Headlines: April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

The City of Edmonton is preparing for wildfire season and urging Edmontonians to play their part by adhering to fire bans and restrictions and to be mindful of actions that could spark fires. There have been more than 145 wildfires in Edmonton since Jan. 1, and last year's historic season in Alberta included "significant grass fires" that "came close to communities," said Edmonton Fire Rescue Services Chief Joe Zatylny, noting firefighters train throughout the year to remain prepared. Alberta Wildfire is also preparing for a challenging season this year, with about 850 firefighters ready to combat the increased fire danger due to drought conditions.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569 has filed a bad-faith bargaining complaint against the City of Edmonton with the Alberta Labour Relations Board, after it said the city refused to allow the union's strategic advisors to be present at the negotiation table. This dispute comes as negotiations for a new the Edmonton Transit Service collective agreement, which expired on Dec. 30, were set to begin. "It's creating a bad working relationship," union president Steve Bradshaw said.
Edmonton pinball enthusiast Dave Formenti achieved an extraordinary high score of 6.2 billion points on a Foo Fighters pinball machine at Sherbrooke Pub, a feat that earned a nod from the game's chief designer, Jack Danger. Formenti's accomplishment came after years of playing pinball, a hobby he shares with his wife. "I'm terribly grateful for people acknowledging that it's something a little bit special," Formenti said.
Edmonton's Cameron Heights Community League will build a new community hall with support from a $699,085 grant from Alberta's Community Facility Enhancement Program. The new facility will provide space for community league programming, events, and activities in the neighbourhood, which has a lack of community gathering spaces. It will be the 128th community league hall in the city, according to the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is grappling with a $1.9-million budget shortfall due to unexpected high repair and replacement costs for its aging fleet. In a conversation with Coun. Keren Tang livestreamed on Facebook, Fire Chief Joe Zatylny highlighted the challenges of managing increased costs across the board, including fuel and maintenance. Tang said the challenge is compounded by decreased provincial funding for infrastructure. "We have a government that's telling people to move here, they're giving folks a moving bonus for certain trade workers, yet they're not funding communities to develop the infrastructure to keep these people in place," she said.
Edmonton has shown a slight improvement in office vacancies in the first quarter of 2024, with a modest decrease of 0.6%, according to a report from CBRE Canada: Commercial Real Estate Services. Edmonton's office vacancy rate stands at 22.3% downtown and 19% in the suburbs, as discussions continue about converting less desirable office buildings into residential spaces to revitalize the city's core. Despite a push for municipal financial support for conversion projects, Edmonton's city council recently rejected a motion for an incentive program.
Former Edmonton city manager Andre Corbould has joined Danchilla Consulting, the company announced. Corbould left his role with the City of Edmonton on April 3, after a little more than three years in the position.
Victoria Golf Course will open on April 17, followed by Riverside Golf Course on April 18, the City of Edmonton announced. Rundle Golf Course and Victoria Driving Range are already open to the public. Golfers in Edmonton can book tee times and lessons for both youth and adults online.
Recreational properties near Edmonton are seeing increased demand, with Lake Wabamun properties experiencing a nearly 20% price jump, the highest in Canada. The average price for a single-family detached recreational home in Alberta was about $1.238 million at the end of 2023, according to the 2024 Spring Recreational Property Price Forecast by Royal LePage. Tom Shearer of Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate said areas like Wabamun Lake, Pigeon Lake, and Lac Ste. Anne appeal to buyers because their proximity to Edmonton offers a quick escape for city residents.
Edmonton's neonatal intensive care units are operating beyond safe capacity levels, risking the health of vulnerable infants, the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association said in an open letter to Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and Alberta Health Services. LaGrange said the province is willing to transport infants to other cities or provinces to ensure they receive necessary care. Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley said raising the option of transferring babies out of province for care is a "declaration of failure by this UCP government."
Alberta's 2024 budget includes a $21-million increase in operating funding for the province's affordable housing providers, raising the total to $75 million for 2024-25. This boost aims to support the maintenance and operation of more than 60,000 government-subsidized homes for more than 110,000 Albertans, addressing rising costs and ensuring low-income individuals and families have access to affordable housing. Edmonton-based Civida said the funding will help it maintain and renew its housing while managing pressure from inflation.
The Canadian Association of Journalists announced the finalists for its 2023 awards, including Edmonton photojournalist Amber Bracken and Edmonton journalist Brandi Morin. The winners will be announced at a gala in Toronto on June 1.
Edmonton Oilers fans are expressing frustration over the high cost of tickets to the NHL playoffs at Rogers Place, with prices for the first round about 25% higher than they were last year. The least expensive ticket for Game 1 was a verified resale ticket for $283 in the upper bowl. The Oilers are once again hosting watch parties at ICE District Plaza and Scotiabank Fan Park. The events have free admission and are open to all ages, though space is limited. Rogers Place will also host indoor watch parties for away games with a $5 entry fee benefiting Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. The foundation is also selling 50/50 raffle tickets for the first round of the playoffs, with proceeds benefitting the Kids With Cancer Society, Ben Stelter Foundation, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Edmonton Oilers player Evander Kane was given a maintenance day on April 15, sitting out the team's match-up against the San Jose Sharks. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Kane would have played if it was a playoff game, but he wanted to give him time to rest and heal. Kane has been the subject of significant scrutiny this season, and was recently fined $5,000 for slashing Calgary Flames player Dryden Hunt in an April 6 game.