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May 2nd City Hall News¶
Posted by Michael Janz on May 2, 2024
Breaking news! The UCP backtracked on their cruel and indefensible $4.5 million dollar cancelation of the low-income transit subsidy to the lowest-income Edmontonians.
I had a long post written about the devastating impact yet another UCP cut would mean for the poorest among us. Thankfully, they reconsidered thanks to the immediate outrage, but no praise is deserved for playing games with the most vulnerable among us. As I wrote earlier, the province pays for the Deerfoot in Calgary but won't pay for the Yellowhead or the Whitemud in Edmonton. They won't pay their property taxes. They won't fund emergency services adequately..
We must keep up the political pressure. Phone calls. Letters. Organizing with neighbours. Edmontonians deserve a fair deal and as I wrote earlier, your property taxes could be 7% lower if the UCP paid their bills. Use my letter tool below (michaeljanz.ca/peoplenotparties) to tell them that people matter first, say no to corporate and union donors, and that no secret cabinet meeting should be allowed to fire critical city councillors.
May 1st City Hall E-News¶
Events¶
- May 11th - Alberta Bike Swap
- May 13th - Summer Streets launch party
- Big Bin Events This Summer!
- Fire Hall open houses
- May 25th - Harbinger Media Network Showcase
- July 1st - Mill Creek Pool reopening
News & Views¶
- Bill 20 is a disaster. Take action
- Housing Crisis: What is the role of the University of Alberta?
- What I'm hearing on the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy...
- Understanding property tax increases
- The Edmonton Police Commission is refusing to share its plans for auditing the local police department with city council. Councilor Keren Tang put forward a motion in December last year to have a look at the plan, which council approved. But now the EPC says it “owns the audit function” and does not “support sharing that responsibility with council.”
- Don't fall for privatization: Chicago doesn't own their own streets (Video)
EVENTS¶
Alberta Bike Swap – May 11th¶
Alberta Bike Swap provides a safe place to buy, sell, and donate bicycles. If you have a bike to sell or want to buy a bike they’ll tech check that bike and run the serial number to verify bike ownership because no one wants a stolen bike. Alberta Bike Swap works with dozens of groups to rebuild donated bikes too. If you have an unused or have outgrown a bike, they have a partner that would recondition that bike for re-use.
Learn More: https://albertabikeswap.ca/events/edmonton/
Summer Streets are back! Join us for an Ice Cream May 13th!¶
Peace Ave Bike Club, Paths for People, and my office and I will be handing out Ice Cream on May 13th at the Sask Drive and 106 street lookout. We'll be doing a ribbon cutting and encouraging all neighbours to walk, wheel, and roll and get outside this spring/summer!
On the following roads, a vehicle lane will be converted for walking, biking and other activities:
- Victoria Park Road (116 Street to River Valley Road)
- Saskatchewan Drive (109 Street to 104 Street)
- Calgary Trail (104 Street, Saskatchewan Drive to University Avenue)
https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/summer-streets
Summer Streets make walking, cycling, and riding safer for everyone, connecting them to Edmonton’s wider network of shared pathways and bike routes. Use the Discover YEG Map to explore Edmonton via bike routes, Summer Streets, and shared paths.
FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSES¶
Fire Station Open Houses, Select Saturdays Throughout the Spring and Summer, Times: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Each year, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services proudly opens its bay doors to Edmontonians. Our fire station open houses provide an opportunity for communities to meet their firefighters and fire prevention officers, explore the fire trucks and firefighting equipment, and learn important fire safety tips. The following preliminary dates and locations will be shared on edmonton.ca/EFRSOpenHouses in early May and promoted publicly after conclusion of this year’s Get Ready in the Park event: I'm going to try to attend these two in our ward:
- June 1 University Fire Station 3 11226 76 Avenue
- June 15 Rainbow Valley Fire Station 13 4035 119 Street
May 25th – Location TBD – Harbinger Media Network Showcase¶
Independent media is more important than ever. Join a local conversation with journalists, filmmakers and artist/activists to talk about the role of why we have to support independent media across Canada. RSVP and follow Harbinger Media Network on social media. Check out unrigged.ca for independent news. I love their email newsletter.