Headlines: Oct. 17, 2024

  • A judicial review for Coun. Jennifer Rice, who is facing allegations of misconduct, is set for May 6, 2026, about seven months after Edmonton's next municipal election. In August, the Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi councillor successfully applied for the judicial review to happen before her sanction hearing and before the publication of a report by the City of Edmonton's integrity commissioner that substantiated four allegations of harassment and one of discrimination. Rice has not indicated whether she plans to run for re-election.
  • Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi wrote an op-ed suggesting Edmonton can close its fiscal gap without sacrificing services. A report on the City of Edmonton's financial challenges, requested by Sohi, was presented to council's executive committee last week. The report emphasizes renewing Edmonton's infrastructure and becoming less dependent on residential property taxes, which can help address financial challenges like population growth and inflation without returning to the "days of austerity," Sohi wrote.
  • The City of Edmonton is on track to set an all-time record for housing starts and residential building permits, with housing starts up 48% and approved permits up 62% so far in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Apartments, row houses, mixed-use houses, secondary suites, and backyard houses make up 68% of Edmonton's total permitted residential units so far this year, which is about 21% higher than a decade ago. Edmonton accounts for 6% of housing starts in Canada so far this year, while making up just 2.5% of the country's population.
  • Casia Developments has proposed building two 25-storey residential towers on 124th Street near the Valley Line West LRT. The developer says the project aims to revitalize the area and contribute to Edmonton's vision of increasing foot traffic along key corridors. However, CBC News spoke to local business owner Sandy Muldrew, who fears the towers would be too high and could change the street's welcoming atmosphere. City council is set to review the proposal at a public hearing on Oct. 21.
  • A house fire in central Edmonton has alarmed residents in Cloverdale after some reported receiving extortion notes threatening similar destruction if they don't pay in cryptocurrency. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to the blaze around 3am on Oct. 13, evacuating nearby homes and extinguishing the fire by 6am. The Edmonton Police Service is investigating and says it will release more information this week.
  • CBC's This is Edmonton podcast took a look at the shortage of ice time in the city as hockey season kicks off. CBC producer Emily Williams and host Clare Bonnyman discussed why the issue matters to families. The episode also looked at a private rink on the south side that offers a "premium skate experience."
  • An Edmonton man was arrested and charged after hitting a pedestrian with an electric dirt bike on the dedicated walking and cycling path below the Dudley B. Menzies LRT Bridge on Oct. 13. The pedestrian, a 68-year-old man, was taken to hospital and died from his injuries.