Headlines: Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

A citywide parking ban took effect on Nov. 24, starting with Phase 1 on major roads, after Edmonton experienced a significant snowfall. Phase 1 is expected to last three to five days as crews clear arterial and collector roads, bus routes, and roads in business improvement areas. Any vehicles parked on these routes during this phase may be ticketed or towed, the City said. Residents can check the Roadways Snow Clearing Map for updates.
The City of Edmonton is activating its extreme weather response from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 to protect vulnerable residents during the cold weather. City facilities such as recreation centres and libraries are open to provide respite. Expanded shelter services are also available, including overnight accommodations at Al Rashid Mosque and shuttle transportation to shelters.
To mark National Housing Day, the City of Edmonton announced the availability of 11 development sites for sale or lease to create affordable housing for low-income households. The sites, previously reserved for schools and returned to the city in 2009, have the rezoning approvals secured and are ready to be developed. The City is inviting proposals from non-profit, private, and Indigenous-led housing providers by early 2025. The initiative is supported by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.
The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness held a rally at the Alberta legislature grounds on Nov. 23 to advocate for housing solutions for the more than 4,000 people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton. The event, part of efforts across the country to mark National Housing Day, called for government action to create 50,000 new affordable social housing units annually.
The Edmonton Police Commission has decided to keep police response time metrics private for now. The Edmonton Police Service stopped reporting the metrics in its annual report in 2021, the same year it moved to an encrypted scanner system. Outgoing Police Chief Dale McFee argued that focusing too much on response times can lead to imprecise metrics and may not accurately reflect police performance or improve safety, especially amid challenges like city construction. The commission plans to address response time metrics in the police service's 2025 strategic plan.
University of Alberta student leaders are opposing proposed tuition hikes, particularly a 10% increase for international students in 2026. University officials have been engaging with student councils to discuss the financial pressures the institution faces. The Alberta government has capped tuition increases for domestic students at 2% but has not directly addressed the proposed hike on international students.
Edmonton International Airport will offer new non-stop flights to Houston and Chicago via United Airlines starting in May 2025. The Houston route will operate four times weekly in the summer and daily in the winter, while the seasonal Chicago service will run three times a week in the summer.
Edmonton's Sikh community collaborated with My Radio 580 AM to raise more than $50,000 for Edmonton's Food Bank in celebration of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 555th birth anniversary. The fundraiser was organized by Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib Edmonton. The food bank is experiencing a growing demand for services and is encouraging community support during the holiday season.
NAIT Auto Body Technician students are restoring a 1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan that once carried the future Queen Elizabeth II during her Canadian tour. Around 90 students are working on the project, which aims to bring the classic car back to its original condition before featuring it in local shows.
The Alberta government is moving forward with plans for a passenger rail system connecting Calgary and Edmonton, with a goal to complete a master plan by summer 2025. The project, which would have a 15-year delivery timeline, includes lines connecting major cities to airports and mountain parks. The public can provide feedback through a government survey until Dec. 20.