Posts of Reg Rygus RSSThu, 30 Apr 2026 18:52:58 GMTWhat's on in Edmonton this weekend? Celebrate the talent of Edmonton’s next generation of designers at LAYERS: MacEwan’s Design Portfolio Show, connect with Alberta’s film and television community at the 2026 Producer Power Up presented by AMPIA, experienceshadowy incorporeal timbres as UltraViolet performs Braxton, Ivičević, Vrhunc, Jeney, and Lemay, catch a performance of the bold reimagining of a timeless classic at the Citadel Theatre’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac, join the Alberta Literary Awards finalists for a free public reading of their works at Audreys Books, and so much more!SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS ... Read more

]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:52:58 GMTON THE AGENDAStephanie SwensrudeThis week, council is set to finalize a budget increase for a recreation centre in the west end, review a rezoning application for the Army & Navy building, and vote on the future of seven advisory boards.There is a public hearing on April 27, a council meeting on April 28 and 29, and a private council meeting on April 30.Here are some key items on the agenda:The Lewis Farms Community Recreation Centre could cost more than $32 million over the original budget, despite being scaled back. Council is set to vote on a borrowing bylaw, which makes public the dollar amount increase that was approved in March. “I wish we had hit ‘Stop’ and had a chance to sit down and try to bring other people into the mix,” said Coun. Michael Janz, who has opposed the project since he was elected.The owner of the Army & Navy building at 10411 Whyte Avenue NW has applied to rezone the property to allow for public access to the rooftop, additional signage, and more flexible reuse of the building. Leder Investments, the holding company of the family that owns Supreme Steel, has proposed rezoning from one direct control zone, which is in effect for several buildings along Whyte Avenue between Gateway Boulevard and 105 Street, to another direct control zone.Council is set to make a final vote on bylaws that would disband seven advisory boards, including the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (which was paused in 2023), the Edmonton Historical Board, the Edmonton Salutes Committee, the Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board, the Energy Transition Climate Resilience Committee, the Women’s Advisory Voice of Edmonton Committee (WAVE), and the City of Edmonton Youth Council. Reports accompanying the bylaws say council decided to sunset the boards in a private meeting on March 25. Members of some of the committees told Taproot they were shocked and disappointed by the decision, but Mayor Andrew Knack said there are better mechanisms to hear from people.YEGYEGYEGY... Read more

]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:52:05 GMTAlberta is introducing four new teaching certificates aimed at addressing teacher shortages by allowing tradespeople, skilled professionals, education students, and internationally trained teachers to enter classrooms sooner. The new pathways include certificates for final-year education students and internationally qualified teachers, as well as options for tradespeople and professionals to teach Grades 7 to 12 in their areas of expertise after completing required coursework. Candidates in the trades and professional stream must complete initial training before teaching and finish additional courses within three years to earn permanent certification. The Province says these changes will enrich student learning and expand access to educators, with some training programs expected to launch as early as this fall. The government also plans to offer bursaries to support participants, while post-secondary institutions are still being approved to deliver the required courses.The Legislative Assembly has approved a motion to increase the province’s electoral divisions to 91 seats for the next election, up from the current 87. This comes after a controversial independent commission returned both a majority and minority recommendation based on the previous plan for 89 seats. The chair of the commission recommended the increase to 91 as a potential compromise as part of the majority report. UCP members state that the expansion to 91 seats will ensure fair representation by building on the commission’s work. In contrast, the Alberta NDP describes the move as undemocratic, alleging it allows the government to redraw maps to its advantage. Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi specifically accused the UCP of gerrymandering to dilute the voting power of major urban centers like Calgary and Edmonton. A new panel, with appointees from both the UCP and the NDP, is expected to be announced soon.The Alberta government has launched a website detailing the nine referendum questions regarding ... Read more

]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:42:55 GMTWhat's on in Edmonton this weekend? Come by City Hall for a FREE film screening, book launch and signing at Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees, enjoy top-flight musicianship spiced with quirky humour with the KUBASONICS as part of Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts’ Ukrainian Music on the Prairies exhibit, dance the night away at Amy van Keeken's Vinyl Dance Party, check out EYEcon at Alberta Craft that brings together Alberta artists working in contemporary craft to explore the eye as both form and function, explore 16 different independent bookstores across the Edmonton area at the return of the Edmonton Indie Bookstore Extravaganza, and so much more!SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS... Read more

]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:25:01 GMTDowntown Edmonton pub and restaurant owners say they were “broadsided” by the City’s decision to introduce new licensing fees for year-round patios, warning the costs could force many to shut down or remove their outdoor spaces. Under the new policy, businesses will pay about $14,000 annually for all-season patios, with a temporary discount in 2026 before full fees take effect in 2027, whereas seasonal patios will cost about $3,700. Owners say they were encouraged to invest in patios through City and business association programs, but now feel the new fees undermine those efforts and threaten recent investments. Some businesses report significant financial strain, including declining post-pandemic revenues, rising property taxes, and vandalism costs, making the added fees difficult to absorb. Critics, including some councillors, argue the fees could reduce downtown vibrancy by discouraging outdoor spaces that bring people into the area. City Administration says the charges are intended to recover costs for safety infrastructure like barriers and inspections, but some owners dispute the value of those services.Edmonton Police Service documents and emails have revealed new details about a pilot project testing body-worn cameras equipped with artificial intelligence facial recognition, making it the first program of its kind in Canada. The system, supplied through US camera maker Axon and facial recognition vendor Corsight AI, scans faces in real time against a watchlist of roughly 7,000 individuals flagged for warrants or perceived risk. Internal privacy assessments describe the tool as a “significant adaptation” of existing bodycam technology, effectively turning it into a form of proactive surveillance, though police argue it is limited by safeguards such as distance, lighting, and officer-controlled activation. The pilot has raised major concerns among privacy experts and researchers, who warn about the lack of clear legal authority, potential data-sharing risks, a... Read more

