Ronald Allen
- The Can’t Stop Alberta Tour is coming to Edmonton on Wednesday. The Common Sense Edmonton team will be joining the Alberta Institute for a fun evening at the Transit Smokehouse. We’ll be discussing some important, topical issues in provincial and municipal politics. You can RSVP by clicking here. Hope to see you there!
- There are several meetings at City Hall this week. Today, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Community and Public Services Committee. The Committee will receive a report regarding attracting major events to the City - the report indicates that in order to “continue to attract international and key national events, increased funding at the municipal level is required in order to leverage funding from other orders of government and the corporate sector”. Also up for discussion are ways to reduce drug poisonings in the city, including the creation of a steering committee and developing a local substance use strategy. The Urban Planning Committee will meet at 9:30 am on Tuesday. The Committee will discuss the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy, Office Tower Conversions, Arterial Road Assessments, and finally a review of real time traffic monitoring.
- On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. On the agenda is a discussion about a Dedicated Climate Fund. According to a Council Report, in order “to advance Energy Transition Strategy initiatives under the City’s control that will contribute towards becoming a net-zero emissions community by 2050, funding of $8.27 billion is required between 2024 and 2050 (the next 27 years).” A total tax increase of 6.7% over 10 years would be required to achieve this. The Utility Committee will meet on Friday at 9:30 am. The Committee will receive several reports, including one regarding the Waste Services Fall 2023 Supplemental Capital Budget Adjustment.
- This week marks the final event on our Can't Stop Alberta Tour. After 23 amazing events, we’re headed to Edmonton on Wednesday. We’ll be discussing the Alberta Pension Plan, K-12 education, Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, municipal politics, and more. Attendance is free, but if you’re so inclined, you can make a donation to help cover our venue hire costs and our travel expenses. Thanks to each and every one of you who came out to one of our stops. We were fortunate enough to meet people from Lethbridge to Fort McMurray, Lloydminster to Grande Prairie, and everywhere in between. If we didn’t come to your city, don't worry, we’re planning another tour soon!
- The Legislature will resume this afternoon with the Throne Speech at 3:00 pm. It can be watched live online. There will be afternoon sittings of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- Alberta is collaborating with software company AltaML to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at predicting wildfire locations. This AI-based prediction tool utilizes decades of fire data and weather forecasting to help allocate resources for firefighting efforts more accurately. The goal is to provide pinpoint locations of potential fires, optimize resource placement, and potentially save $2 million to $5 million annually.
The last post was about the city considering a 7% property tax hike for the 2024 budget and in my comments included a number of sayings. I'm going to use another saying in my introduction to Lorne Gunter's thoughtful column.
The trouble with common sense is that its in short supply and when found should be treasured. As he does so often in his columns, Lorne Gunter presents some common sense, this time on the issue of city spending.
The city's annual budget should include retainer fees to the like of Lorne Gunter who would bring a common sense perspective to issues under deliberation.
Margaret Thatcher famously said - "The trouble with socialism, is that eventually you run out of other peoples money to spend". Regardless of your political views, the point is well made and government officials at all levels pass budgets that prove it true. On Thursday City staff recommended a property tax rate hike to 7% for the 2024 budget.
I'm going to close with 2 other sayings. The first is that the city continues to spend taxpayers money like a drunken sailor and for many of those taxpayers the well is running dry.
Edmonton is a relatively new city so doesn't have that many old buildings. Unfortunately as Edmonton grew many older buildings did not escape the wrecking ball. Recent and the current city council have acted to preserve some older buildings such as the Boardwalk & Revillon buildings, both which were built in the early 1900s and now are declared municipal historic resources.
#Boardwalk&Revillon, #historicbuildings
With so many international issues vying for attention Linda Hoang focus us on what's happening in and around Edmonton is a welcome reminder.
The Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) first started in Edmonton in 1974 and continued its annual competitions here until 2017 when the Coliseum closed. From 2018 to 2023 the CFR was held in Red Deer but is returning to Edmonton for at least the next three years. The CFR was well attended and often sold out when it was held here previously and rodeo fans can polish their boots and dust hats and be the first in line to purchase their tickets when they go on sale.
Elise Barber had years of experience as a teacher, home schooling mom and facilitator recognized the need for field trip resources. Although she had an idea on how to fill that need she had to wait till her children were older before she could develop her idea. The idea was developed and launched as AllFieldTrips an online field trip resource centre for parents, educators and field trip providers.
On Sunday, Edmonton Public School teachers voted 91% in favor of rejecting a mediator's recommendations but can't hold a strike vote until two weeks after the mediator wraps up its role in the process. Teachers voted as a show of solidarity regarding some of their colleagues work loads, requirements, and roles.
In November Darlenne Hunneman' s grandchildren will deliver more than 400 tuques for Edmonton's homeless. After these tuques are delivered 88 year old Darlene Hunneman will start knitting all over again as she has after inspired by CTV News's Edmonton's Josh Classen's Hats for the Homeless. Even though she is blind the 88 year old has knitted over 300 tuques the last few years and hopes to knit 500 tuques next year. The tuques are a labor of love for Darlenne Hunneman and a gift of love that helps keep their recipients warm.