- Edmonton city council will debate the municipal budget this month, which proposes an 8.1% property tax increase to maintain current service levels amid rising costs, including police, public transit, and debt payments for capital projects. The budget discussions, beginning Nov. 13, will address funding for neighbourhood renewals, infrastructure projects, and operating costs. Councillors will also discuss optional projects, such as land preparation for future schools and enhanced cleanup programs. Council previously approved a tentative 7% tax increase for 2025.
- November is Housing Month, an annual campaign led by Homeward Trust to raise awareness about the need for affordable housing. The month features events including supportive housing tours and webinars. The City of Edmonton says it plans to help address the housing gap by adding 2,700 new or renovated affordable housing units by 2026. Since 2019, the City has invested $254 million to create more than 5,500 units.
- Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Alberta legislature to oppose the UCP government's proposed legislation affecting transgender rights. The bills would ban gender-affirming surgeries for minors under 18, restrict hormone therapy for those under 15, require parental consent for name or pronoun changes in schools, and limit transgender women athletes from competing in sports against biological women. Critics argue the measures infringe on transgender rights, while the government says they would protect minors' future choices.
- A panel hosted by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association discussed downtown's current issues, which are partly due to its large size and high office vacancy rates. Experts emphasized the importance of creating a public-private investment strategy to revitalize the city's downtown without solely relying on government funding. While the downtown has areas like the ICE District and educational institutions contributing to its vibrancy, panellists noted that more focused density and housing are needed.
- An Edmonton Police Service officer is under investigation after accidentally running over a woman lying in a strip mall parking lot on Oct. 20. The incident, captured on security video obtained by Postmedia, happened as the officer responded to a welfare check call. The woman survived without serious injuries and refused further medical treatment, police said. The police service's major collision investigation section is investigating.
- University of Alberta students have launched a project called 'Have you seen my son?' to honour Edmonton soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars by hanging more than 100 commemorative posters along 100 Avenue in Edmonton. The project also features posters at city hall and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Museum until Nov. 12.
- Edify Edmonton released its 16th annual Top 40 Under 40 list highlighting the achievements of young people in Edmonton and surrounding areas. The magazine will host a celebration at the Winspear Centre on Nov. 20.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith received the support of 91.5% United Conservative Party members during her leadership review at the party's annual general meeting in Red Deer over the weekend. In a speech after the vote, Smith emphasized the importance of party unity and addressed criticism from groups that feel she hasn't fulfilled all her campaign promises. The party also passed several policy resolutions, including measures affecting transgender rights and environmental policies.
- Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur faced renewed criticism from cat rescue organizations after posting a photo of Halloween costumes referencing her past controversial comments about killing feral cats. Despite Katchur's apology for her earlier remarks, animal advocates, including Community Cats Edmonton and Zoe's Animal Rescue, expressed disappointment and questioned her decision to post the image on her mayoral Facebook page.
Headlines: Nov. 4, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim