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Headlines: Oct. 4, 2024

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton city council voted to set aside the idea of installing fare gates at LRT stations as part of a two-year pilot project, which would have cost $7.2 million. Officials said the gates might reduce fare evasion and boost perceptions of safety, but they wouldn't reduce crime and disorder. Instead, council voted to explore reallocating money from security guards to peace officer patrols and asking the province if it can grant those peace officers additional authorities.
  • A new report analyzing the City of Edmonton's capital and operating shortfalls notes that regional drivers account for about 32% of daily road use, resulting in "an overprovision of road network infrastructure," and higher operating and renewal costs. Coun. Michael Janz called the finding "shocking" and wants new cost-sharing agreements with neighbouring municipalities and the province. "It is putting Edmonton on a path to fiscal ruin if we do not figure out a new funding deal to make the region pay their fair share, make the province pay their fair share, and provide alternatives to driving," Janz said. The same report found that about 9% of daily road use on regional roadways is from Edmonton residents.
  • The Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre is opening its new facility next week, marking a needed expansion to accommodate an 85% rise in requests for services over the last five years. At 30,000 square feet, the new space at 14325 112 Avenue NW is more than twice as big as the old space at Jasper Avenue and 109 Street NW, where the Zebra Centre has been for the past 22 years. The organization says it needs $6.2 million to fully build and operationalize the new building, and so far, has raised $4.8 million through community donations alone.
  • In an op-ed, Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein warns Edmonton may be in store for "traffic nightmares" with three downtown bridges—the Dawson Bridge, the Low Level Bridge, and the High Level Bridge—scheduled to be shut down for rehabilitation in 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. Rehabilitation projects are "coming up in the same time frame, one after the other, and that does have an impact," said Natalie Lazurko, the City of Edmonton's director of transportation planning.
  • The Edmonton International Airport plans to re-open a departures ramp on Oct. 31 after it was closed for upgrades in September 2023. The ramp will now have two lanes to improve traffic flow to the busy departures terminal.
  • A report by Point2Homes ranked Edmonton third among 20 Canadian cities for how long it takes first-time homebuyers to save for a 20% down payment on an average-priced home. In Edmonton, someone with a local median income would take four years to save for the down payment, according to the report. The finding reaffirms that "Edmonton remains affordable for first-time buyers," said Nathan Mol with Liv Real Estate.
  • Deputy Chief Darren Derko and Const. Chantel Gullaher of the Edmonton Police Service appeared on CTV Morning Live to discuss body cameras, which were rolled out to 280 Edmonton police officers last month after the Alberta government mandated body cameras for all police in 2023.
  • The City of Edmonton is offering $1 million worth of grants to Indigenous-led, not-for-profit organizations to cover operating expenses. The Operating Grant for Indigenous-led Organizations program is part of the reconciliation pillar of the city's Community Safety and Well-Being Strategy. Last year, the program provided funding to 20 organizations. The deadline to apply is Dec. 18.
  • Faceoff: Inside the NHL, a new six-part Prime Video docuseries launching Oct. 4, features insights from key players and reveals "what life on and off the ice is really like" for top players. The episode "Cup or Bust Part I" prominently features Edmonton Oilers players Zach Hyman, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid, who was filmed delivering a passionate message in the locker room after the team's Game 2 loss to the Florida Panthers during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs finals.
  • For the Edmonton Elks, there is almost no hope of making the playoffs this season after back-to-back losses against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. While some mid-season momentum got fans excited, the team is likely to remain on the no-playoffs streak it has been on since 2020. "They got me good," wrote sports columnist Gerry Moddejonge.
  • ATB Financial, in its latest Alberta economic forecast, says the province's GDP will grow 2.5% in 2024 and 2.8% in 2025, far outpacing the national economy. Alberta's economy is now "finding its stride," with renewed prospects in the energy sector, a home construction boom, and momentum in emerging industries, like tech, says ATB.