging nighttime activities. The report, which will be presented to executive committee on April 10, highlights the public's growing interest in late-night markets, shops, theatres, and restaurants, and emphasizes the need for improved transit and safety to increase nighttime traffic.
- The number of housing starts in Edmonton fell 10% in 2023 compared to 2022, with work beginning on 13,184 units last year, according to the latest housing supply report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The city also saw a 14% drop in purpose-built rental unit starts in 2023, and rental vacancy fell below 3%, meaning Edmonton now feels the "supply squeeze" that was already being felt in Calgary and elsewhere.
- A new study published in PLOS One looks at how climate change could affect the makeup of a city's wildlife. Under scenarios modelled by the researchers, Edmonton is among the Canadian cities that would see a large influx of new species. Canadian cities in general were predicted to gain more species and lose fewer species than American cities.
- Dr. Louis Francescutti, an emergency physician at Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital, spoke to The Globe and Mail about the link between housing and healthcare, noting a concerning trend of homeless patients cycling through emergency rooms due to inadequate housing. To help address the cycle, Francescutti and his colleagues launched the Bridge Healing Transition Accommodation Program last year, providing transitional housing for discharged homeless patients. The program has 36 recovery rooms in three buildings in west Edmonton.
- Edmonton Police Service Det. Thomas Hapke spoke to CTV News about the police response to gun crime in Edmonton. Hapke said the situation has changed since the Firearms Investigation Unit was created in 2019 to focus on "straw trafficking," or the illegal selling of legally purchased guns, with police now seeing an increase in 3D-printed and imported guns. The unit doubled from eight to 16 officers at the end of March with funding support from Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
- Dozens of Edmontonians rallied outside the office of Edmonton Centre Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault on April 1 as part of a nationwide protest again the federal carbon tax increase to $80 per tonne from $65. An "Axe the Tax" rally hosted by Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at the Edmonton EXPO Centre attracted thousands on March 27, including Premiere Danielle Smith and members of her caucus. Smith also spoke in opposition to the carbon tax increase at a House of Commons committee on March 28.
- Hudsons Canada's Pub in Old Strathcona is facing challenges with its patio setup because of city restrictions on its placement following work to widen the sidewalk. General Manager Connor Yakabuski expressed frustration over the inability to restore their patio as it was before construction in 2021, while the city acknowledged the tension between maintaining clear sidewalks and supporting businesses. The city is expected to meet with pub management this week.
- Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society has been working with the city for the past year on a pilot project called PAWSabilities. The pilot involves bringing dogs into downtown pedways and transit spaces to promote wellness and connection, and has had about 400 interactions since its launch.
- The southbound off-ramp from the Queen Elizabeth II Highway onto 50 Street in Leduc will close on April 6 due to ongoing construction on the 65 Avenue interchange project. The ramp will remain closed until the project is completed in 2025. The project is a collaboration between the City of Leduc, Alberta Transportation, and the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority. Southbound drivers can access Leduc through the 50 Avenue or Airport Road off-ramps.
- Several people weighed in on Premier Danielle Smith's comments last week that the province is on standby to help the City of Edmonton with its finances. Athabasca University professor Paul Kellogg said the city's finances are the result of a long-term decline in provincial funding, while Coun. Michael Janz said cities increasingly have to fill funding gaps caused by provincial cutbacks. Recent labour disputes, the city hall shooting, and the handling of encampments are also contributing to a sense of turmoil, commentators told CBC.
- Trailblazing Edmonton broadcaster and former CFRN news director Bruce Hogle, has died at the age of 95. Hogle was celebrated for transforming news coverage, notably by introducing live coverage of legislative proceedings and advocating for women in the newsroom. His contributions extended beyond journalism, including founding the Good Neighbour Fund and being invested into the Order of Canada in 1998 for community service efforts.
- The Royal Canadian Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary on April 1 with a fly past over the Alberta legislature grounds by the 408 "Goose" Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
- Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has been named the NHL's First Star of the Week after scoring three goals and assisting five more in three victories. McDavid is now just one assist away from becoming the fourth player in NHL history to achieve a 100-assist season and has contributed significantly to the team's success. The Oilers are likely to make the NHL playoffs, and playoff ticket prices have gone up for all seating areas in Rogers Place compared to 2023. Prices have increased 25-30% on average for the first round, 40-50% for the second round, 70% for the third round, and 50% for the fourth round.
- Emails received by Premier Danielle Smith's office in response to proposed LGBT and transgender policy changes in Alberta showed divided opinions, according to emails obtained by Postmedia through a freedom of information request. According to the emails, 56% supported the changes, while 42% were opposed. The changes would ban gender reassignment surgery for minors and restrict hormone therapy and sports participation for transgender athletes.
Headlines: April 2, 2024
By Kevin Holowack and Mariam Ibrahim