Edmonton Minute: Encampment Issues, Possible Strike, and a Valley Line Proposal
Edmonton Minute: Encampment Issues, Possible Strike, and a Valley Line Proposal
Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics
This Week In Edmonton:
- There will be a Special City Council Meeting this morning at 9:30 am. Much of the meeting will be held in-camera to discuss a City Manager Update.
- The Agenda Review Committee will meet on Tuesday at 8:30 am to set the agendas for upcoming meetings of the Utility Committee and Council Services Committee, as well as an upcoming City Council Public Hearing. Also on Tuesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Special Audit Sub-Committee. Much of the meeting will be held in-camera to discuss a City Auditor Update.
- Over 3,000 educational support workers in Edmonton and nearby areas could strike as early as today due to ongoing disputes over wages. These workers, including education assistants, librarians, and cafeteria staff, are represented by CUPE and have been without a new contract since 2020. The union has rejected recent offers, which include modest wage increases, citing the need for better compensation. The government and school boards have expressed disappointment over the situation, while contingency plans are being made to minimize disruption if the strike occurs.
Last Week In Edmonton:
- In 2024, Edmonton saw a significant increase in the number of homeless encampments dismantled, with nearly 9,500 removed, up 40% from the previous year. This cleanup effort cost the City about $5.8 million, a 240% rise from 2023. While the Alberta government provided a $4.5 million grant to assist with the cleanup, experts and advocates argue that simply removing encampments is ineffective without providing alternative housing solutions. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton continues to rise.
- Speaking of encampments, Edmonton police dismantled a large and elaborate encampment in the Fulton Creek area, which included solar panels, fire pits, and propane tanks. The encampment, built into a hillside in an industrial area, had three structures powered by generators. Police arrested a man and two women, one of whom had nine outstanding warrants, on charges including mischief over $5,000. Although the individuals living in the camp were offered services, they declined assistance.
- Councillor Andrew Knack proposed a solution to speed up the Valley Line West construction, which has faced significant delays. Knack suggests closing certain segments of Stony Plain Road and working 24/7 to accelerate progress, as the road work to make space for the tracks was initially expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Business leaders in the area have expressed concerns about the impact of extended construction hours, as many local businesses have already experienced significant customer loss due to ongoing disruptions. Construction on the project is expected to continue until 2028, with testing beginning only after its completion.
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