The Pulse: July 15, 2022

Edmonton is well-placed to contribute to a digital-led recovery from the pandemic, but more needs to be done to attract and retain young talent, says a report on Alberta's post-COVID future.

"With a relatively young population and growing clean tech industry, Edmonton is on a positive growth path," says A Resilient Recovery: Alberta's Digital-Led Post-COVID Future, released in June by the Ottawa-based Digital Think Tank by ICTC. "Edmonton has a spirit of collaboration that continues to set it apart from other major metropolitan areas."

But many of the graduates emerging from Edmonton's post-secondary institutions with tech degrees — of which there were 5,522 between 2015 and 2020 — seem to be unaware of the opportunities for work here, interviewees indicated, calling for further collaboration among industry, governments, and academia to fill employment needs.

Interviewees also noted a gap in the "skills needed to both design innovative products and 'translate between the "tech" and "business" sides of companies.'" An analysis of transferable skills in job postings indicated significant interest in digital design.

Edmonton's digital economy talent pool is growing at a faster rate than Calgary's, but remains smaller, the report says, with roughly 34,500 tech workers in Edmonton in 2020 compared with 46,700 in Calgary. Software engineers, project managers, and business analysts are in demand, while interest in hiring IT support workers declined sharply between 2020 and 2021.

The Edmonton-based contributors to the report include Stewart Cook, dean of NAIT's School of Applied Sciences and Technology; Randy Duguay, CEO of Health Gauge; James Keirstead, president of Levven Electronics; Connie Stacey, CEO and founder of Growing Greener Innovations; Celia Wanderley, chief customer officer and head of AltaML Invent at AltaML; and Catherine Warren, CEO of Innovate Edmonton.

There's much more in the report, including a look at the promise of and impediments to growing the health-tech sector.

Photo: The research arm of the Information and Communications Technology Council analyzed job postings in Edmonton to determine the most in-demand digital economy occupations in 2020 and 2021. (Digital Think Tank by ICTC)

• According to documents obtained by CBC News through a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) request, potentially explosive chemicals from a University of Alberta lab detonated by police in Hawrelak Park on Nov. 27, 2021 had been discovered two months earlier by university safety staff. Internal emails show that inspectors found "numerous serious safety violations" in the laboratory — which was shut down until all health and safety recommendations were implemented — but the disposal date was delayed repeatedly.
• A trial has begun for Sgt. Steven Minarchi and Sgt. Marc Chmilar of the Edmonton Police Service, who are accused of using excessive force against the host of a house party in 2020. Cristian Mosquera said the officers threw him on the ground, put a boot on his chest, and handcuffed him before later releasing him from the car without charges.
• A crosswalk at 110 Street at 107 Avenue, next to the Wâposo-Wâti Park and Community Garden, was painted orange with a message of "Every Child Matters" surrounded by white eagle feathers. "This crosswalk represents reconciliation with First Nations people," said the garden's program lead Chad Bolster. "(It) represents acknowledgement of the lost children of the residential schools."
• Service Canada is implementing new triage measures at its passport service offices in several large urban centres including at Canada Place in Edmonton. Highest priority is given to people travelling within the next 24-48 hours. Those travelling within 3-14 days may be served on site if staff have the capacity, while those travelling within 15 to 45 days will be given weekday appointments.
• Lynx Air, a budget carrier headquartered in Calgary, has launched return service from Edmonton International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport and St. John's International Airport. As of July 30, it will also fly to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, bringing the total number of flights out of Edmonton to 14 per week.
• The majority of MPs in the Edmonton area — Ziad Aboultaif in Manning, Matt Jeneroux in Riverbend, Kelley McCauley in Edmonton West, and Michael Cooper in St.Albert-Edmonton — have endorsed Pierre Poilievre for leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Garnett Genuis, MP for Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, says he is backing Leslyn Lewis first and Poilievre second.
• Children under the age of five will soon be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Alberta Health Services expects a supply of Moderna's Spikevax vaccine, which was federally approved on July 14, by the end of the month. An announcement about a fourth dose for adults is expected next week, according to Health Minister Jason Copping.
• Alberta is expected to spend $20 million on infrastructure improvements for the upcoming Papal visit, with the federal government contributing $35 million and the Archdiocese of Edmonton fundraising another $15 to $18 million.

This weekend offers a chance to catch some of the best improv and sketch comedy acts, view some vintage motorcycles, immerse yourself in dance, explore the diverse cultures of Africa, and learn from Asian artists.

• July 15-17: Improvaganza from Rapid Fire Theatre (continues until July 23)
• July 16: Al Fresco on 104 — Vintage Bike Show on 104 Street
• July 16-17: The Magpie Collection: A Dance Festival from Mile Zero Dance (continues until July 24)
• July 16-17: Africanival 2022 at Louise McKinney Park
• July 17: Shifting Articulations of Asian-ness: Artist Discussion and Q&A, online with Artistry Projects

Find even more fun things to do in the Arts Roundup.

Photo: This year's Africanival offers a flag parade, talent shows, dance, fashion, and music. (Africanival)