Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Avenue Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2019 were released this week. Congratulations to everyone recognized but especially to Sharon! I’m thrilled for her, and very proud.
- The City is looking at how to deploy 5G wireless technology here in Edmonton, and Executive Committee this week encouraged the notion of a partnership with a telecom company like TELUS. A progress report is due back in April.
- Council will discuss a number of borrowing bylaws on Tuesday. These are things they’ve already looked at during the budget discussions, but now they’ve got the provincial budget impacts to contend with. See the latest Council Roundup for all the details.
- A clause in the UCP’s Bill 20 could allow the provincial government to end a funding agreement with Edmonton for the Valley Line West LRT with just 90 days notice, "without cause." Mayor Don Iveson called the provisions "concerning" and said "they create uncertainty".
- Edmonton police could be out $9 million thanks to the new provincial budget. “EPS is working with the city on managing the overall impacts of the provincial budget,” spokeswoman Carolin Maran said in an email to Postmedia on Friday.
- Colder weather and snow means e-scooters were put away for winter this week, though Lime’s are now back and will return again weather-permitting.
- Opening day for the Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes exhibit at the TELUS World of Science saw more than 2,300 visitors and presales are setting records. I’m excited to check it out!
- The Edmonton International Airport has signed an agreement with Drone Delivery Canada Corp. to establish the world’s first airport drone delivery hub.
- The first phase of the Blatchford renewable energy utility is online at the former City Centre Airport lands.
- Joseph Doucet, dean of the University of Alberta School of Business, and Cory Janssen, co-founder and CEO of AltaML, published an op-ed this week that argues artificial intelligence could be Alberta’s oilsands 2.0. "The opportunity for massive economic growth and prosperity is there for cities and regions that act quickly and decisively. Alberta could be such a region, and Edmonton could be such a city. It is uniquely positioned to develop into a global AI powerhouse."
- From the Edmonton Journal, here are 10 rising central Edmonton projects to watch.
- In Episode 60 of Speaking Municipally, Troy and I discussed the municipal impacts of the provincial budget.
- Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, the Region, Music, Arts, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.
Muttart Constellations, photo by Kurt Bauschardt
Upcoming Events
- The National Conference on Ending Homelessness takes place from Monday to Wednesday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
- The Oilers host the Coyotes on Monday night, the Blues on Wednesday night, and the Devils on Friday night at Rogers Place.
- Farmfair International runs Wednesday to Sunday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
- The City is hosting a stakeholder workshop on urban trees on Thursday morning at the Kinsmen Recreation Centre.
- GreenSpark YEG takes place on Thursday evening at The Common.
- Here’s Nina, presented by ATB, is an annual fundraiser and awards ceremony supporting the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts. It takes place on Thursday evening at the Italian Cultural Society.
- The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival runs Friday and Saturday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
- HackED Beta 2019, an event aimed at beginner programmers and hackathon newcomers, takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Startup Edmonton.
- The City’s next Touch the Water Promenade engagement event is on Saturday morning at the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre.
- Poppy Barley is celebrating its 7th birthday fiesta-style on Saturday at the flagship store in Southgate.
- The A Dance to Remember Gala in support of the No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation takes place on Saturday evening at the JW Marriott.
- Jann Arden performs on Saturday night at the River Cree Resort & Casino.
- Heads up: The 2019 C-Tribe Festival runs Nov. 12-16 at locations throughout Edmonton.
- Heads up: Green Drinks: Carbon Neutral City is on Nov. 13 at Yellowhead Brewery.
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