Week in Review - May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016
This past Sunday, under some refreshing rain, the Mayor and Edmonton’s Sikh community marched in this year’s 18th annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan parade. Some special guests were also in attendance this year, including federal ministers Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. The parade may have been wetter than usual, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of attendees.
The province made a major climate change announcement on Tuesday, introducing a bill that will implement the provincial government’s Climate Leadership Plan.
Mayor Iveson was invited to speak about Edmonton’s perspective on the plan and the Mayor made clear the expectation for consultation with municipalities on how revenue generated by the plan will be invested. The Mayor highlighted some of the city’s worthwhile sustainable energy initiatives as possible areas needing this support, like Blatchford’s district energy project and building out our LRT network. While highlighting partnership opportunities with the province, the Mayor said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create new long-term jobs for Albertans and focus on made-in-Alberta solutions that benefit Alberta companies. I believe that Edmonton can capitalize on its strengths in engineering, construction, manufacturing and advanced research to thrive in this new economy.”
Tuesday was also a big day for the EndPoverty Edmonton Task Force, as City Council unanimously approved their implementation roadmap. This is a big step towards realizing the city’s strategy to eliminating poverty in Edmonton within a generation. “It will take all of us working together if we want to end poverty in Edmonton,” said Mayor Iveson as he continues to rally the community behind this growing movement. Poverty remains a substantial issue for the city and the province, and solving it is fueled by considerations that are both moral and fiscal. Poverty costs $7-10 billion annually to manage province-wide.
Later in the week, the Government of Alberta announced a significant $6.2-million investment towards helping the city establish a Low Income Transit Pass. Next year, households that fall under the Low-Income Cut-Off (commonly called LICO) will be eligible for a 60 per cent discount on regular transit passes. Making transit affordable for those already struggling financially is a key recommendation of the End Poverty Edmonton work.
The Mayor also proclaimed Tuesday “#Yegyimby Day” during the Right at Home Housing Society’s event in City Hall. The YIMBY (meaning ‘Yes In My Backyard’) campaign is an initiative that will help build awareness around the benefits of providing affordable housing in all corners of the city. Being a #yegyimby means supporting Edmontonians’ access to safe, affordable housing in all areas of the city. It also means you wish to combat the stigma and concentration of poverty in our city - something everyone can get behind.
The Edmonton Tower, where nearly all of the City of Edmonton’s employees will be housed at the end of this year, was “topped off” by the Mayor and dignitaries on Wednesday. A wonderful milestone as the city looks to consolidate staff and improve the delivery of services to Edmonton through a new ‘front counter’ approach.
Finally, Thursday marked the unveiling of the new downtown pocket park on 104th Street, dedicated to former City Councillor and current University of Alberta board of governors chair Michael Phair. The Michael Phair Park recognizes the countless contributions he has made and continues to make to the city, LGBTQ+ community, and downtown life.
Next week Mayor Iveson will be Winnipeg-bound as he heads up his first meeting of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus as its newest Chair. The 21-member mayors’ caucus of Canada’s largest cities will be meeting to plan how best to work with the federal government on issues of city-building, including new infrastructure investments, reconciliation with urban Indigenous communities and ensuring affordable housing remains top of the agenda.
For More Information
Mayor Don Iveson
2nd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2R7
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