The Pulse: June 10, 2024

On the agenda: Capital budget, Blatchford, police audit

June 10, 2024
By Stephanie Swensrude

This week, council will discuss the capital budget, a police audit, and the one councillor's proposal to consider selling land at Blatchford.

There is a public hearing scheduled for June 10, a city council meeting scheduled for June 11 with a continuation on June 12, and a city manager recruitment committee scheduled for June 12.

Here are key items on the agenda:

City administration recommends increasing the 2023-2026 capital budget by $262.6 million in the spring capital budget adjustment, scheduled for debate on June 11. Administration said a $175-million grant from the federal government to implement a housing action plan will cover most of the increase. (Recently, the hosts of Speaking Municipally, Taproot's civic affairs podcast, spoke to Christel Kjenner about the new team that's tasked with achieving the plan.) There are new projects and increases in scope that require budget adjustments, like an additional $7 million to replace and renew buses, and $4.5 million for LRT cars. The proposed adjustment also includes an increase of $23.3 million for the Edmonton Police Service, for expenses like body armour and IT systems, though some of that funding is covered by a federal grant.
The Edmonton Police Commission said it will not provide city council with information about the Edmonton Police Service's internal audit plan. "The audit plan has traditionally been an inward facing document and we feel a public facing audit program will diminish overall effectiveness," the commission wrote in a letter that will be discussed at a council meeting scheduled for June 11. "We have full confidence in our current audit function under direction of the commission." Coun. Anne Stevenson, who sits on the commission, spoke to Global News in her capacity as a councillor about her disappointment in the decision. "I feel there's some great work that happens through the audit function, but Edmontonians don't get to see that."
Coun. Tim Cartmell is set to push council to in turn ask administration to calculate how much money the city could make if it sold undeveloped sections of Blatchford to private developers. Cartmell is scheduled to introduce a motion on June 11 that asks for a report about maintaining Blatchford policies for the existing homes and allowing private companies to develop the remaining land outside those policies. Cartmell's 12 colleagues on council will either need to support, amend, or strike down the motion.

