Edmonton Notes for November 11, 2018

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• From the Journal’s story on today’s Remembrance Day ceremonies marking a century since the end of World War I: “Nearly one-quarter of Albertans joined the war efforts, and one in eight of them would never come back.”
• Starting Monday, ETS is implementing rotating security guards at transit centres throughout the city. “Phased in over two weeks, a third party contractor will deploy security guards at 25 transit centres/stations that have had at least one major incident reported in the past five years.”
• Dale McFee has been named Edmonton’s new police chief. He’s the former chief of police in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and has been the Deputy Minister of Corrections and Policing in Saskatchewan since 2012. He has signed a five-year contract and will start in the new role on February 1, 2019. McFee is Edmonton’s first Mé​tis police chief and “has a track record for inclusion.”
• Canadian Forces Trail is the new honourary name of 97 Street from 137 Avenue to the north edge of the city near Anthony Henday Drive. “Approved by Edmonton’s Naming Committee, the naming honours the relationship between the City of Edmonton and the Canadian Forces (Garrison) Base and the historical significance of the former Canadian Forces Base Griesbach.”
• Edmonton’s 4th supervised injection site opened at the Boyle McCauley Health Centre on November 5.
• Bill 23, An Act to Renew Local Democracy in Alberta, would ban corporate and union donations to candidates in municipal elections, and would limit donation amounts, among other changes. Here’s some reaction from local councillors and school board trustees.
• The new Capliano Branch of the Edmonton Public Library opened this week. Here’s a great Twitter thread about the new facility from Erik Backstrom.
• Councillor Tim Cartmell says the City should halt plans to build the Valley Line West LRT until after the provincial election. “I think it’s just not the right time for this project at this time,” he said.
• The new Kathleen Andrews Transit Garage at 12403 Fort Road is located in what “was once the heart of Edmonton’s thriving meat-packing industry.” The 12-storey smokestack will be incorporated into a new public park alongside the garage.
• Elise Stolte wrote about angry transit riders who are giving up and going back to driving.
• Make sure you clear your sidewalks soon after it snows: the 48-hour grace period is “old information” according to the City, and bylaw officers can issue tickets at any time.
• Edmonton Digital Arts College has announced it will move into the Orange Hub (MacEwan’s former Centre for the Arts) in January 2019. “The move will double the classroom capacity for the college and allow EDAC students to utilize the various production studio spaces available at the Orange Hub.”
• An interim report on the Downtown Bike Network has been released. Here’s the 12-page PDF.
• In the latest episode of Speaking Municipally Troy and I discuss the operating budget, where we’re finding “savings”, and the latest on LRT and free transit.
• Here’s what you need to know about City Council for the week ahead.

Remembrance Day 2018, photo by Premier of Alberta

Upcoming Events

• It’s Métis Week 2018 in Alberta. The proclamation will take place at City Hall on Tuesday,
• Is it Smoke and Mirrors? Aurora Cannabis is speaking about the Cannabis business at NAIT on Tuesday.
• The next Edmonton Career Fair and Training Expo takes place Tuesday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The Edmonton Public Library and Edmonton Community Foundation present Neil Gaiman, Tuesday evening at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• Nerd Nite Edmonton #45 takes place Tuesday evening at the ATB Financial Arts Barn.
• The Oilers host the Canadiens on Tuesday and the Golden Knights on Sunday.
• The Downtown Business Association is hosting the Downtown Security Forum on Thursday morning at Allard Hall.
• The Green Industry Show 2018 takes place Thursday and Friday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• Taboo…The Naughty or Nice Show runs Thursday to Sunday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• I’ll be speaking at The Digital Tipping Point on Friday at the Matrix Hotel. That evening the 2018 Ember Awards take place!
• The Parkland Institute’s 22nd annual conference takes place at the University of Alberta from Friday to Sunday.
• Made in Alberta – Art, Design & Craft Show from On the Spot Pop Ups and takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker takes place on Saturday at the Myer Horowitz Theatre.
• Santa arrives at West Edmonton Mall on Saturday.
• The Grey Cup Festival kicks off on Wednesday, November 21!
• 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!

Diwali celebrations, photo by Premier of Alberta

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