The Pulse: Aug. 16, 2021

The People's Agenda project has entered a new phase, with a candidate questionnaire derived from what we heard from participants now in inboxes across the city.

The questionnaire consists of 30 multiple-choice questions organized in groups of three under 10 headings: economy, environment, finances, housing and homelessness, planning, police, politics and governance, quality of life, roads, and transit.

"We tried to be as comprehensive as possible and to be grounded in the things that city council can actually make a decision about," explained Karen Unland, Taproot Edmonton co-founder, on a recent episode of Speaking Municipally.

The questionnaire is focused on local policies, rather than political ideology. "Things don't always line up on the traditional idea of the political spectrum," she said.

For each question, candidates can choose one of the multiple choice options, or they can indicate they don't have a position on the issue. "We're not trying to trap anybody or catch anybody, we're trying to sort everybody," Unland explained. Candidates also have the opportunity to add a pitch to potential voters.

In September, voters will be able to answer the same questionnaire to find out which candidates they are most closely aligned with.

"What we want to do is for as many wards as possible (is) give you the answers for as many candidates as possible," Unland said. "I really do think this questionnaire will be the most useful at the ward level."

If you're running for mayor or councillor in the upcoming municipal election and haven't yet received a link to the questionnaire, send us a note at hello@taprootedmonton.ca.

Photo: Processing all of the information we've received from Edmontonians through the People's Agenda project has involved a lot of spreadsheets and sticky notes. This is from a recent feature story brainstorming session. (Karen Unland)

• A scuffle broke out during a protest in front of Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish on Sunday. The protest was organized in response to Rev. Marcin Mironiuk's denial of unmarked graves during a service on July 18. The Catholic priest has been placed on indefinite administrative leave.
• Fire crews continue to battle a wildfire in Parkland County — just over 85 kilometres west of Edmonton. The 30-acre blaze was ignited on Friday and is deemed out of control.
• As opioid-related calls continue to surge, Edmonton harm reduction group Boots on Ground are filling gaps in service by handing out naloxone kits and safer-use supplies and educating individuals on safe use. Meanwhile, the Alberta Avenue Business Association (AABA) is partnering with a local pharmacy to provide free naloxone kits and training to businesses in the area.
• The Edmonton Youth Council released eight recommendations to address food waste and bolster food security and access in Edmonton. Coun. Scott McKeen welcomed the report, but noted some recommendations may be difficult to put into practice.
• Lucy's Edmonton Advocates Project (LEAP) wants the city and the Edmonton Valley Zoo to accept an offer from singer Cher to send an independent expert to examine Lucy the elephant's health. The group gathered at the zoo on Sunday to protest Lucy's living conditions and film a segment for an upcoming documentary.
• A neighbourhood and new park have been named after the celebrated Edmonton historian and playwright, Tony Cashman. Cashman has written 10 plays for the Edmonton Fringe Festival and 15 books.
• Heather McPherson, MP for Edmonton Strathcona and Alberta's lone non-Conservative member of parliament, launched her 2021 re-election campaign on Sunday, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a federal election earlier that day. CBC News reports that the UCP's unpopularity could result in fewer Conservative seats in Alberta.
• On Friday, the federal government announced more than $4.2 million in funding for three Edmonton cultural institutions — the Winspear Centre, Rapid Fire Theatre and the City of Edmonton's Iron Works building.

Several city councillors indicated last week that they'd be in favour of continuing to require masks on public transit and in taxis and rideshare vehicles even if the province removed its requirement. Edmonton Transit Service branch manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald said it could be challenging to enforce the bylaw, and council agreed to discuss the issue again this week. Now, they won't have to.

On Aug. 13, the province announced that existing COVID-19 health measures will remain in place for another six weeks, including the requirement to wear masks on public transit, in taxis and rideshares, and on school buses. Dr. Deena Hinshaw also announced that it will be up to school boards to decide whether or not to require masks. Both Edmonton Catholic and public school boards will share their back-to-school plans today, Aug. 16, but EPSB chairperson Trisha Estabrooks has already said that masks will be mandatory for students from kindergarten to grade 12.

Here is a look at some of the items on council's agenda this week:

• Councillor Ben Henderson is requesting that council authorize a leave of absence to enable him to run in the 2021 federal election. Henderson was recently acclaimed as the Liberal Party candidate for Edmonton-Mill Woods. Councillor Scott McKeen would replace Henderson as acting mayor for the remainder of the term.
• An updated Housing Investment Plan outlines how the $14.9 million in federal funding allocated to Edmonton through the Rapid Housing Initiative's Cities Streams will be used to create a minimum of 68 units of new permanent affordable housing.
• Bylaw 19144 would establish the Clean Energy Improvement Program to "catalyze energy efficiency retrofit investment in privately owned buildings." Administration projects a program budget of $12.37 million over two years.
• As the current council term comes to a close, administration has prepared a final update on city council's 24 initiatives.
• A bylaw to borrow $330 million for the Capital Line LRT extension from Century Park to 41 Avenue SW is ready for second and third readings.
• A proposed redevelopment at 10054 79 Avenue NW in Ritchie has been updated to seek approval to build residential units on the ground floor "based on the current low market demand for commercial tenants at this time."
• A proposed rezoning in Garneau at 79 Avenue NW and 109 Street would allow for a six-storey building, two storeys more than is currently allowed. Administration supports the change to reflect "a prioritization of The City Plan over the 109 Street Corridor Area Redevelopment Plan."

Photo: Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange provided an update on Alberta's back to school guidance on Friday, Aug. 13. (Government of Alberta/Flickr)

• The Edmonton International Jazz Festival returns online and outdoors starting on Aug. 16 and Aug. 19, respectively. Local musicians will perform online alongside international artists like David Liebman, John Beasley's MONK'estra, and Dan Tepfer's Natural Machines.
• Aspiring chefs can learn how to make blueberry muffins by attending the Edmonton Public Library's Sustainable Kitchen baking lesson virtually on Aug. 19.
• Business Link and the Edmonton Stingers are hosting the Edmonton Multi-Chamber Networking Event on Aug. 19, with discussions focused on a "restart to our economy."
• The Alberta Art Gallery (AGA) in partnership with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will offer classics from Mozart and Ibert on Aug. 19. Tickets are available through the AGA website.
• WastED, a seminar exploring food waste in Edmonton will be offered in-person for the first time on Aug. 19. The talk will feature Dr. Ellen Goddard and University of Alberta masters student Farrah So.
• The Great Alberta Pitch Marathon is happening on Aug. 19 — an opportunity for entrepreneurs to get hands-on pitching experience, exposure, and peer-to-peer support. Taproot Edmonton will be co-hosting one of the pitch blocks, stay tuned for details.

Thanks to Alex for sharing their photo with us!