Headlines: Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

Edmonton retailers are concerned about disruptions to their busy holiday season because of a potential Canada Post strike, as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers issued a 72-hour strike notice on Nov. 12. Many small businesses that rely heavily on Canada Post for shipping and invoicing are preparing for possible impacts and increased strain on the shipping system. Some retailers, such as Audrey's Books, are finding alternative solutions, but the situation remains uncertain as negotiations continue.
Edmonton's bylaw banning plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam containers has been in effect for 500 days without any tickets issued. The City of Edmonton has instead sent 55 "education letters" to non-compliant businesses. While some residents and officials believe the single-use item reduction bylaw is encouraging more people to use reusable bags, others have concerns about its effectiveness as some businesses repeatedly violate the ban. The City is seeking feedback on the bylaw through an online survey open until Nov. 19.
The owners of the historic Princess Theatre on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton are seeking buyers who will preserve its cultural significance, rejecting offers to convert it into retail or dining spaces. Despite the building's need for repairs and challenges like vandalism, the owners remain committed to finding a buyer to maintain its legacy in the arts community. The theatre closed in 2021 and was listed for sale the following year.
The Canadian Condominium Institute North Alberta Chapter is criticizing the rollout of Edmonton's waste collection program for apartments and condos, citing issues like overflowing bins and higher private waste removal costs. The City of Edmonton has made efforts to educate residents about the program, which collects garbage, food scraps, and recycling separately, but the organization says the program should be slowed down. Currently, 28% of Edmonton's condos and apartments have adopted the program, with plans to expand further across the city.
The University of Alberta announced it will cut its Golden Bears and Pandas swim programs at the end of the 2024-25 season because of financial constraints and the lack of a competitive swimming facility. The decision shocked and saddened many involved with the programs, which have been part of the university since 1948.
Carol Powder, an Indigenous woman in Edmonton, is struggling to find housing for herself, her husband, and her 10 grandchildren after being forced out of their previous home due to the landlord selling the property. Despite her efforts to secure a new rental, Powder said she faces discrimination from landlords who refuse to rent to Indigenous people. The situation, compounded by the city's low rental vacancy rate of 2.3%, highlights broader issues of housing discrimination and affordability challenges faced by Indigenous families in Edmonton, said Blake Jackman, housing director for Native Counselling Services of Alberta.
Mary McEachern, a 101-year-old widow from Edmonton, is in a legal dispute with the Rotary Foundation of Canada over her late husband Steve McEachern's $40-million estate, which he initially designated to Rotary in his will. Mary said her husband intended to amend his will to distribute the funds among various Canadian charities, including several in Edmonton and Alberta, before he died in 2020. She has offered the Rotary $13 million, but the organization continues to pursue legal action.
With Edmonton's unofficial Christmas shopping season underway, local businesses like the Makers Keep are seeing increased foot traffic but smaller average transaction amounts. Data from Moneris shows that while the number of transactions in Alberta is rising, average spending per transaction is decreasing, reflecting a trend of cautious consumer spending amid inflation.
Joan Hertz of ATB Financial and Malcolm Bruce of Edmonton Global published an op-ed in Postmedia highlighting how the Edmonton region is positioning itself as a leader in AI innovation within construction and engineering. The AI x CE Strategy, backed by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, aims to integrate AI into construction and engineering, enhancing productivity, safety, and efficiency across upcoming large-scale projects. The effort showcases the region's commitment to becoming a competitive, forward-thinking hub for AI-driven industrial advancements, they wrote.
The Alberta government is considering former Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the new chair for the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) after dismissing the CEO and entire board. Premier Danielle Smith reportedly has long favoured Harper for the role, Postmedia reported, but prior business interests needed to be addressed to prevent potential conflicts of interest. The province has appointed Ray Gilmour as interim CEO, with Finance Minister Nate Horner temporarily serving as board chair until a permanent leadership team is established.
The federal government has launched the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI) to address AI safety risks and promote responsible AI development, as part of a $2.4-billion investment announced in Budget 2024. CAISI will leverage Canada's AI research ecosystem, including the Edmonton-based Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), to advance AI safety measures and international collaboration. The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), leveraging a $27 million government grant, will support CAISI's work by leading the applied and investigator-led research stream.