Headlines: June 10, 2024

June 10, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH) reported a significant increase in homeless-related deaths in Edmonton, with 421 deaths in 2023 compared to 160 in 2022. The 18th annual Homeless Memorial to honour those who have died due to homelessness was held last week. "The longer people are homeless, the more it wears your life down, the more dangers it creates physically and mentally in your life," said Jim Gurnett of ECOHH. The organization highlighted the need for greater support from all levels of government and called on people with first-hand experience of homelessness to be included in policy development.
Officials in Edmonton are urging residents to practise water safety while enjoying the North Saskatchewan River this summer, stressing the importance of wearing life-jackets and avoiding alcohol on the water. Last year, park rangers did 7,162 safety compliance checks and citizen interactions, marking a 59% increase over the previous year, according to City of Edmonton figures. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 37 water rescue calls, which was a 32% increase from 2022. Officials warn the river's fast and deceptive currents can quickly pose a danger to people enjoying the water.
The Edmonton Police Service is focusing on proactive measures to ensure public safety as crowds gather to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals. The police service is looking ahead to Game 3 when the series returns to Edmonton, said Chief Dale McFee, noting that fans have been well-behaved so far. Downtown was quieter as the Oilers were shut out 3-0 by the Florida Panthers in Game 1 on June 8. Despite the loss, Oilers fans are staying hopeful the team can bounce back in the series. Game 2 is set for June 10 at 6pm. Among those expected to be in attendance at the Ice District watch party is the Oilers superfan known as Mama Stanley, who has gained national attention for her elaborate Stanley Cup-themed costume.
McDonald's Canada said it will rebrand one of its restaurants as McDavid's if the Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup. The proposition was a hit among fans online, with many saying they would travel to Edmonton just to visit the restaurant. Last year, Boston Pizza offered to rename its downtown location to "Kostin Pizza" in a nod to Oilers forward Klim Kostin.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Sunrise, FL, Mayor Michael J. Ryan have made a friendly wager on the outcome of the Stanley Cup finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. The losing mayor will have to wear the winning team's jersey at a public event. Meanwhile, Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson donned an Oilers jersey and posted a good-luck video after losing a bet with Sohi over the NHL's Western Conference Final.
University of Alberta professor and part-time firefighter Jeff Boisvert is researching the use of AI-powered drones to improve wildfire fighting strategies. Boisvert aims to use the drones for better data collection and mapping to enhance emergency response and protect at-risk areas. His work, in collaboration with the Olds Fire Department, aims to demonstrate the value of drones in emergency services, potentially influencing broader adoption across municipalities and provinces.
The University of Alberta has climbed to 96th in the world and fourth in Canada in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, an improvement of 15 spots over the previous year. The ratings reflect the university's gains in sustainability, citations per faculty, employer reputation, and international research.
Edmonton small business owners are grappling with significant cocoa price increases due to a global shortage, leading many to reluctantly raise their prices. Ashley Benson of Bloom Cookie Co. and Yereni Ramirez of Don Marin Chocolates are two business owners exploring different strategies to manage costs without compromising quality. Benson said the price of her most recent 50-pound bag increased by $218. Still, she said her "last resort is increasing prices," and is instead experimenting with different recipes.
Kingsway Mall has nearly doubled the size of its rooftop garden to 54 planters, aiming to donate 300 pounds of fresh produce to Edmonton's Food Bank this year, compared to 100 pounds donated last year. The initiative, in partnership with MicroHabitat, also includes the addition of the mall's first beehive. The food bank has seen a 44% increase in demand over the past four years.
Edmonton's real estate market is expected to remain stable despite the Bank of Canada's decision to lower its overnight rate to 4.75%, according to local experts. Tom Shearer of NorAlta Real Estate said he doesn't expect the minor rate cut to significantly impact the market's current momentum. While the rate reduction may offer slight affordability improvements, Edmonton's strong sales and more affordable starting prices have kept the market resilient compared to other Canadian regions.
Tony Cashman, a renowned broadcaster, historian, and playwright from Edmonton, died peacefully on June 3 at the age of 101. Cashman was known for transforming Edmonton's past into engaging stories through his radio series The Edmonton Story, which ran for more than 700 episodes and led to a prolific publishing career. Cashman was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2014.
Calgary's water supply emergency has raised questions about Edmonton's water supply. Coun. Tim Cartmell noted that Edmonton has a more resilient water system with two treatment plants and multiple reservoirs, but acknowledged that a similar incident could still pose significant challenges. In a statement, EPCOR said it has contingency plans in place and does regular maintenance and inspections to ensure the reliability of the water infrastructure. In January, an equipment failure at Edmonton's E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant prompted a five-day ban on non-essential water use.
The Edmonton Police Service has asked the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team to investigate after an officer responding to an assault report shot a 33-year-old man during a confrontation in the McCauley neighbourhood on June 9. The man, who police said exited the residence with a weapon, sustained life-threatening injuries in the shooting but is now in stable condition. No other injuries were reported, although a nearby home was struck by a bullet.
Non-profit organization Free Play for Kids, which is a sports and recreation club for kids aged seven to 18, has partnered with Black Box Hospitality to support its programming and attract donations. Among their initiatives is a sports-themed beer called Fairway to Heaven exclusively available at Highlands Liquor, with a portion of proceeds supporting Free Play programs. Other promotions are taking place at District Café and Fox Burger.
Eight Albertans will be inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2024 in recognition of their contributions to various fields. A ceremony will be held in Edmonton in October. Among the Edmonton inductees is former mayor Stephen Mandel.
The Edmonton Elks lost their season home opener 29-21 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 8. Despite leading by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Elks were unable to maintain their advantage, leading to another home loss. Last year, the Elks set a North American professional sports record of 22 consecutive home game losses.