Edmonton Notes for 11/8/2015

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Amarjeet Sohi was named Canada’s new Minister of Infrastructure and Communities this week. This is great news for Sohi of course, but also for Edmonton and indeed for cities across the country! Here’s Premier Notley’s statement on the news.
• Now attention turns to Ward 12 – who will run in the by-election to replace Sohi on Council?
• The City says that 90% of its road projects for 2015 are complete or on-track to finish by the end of the year. “Since April, we’ve completed approximately 595 lane kilometres, which is the equivalent to paving two lanes all the way from Edmonton to Calgary,” said Dorian Wandzura, General Manager for Transportation Services. Now attention turns to winter with an improved neighbourhood blading schedule and plow map.
• It’s official: President Barack Obama has rejected the Keystone XL pipeline. Premier Notley’s statement is here: “Though I am not surprised by the news coming from the White House this morning, as we have anticipated this announcement for some time, I am disappointed by the way the U.S. government chose to characterize our energy exports.” Prime Minister Trudeau also said he was disappointed.
• The Province has introduced Bill 5, the Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act. “Bill 5 will result in salary disclosure primarily for those earning more than $125,000 per year, putting the focus on higher-income earners and managers.”
• Air Canada has decided to drop its non-stop route between Edmonton and London Heathrow for 2016. At this point, who cares? We’ve got better options now with Icelandair, KLM, and soon WestJet.
• It’s particularly ridiculous that Air Canada cited the economy as the key factor in their decision when Edmonton’s economy is in better shape than Calgary’s, according to Statistics Canada.
• Want to dig into the 2016-2018 Operating Budget? The City has launched a new tool to make it easy to do just that. It’s powered by the Open Data Catalogue which means you can download all the data behind it too.
• Congratulations to everyone involved in this year’s Extra Life Edmonton – the marathon raised more than $165,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital!
• Here are some thoughts from Robin on improving the pedestrian experience in Edmonton. I agree that we have a ways to go. Here’s a recent New Yorker article on the same topic. The City is also reminding motorists and pedestrians (and presumably cyclists) to watch out for one another.
• And this is why I cross wherever I please after making sure it’s safe to do so: “From 2010 to 2014, 1,535 pedestrians were struck by vehicles in Edmonton. That is an average of six pedestrians per week. The majority of these pedestrians (66 per cent) were in intersections or crosswalks with right-of-way when the collision happened.“
• The Canadian Mental Health Association (Edmonton Region) has joined together with The Support Network as one organization. “All of the programs that you’ve been accessing through CMHA-Edmonton Region and The Support Network will stay the same. It’s just that together we’ll be stronger.”
• Former Edmonton Oilers GM Glen Sather will be honoured in a series of events on December 10 and 11, culminating with a banner raising ceremony at the December 11 home game against the New York Rangers.
• From Lincoln: How to Fix Transit Immediately.
• PCL Construction, one of Edmonton’s largest companies, has announced its CEO succession plan.
• Walk Edmonton is running an online survey on existing pedway signage and graphics. A consultant has been engaged to develop a concept plan for wayfinding throughout the pedway network.
• The University of Alberta has retained its top 5 spot in the annual Maclean’s ranking of Canada’s universities.
• November was proclaimed Family Violence Prevention Month by Mayor Iveson on Monday.
• I really, really like Taylor Hall and agree that he is too often overlooked. “It’s deeply surprising to me when I see his name casually floated in trade proposals, as though the Oilers would do just fine without him.” It’s absurd!
• ICYMI: Here’s my take on all the changes happening at the City of Edmonton.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Premier Rachel Notley delivered her State of the Province address on Wednesday. Here’s a recap from AlbertaPolitics.ca.

Upcoming Events

• This week is Rodeo Week! The launch takes place at City Hall on Monday.
• There’s an interesting CEO education event taking place on Tuesday at the Shaw Conference Centre called It Will Be Live.
• Wednesday is of course Remembrance Day. Edmonton’s big ceremony takes place at the Butterdome as usual, but there are other events happening throughout the city as well.
• Farmfair International and Canadian Finals Rodeo both kick off on Wednesday at the Edmonton Expo Centre and Rexall Place, respectively.
• Friday night is the launch of YEGpeople at Edmonton City Centre.
• The City is hosting Edmonton’s Community Energy Forum on Saturday at the Shaw Conference Centre. It’s “a one-day forum to discuss issues of energy transition, climate change and building a sustainable future.”
• I’m looking forward to the Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up in Churchill Square on Saturday evening!
• Miss Rodeo Edmonton takes place on Saturday evening at The Ranch Roadhouse.
• The Shine Lifestyle & Yoga Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Enjoy Centre in St. Albert.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Have a great Rodeo Week!