To kick-off 2025 and in advance of our upcoming federal election, I wanted to share with you a quick video I can’t stop thinking about. We badly need fair prices, consumer protection, and public competition.
With a little imagination and organizing we can rebuild our public services, the proven check and balance for democracy.
We recently received a memo from city administration about the "state of pickleball" in Edmonton, and I wanted to share this with you.
Many a time I’ve been out walking or cycling in the river valley and found myself in search of a bite or a beverage. We have a couple of great spots that I think could be much more.
Big developers are trying to convince Premier Smith to force Edmonton to allow even more sprawl. Meanwhile, our annual climate survey shows Edmontonians want urgent action on climate change. Adding density and subtracting car trips can have an outsized impact on ensuring clean air and water for all. Big developers backdooring more urban sprawl via the provincial government is absolutely the wrong path forward.
Policing is the largest item in the city budget and on your property tax bill. No one spends more on policing than Edmonton. But where is the new funding going?
Did you know that an inmate released from the Federal Bowden Institution would be resettled 184 km away in Edmonton, not much closer in Calgary, or Red Deer?
Maclean's Magazine reports that as a group, the ten richest Canadians combined net worth has ballooned over the last two decades to $261 Billion compared to a paltry $60 billion in 2004. Collectively enabling this opulence and stark inequality for the top ten while thousands die is one hell of a policy choice, Canada. According to the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, we could end homelessnes across canada for $4.4 billion a year for the next decade-- a bargain when we consider homelessness costs the Canadian economy $7 billion each year. Ending homelessness would yield a 2;1 return on investment, let alone the moral imperative.
"Your roads are in much better shape!" are words I didn't expect to hear from a Calgary friend, but I did. This week, Michael, I wanted to share some of the "Bread and Butter updates: Snow Removal, Potholes, Landscaping and of course, the housing crisis.
Not sure if you saw this in the Edmonton Journal, but Mayor Sohi put out an oped two weeks ago that I wanted to share: "Edmonton can close fiscal gap without sacrificing services.
I also included another important oped about what creates homelessness below and an invitation to learn more about climate action in your local community.
I was pleased to see the Globe and Mail Editorial Board as well as the CMHC put out favorable reports this week that Edmonton is a leader in building a home for everyone. This isn't just new market housing, but also non-market and affordable housing too. You or someone you love may need a new home soon, and a supply shortage helps landlords not renters, especially in a time of rapid population growth (Edmonton is growing 5% per year and we're at 1.15 million people).