- Edmonton city council voted 10-3 to send a letter asking Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) to reject an application from a Camrose casino to relocate to south Edmonton, citing a lack of time for public consultation and a negative effect on local charities. If the relocation is approved, Edmonton charities would see a 5% reduction in fundraising revenues and First Nations could see a 2% reduction, while rural charities would gain at least 50% more revenue. The AGLC declined a similar request to relocate in 2022.
- Coun. Tim Cartmell held a press conference focused on capital project management. Speaking outside a Stony Plain Road business, Cartmell called for accountability and transparency from administration, an overhaul of the City of Edmonton's integrated infrastructure services department, and the formation of an infrastructure committee with third-party experts to advise council. He said he would bring the proposals to council for debate in the fall. When asked if he plans to run for mayor, Cartmell hinted at a possible campaign pending the outcome of the province's Bill 20, which would allow the creation of municipal political parties.
- The City of Edmonton is spending $307,000 on security upgrades at city hall that include taller barriers in council chambers, "no standing" signs in a part of council chambers, and security doors that block access to most of the third floor, Postmedia reported. Some details of the upgrades are contained in a June 13 memo from interim manager Eddie Robar to council made public this week. The upgrades are the result of a security review that followed a shooting at city hall in January.
- The Edmonton Heritage Council released a statement declaring its commitment to preserving the former Royal Alberta Museum building in Glenora, after the province announced plans to demolish the site and turn it into green space. A petition from resident June Acorn and a petition from NDP MLA Sarah Hoffman are both calling on the province to save the building. Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein weighed in on the issue, arguing for "someone to put together a credible alternative vision" now that the building's existence is threatened. The Alberta government is running a survey until Aug. 30 to ask the public what they want the green space to look like.
- Upcoming concerts by Metallica and P!nk at Commonwealth Stadium are expected to collectively draw more than 157,000 people. Metallica is playing Aug. 23 and 25, and P!nk is playing Aug. 31. The City of Edmonton issued a public service announcement to inform concert-goers about transportation options to the stadium, its clear bag policy, and parking restrictions in neighbouring areas.
- Rail workers in Edmonton are among those picketing after CN and CPKC, Canada's two largest rail networks, locked out 9,300 engineers, conductors, and yard workers in the early morning of Aug. 22. The lockout follows months of tense labour negotiations, focused largely on rest periods, scheduling, and relocation, and put a halt to most freight train traffic in the country. Federal Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon has ordered binding arbitration to be imposed on the parties and said rail service could resume "within days."
Headlines: Aug. 23, 2024
By Kevin Holowack