Headlines: May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack

The Edmonton Police Service faced scrutiny over its recent tear-down of a protest encampment during the May 16 Edmonton Police Commission meeting, which was switched to an online format due to safety concerns. Commissioners unanimously approved an information request regarding EPS policies on use of force and the absence of name tags on some officers. Chief Dale McFee defended the actions, citing increased agitation at protests, and said "arrests we made on campus show us this is true." The commission heard from 11 pre-registered speakers who criticized police actions and called for accountability.
The Edmonton Humane Society is supporting pets and pet owners who have evacuated from Fort McMurray and are staying at the Clareview Community Recreation Centre, which housed more than 50 animals as of May 16. Evacuated pet owners can request pet supplies from the society. Some evacuees have reported long waits and difficulties accessing accommodation and supplies in Edmonton. Cooler weather has given firefighters time to prepare, but the wildfire near Fort McMurray may continue burning for weeks or months.
CKUA Radio has launched letter-writing campaign in hopes of accessing federal funding. This follows a 13-day fundraiser last month, which raised about $1.8 million from nearly 7,000 donors. The station is seeking $3 million by Sept. 30 to stay on air. Many of the station's financial challenges stem from the federal government failing to come through on a multi-government financial commitment to buy the Alberta Hotel on Jasper Avenue in 2012, leaving CKUA with an "unexpected and unbudgeted" $6-million loan.
UDI - Edmonton Metro and CHBA – Edmonton Region have officially amalgamated to form BILD Edmonton Metro after a membership vote, with 92.1% of UDI members and 88.2% of CHBA members in favour. "We are thrilled to have a mandate from all facets of the real estate sector to speak as one voice," said the transition board chair. UDI - Edmonton Metro CEO Kalen Anderson will serve as the inaugural CEO for the new organization, which will develop a strategic plan and initiatives in the coming months.
CTV News visited Old Man Creek Nursery, a City of Edmonton-owned facility and green space in Sherwood Park, where volunteers have been growing food for Edmonton's Food Bank since 2020. Garden team lead Joy Lakhan said the initiative started to address food security issues during the pandemic, with yields nearly doubling since then. Last year, about 65,000 pounds of produce was harvested and donated, with another significant yield expected this year.
Jürgen Schreiber, CEO of the Oilers Entertainment Group, is under investigation by the Canada Revenue Agency for allegedly failing to fully declare Canadian assets and revenue while claiming primary residency in the Bahamas. A federal ruling has ordered Schreiber to provide extensive documentation from 2017-2019 to the CRA. Schreiber, formerly CEO of Rexall and Shoppers Drug Mart, joined the Katz Group, OEG's parent company, in 2016.
The province is investing $50.5 million over three years to build three water intake facilities in the Designated Industrial Zone, part of Alberta's Industrial Heartland northeast of Edmonton. The DIZ, established in 2022, includes Dow's Path2Zero facility, which is set to begin construction this year. The province noted that no new water intakes have been built in the area for more than a decade.
The City of Edmonton suggested several activities at municipal facilities for the May long weekend. Options include swimming at the Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool opening on May 18, attending a cello performance at the Muttart Conservatory on May 19, seeing giant inflatables at Eastglen Leisure Centre on May 20, and enjoying free activities at the City Hall Plaza hosted by the Edmonton Arts Council.
Sports broadcaster Darren Dutchyshen, longtime host of TSN's Sportscentre, has passed away at age 57 after battling prostate cancer for several years. Known for his passion and larger-than-life personality, Dutchyshen got his first big break in 1998 hosting Edmonton's only half-hour weeknight sportscast, ITV Sports Night.
Alberta Medical Association president Paul Parks spoke to Postmedia about the state of acute care in Alberta, describing it as an "aneurysm" ready to burst. He highlighted that 200,000 new residents have been added without additional resources. Parks noted potential caps on internal medicine services at the Misericordia and Grey Nuns hospitals, which could shift patients to other facilities. He also questioned the province's decision to split Alberta Health Services into four separate agencies, warning of potential disconnects.
The federal government is investing $78.5 million over four years through the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund to create more inclusive child care spaces in Alberta. The fund responds to requests from provinces and territories for developing a Canada-wide early learning and care system and will help Alberta meet its goal of 68,700 new child care spaces by 2026.