The Utility Committee will meet this morning at 9:30 am. The agenda includes a discussion about the EPCOR Water Services 2025 Operational Plan. On Tuesday, the Agenda Review Committee will meet at 8:30 am to set the agendas for the February 11th meeting of the Urban Planning Committee and the February 12th meeting of the Executive Committee.
Council is considering a loan to help complete the Winspear Centre’s expansion, which has seen its costs rise to $118.2 million due to design changes and inflation. The expansion, slated for completion by 2026, includes a new performance venue, classrooms, and collaborative spaces. Despite raising $81.8 million through fundraising, the Centre still faces a $33.4 million shortfall.
Edmonton's population growth is expected to slow in 2025, with the Conference Board of Canada predicting only a 3% increase, down from 4.8% in 2024. While migration to the city has been a key economic driver, increased demand has impacted the housing market, causing the city’s affordability advantage to erode. The city's job market experienced a slowdown in 2024, with a higher unemployment rate, though employment is projected to grow by 2.1% in 2025. The report also highlights potential challenges from US tariffs on Canadian goods, particularly affecting Alberta’s energy sector, and suggests that weak population growth may worsen labour shortages.
