- Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi criticized the UCP government's Bill 20, which introduces new regulations on campaign expenses and donations, and allows local political parties and slates to register for municipal elections. Sohi argued the legislation favours political parties over independent candidates and increases election costs by mandating manual vote counting. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said the changes are intended to "increase accountability, transparency, and public trust in local elections," but the Alberta NDP says the bill undermines local democracy and imposes unnecessary provincial control over municipal affairs. With the new regulations set to take effect on Oct. 31, Edmonton Elections is updating its procedures and will host an online information session the same day about the changes.
- Postmedia published an analysis of Edmonton city council voting records that show a core group of five councillors, including Amarjeet Sohi, Keren Tang, Ashley Salvador, Anne Stevenson, and Jo-Anne Wright, are consistently driving council decisions. Sohi is the leading force on council, winning nearly 90% of votes, while two councillors, Jennifer Rice and Karen Principe, align less frequently with the majority.
- Edmonton Public Schools support workers, represented by CUPE Local 3550, are set to strike for the first time, protesting the Alberta government's wage cap that limits salary increases despite rising living costs. The union, which includes teaching assistants and other staff, argues that wage restrictions and inadequate funding are exacerbating a labour shortage, leading to burnout among current employees. The strike is set to begin on Oct. 24. The school board said in a statement it remains committed to negotiating an agreement to avoid classroom disruptions.
- An Edmonton Public Library program called Together We Grow, which brings infants and their parents to sing and listen to stories at retirement residences, received an award for excellence and innovation from Alberta's municipal affairs minister. The program, started at Rutherford Heights Retirement Residence, aims to foster connections between young children and seniors. The library plans to build on the program's success by sharing its model with other libraries across Alberta.
- The Edmonton Police Service conducted a traffic enforcement blitz on Oct. 11, issuing 1,342 tickets in a single day, which was more than the 902 total tickets issued in all of September. The effort focused primarily on speeding, with 922 speeding tickets among the violations.
- The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is marking Small Business Week by hosting a series of events at the World Trade Centre Edmonton, providing resources and connections to help small businesses thrive and expand beyond Edmonton. Members and non-members are encouraged to participate in five days of learning and networking.
- Grande Boulevard in Edmonton's Summerside neighborhood will transform into Candy Corn Lane for Halloween, creating a festive atmosphere with elaborate decorations. Neighbourhood resident Rhonda Navratil said the tradition attracts thousands of children and includes an accessible Halloween event on Oct. 20 for children with disabilities.
- A new report by economist Jack Mintz for the Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends Alberta remove caps on insurance premiums, lower the provincial insurance tax rate, and introduce limited no-fault coverage to address rising insurance costs. The report argues that current price controls are ineffective, leading to higher costs and insurers leaving the province. The Alberta government is considering the recommendations as part of its work to reform the car insurance system.
- United Conservative Party members have proposed a resolution to remove carbon dioxide's designation as a pollutant and abandon net-zero targets. The resolution is set to be debated at the party's annual general meeting in Red Deer, scheduled for Nov. 1 and 2. University of Alberta professor Andrew Leach criticized the proposal as anti-scientific, warning it could isolate Alberta globally and harm the province's reputation. The policy, if passed, would not be binding, but Leach said it reflects internal party pressure on climate change issues.
- The Alberta Order of Excellence has announced its 2024 inductees, recognizing eight people for their contributions in fields such as art, science, justice, literature, public service, health, and commerce. Among the honorees are Edmonton's Robert Foster, a pharmaceutical scientist, and former mayor Stephen Mandel.
Headlines: Oct. 21, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim