Edmonton Minute: Business Bylaws, Federal Funding, and a Transit Safety Crisis

Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics

This Week In Edmonton:

• This morning, at 8:30 am, there will be an Agenda Review Committee meeting, followed by a Community and Public Services Committee meeting at 9:30 am. The latter committee plans to discuss the possibility of creating a landlord registry to list landlords who consistently breach bylaws, or safety codes requirements (landlord license requirements already exist). The Committee will also discuss creating a Community Transit Outreach team. In this program, a City transit peace officer would be paired with a Bent Arrow outreach worker for proactive patrols of the transit system with the purpose of connecting people with specialized support. See below for our proposal to improve transit!
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, there will be an Urban Planning Committee meeting. On the agenda is a report regarding youth perception of safety on public transit. One of the key findings, unsurprisingly, is that parents and guardians feel as though transit is unsafe for young people to ride alone. Again, see below for our proposal on this. Also on the agenda are amendments to the Business Licence Bylaw that would establish a new ‘Designated Driver Service’ business category and remove the requirement for body rub centres, escort agencies and exotic entertainment businesses to collect and maintain workers' full names, dates of birth, and telephone numbers in their employee lists.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be an Executive Committee meeting to discuss unfunded downtown capital projects and Edmonton Research Park. The City has finalized plans to sell two buildings within the Park, but has heard from stakeholders that there are concerns regarding the Park's current state. The Committee will discuss options to increase development and amenities within the Park. Finally, on Friday, at 9:30 am, there will be a non-regular meeting of the Community and Public Services Committee to discuss recruitment to assorted committees for 2023.

Last Week In Edmonton:

• In a terrible tragedy, two Edmonton police officers were fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call in Inglewood. Edmontonians, colleagues, and family members paid tribute to Constable Brett Ryan and Constable Travis Jordan, who were remembered for their courage and bravery in keeping residents safe. Constable Ryan had served the EPS for five and a half years and was a minor hockey referee and expectant father. Constable Jordan had been with the force for eight and a half years and was from Coldbrook, Nova Scotia. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi encouraged Edmontonians to thank and support police officers.
  
  
• The federal government announced that four Edmonton area attractions will receive $3.7 million in federal funding. More than $1.2 million is earmarked for Fort Edmonton Park to develop and deliver winter programming. The Muttart Conservatory will receive $1 million to add new exhibits, install an interactive display, and upgrade kitchen facilities. The Edmonton Valley Zoo will receive $1 million to implement visitor enhancements such as new amenities, and the City of Edmonton is receiving $500,000 to install interactive art and decorative lighting in Churchill Square, City Hall and Arts District areas to draw visitors to Downtown.
  
  
• Recently released data from the Edmonton Police Service showed that violent events on Edmonton public transit increased by 53% between 2021 and 2022. Data also showed that crime severity trends higher in transit centres than it does citywide and that most crime on transit is random in nature. We think it's time for Edmonton Council to declare a Transit Safety Emergency, and do everything within their power to restore order and safety to our City’s transit system. If you agree, please sign our petition.

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