- The City of Edmonton says its efforts to streamline housing development processes have increased Edmonton's housing supply, with 10,847 housing starts and 12,655 building permits issued by the end of October 2024. The City says prioritizing affordable housing permits, automating permit approvals, and reducing tax rates for multi-unit buildings contributed to meeting housing targets set in its Housing Accelerator Fund agreement with the federal government.
- The Edmonton Social Planning Council published its 2024 Living Wage report, which found Edmonton's living wage is $20.85, a decrease of $1.40 from 2023. The change is due in part to reduced expenses for clothing, footwear, and childcare, along with increased government benefits. It's the first time since 2015 Edmonton has had a decrease in the living wage.
- The former St. Paul Lutheran Church in King Edward Park is being transformed into 11 low-income housing units and a community meeting space as part of a multi-jurisdictional affordable housing project involving local and federal government support. The units will be operated by the Right at Home Housing Society. Construction is expected to be done in December.
- Shootings in Edmonton decreased by 46% in the first 10 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, although the number of shootings in October was similar to last year's, according to figures from the Edmonton Police Service. Additionally, police have confiscated fewer firearms overall in 2024, with 695 collected compared to 733 in 2023. Despite the drop in shootings, the number of homicides in the city is similar to last year's.
- WestJet announced its 2025 summer schedule, which will boost its presence at Edmonton International Airport and increase seat capacity by 23% compared to last summer. The airline is introducing two new routes from Edmonton, offering flights to Salt Lake City five times a week and to Chicago three times a week. Nine other Canadian airports will also see increased WestJet traffic.
- Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein wrote that Edmonton city council likely made a "wise choice in opting for continuity" by appointing Eddie Robar as city manager, a role he has held on an interim basis for seven months. "In more than eight years with the city, Robar has, by most accounts, performed capably in various managerial roles, which has garnered him respect and a strong knowledge of municipal operations in both good times and bad," Gerein wrote.
- West Edmonton Mall is introducing more diverse Santa Claus experiences this holiday season by featuring Santas to better represent various cultures and traditions, including Santa Alex, who is Black, and Santa Christian, who speaks Tagalog. Families can book photo sessions with these Santas online.
- The Alberta government plans to lift the current auto insurance rate cap of 3.7% as part of broader reforms that include transitioning to a predominantly "no-fault" system, CBC News reported. The shift would remove the right of accident victims to sue at-fault drivers, with insurers paying out injury benefits based on set guidelines. The province is expected to officially announce the changes this week, CBC reported.
- A report from Alberta's auditor general found significant issues in the province's management of affordable housing. The report showed that 71% of facilities were in fair condition and 5% were in poor condition, with a backlog of more than $1 billion in maintenance. It also found the province lacks a comprehensive maintenance strategy and adequate oversight, leading to ineffective prioritization of repair projects. The government says it is working on improvements, including a $121 million investment over three years.
- Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse is expected to be sidelined for five to 10 days after suffering a head injury from a hit by Toronto Maple Leafs' Ryan Reaves, who has been suspended for five games.
Headlines: Nov. 19, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim