Headlines: April 10, 2024

April 10, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

The City of Edmonton launched the Chinatown Vibrancy Fund, a grant program allocating $480,000 to support community projects to help enhance Chinatown's vibrancy, inclusivity, and cultural significance. The fund is part of more than $1 million invested since 2022 for post-pandemic recovery efforts in Chinatown. Local businesses, community members, and the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society welcomed the grant, emphasizing the need for more involvement and action to ensure the area's viability and appeal.
Edmonton city council will consider new regulations on knife sales in convenience stores in response to concerns about safety and the prevalence of knives among youth. There's been an increase of Chinatown businesses selling knives, swords, brass knuckles, and bear spray, Sandy Pon of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society told council's urban planning committee. A report on options available to council is expected by late summer or September. The Edmonton Police Service announced this week that the owner of a downtown smoke shop faces charges after police seized more than 100 illegal weapons that were being sold in the store.
The City of Edmonton announced the opening of its municipal golf courses for the 2024 season. Rundle Golf Course is scheduled to open on April 10, offering an 18-hole course suitable for beginners and families, while the Victoria Driving Range is already open, with extended summer hours of 9am to 9pm beginning May 1. Edmontonians can book tee times and lessons online.
The Edmonton Public School Board announced that Oliver School has been renamed to wîhkwêntôwin School, aligning with the recent renaming of its surrounding neighbourhood to the Cree term meaning "circle of friends." The change comes as part of a broader effort to rectify the historical injustices associated with the neighbourhood's previous namesake, Frank Oliver, who was known for policies targeting Indigenous peoples and immigrants.
Hundreds of Edmontonians gathered at the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observatory at Coronation Park to safely view the partial solar eclipse on April 8. The TELUS World of Science, which co-hosted the viewing event, also livestreamed the eclipse for those who couldn't see it in person.
Alberta Health Services is investigating after Perla Estrada, an undocumented woman, said she was denied an emergency C-section at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton unless she paid $5,000 upfront. Estrada, who is originally from Mexico, was later admitted to the Misericordia Community Hospital where she gave birth to her daughter. Advocates and health experts criticized the denial of care based on immigration status. AHS policy states that emergency care should not be denied due to lack of medical insurance.
A daytime shooting at a construction site in southeast Edmonton on April 8 killed two men, including Buta Singh Gill, a prominent member of the city's South Asian community and owner of Gill Built Homes. The shooting, which also left one man with serious life-threatening injuries, is not believed to be connected to recent extortion-related cases targeting home builders in the South Asian community. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, who worked with Gill while both were employed by Edmonton Transit Service, highlighted his significant contributions to the community.
The Edmonton Oilers are taking a cautious approach with captain Connor McDavid, who has a lower body injury and hasn't participated in the team's last two practices. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said the decision on McDavid's participation in the team's April 10 game against the Vegas Golden Knights will be a collaborative one that includes the Oilers medical team. "He's day-to-day. It's a maintenance thing," Knoblauch said.
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais is the Oilers nominee for the 2023-24 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the Edmonton chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association announced. The Masterton Trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best showcases perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Meanwhile, the Art Ross Trophy for most regular-season points could be awarded to a player other than an Oiler for the first time in five years. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning is currently in the lead with 136 points, with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche following with 133 points. Oilers captain Connor McDavid trails with 130 points.
The Edmonton Elks announced three new additions to their roster by signing Hergy Mayala, Shane Richards, and Hunter Steward. The Elks also placed defensive lineman Chauncey Manac on the retired list following his signing in January 2024.
The Alberta government introduced legislation to establish the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE), a new Crown corporation that will focus on the province's approach to mental health and addiction treatment, with a focus on recovery. Critics have raised concerns about the potential for political influence over its activities and research, while Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams said the province has to listen to "whatever evidence comes out of the best possible research." The province said CoRE will collaborate with universities and other institutions for research, with an annual operating budget of $5 million.