Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Finance Minister Joe Ceci and Mayor Don Iveson had a war of words this week over provincial funding for Edmonton. The Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) program expires in 2021 and no replacement has been announced yet. Mayor Iveson said he’d like to meet directly with Premier Notley to resolve the issue.
- The latest episode of Speaking Municipally has an update on the proposed Innovation Hub and a discussion about the 2019-2022 Capital Budget.
- Thrive YEG is gathering stories from Edmontonians “to remind City Council that a city’s budget impacts the everyday quality of life for residents.”
- The End of the World will now be known as the Keillor Point Viewing Area. “The city launched the $1.5-million project at the site Monday.”
- The City and four employees have been charged with regulatory offences under the Animal Protection Act for the death of three cats back in May 2018.
- Greyhound will cease operations in most of Western Canada on Halloween, leaving a hodge-podge of transportation options behind.
- About 40 LRT cars were out of commission on Wednesday morning due to damage on the overhead wire connection.
- EPCOR told Council’s Utility Committee that it could take 25 years to deal with the problem of smelly sewers across Edmonton.
- The City stopped installing lead pipes in Edmonton in 1950 but there are still about 5,000 homes hooked up to lead service lines. About half of those homes won’t meet new Health Canada regulations on lead in water.
- PSA: The Strathcona Eco Station is now closed for renovations until the spring.
- Parity YEG has launched an online tool to track nominated candidates and hopefuls ahead of next year’s provincial election. “Parity YEG’s founders said there is a need to examine how many women run in an election.”
- BioNeutra, named the 55th fastest growing company in Canada by Canadian Business Magazine, is about to open a new Edmonton factory to produce its main product.
- The lone winning ticket for Friday’s $60 million Lotto Max jackpot was sold in Edmonton.
- Here’s what you need to know about City Council for the week ahead.
Downtown Edmonton at Night, photo by Isabell Hubert
Upcoming Events
- The next Engage Edmonton event takes place Tuesday at West Edmonton Mall. Share your thoughts on up to 12 City-related topics.
- The Oilers host the Wild on Tuesday night and the Blackhawks on Thursday night.
- Wednesday is Halloween! Trick or treat! Here is the best local costume of the year.
- Infill Development in Edmonton Association (IDEA) is hosting a panel discussion on the municipal budget and investing in the future on Thursday night at McLuhan House.
- Learn about growing cannabis at Salisbury Greenhouse on Saturday afternoon.
- Some big concerts coming up at Rogers Place: Jack White performs Friday, Justin Timberlake performs Sunday and Monday. The following week will see Drake perform on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Extra Life Edmonton’s Game Day 2018 takes place and Saturday and Sunday at West Edmonton Mall.
- The Edmonton Eskimos host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday afternoon at Commwealth Stadium.
- Heads up: The next Green Drinks will take place on November 7 at Yellowhead Brewery.
- 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!
Art from the Unknown, photo by Premier of Alberta
Thanks for reading! Want to support my blog? Buy me a coffee!