- More than 500 affordable rental units in the Griesbach neighbourhood in north Edmonton are set to be demolished by the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown company that has plans to build in the area as part of its Village at Griesbach development. In March, Canada Lands evicted 174 families, and about 2,000 people will have to leave over the next five years. The situation has raised questions about gentrification and the federal government's response to the housing crisis, Postmedia reported.
- A suspicious fire in the Desrochers neighbourhood in southwest Edmonton destroyed a multi-unit housing project and several townhomes, displacing more than 100 residents. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to the fire just before 4:30am on Sept. 18, bringing it under control about seven hours later. The Edmonton Police Service is investigating and has asked area residents to keep dash or home security footage from that day.
- The City of Edmonton, in an effort to streamline business licence processing, is allowing applicants to attach their development and building permits to their applications. This will reduce processing time by up to 30%, the City said.
- The province has released more details in its $8.6-billion plan to build schools across Alberta, which Premier Danielle Smith first announced in a pre-recorded televised address. The funding will support construction on 30 public schools, modernize five older schools, and either build, renovate, or expand five charter schools annually for three years, the province says.
- Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean's suggestion to use public money to clean up thousands of abandoned oil wells while lowering tax burdens on companies drew criticism that the plan favours energy companies. "This narrative that (reducing) municipal taxes is what's going to save the industry is a completely ridiculous notion," said Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Paul McLauchlin. He said 94% of companies pay taxes without issue, and that municipal taxes are low on a well owner's list of expenses.
- The Edmonton Oilers started training camp on Sept. 18, beginning their campaign as a favourite to win the season. Players spent the summer dwelling on their one-goal loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, The Canadian Press reported. Meanwhile, forward Evander Kane will undergo surgery, which will sideline him into the start of the season. The Oilers have also hired retired NHL player Zack Kassian, who was with the Oilers from 2015 to 2022, as a pro scout.
Headlines: Sept. 19, 2024
By Kevin Holowack