Edmonton Minute: Issue 237

Edmonton Minute: Issue 237

 

 

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

 

📅 This Week In Edmonton: 📅

  • On May 21st, at 9:30 am, there will be a City Council meeting. Council will receive the 2024 Edmonton Police Service Annual Report. The report highlights notable progress in reducing crime and enhancing public safety despite Edmonton’s growing population and demands. The city saw a 1.3% drop in overall crime, a 47% reduction in shootings, and the lowest crime rate in nearly a decade, attributed to targeted initiatives like the Healthy Streets Operation Centre and the Guns and Gangs Strategy. EPS increased front-line officers by 154 in 2024, boosting proactive policing and contributing to a 34.1% rise in officer-generated calls for service. Investigative successes included Project Gaslight, which disrupted extortion schemes targeting South Asian business owners. Public satisfaction remained steady, with 56% of residents satisfied and 65% feeling safe after dark. Innovation efforts introduced new technologies like body-worn cameras and biometric monitoring in detainee cells, while recruitment efforts apparently improved diversity with nearly 30% of new hires from underrepresented groups. EPS had a 2024 operating budget of $560.1 million, primarily funded by the City’s tax levy (83.4%), with additional support from provincial grants and other revenue sources. Actual expenses slightly exceeded the budget, resulting in a small surplus of $521,000 transferred to the EPS Operating Reserve, which ended the year with a minor deficit. The capital budget for 2023-2026 totals $114.4 million but still faces a $10.45 million shortfall.

  • The City of Edmonton is preparing to submit its first annual report to the federal Minister of Public Safety, as required by the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, which came into effect on January 1st, 2024. This legislation mandates that certain government institutions, including large municipalities, report on their efforts to eliminate forced and child labour in their supply chains. The City’s report, covering 2024 activities for both Edmonton and the Edmonton Police Service, must be approved by City Council before submission by May 31st, 2025, to avoid fines of up to $250,000. Edmonton’s existing policies, including its Sustainable Procurement Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct, incorporate ethical standards and social value considerations aligned with international labour standards. High-risk contracts over $100,000 undergo performance evaluations that assess compliance with ethical, sustainable, and living wage policies, with poor supplier performance potentially leading to probation or suspension. The City is adopting a phased approach to better identify and mitigate risks of forced and child labour, including remediation procedures, staff and supplier training, and ongoing evaluation of these measures. In 2024, no instances of forced or child labour were identified, but efforts to manage such risks will increase. The City will also develop protocols to assess the effectiveness of its policies.

  • Edmonton has launched a new Rapid Emergency Support Terminal (REST) to assist evacuees during disasters. Located in a former firehall, the facility can be operational within an hour and offers shelter, registration, refreshments, and pet kenneling. City manager Eddie Robar said it marks a major step in emergency preparedness. Hundreds of trained City staff can be deployed to operate the centre during crises. The model was tested in 2023 when thousands of evacuees arrived from Wood Buffalo and Jasper. Fire Chief David Lazenby said the facility is part of Edmonton’s broader emergency response strategy.

  • Spruce Avenue School in north-central Edmonton will be demolished and replaced with a new building, ending its nearly 100-year history. The junior high school, opened in 1928, will be replaced as part of Alberta’s school accelerator plan, fully funded by the province. Some community members are disappointed, saying the historic building should have been modernized. Edmonton Public Schools says the decision was driven by feasibility studies and provincial priorities. The new building will serve 605 students, up from the current capacity of 450, and include more flexible learning spaces. Construction is expected to begin in March and finish by January 2028.

  • Longtime Edmonton residents are urgently calling for stronger action to address excessive noise caused by modified vehicles racing through neighbourhoods, particularly on Saskatchewan Drive and Walterdale Hill. The loud engine revving and stunts often continue late into the night, disrupting sleep and outdoor activities for many, including elderly residents with health issues. Councillor Michael Janz described the problem as both a quality-of-life and public safety concern, linking noisy vehicles to dangerous driving and fatal accidents. Police acknowledge enforcement challenges due to technological and legal limitations, but do run periodic crackdowns. Residents and officials advocate for new tools like noise radar enforcement, similar to those used in cities like New York, to better identify and fine offenders. They stress that stronger and consistent enforcement is necessary to protect community wellbeing and local businesses impacted by the disturbance.

  • NAIT announced it is pausing 18 programs due to financial challenges and declining enrollment, affecting about 450 students and around 100 staff. The pause means no new student intakes while the programs undergo a review, though current students can finish their studies. This decision, revealed to staff only on the day before the public announcement, has caused concern among faculty and students, especially in programs like court reporting, which is unique in Canada and vital to the industry. Other programs paused include Computer Engineering Technology, Cybersecurity Immersive Industry Education, and the Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology. NAIT’s vice-president academic emphasized the move is to ensure the institution’s long-term sustainability by focusing resources on high-demand areas. However, some staff worry about the lack of clear communication and potential tuition increases if programs are restructured. The announcement’s timing has also created uncertainty for students and faculty planning for the upcoming academic year.

 


 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Common Sense Edmonton is gearing up for the upcoming municipal election. 

We plan to survey all of the candidates for Mayor and Council. What questions do you think we should ask? Hit reply to this email and let us know your top priorities!

 


 

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!

 

 


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  • Common Sense Edmonton
    published this page in News 2025-05-18 23:42:01 -0600