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Headlines: Nov. 5, 2024

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton and surrounding areas were set to experience their first significant snowfall of the season into the morning of Nov. 5, with up to 5 cm of snow expected. Commuters should prepare for potentially slippery roads, though the snow is expected to be short-lived as temperatures increase by the weekend.
  • Edmonton's Mill Creek Trestle Bridge, a historic structure built in 1902, will be replaced due to its age. The new bridge will closely resemble the original while meeting modern design standards, the City said. Construction is set to begin in late 2025, though the bridge remains safe for pedestrians and cyclists until then.
  • Qualico Properties plans to increase the height of its next downtown Edmonton tower to 37 storeys. The building, called The Switch, is located at the Station Lands site and was initially planned to be 25 storeys tall. The development is intended to help revitalize the downtown core by attracting more residents, particularly students, said Mike Saunders with Qualico.
  • The Conference Board of Canada's latest economic outlook for Edmonton highlights strong population growth and an active housing market as key drivers of economic opportunities in the city. With an expected influx of 58,000 newcomers in 2024, Edmonton's economy is poised for continued growth, said economist Robin Wiebe. The completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is also expected to further boost Alberta's economic prospects by enhancing crude oil export capacity.
  • The Alberta government introduced new legislation to create a provincial tribunal to help resolve disputes between condominium owners and corporations. The legislation includes changes to the Condominium Property Act, such as enforcing chargebacks for damages directly from responsible owners and establishing new voting procedures for condo boards. It also proposes technical requirements for construction of new condos.
  • Murray Sinclair, an Anishinaabe senator and Manitoba lawyer who led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, died on Nov. 4 at the age of 73. Sinclair was celebrated for his dedication to Indigenous rights and justice, having significantly influenced Canada's understanding of its history with residential schools and playing a pivotal role in the journey toward reconciliation.
  • National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated and Indigenous Services Canada announced more than $22.3 million in funding for five Indigenous-led housing projects in Alberta. Among the organizations selected were NiGiNan Housing Ventures and Buffalo Keeper Nehiyaw Centre, both based in Edmonton. The funding is part of a broader $277.8 million in funding for 75 projects across Canada to address critical housing needs.
  • The Edmonton Arts Council has named Renée Williams as its new executive director, effective Nov. 12. Williams previously held senior roles at Fort Edmonton Park Management Company and Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. She takes over the role from Sanjay Shahani, who led the organization from July 2016 to March 2024.
  • The Alberta government introduced legislation to enable provincially regulated banks, such as credit unions and ATB Financial, to offer halal mortgage options to home buyers. Currently, interest-free financing options aligned with Islamic principles are only available through private lenders, but these new options would be accessible to all Albertans regardless of faith. The legislation, tabled Nov. 4, would also introduce a new $200 annual tax on electric vehicles and sets a default annual increase for social benefit programs like Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).
  • The federal government, through Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced more than $4.3 million in funding for five projects supporting Alberta's aerospace and aviation industry. Key initiatives include the Alberta Aerospace and Defence Conference, which is hosted by the Alberta Aviation Council, a mentorship program by Elevate Aviation, and the development of an aerospace composite materials laboratory at SAIT.
  • Hundreds of students participated in the No Stone Left Alone ceremony on Nov. 4 by placing poppies on every veteran's headstone at Edmonton's Beechmount Cemetery. The event, held annually to mark Remembrance Day, involved more than 11,000 students in 200 communities in nine countries last year.
  • Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid returned to the ice for the first time since injuring his ankle, participating in an optional practice with the team on Nov. 4. Although initially expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, McDavid says he is optimistic about his recovery. No date has been set for his return to play.
  • The Edmonton Oilers game against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 4 was exclusively broadcast on Amazon Prime instead of Sportsnet. The broadcast is part of a Prime Monday Night Hockey deal between the NHL and Amazon, which includes four Oilers games for the 2024-25 season. Other Oilers games set to be broadcast on Prime will be against the Montréal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, and Los Angeles Kings.