- Edmonton city council passed changes to the proposed 2025 budget that would lower next year's tax increase from 8.1% to 6.1%. The changes, proposed in a suite of amendments by Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, include shifting money from utility reserves, rainy day funds, and capital savings accounts toward lowering the tax increase. Sohi's amendments didn't include cuts to the neighbourhood renewal program as earlier proposed, but did include new investments in downtown cleaning, the low-income transit program, and grass and tree maintenance. Some councillors said they only approved Sohi's changes because he has a plan to pay back the money diverted from savings, Postmedia reported.
- Edmonton's Food Bank continues to experience unprecedented demand in 2024, having served more than 47,000 people in October alone through its food hamper program. The organization has a goal to collect 300,000 kilograms of non-perishable food and raise $4.5 million by Jan. 10. So far, it has met 20% of its goal.
- The latest health assessment for Lucy the Elephant says the animal is in good shape, but her respiratory issues mean she can't travel to join a herd. Lucy turns 50 next year, and Edmonton Valley Zoo director Gary Dewar said experts expect her to live another 10 to 15 years. Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums requires Lucy to undergo an annual independent assessment to be maintained as a single elephant.
- Egale Canada and the Skipping Stone Foundation confirmed their intent to pursue legal action against the Alberta government in response to new legislation affecting 2SLGBTQ+ people. Bennett Jensen, Egale Canada's legal director, said the legislation violates the constitutional rights of young 2SLGBTQ+ people and has already caused harm and increased bullying.
- Barrhead, about 120 kilometres north of Edmonton, will be the second municipality in Alberta with a neutral space bylaw after 57% of residents voted in favour of banning political, religious, and social symbols on municipal land. A Pride crosswalk, a Royal Canadian Legion flag, and a Treaty 6 flag are among the symbols set to be removed. Organizers of the petition that brought the bylaw before council said they were inspired by Westlock, which passed a similar bylaw last February. In an explainer video, Xtra Magazine suggests more Alberta towns are likely to follow suit.
- The Alberta government's new "rate of last resort" will replace the regulated rate option (RRO) as Albertans' default electricity rate starting Jan. 1. The change was first announced in April in response to electricity price spikes for residents using the RRO, which is a variable rate. The rate of last resort will be stable for two years at 12 cents per kilowatt hour, which is higher than what Albertans can currently get through fixed rates.
- The Edmonton Stingers announced their 2025 schedule, the first under the Canadian Elite Basketball League's new 24-game format, running from May to August. The Stingers start their season at the Edmonton EXPO Centre on May 11 for a game against the Calgary Surge.
Headlines: Dec. 5, 2024
By Kevin Holowack