Edmonton Minute: Issue 239

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

📅 This Week In Edmonton: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, the Urban Planning Committee will meet. The agenda includes a one-year review of the City’s zoning bylaw. This bylaw came into effect on January 1st, 2024 with the intent to simplify zoning regulations, support housing growth, and align with the City Plan’s goal of accommodating two million residents. The review found that housing approvals rose 30% from 2023, with multi-unit and row housing leading growth. Most permits were for developments that fully complied with the new rules, with only a small number requiring variances. Administration noted that processing times increased slightly, which was expected due to the new system and higher application volumes. While developing areas still saw the most new homes, redeveloping areas experienced a sharp rise in denser housing forms, including many eight-unit row houses. Further analysis is underway on issues like landscaping, bike parking, and alley access. Overall, the bylaw appears to be achieving its goals, at least from the City’s perspective.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. The agenda includes a review the 2024 Investment Committee Annual Report, which outlines the performance of the City’s $3.6 billion in financial assets. Returns in 2024 ranged from 5.0% in the Money Market Fund to 17.4% in the Pension Fund. All investment funds exceeded their benchmarks over both four-year and ten-year periods. The Ed Tel Endowment Fund paid $46 million in dividends and reached a market value of more than $1 billion for the first time. The report highlights growing investments in infrastructure and real estate, a new global equity manager, and the appointment of a new Committee member. The City prioritizes environmental, social, and governance standards, with all investment managers being signatories to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. The City claims that in-house asset management saves roughly $1.5 million each year in fees.
  
  
• The City of Edmonton is piloting a new process for branch budget presentations, starting in 2025 with Corporate Procurement and Supply Services, to improve Council’s understanding and decision-making for the 2027-2030 budget. This first presentation will take place at the Executive Committee Meeting. These presentations will provide detailed information such as budgets by section, staffing, cost drivers, services, and comparisons with other municipalities where possible. The pilot aims to gather feedback on whether the information is sufficient for informed budget decisions without debating the current budget itself. This approach will be refined before full implementation in 2026, with broader public engagement planned for the next budget cycle.
  
  
• The Edmonton Public School Board is calling on Alberta’s Education Minister to amend the Education Act to ensure undocumented children can attend school. Trustees say current laws allow school divisions to turn away students without immigration status and deny them provincial funding, creating a barrier to education. The board’s request follows concerns raised by families and advocacy groups who say children have been removed from school or denied enrolment due to their status. Trustee Jan Sawyer emphasized the moral imperative to educate all children, regardless of their parents’ decisions. Advocates argue that Alberta’s policies lag behind other provinces like Ontario and BC, which have clearer protections for undocumented students. The board will also seek support from the Alberta School Boards Association and other divisions. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides responded by highlighting Alberta’s generosity but did not address children currently in legal limbo due to pending immigration decisions.
  
  
• City Council has voted to preserve community-based names for its recreation centres, rejecting proposals to sell naming rights for external signage. While corporate naming will still be allowed for interior features, those deals must be approved by Council. This move aims to protect the cultural and neighbourhood identity of public facilities, balancing fiscal considerations with community pride. A previous estimate suggested naming rights could generate $21 million over 10 years, but city officials declined to give a breakdown for specific sites. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi noted that such revenue would not significantly close the City’s budget gap and could erode public connection to shared spaces. The decision will not affect existing contracts, such as the Booster Juice Community Centre and Rogers Place. Councillors called the new policy a smart compromise that still leaves room for sponsorship while upholding the character of Edmonton’s public infrastructure.
  
  
• New pop-up entertainment districts in Edmonton’s Downtown are aiming to enhance the area’s vibrancy by allowing people to stroll with drinks and dogs while enjoying markets and local businesses. Thanks to a new bylaw and efforts by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA), sections of 104 Street are transformed into large patios and pedestrian-friendly zones every Saturday through market season. This setup helps local businesses sell more products and creates a lively atmosphere for shoppers, with foot traffic estimated at around 20,000 visitors by season’s end. The entertainment district concept also supports events like the Winterval festival, allowing multiple businesses to sell licensed drinks outdoors. The market is dog-friendly, and is attracting many pet owners. City officials highlight that these initiatives help boost economic activity downtown and encourage visitors to explore more local shops and eateries. Overall, the program aims to support business growth while making downtown a more enjoyable and engaging space.
  
  
• Edmonton has launched a new strategy to position itself as a global leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence and construction engineering. Spearheaded by over 30 industry leaders and announced by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, the plan outlines steps to create an AI and construction-engineering cluster. Key goals include creating 20,000 new jobs in tech-enhanced trades, increasing productivity by nearly 50% over the next decade, and attracting $100 million in annual investment. The strategy emphasizes collaboration between builders, tech firms, researchers, and government. Immediate actions include forming a guiding cluster organization, securing operating support from all levels of government, and establishing an innovation lab at Edmonton Unlimited. Local leaders claim Edmonton is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, but it’s not immediately clear how Edmonton’s plan differs in any way from the bajillion other cities with similar plans to attract AI technology to their cities.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Who is your favourite Edmonton City Councillor - and why?

Is it because of their voting record, how they engage with the community, or something else?

Take a moment to reply and share your thoughts with us.

Your feedback helps us understand which Councillors are truly representing Edmontonians’ interests and values.

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