Edmonton Notes for February 17, 2019

Happy Family Day long weekend! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Construction on the Valley Line Southeast LRT is behind schedule but it’s unclear by how much. “It’s trending late,” said Adam Laughlin, the city’s deputy manager of integrated infrastructure services.
• Edmonton-based Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) is receiving $27 million from the Government of Alberta to expand its programs and open a new Calgary office. The funding is part of the $100 million announced by the Province “to attract more artificial intelligence-based high-tech companies to invest in Alberta.”
• The Government of Alberta is investing $200 million alongside $26 million from The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation to build the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre on land immediately east of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. The new centre is expected to be complete in 2024.
• Edmonton Global has received $2.3 million from Western Economic Diversification Canada to help attract foreign direct investment to the Edmonton region.
• The Eskimos signed former Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris this week. “Like many of the greats that came before him, Harris says he wants to win — and he wants to do it right now.”
• The Oilers had a busy couple of days! On Friday, they traded Cam Talbot to Philadelphia for Anthony Stolarz and yesterday they traded Ryan Spooner to Vancouver for Sam Gagner.
• A new report says people accidentally pushed the emergency stop button on the funicular 322 times last year and non-emergency breakdown response and repairs cost $112,641.
• The roof of the Citadel Theatre needs more than $4 million in repairs. It was installed 33 years ago, and the Citadel’s current lease expires in 2024.
• Montreal recently launched a financial assistance program to help businesses affected by major construction projects. Should Edmonton consider something similar?
• The Government of Canada announced $640,000 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund to help 10 Edmonton-area organizations, including Laurel Heights, “become safer and more accessible for persons with disabilities.”
• The University of Alberta’s nanoFAB facility has received a $3.4 million investment from the federal and provincial governments alongside Micalyne Inc. to make commercializing nanotechnology research easier.
• The $12 million Aurora Project will increase capacity at the TELUS World of Science through “through new exhibition spaces and redevelop programs that have a northern focus.” Construction began in October 2018.
• Have your say on how parking for new homes and businesses should be regulated – fill out this online survey by Feb. 24.
• The City is also looking for input on the future of waste management. In addition to drop-in sessions there’s an online survey open until April 15.
• The Edmonton Heritage Council is looking for expressions of interest to join the board of directors! The deadline to apply is Feb. 25.
• Get the latest on Media, Tech, Health Innovation, Music, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.
• Council is off this week, so here’s a recap of recent decisions and a look at what’s coming up.

Investing in education, diversification in Edmonton, photo by Premier of Alberta

Upcoming Events

• The Edmonton Oilers are hosting an autograph session at West Edmonton Mall on Monday afternoon.
• Ice Castles Edmonton is on at Hawrelak Park.
• The Oilers host the Coyotes on Tuesday, the Islanders on Thursday, and the Ducks on Saturday.
• Nerd Nite Edmonton #47 takes place Tuesday night at the ATB Financial Arts Barn.
• Snoop Dogg & Friends are at Rogers Place on Wednesday evening.
• Terry Crews has been announced as a special guest speaker for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters upcoming event on Wednesday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• The next EPL/ECF Forward Thinking Speaker Series event features Dr. Safiya Noble speaking about Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism on Wednesday evening at the Chateau Lacombe.
• F*ck Up Nights YEG Volume 4 takes place Wednesday evening at The Aviary.
• The Alberta Health & Safety Conference takes place at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Thursday and Friday.
• The United Way’s Red Tie Gala takes place Thursday evening at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• Learn about how arts and heritage participation rates reflect values at the Alberta Museum Associations event on Friday night at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
• Books2Buy runs Saturday and Sunday at EPL in Enterprise Square.
• The Colorguard Collective Edmonton Invitational takes place Saturday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• Edmonton’s NextGen presents Lunch MEAET on Saturday afternoon at the Edmonton Tower.
• The Coldest Night of the Year, hosted by the Bissell Centre, takes place Saturday.
• Fruit Loop’s February Fling takes place Saturday at Urban Tavern.
• Little Big Town is performing at Rogers Place on Sunday.
• The Edmonton Arts Council is hosting Swingin’ City Sundays at City Hall every Sunday in January and February.
• The Strathcona Community League is hosting Winterfest 2019 on Sunday afternoon.
• Plan your winter calendar with Taproot’s guide to festivals and events taking place in the Edmonton area this 2018/2019 winter season!

WD Canada announces $2.3 million for Edmonton Global

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