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Headlines: Nov. 8, 2024

· The Pulse
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  • The Edmonton Community Foundation announced a renewed purpose, vision, mission, and values for the organization along with a new brand centred on the theme "together, we thrive." The foundation has reached $400 million in cumulative grants and scholarships to charities and students since it was founded 35 years ago, wrote CEO Tina Thomas.
  • Edmonton Global issued an update on Forward/Slash, an economic summit started in 2022, which is continuing its "natural evolution" into a business-led movement. A steering committee has developed four goals for the summit that "would align the efforts" of public and private sector organizations, with this "shared vision and collaborative spirit" reflected in several community-driven projects. "I am confident that the groundwork laid over the past years will continue to empower local leaders to drive innovative, community-focused economic progress," said Edmonton Global CEO Malcolm Bruce.
  • Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to a fire at a housing project in the Holyrood area early in the morning on Nov. 7. It was the third fire at a home construction project in the past week, officials say. The blaze spread to a neighbouring home, causing extensive heat and water damage but no injuries. Although all three fires are considered suspicious, the Edmonton Police Service hasn't said if they are linked or deliberate.
  • The federal government's PrairiesCan department launched the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative, which is providing up to $50 million over two years to the residential home construction sector and its supply chain, with a goal of alleviating local housing pressures. The program will support manufacturing efficiency and "innovative homebuilding solutions," including modular homes, net-zero 3D printing, and mass timber construction. Businesses can express interest on an ongoing basis until the program closes in March 2026.
  • Total greenhouse gas emissions from Alberta's oilsands have risen by about 1% annually since 2019, compared to increases of about 5% per year over the preceding decade, but they will likely rise more quickly again starting in 2024 as the industry increases production, according to a report from S&P Global.
  • Edmonton chefs Doreen Prei, Jason Greene, and Julia Kundera won gold, silver, and bronze at the regional qualifier for the Canadian Culinary Championship 2025, with Prei going on to represent Edmonton at the main event in Ottawa from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. The three chefs appeared on Global News Morning to talk about their winning dishes.
  • Alberta's healthcare spending is projected to reach $45 billion in 2024, amounting to $9,370 per person, which places it between Manitoba and British Columbia but below Saskatchewan among the western provinces, according to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Nationally, healthcare spending is expected to grow by 5.7% in 2024, outpacing economic growth, a trend driven by an aging population, new residents, and supply pressures, Postmedia reported.
  • The Alberta government fired the entire board of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), saying the organization has consistently failed to meet its mandated benchmark returns. Between 2019 and 2023, AIMCo has increased its third-party management fees by 96% and its salary and benefit costs by 71%, while managing a smaller percentage of funds internally, the province said. Finance Minister Nate Horner was appointed sole director of AIMCo, with a new board to be appointed within 30 days.
  • The Edmonton Oilers are a "middle of the pack" team so far this season, sitting at 6-7-1 after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 6. This week, they ranked 27th for their power play and 30th in goals per game, while Connor McDavid is tied 84th in the league for scoring. "They can't quite put their finger on what's wrong, and can't quite wrap their hands around what's right," suggested sports writer Robert Tychkowski.
  • Edmonton Elks players Eugene Lewis, Nick Anderson, and Jake Julien were selected to play on the 2024 All-CFL Team. It's the first time since 2017 the Elks have multiple players represented on the team.