Edmonton Notes for October 21, 2018

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Recreational cannabis became legal across Canada on Wednesday and Edmonton had six retail locations open for business. Signage is still be installed, but you can see the cannabis rules in Edmonton here. Basically: “Smoking will not be allowed within 10 metres of patios, bus stops, doorways, windows and air intakes of buildings and in parks and other places with children’s amenities.”
• The City estimates it needs about $8 million next year to support cannabis, but it will only get $1 million from the Province. “This certainly doesn’t make keeping the tax rate lower easier, I can say that with great certainty,” said Councillor Michael Walters.
• Taproot Edmonton’s latest story dives into the proposed innovation hub for 103 Street downtown. After you read the story, listen to Episode 11 of Speaking Municipally to hear more from the writer and editor.
• Council will get its first look at the 2019-2022 Capital Budget this week. The latest Council Roundup has details on that and everything else on the agenda for the week ahead.
• Elise Stolte wrote that “Edmonton has a serious budget issue” with “too many roads, and too few people to pay for them.”
• DATS needs another $2.25 million to serve growing demand and address peak period requests. “Every year, Edmonton’s population not only continues to grow but also age. With this comes a steady upward pressure on DATS.”
• Edmonton was the second Canadian city to become a member of the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative and the first city in the global north to host the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Leaders Forum, which took place last week at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• From Janice Johnston at CBC Edmonton: “A high-ranking officer with the Edmonton Police Service has accused outgoing Chief Rod Knecht of making “false and misleading” statements about whether he cancelled a reception for the city’s LGBTQ community.”
• Der Associates Architecture Ltd. is hoping to build a 50-storey residential/hotel tower on the site of the former BMO building. “The firm has also proposed pedway access to either City Centre Mall or the nearby Kelly Ramsey building on Rice Howard Way.”
• Morguard Investments is looking to transform Bonnie Doon Centre into a mixed-use development that would include more than 4,000 residential units, along with offices, and retail space.
• The proposed new arts & heritage plan, called Connections & Exchanges, is being criticized for how it reflects Indigenous voices.
• Want to see less parking required with new developments? Take the online survey by November 19 to let the City know. More information is available here.
• According to the latest Teranet-National Bank House Price Index, Edmonton’s resale housing market “continued to show weakness”.
• Stantec has sold MWH Constructors, the construction firm it acquired in 2016 with the purchase of MWH Global. Analysts estimate the sale could net as much as $350 million.

k.d. lang and Premier Notley, photo by Premier of Alberta

Upcoming Events

• It’s Alberta Beer Week, “a province-wide celebration of Alberta-made indie beer.”
• The Foo Fighters are performing at Rogers Place on Monday night.
• The Oilers play at home twice this week, hosting the Penguins on Tuesday and the Capitals on Thursday.
• The iTech Conference takes place at the Shaw Conference Centre on Tuesday.
• Change for Climate Talks 2018 takes place Wednesday evening at Allard Hall.
• Fort Edmonton Park is hosting DARK from Wednesday to Sunday. “Feel the adrenaline pump through your veins this Halloween as your mind is sent into a state of terror you’ve never felt before as you experience three horrifying attractions.”
• Is lab-grown meat the future of food? Find out at this free lecture taking place Thursday afternoon at Lister Centre at the University of Alberta.
• The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a gala at City Hall on Thursday evening.
• Pecha Kucha Night 31 takes place Thursday at the Garneau Theatre. See the lineup and get your tickets now!
• Parity YEG is launching its Parity x Party Dashboard on Thursday evening at The Barking Buffalo Cafe.
• The Edmonton Fall Home Show takes place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre from Friday to Sunday.
• City Hall will host the City of Edmonton You Council Awards on Friday evening to recognize “7 exceptional youth between the ages of 13-23 in the categories of Academics, Athletics, Community Service, and Fine Arts.”
• EdCamp Edmonton 2018 takes place on Saturday at Lillian Osborne High School.
• The Edmonton Ski & Snowboard Show takes place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre on Saturday and Sunday.
• Armistice 100: A Tribute is coming up on November 11 at Capital Plaza near the Alberta Legislature to mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of the WW1 Armistice.
• Edmonton’s NextGen presents City Jam 2018 on December 1 at the Starlite Room. Volunteer 10 hours with a local charity or not-for-profit before November 28 to get in!

Ground breaking at the future Londonderry community housing site, photo by Government of Alberta

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