]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:27:38 GMTAlberta’s government is appointing a new independent panel, including members chosen by both the UCP and the NDP, to redraw riding boundaries a second time - this time with an increase of 4 seats to 91, rather than an increase of 2 seats to 89. This comes after the previous panel submitted a majority report that recommended boundaries that would have favoured the NDP, while the minority report's suggestions would have favoured the UCP. The new panel will rely on past public submissions but would not hold new public hearings due to time constraints. The move is partly based on an additional recommendation made by the previous commission's chair, who suggested adding more seats would help to draw a fairer map that was more reflective of population growth, though this recommendation was not supported by the full commission. The opposition NDP accuses the government of misrepresenting the report and attempting to gerrymander electoral boundaries ahead of the 2027 election, even raising the possibility of legal action. Hopefully, the new panel can recommend a more neutral change that lies somewhere in between the two suggestions of the previous panel, and we'll reserve our judgement until we see if that's the case.Alberta’s government is proposing legislation that would allow residents to access private diagnostic testing without needing a doctor’s referral, enabling people to self-request services such as MRIs, CT scans, and other screening tests at private clinics for a fee. Officials say the change is intended to expand capacity, improve early detection of disease, and reduce pressure on the public health-care system by encouraging a parallel private market for those who can pay. The Province has indicated the rollout may be gradual, starting with a limited number of test types, with more details on eligibility and scope still to come. Critics warn the policy could deepen inequality by creating faster access for wealthier patients while increasing strain on the public... Read more

]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:20:54 GMTSince September 2008 Arnim Joop has published the Millwoods Mosaic. The latest issue is below.

]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:12:38 GMTWhat's on in Edmonton this weekend? Join the All Starz Zine Project and Creating Hope Society for their ZINE FEST featuring young local writers and artists, enjoy an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family with Beppie, Seeka Sings, and Beth Portman, discover new art at the commercial galleries of 124 Street & Area at their seasonal gallery walk, celebrate the launch of award-winning author Kristine Scarrow’s short story collection, Only Human, experience an electrifying night of incredible Edmonton talent at Sounds of YEG, and so much more!SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS... Read more

]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:16:55 GMTHelp Us Clean Up Our Community Sign-up the Capital City Clean Up! We’re trying something new this year—and we’d love for you to be part of it 💚 We're participating in the Capital City Clean up. Join us as we come together to clean up the litter around our parks and green spaces, so we can all enjoy them even more this summer. It’s a simple way to connect, give back, and take pride in our community.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP📅 Date: Sunday, May 17🕘 Time: 10:30 AM 📍 Meeting Point: We’ll be gathering at two locations this year—choose the one that’s closest or most convenient for you:Large Hall | 7708 - 85 Street NWSmall Hall | 8008 - 81 Street NW All supplies will be provided—just bring yourself, dress for the weather, and wear closed-toe shoes.👥 All ages welcome🧤 Gloves, grabbers, & bags provided🌱 Make a visible difference in your communityEvent Schedule: 10:30 AM – Doors Open: check-in & supply pick-up11:00 AM – Cleaning teams head out12:30 PM (approx.) – Return to the large hall for light snacks, refreshments, and supply drop-off  Save the Date!KEP Community League Annual General Meeting📅 Date: May 31, 2026🕘 Time: 1:00 PM📍 Location: Large Hall | 7708 - 85 Street NWPlease mark your calendars. Further details, agenda, and materials will be sent closer to the date. All community members are welcome to attend.... Read more

]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:08:28 GMTON THE AGENDAStephanie SwensrudeThis week, council will discuss the drivers of tax increases, vote on increasing the budget for various capital projects, and consider approving the first phase of the River Crossing Community Development.There is a community and public services committee meeting on April 13, an executive committee meeting on April 14, an urban planning committee meeting on April 14, and a city council meeting on April 15 and 17.Here are some key items on the agenda:The four main factors driving tax increases in Edmonton are the increased cost of services, population growth, slower growth in non-tax revenue, and increased operating expenses linked to new services and capital projects, says a report set to be presented to council. Administration forecasts that if no more service packages or debt-serviced capital projects are approved, the city will need tax levy increases of 5.6% in 2027, 4.3% in 2028, 3.9% in 2029, and 3.7% in 2030. Council will continue to direct administration in creating the budget before deliberations in the fall.Council is set to vote on amendments to borrowing bylaws that adjust how much capital projects cost. If council supports the bylaws, the budget for the replacement of light rail vehicles will increase by $80.8 million to a total of $321.3 million, the budget for the design and delivery of ramps at 137 Avenue NW and Anthony Henday Drive will increase by $8.5 million to $15 million, and the budget for the downtown district energy initiative will increase by $18.4 million $54.3 million.Administration will ask council to approve $15 million to begin work on the first phase of the River Crossing Community Development, which would see the construction or rehabilitation of the roads north of Re/Max Field and the first steps toward housing development on the field’s parking area. Executive committee considered the project last week and requisitioned the decision to council without a recommendation. Steve Hogle, fun advisor for th... Read more

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