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Headlines: Dec.13, 2024

· The Pulse
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  • Premier Danielle Smith has appointed outgoing Edmonton police Chief Dale McFee as Alberta's most senior civil servant, about three weeks after he announced his resignation from the Edmonton Police Service. McFee will step down as police chief on Feb. 21 and will become head of the Alberta Public Service and deputy minister of executive council on Feb. 24. "With his wealth of leadership experience, he will bring a fresh perspective to our government's work and will help us deliver on our priorities for Albertans," Smith said in a release.
  • Edmonton Elections is running an online information session from 12pm to 12:30pm on Dec. 17 for anyone interested in running for the municipal election and people who want to support a candidate. A recording will be available afterward. Nomination packages will be accepted beginning Jan. 2.
  • Coun. Andrew Knack appeared on Global News at Noon to talk about recent developments at Edmonton city hall, including the budget process and challenges the next city council might face. Knack has announced he won't run in the 2025 municipal election. Speaking Municipally co-host Troy Pavlek is keeping a list of candidates who are running or expected to run.
  • Former Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley announced that she will step down as MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona, a seat she has held for nearly 17 years, effective Dec. 30. In a social media post, Notley said her announcement comes with "mixed feelings," adding that new NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi "represents a tremendous opportunity" for Albertans wanting affordability and improved health care. Notley's resignation will trigger a byelection, which could give Nenshi the chance to run for a seat in the legislature.
  • ArtsHub Ortona in Edmonton's Rossdale neighbourhood has reopened after the City of Edmonton completed rehabilitation work on the Ortona Armoury. The building, a designated Municipal Historic Resource, is now operated by Arts Habitat Edmonton, which is licensing 19 studios to professional artists and providing rooms for community bookings.
  • Edmonton businesses are calling on residents to shop local this holiday season, especially in light of the Canada Post strike. Jacek Chocolate Couture owner Jacqueline Jacek said a six-week stretch over the holidays makes up half her business for the year, but this year is challenging because of the strike, an incoming GST hiatus, and a global chocolate shortage. For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the local economy, compared to $43 of every $100 spent at a large chain, said Laura Kinghorn with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.
  • Edmonton's Jasper Place outdoor tennis courts will receive $1.5 million from Alberta's Active Communities Initiative to build an air-supported dome, allowing year-round public use. The project, part of a $4.2-million provincial investment across 12 sport and recreation facilities, will more than double public access to the courts, which is currently limited to five months annually.
  • Stantec, which has its corporate headquarters in Edmonton, was selected by the City of Toronto to support rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway, one of Canada's busiest corridors. Stantec has supported previous work on the Gardiner Expressway and has helped deliver multiple transportation projects in the Toronto area.
  • The Alberta government notified 1,350 Alberta Health Services workers that they will be transferred as of Feb. 1 to Primary Care Alberta, one of four new organizations created through the province's health system overhaul. The workers include staff with Health Link, primary care networks, provincial midwife services, some primary care clinics, and a surgical referral service called FAST. Union leaders expressed frustration with the restructuring, saying it could disrupt the workforce, cause staff extra stress, and affect retention. More than 10,000 staff have already been moved from AHS to Recovery Alberta, and 120 from AHS to Alberta Health.
  • Premier Danielle Smith announced the province is spending $29 million to create a patrol unit for the 298-kilometre border between Alberta and Montana, which is 3.3% of the Canada-United States border. The unit is expected to begin operations next year and will include about 50 armed sheriffs, 10 drones, and four drug-sniffing dogs. Within a two-kilometre zone, sheriffs will be able to arrest people believed to be crossing illegally or trafficking drugs and weapons without needing a warrant. The announcement comes after incoming U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless the countries end illegal immigration and drug trafficking.