Week in Review - April 29, 2016
April 29, 2016
To a packed room of over 2,200 people, Mayor Iveson delivered his third State of the City Address in downtown Edmonton on Monday. The Mayor’s speech touched on several important topics, such as:
- the city’s internal changes like the creation of the new Integrated Infrastructure Services department that will bring consistency to how the city manages major projects;
- a call for regional revenue-sharing with Edmonton's municipal neighbours that allows for all to share in the benefits of growth and the burdens as well;
- new partnerships with provincial and federal governments that invest in improving the flow of goods and services within Edmonton and beyond; and,
- advocating for the inclusion of the Edmonton Metro region in the federal government’s newly enhanced employment insurance program.
The Mayor also made a major announcement of a strategy that will position the City of Edmonton as Canada’s health innovation city. Edmonton, with over 265 companies in the health industry and one of the nation’s leading research institutions, is already poised to become a centre of health excellence in Canada. “In Edmonton, we have nearly everything we need to drive health innovation in Canada, right at our fingertips,” said the Mayor. Next steps have Bob Westbury, Alberta Order of Excellence member, and Dr. Jodi Abbott, President of NorQuest College, coming on board to co-chair an industry coalition that will shepherd this new initiative.
For more information on the strategy please visit the newly launched ‘Edmonton is Canada’s Health City’ website.
Wednesday was an early day as the Mayor brought a message of compassion and reconciliation to the 21st annual Edmonton Prayer Breakfast. Members of the city’s diverse religious community, Mayors and Councillors from the surrounding region, and other public office holders came together to celebrate the strength of a community that promotes diversity of faith. Mayor Iveson highlighted the need for community spirit in order to help overcome adversity and tragedy in his remarks to the hundreds assembled.
At the Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday the Mayor and his Council colleagues discussed the prioritization of LRT routes next up for long-term funding. The reports show that Administration used a previously approved formula to help guide what routes would make the priority list and what new LRT segments make the most strategic sense. The committee did not provide a recommendation on the reports and sent them up to City Council for deliberation and a decision on where our LRT network will expand to next. Stay tuned for that discussion on Tuesday in City Council Chambers.
A somber moment was observed by the Mayor and other officials as they recognized the International Day of Mourning at Grant Notley Park on Thursday. The day is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives or been injured due to a workplace tragedy. Mayor Iveson expressed the City’s continued work to ensure a safe workplace for all its employees.
Next week the Mayor will be chairing a busy City Council meeting on Tuesday, the agenda includes items like federal transit stimulus funding and what that means for Edmonton and spring adjustments to the capital budget (which includes $34.9-million in available funding for allocation).
Thanks for reading! From the Mayor’s Office, have a beautiful and sunny weekend.
For More Information
Mayor Don Iveson
2nd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2R7
| Online | Contact The Mayor Online |
|---|
| https://twitter.com/yegmayoroffice |
