Edmonton Minute: Council Raise, Chinatown Funding, and Police Commission Appointments
Edmonton Minute: Council Raise, Chinatown Funding, and Police Commission Appointments
Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics
This Week In Edmonton:
- This morning, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Community and Public Services Committee. The Committee will finalize bylaw amendments to address the retail sale of knives before receiving a private report on Edmonton Elks Partner Field Naming. Later in the day, at 1:30 pm, there will be a Special City Council Meeting. Much of this meeting will be held in-camera (in secret) to discuss two private reports.
- On Tuesday, at 8:30 am, the Agenda Review Committee will meet. During this meeting, the Committee will set the agendas for various other upcoming meetings. Also on Tuesday, at 9:30 am, the Urban Planning Committee will meet to discuss the Environmental Impact Assessment and Site Location Study for the Capital Line South Extension Blackmud Creek Crossing.
- The Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:30 am. The Committee will, among other things, hear an update on the Derelict Residential Tax Subclass, discuss a report on addressing cellular connectivity gaps in LRT tunnels and stations, and consider extending a current sole source contract for web and content management services. On Friday, at 9:30 am, there will be a Public Hearing to address several land use amendment proposals.
Last Week In Edmonton:
- The Alberta government is launching an inquiry into Edmonton City Council’s selection of Police Commissioners. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) raised concerns about alleged dysfunction between City Council, the Edmonton Police Commission (EPC), and the police service. EPS specifically objected to the appointments of Daniel Jones, a former police officer, and Renée Vaugeois, a human rights advocate, citing their public-facing activities. Jones has previously been critical of police actions, while Vaugeois has participated in protests and was part of a coalition that sued the City over homeless encampment removals involving police. Jones has resigned, citing potential conflicts, while Vaugeois defended her appointment, emphasizing the value of diverse viewpoints and her long-standing community work.
- Council members received a 3.07% salary increase for 2025. The Mayor’s salary rose to $223,234 annually and Councillors’ pay increased to $126,119 annually. Council also benefits from various allowances, including health benefits and a pension plan. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has pledged to return the difference between his salary and Calgary’s Mayor to the City, citing the financial challenges Edmontonians face.
- Edmonton has extended its Chinatown Vibrancy Fund for two more years, allocating $480,000 annually for 2025 and 2026. Launched in 2024, the fund supports projects like Chinatown Dining Week and the Edmonton Dragon Festival, aiming to revitalize the area, which has faced challenges with safety, social disorder, and crime. The extension comes after a pilot project increasing police presence in Chinatown ended in December 2024. Safety concerns remain, as business owners report ongoing issues with homelessness and drug use in the area.
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