- Mayor Amarjeet Sohi launched a new campaign urging Edmontonians to demand the Alberta government pay its full property taxes on provincial buildings in the city. The Fair Compensation Project highlights the $80 million shortfall since 2019 caused by the province paying only half its property tax. While launching the campaign, Sohi emphasized the need for fair compensation to address the city's deficit and minimize future tax increases. The campaign website includes a letter residents can sign and send to the province.
- Edmonton city council approved a rezoning proposal for a new 31-storey tower on Jasper Avenue. Council passed the bylaw with an 8-4 vote, which will allow the proposed development to replace a surface parking lot at 12021 Jasper Avenue NW beside an existing tower. Residents expressed worries about increased traffic, construction disruption, and the strain on local parking, but administration said the project would increase density in a well-connected area.
- Edmonton Startup Week will host its 15th annual Launch Party on Oct. 16 at Fan Park at the Ice District. The event will celebrate local startups with a Canadian bush party theme, featuring flannel, toques, fire pits, and live music. Since 2010, the event has showcased more than 120 Edmonton-based tech companies, including DrugBank, Drivewyze, Showbie, and Jobber. Tickets are available online.
- Edmonton is set to open North America's first indoor triathlon training facility in 2026 at the Coronation Community Recreation Centre. The centre will offer swimming, cycling, and running training all under one roof. The facility will also have volleyball, basketball, and badminton courts, along with fitness areas and multipurpose spaces.
- Edify Edmonton published a profile of interim city manager Eddie Robar, who is faced with advising city council on how to reduce a looming 13% tax hike for 2025. With a maintenance shortfall in the billions, inflation pressures, and pandemic-related setbacks, Robar must find ways to balance the budget while maintaining essential services like transit and infrastructure, journalist Steven Sandor wrote in the article. Robar, who previously worked in operations, said he brings a fresh perspective to the role, and is focused on creating long-term sustainability and addressing structural budget issues.
- Earth's General Store announced it has closed for good after a last-ditch effort to raise enough funds to continue operating was unsuccessful. The store's owners announced online that all money raised through a GoFundMe campaign will be refunded.
- The newest academic building at Concordia University of Edmonton will be named Braaksma Hall to honour the Braaksma family, who are one of the post-secondary institution's largest donors and provided its largest-ever donation of more than $1.4 million in 2021. The $40-million building includes lecture halls, labs, and other learning spaces.
- Alberta's insurance regulator has issued a warning about unlicensed "ghost brokers" fraudulently selling car insurance, often targeting newcomers and people unfamiliar with the system. The scammers offer seemingly cheap insurance deals online or over the phone, but provide fake policies that leave victims uninsured. Consumers are advised to verify the legitimacy of insurance agents and watch for red flags such as upfront fees and unusually low rates.
- The Edmonton Oilers reduced their training camp roster on Oct. 1 by assigning six players to other teams. Phil Kemp, Ben Gleason, Collin Delia, and Lane Pederson were placed on waivers for assignment to the Bakersfield Condors, while James Hamblin was loaned to Bakersfield and Beau Akey to the Barrie Colts.
Headlines: Oct. 2, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim