EPS to Host Second Online Town Hall Meeting
Monday April 16, 2012

Last April, the EPS hosted its first ever online town hall meeting, answering over 80 questions on a range of topics including traffic concerns, general EPS procedures, legal questions and concerns regarding specific problems within the city. Each question was then researched and answered by the subject matter experts.

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Edmonton Police Service Town Hall
Monday April 04, 2011

The Edmonton Police Service will connect with residents in its first ever online town hall meeting this month. It’s a new and innovative way to reach members of the community that may not normally attend a traditional town hall.

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Alberta Election
Thursday March 10, 2011
Phil Elder

An Alberta General Election is expected in the next fifteen months, most probably in early 2012. Popular wisdom and the mass media say that Ed Stelmach’s Progressive Conservative government is in trouble, having fumbled the ball on various policy issues, from medicare, through the Monty Python-like oil and gas royalty review, to poor oversight of oil sands’ phasing and their environmental impact.

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Clarifying the proposed arena debate
Thursday March 10, 2011
Lorna Rosen

There has been much chatter in recent days and weeks about the proposed downtown arena, just what it will cost and whether or not it is already a done deal.

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Tax dollars being used to support denominational schools in Edmonton
Tuesday January 04, 2011
Brent Kelly

Did you know that your tax dollars are being used to support denominational schools in Edmonton? This violates basic principles of fairness and equality. Government should not support or endorse any form of religion. Religion is a private matter, not a public one. Religious schools should not get a major portion of their funds from the taxpayer’s pocket.

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YES! For Edmonton
Sunday October 17, 2010

Stand up for Edmonton’s progress on Oct. 18 and beyond. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.� Those are powerful words spoken long ago by Mahatma Gandhi. But what is the change that you wish to see?

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Edmonton Ward 6 Candidate > Bryan Kapitza
Saturday October 16, 2010
Bryan Kapitza

We all know of the challenges that our city faces: urban sprawl, unresponsive government, a deteriorating downtown. The citizens of Edmonton expect their elected representatives to be offer innovative and visionary solutions to these problems.

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Edmonton Public School Board Trustee Candidate for Ward C - Christopher Spencer
Saturday October 16, 2010

Old Green Grovenor is going into politics.

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Alberta's Changing Politics
Saturday October 16, 2010

There is an increasing sense that the 40 year-old Progressive Conservative government of Alberta is on its last legs. Rather than wondering whether a change in its leadership can save the disintegrating regime, many Albertans are now asking who will succeed it.

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I Stand for Law and Order and Fiscal Responsibility
Saturday October 16, 2010

I was educated at New York University where I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters Degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing and Finance. Several years later I obtained a Law Degree from the University of British Columbia.

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Edmonton’s future needs fixing; 16-year-old has suggestions
Friday October 15, 2010
Logan Lehune

Hi my name is Logan Lehune. I’m 16-year-old student at McNally High School. I would like to give my take on the state of Edmonton and its future.

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Edmonton Ward 12 Candidate > Gerry Horn
Friday October 15, 2010

My name is Gerry Horn. I am happily married with 3 school age children. My parents immigrated to Canada after WWII. Born in Edmonton, and having lived mainly in Millwoods since 1973, I am acquainted with developments in Edmonton and area.

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Edmonton Ward 1 Candidate > Jamie Post
Friday October 15, 2010

My name is Jamie Post. I'm a 28 year-old resident of the Jasper Place area. My background is in I.T. (multi-platform networking), while my volunteer time is dedicated towards community advocacy, working with the Glenwood Community League, Jasper Place Revitalization, and the Edmonton Federation of Community League’s Planning & Development committee, and several sub-committees dedicated to civic issues ranging from family friendly neighborhoods, to the vitality of our community schools.

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The Success of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Wednesday August 04, 2010
Terry Wickham

I have been asked to write about “why the Edmonton Folk Festival is so successful�. Success can be measured in many ways. In the past 15 years our festival has sold 99% of all available tickets. Our financial situation has stabilized, we have gone from an accumulated deficit of $60,000 to $1 million in the bank, $1 million in our Endowment Fund, and owning our office, also worth 1 million.

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Bonar announces his candidacy for mayor of the City of Edmonton
Friday July 30, 2010
Daryl Bonar

On May 17, 2010, Bonar announced his candidacy for mayor of the City of Edmonton in the Oct. 18 municipal election. In this column, Daryl Bonar explains why he is a candidate and what he would do if elected as mayor.

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City council needs an attitude adjustment
Friday July 02, 2010
Kerry Diotte

City council needs an attitude adjustment and I want to help make that happen. That's one of the major reasons I'm seeking election in Ward 11 on Oct. 18.

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SHAPE encourages participation in events
Thursday July 01, 2010
Bev Esslinger

Have you taken the opportunity recently just to sit back and think about your elementary school days? Do you remember the first time you walked to school? The sense of freedom, fear and wonder all wrapped up in one. Do you remember when you rode your bike to school for the first time? You planned your route, got your bike ready for the trek, and then packed an extra juice box or two and a granola bar just in case you needed the extra energy?

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Not wildrose?
Thursday June 17, 2010
Phil Elder

As Alberta’s Progressive Conservative government continues to self-destruct, voters can at last imagine its defeat in the next election. The big question is, what should replace it?

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Change is coming. Be a part of it.
Tuesday June 08, 2010
Stephani Roy McCallum

At Dialogue Partners, we are working with Edmonton Public Schools to engage the public in Sector Planning Review in Central, South Central and West 1 sectors.

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Democratic Renewal Project (DLR) wants to consolidate Alberta’s progressive vote
Thursday May 13, 2010
Dr. Alvin Finkel

Despite the stereotype, many Albertans, perhaps even a majority, would like a progressive government that is concerned about helping vulnerable people and protecting the environment. In the last two provincial elections four voters in ten cast their ballots for progressive parties.

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Getting On Track
Thursday May 06, 2010
Paul Langan

The founder of High Speed Rail Canada explains why the rest of the world has already embraced high-speed rail.

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Edmonton Public Schools Foundation Helps Students Get Ready for Life
Tuesday April 27, 2010
Sandra Woitas

More than 200 people converged on Highlands Junior High School on February 10, 2010 to officially launch the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation. The school was abuzz, with the Highlands Cheer Team performing stunts in hallways while students greeted guests and took them to see classrooms in action and to meet community partners.

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My Prescription for Better Health Care
Sunday April 18, 2010
David Swann

As a physician, Leader of the Official Opposition and a concerned citizen, it infuriates me to see how Conservative mismanagement has damaged the quality, efficiency and accessibility of our public health care system. 

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"Calling" All Drivers
Thursday April 15, 2010
Dr. Louis Francescutti

How was your commute today? Did you notice the man, woman or teen behind the wheel eating a bagel and drinking coffee with their hands; using their shoulder to hold their phone and their knees to steer? Alberta is quickly becoming a province being recognized, not for its success, but for having some of the most dangerous and reckless drivers in the world.

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Mass Murderers on Campus?
Tuesday April 06, 2010
Kenna McKinnon

“Wow, for a second I thought that the University was going to try to get students who are collapsing under their workload help. But no, they are just treating all of their students as if they all were potential mass murderers…�

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Start with Trust - BBB of Central and Northern Alberta
Monday March 15, 2010
Bob Kenyon

Your Better Business Bureau, now simply known as BBB, has made many changes to benefit both consumers and businesses. The non-profit BBB of Central and Northern Alberta, has had an office in Edmonton since 1957.

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December 17th the 70th Anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Thursday December 17, 2009
Thomas Hinderks

What was the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan? British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was a massive air-training program involving the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia during the Second World War. Canada, trained 130,000, more than all other participants combined. The plan remains the single largest aviation training program in history and was responsible for training pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, gunners, wireless operators and flight engineers of the Commonwealth air forces during the Second World War...

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The Way We Move Forward
Wednesday December 02, 2009
Bob Boutilier

Edmonton residents see public transit, and transportation generally, as real priorities for strong focus, future action and ongoing investment in this city. We’ve heard it in the results of our latest citizen satisfaction survey, and we couldn’t agree more.

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Possible School Closures – How do we move forward together?
Sunday November 29, 2009
Steph McCallum

Greater Hardisty Area & City Centre Education Partnership Edmonton Public Schools is engaging the community and stakeholders in a conversation on school space as the centre of a complete and vibrant community.

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Great Neighbourhoods: Shaping the Future of Where We Live. Together.
Tuesday November 17, 2009
Stephane Labonne

It’s true that people often move to Edmonton for work but more often than not it’s the sense of community they find here, the connections they make, that keeps them here. It’s a common theme of the stories being shared through Edmonton Stories.

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Intersection Safety Devices (ISDs) Help Save Lives
Sunday November 15, 2009
Gerry Shimko

Red light cameras will now do double duty at high collision intersections in Edmonton, St. Albert and Strathcona County. For years the Province of Alberta has allowed municipalities to use electronic devices to enforce traffic laws. Last year they approved the use of Intersection Safety Devices (ISDs), more commonly known as red light cameras, to measure speed in intersections on all phases of the light. Red, yellow and green. Cameras are already issuing tickets to drivers that run red lights and now if you speed while driving through an intersection, you could receive a ticket for that too.

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Have you hosted a Front Room Forum yet?
Thursday November 05, 2009
Paul Loosely

Are you one of the dozens of Edmontonians who have hosted or attended a Front Room Forum? If not, you still have time to get involved and get your views heard about Edmonton's people services! Your views will be used to inform the creation of Edmonton's first People Plan.

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Some Good Heritage News
Wednesday November 04, 2009
Michael Payne

These are interesting times for the heritage community in Edmonton with lots of exciting new initiatives that will help the city reach its published strategic goal of being a place that “preserves, celebrates and supports … heritage, arts and culture.�

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Air Passenger Leakage 101 - Why Edmontonians should care!
Tuesday October 13, 2009
Peter McCart

Edmonton International Airport (EIA) has experienced a growth rate that has been amongst the highest in North America over the last few years. This is often attributed to the airline’s attraction (or lack thereof) to Edmonton; some might even say this came about through great airport marketing and solid operations, but the true fact is…it is the Edmonton community that has chosen its air service, creating unprecedented growth.

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Canadian Pavilion at Heritage Festival a tale of pride and passion
Tuesday October 06, 2009
Alexandra Preston

My name is Alexandra Preston, and I love Canada! With the help of my mom and many of my friends, I was able to put together the first Canadian pavilion at the 2009 Servus Heritage Festival. I wanted to share my love of Canada with other Edmontonians because I truly feel that Canada has a culture that should be celebrated!

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C2E thread now dEdmonton — Canada's Halloween festival!
Friday October 02, 2009

A little over one year ago dEdmonton was born as a lunch-hour musing on C2E. Now it has grown into a not-for-profit dedicated to the celebration of Halloween in and around Edmonton. Our goal is to promote Halloween-related events and organizations, and to turn the whole of October into a celebration of the mischievously morbid and macabre. “The More…The Scarier� is our motto, and we have tirelessly dug up all-things Halloween – from fiendishly fun family activities; to devilishly diverse nightlife; to horror happenings. We've stitched, bolted and brought them all together to give Festival City another attraction, and we will reanimate Edmonton as the Halloween Capital of Canada!

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Changecamp Edmonton: Reimagining government in the age of participation
Sunday September 27, 2009
Justin Archer

Over the past several decades, innovation and progress in software and electronics development have profoundly changed the way we live our lives and interact with each other and the world around us. Hardware advances have produced computers capable of sorting through virtual mountains of data on a near-instant basis, while leaps in software ingenuity have connected that data and the people who use it with astonishing breadth and precision.

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Strong neighbourhoods are Edmonton’s backbone
Friday August 21, 2009
Michael Janz

Edmonton’s 150th community league opened in July, a reminder that one of the great hallmarks of Edmonton is our unique community league system. In a time when digital communities seem to be gaining a higher profile, Edmontonians are still interested in getting to know their neighbours and thinking locally when it comes to their social and recreational activities. Community leagues transcend ethnic or age boundaries and the only membership criteria to join a league is that you live within the designated geographic area.

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Edmonton Design Committee – is perfection attainable?
Friday July 31, 2009
Anneliese Fris

The Edmonton Design Committee was formed in 2005 to provide advice to council on selected development permit applications that fall within specific geographic areas of the city. While the committee provides advice, it is council that makes all decisions – and council can choose whether or not to take account of the committee’s opinion. Committee members are a diverse group with representatives from different professions. The committee is guided by its “Principles of Urban Design� that were developed at the Committee’s inception during a series of intensive workshops. These principles are not a checklist that projects must adhere to, but rather are guidelines to provoke and challenge proponents to achieve exemplary urban design.

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Edmonton's Guardian Angels Answer Community Need
Saturday July 25, 2009
Dave Schroder

On the 10th of September in 2007 a graduation ceremony took place at the Montrose Community Hall. The hall was packed with friends and family members of the six people who were to become Edmonton's first Guardian Angels. Also in attendance were numerous media representatives, long time member and past President of Neighborhood Watch, Merv Swityk, as well as members of the public who were on hand to show support.

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Edmonton Salutes the Troops
Thursday July 23, 2009
Anthony Druett

On several occasions last fall, drivers approaching Edmonton’s southern limits on the Q.E.II Highway may have been surprised to see fire engines parked at conspicuous locations on the overpasses and along the highway. If they had looked up at the sky they may also have noticed an unmarked airliner descending into the International Airport closely escorted by two CF 18 fighter jets.

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Edmonton’s Early Recreation and Sports Facilities: Part Two
Sunday July 12, 2009
Michael Payne

Some months ago I promised to add a bit more detail on the history of Edmonton’s early recreation facilities, and with the recent announcement of work beginning on the new North Central Community Recreation Centre at Commonwealth Stadium it seems like a good time to talk about how this area became the hub for sports in Edmonton.

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Edmonton’s Dining Passport
Monday June 29, 2009
Sharon Yeo

Though I have been known to bemoan the lack of dining concepts and conveniences privy to larger municipalities, I appreciate that Edmonton has provided me with many memorable food experiences. I recognize, however, that in a city dominated by national and international chains, it is easy to overlook the gems hidden in paths not yet taken, in neighbourhoods yet to be explored. In this article, I hope to provide some direction to eateries and establishments off the radar, and in doing so, craft an “Edmonton dining passport� – a map of suggestions that fall away from the mainstream track. Enjoy the journey!

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Why is our History and History in General so Important?
Tuesday June 16, 2009
Thomas Hinderks

Some of the things that I have seen posted on C2E since I joined have been… - Who cares about history? - Our history is not important. - Our history is not significant. - History only holds back our future. - Who cares about history? I only care about the future. (alternate. we should only care about the future) There have been variations on the theme but I am sure you get the drift. So I felt it time to look at the topic in a more focused light and look at why it should be important to all of us.

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LRT (Light Rail Transit) Expansion
Wednesday June 10, 2009
Bob Boutilier

Some people hear the word change and get nervous. I hear the word change and see exciting potential for growth, improvement, and opportunity.

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Edmonton Public Library: Aiming High, Reaching Out, and Doing Good
Friday June 05, 2009
Linda Cook

For those of you who have not done so in awhile, I would like to encourage you to visit your local public library. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. This is not the public library of “yesteryear� with library staff admonishing you to be quiet, where you were forbidden to take food and drink onto the premises, where scowling librarians looked askance if you dared to disturb the perfect alignment of their shelves by daring to remove books, or where the only borrowing choices you had were books and magazines.

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Homeless Connect Edmonton
Sunday May 31, 2009
Hannah Hunter

Do you take your home, job, new clothes, food, and everyday utilities for granted? After my experience on Sunday, May 24, I realized I shouldn't. Homeless people from all over Edmonton gathered at the Shaw Conference Center to receive things that we are used to having.

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C2E's 100th column and incorporation mark the start of new era!
Thursday May 28, 2009
Richard Skermer

As I sit and draft out the 100th column for C2E, it is a great time to reflect on where we’ve been, and where we are going.

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The Importance of Local Television
Wednesday May 20, 2009
Lloyd Lewis

As Canadians, we have been lucky to have a television broadcasting system that is second to none anywhere in the world: more choice, more options, more channels. In recent weeks and months, there has been a great deal of discussion about the future of the industry, especially “local television.� The sad truth is that advertiser-supported mass media such as we’ve come to know it becoming a thing of the past, and without additional sources of revenue, there is a very good chance that these local channels will disappear. We live in unprecedented times.

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Promoting Edmonton – edmontonstories.ca
Wednesday May 13, 2009
Mary Pat Barry

The Edmonton experience. We know it. We live it. We just don’t talk much about it. Research conducted in July 2008 has shown us that the Edmonton experience IS what people look for and value in a place to live or visit. While awareness of Edmonton is low in national markets, the experience of Edmonton is highly valued by the people who live here. Our city is ranked high in terms of the key attributes and motivators people look for when considering the ideal place to live or visit.

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Festival Volunteer Fair invites Edmontonians to volunteer
Friday May 08, 2009
Evelyn Pham

As a city with the reputation for being Canada’s Festival City, there’s no doubt our festivals are a source of community pride and an important element to our quality of life. That’s why on May 13, organizers of the second annual Festival Volunteer Fair hope Edmontonians will come out to the TransAlta Arts Barns, located at 103 Street and 84 Avenue, between 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to help 32 unique arts and culture-related festivals that need volunteers.

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Mayor’s State of the City
Tuesday May 05, 2009
Stephen Mandel

The video is right. It is our time to imagine, to grow ideas. And to dream. I am so struck by the power of this message because it gets right to the heart of it. It helps us see so clearly that now is the time, yes today when we are hard- pressed to find even a glimmer of positive news on our business pages, now is the time to focus on innovating.

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Let's work together to clean up Edmonton!
Friday May 01, 2009
Don Belanger

“We have to expect a certain amount of dirt & grime at this time of year as the snowbanks dissipate and refuse, trapped for months, once again appears in layer after layer.� 240GLT, a C2E member This statement by 240GLT is so true, particularly in Edmonton, a winter city. It’s that time of year again. And all that dirt and grime which winter leaves behind means that Edmonton needs to put the shovels in the shed (but don’t lock them up, it could snow again!) and pull out the brooms and garbage bags: it’s show time for our beautiful City.

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Is architecture relevant to Edmonton?
Tuesday April 07, 2009
Peter Osborne

With today’s new realities, is architecture relevant to Edmonton? First, being relevant is defined as having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand. In this case, the matter at hand is our lives, our well-being and our community. To help demonstrate how architecture has a bearing on Edmonton I explored its relevance at three different scales; a global scale, a city scale and a personnel scale.

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Edmonton Tackles the Litter Challenge
Sunday April 05, 2009
Al Maurer

After C2E's Top-10 "Great Ideas for A Greater Edmonton" contest last January, Al Maurer, Edmonton's City Manager, has written a column in response to our number two 'Great Idea' - clean up the city.

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85 Years of Service on the Wing
Wednesday April 01, 2009
Thomas Hinderks

April 1, 1924 The senior services played one last joke in the creation of the Royal Canadian Air Force, all the paper work was done to bring it into existence on April fools day.

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Edmonton Loves Twitter!
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Mack D. Male

In March of 2006, a podcasting company in San Francisco called Odeo launched a quirky side-project called Twttr. It’s purpose was to connect people via SMS and the web. Slowly but surely the technology industry adopted the service (renamed Twitter), and a year later at South by Southwest 2007 (SXSW), growth started to increase. Fast forward another year and Edmontonians started to experiment with Twitter. Now, three years after it launched, Twitter usage in Edmonton is exploding.

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C2E Celebrates a Milestone!
Monday March 30, 2009
David Norwood

Three years ago, on 30 March 2006 to be exact, this forum, Connect2Edmonton (C2E), came into existence. It was the result of an initiative undertaken by many people in a number of organizations – Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), Edmonton Airports, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and the City of Edmonton. These organizations (now joined by the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, NAIT, and MacEwan) collectively understood the need to try something very different – an online forum, where people with any interest in Edmonton could participate in, discuss, contribute and learn about, just about any topic or issue involving the city and its metropolitan region.

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Valley Zoo Views and Development News
Friday March 06, 2009
Denise Prefontaine

There has been a great deal of discussion regarding zoos in the past week, and I think there are some points to be made regarding the value of zoos. Being in the industry for a number of years, I have watched a steady progression towards advanced education, conservation, and zoo management. As the Valley Zoo begins its next phase in the development of its master plan, I would like to share some thoughts and news regarding our zoo and zoos in general.

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DemoCamp Edmonton 6
Tuesday March 03, 2009
Cam Linke

It doesn't take very much digging in the Edmonton technology community to see that there is a lot more going on that at first glance. Beneath the surface are a lot of incredible projects that people don't know about mostly because it isn't talked about. DemoCamp Edmonton was created to try and help remedy that problem. An informal get together of those involved in Edmonton's technology sector DemoCamp is a chance for people to show off what they are working on and interact with some like-minded individuals.

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Early Edmonton Recreation Facilities
Thursday February 26, 2009
Michael Payne

Last year I was asked to do a little background historical research on outdoor swimming pools and the sports facilities at the original Clarke Stadium site. I was surprised to realize that the city’s current system of recreation and cultural facilities – Community Services alone operates over 60 including arenas, pools, leisure and fitness centres, golf courses, and attractions such as Fort Edmonton Park and the Valley Zoo - really grew out of a handful of pioneering, but now largely overlooked, developments.

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A 21st Century Zoo for Edmonton
Wednesday February 25, 2009
Tove Reece

The Valley Zoo is located in one of the most beautiful spots in Edmonton. Nestled in the river valley and surrounded by parks, it has a peaceful and otherworldly feel as the bustle of the city recedes into the background. Sadly, despite the lovely location, the zoo itself is a relic of the past. Years of chronic under funding has left the zoo dilapidated and in desperate need of modernization. A lack of vision has kept the zoo in a time warp, letting progressive ideas pass it by.

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The Edmonton Citizen Panel: An Experiment in Democracy
Thursday February 12, 2009
Marco Adria

Political life is all around us. From the playground to the factory floor, and from the hockey arena to the art gallery. We are all engaged in working out the question of, “who will make the decisions – big and small.� But the push and pull of political life arises from another question, perhaps the most difficult and durable question of all for communities and societies. It began with Aristotle’s Politics and has persisted for centuries. It’s the question of democracy, of “who will have a say.� The Edmonton Citizen Panel, which begins on February 21, 2009, will provide citizens with a stronger voice in municipal decision-making.

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Heritage Matters
Thursday January 22, 2009
Michael Payne

In recent weeks I have discovered connect2edmonton because of my personal and professional interest in Edmonton history. I’ve noticed a lot of guest columns and threads on Edmonton’s history, especially built heritage, and on heritage institutions and organizations, such as the on-going Royal Alberta Museum redevelopment saga. The discussions are lively, enthusiastic, informed and suggest that a lot more Edmontonians care deeply about heritage than we are often led to believe.

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A Habitat for Humanity in Edmonton
Saturday January 10, 2009
Alfred Nikolai


Standing in line at my local grocery store is a privilege for me. That’s because I can afford to buy whatever food I want, and so the wait doesn’t bother me. But there are many Edmontonians who do not enjoy this same privilege. There are thousands of hardworking mothers and fathers in our city who thumb through apples and oranges at the grocery store and wonder if they can afford to buy them. Every month they’re faced with the decision of whether to buy groceries for their family or pay the rent. How have they found themselves in this predicament? Their hand has been forced by Edmonton’s affordable housing crisis.

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Edmonton’s Defining Moment
Saturday November 15, 2008
Michael Walters

Melamine in baby formula and chocolate, listeria and BSE in meat, E.coli in spinach; these are some of the headlines that should prompt Edmontonians to think about the concept of food security. Greater Edmonton is not a food secure region because of our dependency on world markets. We have a plan for water, a plan for air quality, a plan for natural areas and even a plan for skateboard parks, but no plan for food. Our food supply is sensitive to the world’s economic turmoil, credit markets, oil supply and pricing volatility. As such, we need to be very concerned with our own ability to produce food locally and more efficiently. If we are not food secure, we are simply not secure.

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NSRVCS formed to protect river valley biodiversity
Friday October 24, 2008
Iren Bartok

—Woodbend Natural Area threatened by gravel industry The City of Edmonton will balance ecological and environmental considerations with economic and social considerations in its decision making and demonstrate that it has done so. City of Edmonton Policy C-531, Natural Areas Systems

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Social Enterprise: Non-profits in the 21st Century
Friday October 10, 2008
Omar Yaqub

How do we make Edmonton’s non-profits healthier, more resilient, and dynamic? Social enterprise which combines the best of the business world (healthy balance sheets, focus, and innovation), with non-profit ideals (service, human development, and community building) is one exciting approach!

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Reclaiming Deadmonton
Tuesday October 07, 2008
Christian Nelson

For someone who has grown up in Edmonton, or who has lived here for awhile, or for whom Edmonton is home, the sound of the word Deadmonton can be physically irritating. Like nails on a chalkboard – it makes you tense up, you try your best to ignore it, and you just hope that it will go away soon.

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GEA launches 'This Land is our Land' land-use campaign
Monday September 22, 2008
Michael Walters

When we imagine how our city will grow and develop in the coming decades, there is an important question to consider. Where will our food come from?

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Edmonton – a city with some serious pedal power
Monday September 08, 2008
Claire Ellick

Ring. Ring. Was that your cell phone again? No, it’s the sound of bicycle bells ringing out with joy because the City of Edmonton’s Transportation Department has a new Bicycle Transportation Plan! And some would say it’s about darned time.The last time the bike plan was updated was in 1992.

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Why Great Buildings Matter
Tuesday July 29, 2008
Adriana Davies

Unique buildings and spaces are associated with communities, visually defining them for residents and visitors alike. They make cities great and reinforce individual and community identity and pride. They are the visual expression of what might be described as the soul of the city, which is the sum total of all of the works, aspirations and dreams of its citizens. A city grows through time, and buildings and neighbourhoods reflect cycles of boom and bust. They also represent architectural styles and periods.

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Edmontonians urged to attend Everyone for Edmonton! event on Aug. 23
Tuesday July 22, 2008
Janice Bell

Alberta has over 19, 000 nonprofits, charities and community-based organizations supported by 2.5 million volunteers and employing over 105, 000 staff in 2003. The Edmonton region has approximately 8,000 nonprofit groups with about 4,000 existing right here in Edmonton alone. To say that such organizations have a strong impact on our quality of life is an understatement. Few folks realize that each and every one of these organizations exist for a reason, whether it be providing a hot meal to a frail senior, organizing the festivals and plays that happen throughout the year, advocating for the rights of battered and abused women or searching for a cure for cancer, their work touches all of us in every aspect of our lives.

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Capital EX, Edmonton’s signature summer experience, all set for July 17-26
Monday July 14, 2008
Laura Gadowsky

Edmonton, get ready for our city’s biggest summer celebration to date – as the 2008 edition of Capital EX is set to kick off with the biggest names in entertainment, incredible thrills, unforgettable family fun, and amazing shopping experiences.

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Guerrilla Gardening: Growing Edmonton's Community
Wednesday July 09, 2008
Dustin Bajer

For the first time in history, more people live in cities than the country. With millions more moving each week, we are increasingly an urban species. It seems reasonable then that the solutions to many of the problems we've created and inherited will blossom from these urban centres.

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Think: A New Idea of Alberta
Tuesday June 24, 2008
Mike McCullough

People visit art galleries or go to a play or travel all the way to Europe for what? To be inspired. Literally, to have the spirit put into them. Few people, though, think of Alberta (its built environment, at least) as an inspiring place. We may be rich in the wallet these days, but we are poor in spirit.

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EDDIE Bus attractions tour important for Edmonton’s connectivity and promotion
Tuesday June 17, 2008
Gary Poliquin

The EDDIE bus attractions tour is beginning its second year on June 28. This tour is an important piece in Edmonton’s tourism growth. We have a region of over one million inhabitants, an economy that is in overdrive, a teasing of cultural developments occurring including the much anticipated art gallery, continued reworking of Louise McKinney Park, potential expansion of the Royal Alberta Museum, the addition of new structures at Fort Edmonton Park seemingly every year, and new exciting additions all the time. The question is how many of these places have you visited in the last year?

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Edmonton proclaims June is Recreation and Parks Month
Friday June 13, 2008
Debra Ward

June is Recreation and Parks Month highlights the many benefits recreation and parks bring to our community and acknowledge the strong foundation of parks and recreation facilities and programs in Alberta.

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Pecha Kucha nights help Edmonton recognize its creativity
Wednesday May 28, 2008
Michael Strong

Edmonton is full of great design ideas and talent. Whether it’s industrial or interior design, fashion or photography, architecture or landscape design – Edmonton has it. But like most other cities, Edmonton has few if any places where local designers can regularly meet to show off their work and discuss what’s new and cutting edge. That is, until now.

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New Edmonton-based charity helps prevent child sexual abuse
Wednesday May 21, 2008
Glori Meldrum

Little Warriors is a new charity launched on March 5, 2008 in Edmonton with a mandate to teach adults how to help protect children from sexual abuse.

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Edmonton welcomes 23 Avenue interchange construction
Thursday May 15, 2008
Joe Kabarchuk

Edmonton is transforming. As we move from being a mid-sized prairie town to a major Canadian city, the infrastructure investments that are necessary for us to take our place on the world stage are being made. One has to look no further than construction of the 23 Avenue interchange at Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard.

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Mayor’s State of the City, 2008
Wednesday May 14, 2008
Mayor Mandel

This is the second time my state of the city address is being used to set a theme at the start of a new Council term. And I have to say that I have always enjoyed doing these speeches, ever since the first state of the city where I got to say “crap� and was then applauded. I was still pretty new at this job so I thought, “wow, that’s what the Mayor can do.�

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Edmonton needs splash of urban colour
Wednesday May 07, 2008
Myron Belej

What a difference some paint can make! Paint, or more specifically, urban colour, has the potential to completely revitalize Edmonton’s stucco skyline, public buildings, parking lots, and older neighbourhoods, including downtown. Urban colour has a known positive impact on tourism and economic development, historic preservation, waste reduction and the environment, graffiti removal, perceptions of safety, property and other crimes, and even happiness.

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Walkable Edmonton developing walkability strategy
Thursday May 01, 2008
Ian Hosler

As the City of Edmonton looks to the future desired by its citizens through the public consultations related to the Envision Edmonton, Transportation Master Plan Update and Focus Edmonton – City Plan projects, the concepts of healthy, livable, environmentally progressive communities emerge as a vision of the kind of city that Edmontonians would like to live in. Citizens are also expressing concerns about our current and future environment, our health, the design of our communities, transportation, and safety and are asking for change.

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National Volunteer Week celebrates volunteers and highlights needs
Thursday May 01, 2008
Evelyn Pham

National Volunteer Week is an event happening from April 27 to May 3 celebrating volunteers and all the good work they do. Their combined contributions have made a huge, lasting impact on our communities, especially when you consider the sheer number of volunteers in Canada: statistics show 12 million people volunteer in some form, accounting for 45 per cent of the population.

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Edmonton deserves chance to host the Portrait Gallery of Canada
Thursday April 24, 2008
Ken Cantor

An Ottawa senator of the non-hockey playing sort has proposed a law that would make it illegal to locate the Portrait Gallery of Canada outside the national capital region. Jerry Grafstein argued that it needs to be close to the special building operated by the national archives where the entire collection is currently stored. In Gatineau. In Quebec.

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Austin and Edmonton are remarkably similar
Saturday April 19, 2008
Alexandre Enkerli

At the risk of inflaming some city rivalries, I propose that Edmonton and Austin might be functionally equivalent cities in their respective contexts. I say this without having been to Alberta or even to Houston. But I get the feeling my analogy isn’t too far off.

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Port Alberta: a new perspective on Edmonton’s global position
Friday April 11, 2008
Glen Vanstone

Over the last two years Edmonton Airports has begun to talk earnestly about the potential for transforming the region into a major transportation hub and focusing a significant amount of development at the International Airport. We branded the initiative Port Alberta and began the long road of assembling the building blocks.

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Geodesic dome would enhance potential of SWC Square
Tuesday April 01, 2008
Giuseppe Albi

The possibility of a civic square, with a public amphitheatre or a park with a glass atrium has been envisioned by the citizens of Edmonton since 1912. This dream led to the creation of Sir Winston Churchill Park which in the 1960s became the anchor of the city centre. In the summer people would relax in the park and, in the winter, they would enjoy skating on the outdoor rink. The start of Klondike Days, in the early sixties, saw thousands of people flocked downtown for the Sunday Promenade. As time passed, this lead to the development of a festival culture and Sir Winston Churchill Park became the home for many of the major annual events.

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Urgent need for LRT construction before options lost
Wednesday March 26, 2008
Bob Boutillier

The City of Edmonton has the opportunity to decide how to grow with a proper balance between roads and public transit unlike other cities that are now stuck in a legacy of poor planning for transportation. It is critical to start the construction of the Regional LRT system now before the options for alignments are lost and the concentration of new roads or buildings creates barriers.

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Edmonton is NOT Vancouver
Friday March 07, 2008
Myles Chykerda

Let’s go to point 1. Edmonton is not Vancouver. We aren’t, simple as that. No amount of oil and tuna fish will change that. However, Edmonton is in an extremely important transitional phase. Over the past five years we’ve started to realize we are indeed a major urban centre and that we need to start acting like one. A vocal minority still does it’s best to hold us back, but their numbers are dwindling. A budding architectural school of thought even exists if one looks at the works of Hemingway and Dub. Let us not shy away from who we are, but embrace our own identity and develop it.

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Weighing in on Edmonton’s Arena Debate
Friday February 29, 2008
Dan Mason

I have been asked to write a column for C2E regarding the arena debate in Edmonton. To give you some context, I am an associate professor with the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, and recently organized a conference in Edmonton on arenas and urban development.

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NDP Priorities
Tuesday February 26, 2008
Brian Mason, NDP Leader

The NDP believe Alberta is being governed by politicians in the pocket of big oil and other large corporations. Both the Liberals and Conservatives accept huge political donations from corporate interests, and represent those interests in the Legislature. Alberta’s NDP is the only party sticking up for the rest of us.

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Forgettable Architecture
Thursday February 21, 2008
Ian O'Donnell

When you think of Edmonton, what do you see? What do you feel? How is the experience? More importantly, what do you remember?

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Everything's changed – except the Tories
Tuesday February 19, 2008
Naomi Rankin

Alberta is in the middle of a boom – but that hasn't made us confident about the future. The “hot� economy has brought an influx of new workers to Alberta, putting a strain on existing stocks of housing, schools and other infrastructure. We live in a world that isn't ignoring global warming anymore, where alternate energy sources are on the agenda even in oil sands development, where the government's own reports have revealed scandalous underpayment of royalties on our resources, where more than ever we need skilled trades and a highly educated workforce to manage technological change and social needs.

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Not every company needs IT grads...
Monday February 04, 2008
Sia Samimi

It is all around us. It governs much of our daily life. Global commerce and travel would come to a sudden halt without it.

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EPCOR Tower at Station Lands to become EPCOR’s new Edmonton headquarters
Friday December 07, 2007
Don Lowry

Edmonton’s downtown skyline will be getting a new addition with the announcement of the new EPCOR Tower at Station Lands.

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Mayor Mandel sets out 90-day plan
Wednesday October 31, 2007
Mayor Mandel

Thank you all for taking the time to be here today. And thanks to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for hosting this first ever 90-day address. So I was asked if there was any coincidence to me delivering this speech on Halloween. And I do hope that the very thought of hearing a politician talk about keeping promises isn’t frightening. But I wanted to have a chance to give you all an indication, a look at what’s on the project list and how quickly will it be done.

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Time to demand action on royalties
Wednesday October 24, 2007
Evan Chrapko

Evan Chrapko, an Edmonton entrepreneur, was appointed by Premier Ed Stelmach to the royalty review panel that presented its findings and recommendations to Albertans and their government on Sept. 18.

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Raising the Bar on Accountability
Saturday October 13, 2007
Scott Hennig

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s mission is to advocate for lower taxes, less waste and accountable government.

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Shaw Conference Centre Expansion
Friday October 05, 2007
Myles Chykerda

Edmonton’s growing. It really is, despite a lot of people choosing to plug their ears and hum a few bars of their favourite tune. We’re not the larger version of Vegerville that we used to be. Indeed, Edmonton is reemerging as an exciting metropolitan centre with its own style, its own identity, and its own strengths and weaknesses.

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Regionalization in Edmonton and Surrounding Municipalities
Friday October 05, 2007
Jennifer Anselmo

A Look at the Benefits Involved, Possible Challenges, Necessary Work, Where it Has Worked and Where it Hasn’t Worked.

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Edmonton’s municipal election is on Oct. 15
Monday September 17, 2007
Greg Christenson

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce reminds its members about the importance of voting in the upcoming municipal election and taking advantage of the election campaign to engage municipal candidates in matters of significance to the business community.

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Mentoring Matters to Edmonton’s Future
Friday September 14, 2007
Debra Ward

Become a mentor in Edmonton

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Waskahegan Trail: Edmonton’s secret wilderness treasure
Wednesday September 12, 2007
Louise Davis

Waskahegan Trail: Edmonton's secret wilderness treasure.

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Inspiration for controversial Ganesha artworks explained
Sunday September 09, 2007
Ryan McCourt

To some, the ongoing focus on Hindu iconography in my sculpture may seem strange, coming, as it does, from a white atheist prairie boy like myself. As a human being, there is nothing within human culture that is alien.

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Winter Festival being planned for January 2009
Tuesday September 04, 2007
Kim Krushell

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Ed Stelmach Needs Edmonton to Win the Next Election
Tuesday August 28, 2007
Ken Chapman

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23rd Avenue interchange warrants funding now
Friday August 24, 2007
Kim Krushell

Funding delays will only compound interchange problems. The 23rd Avenue interchange, a project that has needed to go ahead for the past 10 years, may not see the light of day for another 10 years if City Council accepts the most recent recommendation from city administration.

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Land Use Planning Forums to Begin this Fall
Friday August 03, 2007
Cory Sousa

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More pride and earlier spring clean ups would reduce Edmonton’s litter problem
Thursday August 02, 2007
Myles Chykerda

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River Valley Action Plan Approved & Endorsed
Monday July 23, 2007
Sol Rolingher

Alberta’s Capital Region is on the threshold of an amazing opportunity to have a world class Capital Region River Valley Park become a reality for the benefit of its 1 million residents and future generations.

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Edmonton is too “sexy�
Tuesday July 17, 2007
Debra Ward

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Address to Edmonton Community Foundation
Thursday June 14, 2007
Paula Simons

This is not a column by Edmonton Journal columnist Paula Simons, but a must-read exerpt from her compelling, moving keynote speech given at the Edmonton Community Foundation AGM last week.

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2007 State of the City Address
Wednesday May 09, 2007
Mayor Stephen Mandel

Mayor Mandel addressed Edmonton constituents with this years State of the City Address.

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Premier Ed Stelmach Speaks to the Next Generation of Leaders
Thursday April 26, 2007
Premier Ed Stelmach

At a recent luncheon for Intervivos, Premier Ed Stelmach addresses the next generation of leaders and introduces his budget.

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in•ter vi•vos
Friday April 13, 2007
Michael Brechtel

interVivos is a local networking group with the vision of connecting Edmonton's next professional generation with community mentors in an exciting, dynamic environment.

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The Five Things Edmonton Needs to be a True
Monday March 05, 2007
Ryan McCourt

A "Cultural Capital", to be worthy of the moniker, must have certain cultural amenities. The five projects listed are necessary ingredients for any city that takes itself seriously as a 'cultural capital'.

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Municipal Wireless Internet Network in Edmonton
Thursday February 08, 2007
Kevin MacMillen

Edmonton's Next Generation Task Force (a committee established to find ways to make Edmonton an attractive place for people between the ages 18-40) has recommended pursuing wireless internet (WiFi) across Edmonton. They need your help to refine the recommendation they give to Edmonton City Council.

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Edmonton should be concerned about controversial new AltaLink power line
Monday February 05, 2007
Joe Anglin

Joe Anglin explains why Edmonton should be very concerned about a controversial new powerline, a project that some experts say could increase Edmonton's death rate by 500 people per year!

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Wanted: Living Wage
Friday February 02, 2007
Kerry Diotte

Have a chance to read and discuss this controversial and much talked about column by Kerry Diotte, which ran in the Edmonton Sun back in January.

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Busy and Authentic - Edmonton's Creative City Initiative
Friday January 19, 2007
John Mahon

A compelling article that looks at how Edmonton's unique character and how the city is working to reinforce, establish, nurture, and build on the principles of a creative city.

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How Literacy Affects Edmonton's Economic Development
Friday January 05, 2007
Allan Scott

Literacy is directly linked to a city's ability to grow and thrive. This city will not reach its potential without addressing this issue.

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Oilers’ Owners Have Earned Our Loyalty in New Arena Debate
Thursday January 04, 2007
Richard Skermer

Rexall / SkyReach / Northlands Coliseum is rumored to be at an end as far as its suitability for and NHL team. So, a new downtown arena is now the talk of the town here in Edmonton. It even made Connect2Edmonton’s Top-10 Great Ideas for 2006 coming in at No. 7.

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Are We Safe Living in Mill Woods and The Meadows?
Thursday December 28, 2006
Bruce Vaughan

When media report a crime in Southeast Edmonton they almost always say it ocurred in Mill Woods ... a region of 29 different neighborhoods comprising nearly 100,000 residents. When crimes occur in other parts of the city media usually specify the exact neighborhood. Past Mill Woods President Bruce Vaughan uses crime statistics to show that Mill Woods and The Meadows actually have the lowest crime rate in all of Edmonton!

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Help Wanted
Thursday December 14, 2006
Val Mayes

The booming Alberta economy has led to an increase in employment opportunities on an unprecedented level. However, not all those in the city are feeling this new found prosperity as an advantage.

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Focus Edmonton: City Plan
Wednesday December 06, 2006
Mary Ann McConnell-Boehm

With the significant economic and population growth that Edmonton is experiencing, the City recognizes the importance of strategic forward thinking about how this growth affects the way we use, or preserve, our land. Learn more about the Focus Edmonton: City Plan initiative.

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100 Great Ideas
Wednesday November 29, 2006
Richard Skermer

After our highly successful “Great Ideas for A Greater Edmonton� contest, C2E has come up with the Top 100 Ideas based on the number of views, posts and participants in the idea thread. Stay tuned for the Top Ten!

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Federal Funding Cuts an Ill-Considered Blow to Non-Profit Sector
Wednesday November 22, 2006
Rene Mauthe

Read how the $1 billion spending cuts, announced by the Conservative government in late September 2006, have dealt a serious blow to struggling sectors and programs

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Literacy Levels Affect Economic Productivity
Friday November 10, 2006
Maureen Sanders

Literacy levels in the workforce have a direct link to our economic welfare. In Alberta 26% of the workforce can only deal with simple material and would have difficulty reading safety manuals or hazardous material warnings found in the workplace. It is time to recognize and understand illiteracy and what we can do to take action.

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What makes a city great?
Thursday November 02, 2006
Andrea Schuld-Ergil

Andrea defends how being a volunteer and contributing back to the community are necessary to making a vibrant, inclusive and engaging city.

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Victor Doerksen’s “Alberta By Design�
Friday October 27, 2006
Victor Doerksen

Connect2Edmonton recently solicited all PC leadership candidates to submit a guest column. They were all asked how they would represent Edmonton's interests if elected as the new leader of Alberta's Progressive Conservative party. (Here is a link to our full question in C2E's Regional Issues / Politics forum: http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?p=12067#12067). Victor Doersken is our first respondent.

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Strathearn: A Community at the Crossroads of Change
Wednesday October 25, 2006
Dan Cettiga

This past year, the Strathearn community has been faced with the inevitable. The short, low density 1950s walk-ups have reached the end of their life span and redevelopment has arrived.

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Edmonton’s Best Kept Secret – Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Program
Wednesday October 11, 2006
Wei Wong

From relative obscurity in the early 1980s to a headline proclaiming the “Best Chinese Language Program� in 2006, Edmonton’s Chinese Bilingual Program has become a welcome and positive language learning experience for many families.

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Does Edmonton need a Brand?
Tuesday September 26, 2006
Kelley Keehn

Edmonton is known for so much, but if asked to describe our brand, what we’re all about, our essence, would the message be succinct with all Edmontonians? If our city were to think more like a corporation with mission statements and policies clearly communicated in a unified message to its citizens, could we one day too be described for something specific?

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Mayor encourages everyone to help raise Edmonton's profile
Thursday August 10, 2006
Mayor Stephen Mandel

The Mayor is one of Edmonton’s biggest fans. In this article, he encourages Edmontonians, current and former, to keep up the good work spreading the word about our city. Word of mouth and staying connected are two of the ways that Mayor Mandel sees the city being promoted.

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Edmonton: The Young Old City
Friday July 14, 2006
Patrick Farrell

Edmonton has a rich history that is often unrecognized, especially by people who dwell in our city. Patrick's column sheds light on a sample of the many rich and complex aspects of Edmonton's past that have made it the city it is today.

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Lessons from Vancouver
Thursday July 13, 2006
Keith Pilipchuck

As an Edmonton expat currently living in Vancouver, Keith provides some insight into the similarities between Edmonton and Vancouver as well as some lessons that Edmonton can learn from its Western neighbour.

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Butting Out! The 1st Anniversary of Edmonton's Smoking Ban
Friday June 30, 2006
Les Hagan

Once again, Edmonton has proven its tremendous leadership by enforcing a ban on smoking in public places. July 1, 2006 marks the first anniversary of this successful bylaw, read more to learn how Edmonton is truly a pioneer in promoting healthy living.

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Choose Edmonton-Festival City!
Thursday June 22, 2006
Jenifer Christenson

Edmonton Festival City in a Box is an innovative program launched in the spring of 2006. Emphasizing the theming opportunites of festival entertainment, this initiative encourages business planners and excutives to plan their upcoming events in Edmonton.

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Stanley Cup Playoffs - A Time for the Oilers and Edmonton to Shine
Thursday June 01, 2006
Richard Skermer

Edmonton finds itself in an enviable position. Our cherished hockey team is headed to the Stanley Cup Finals and Canada's hope for a cup are well within the Oiler's reach. Along this wonderful ride with the fans are the media, and they are broadcasting the good, the bad and the ugly all over North America. It's up to Edmontonians to prove that our reputation as the greatest fans in the world is fitting. Come share your thoughts on what the city can do to show ourselves off!

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Edmonton's Heritage Festival
Wednesday May 24, 2006
Jack Little

Heritage Days is just one of Edmonton's amazing festivals to be experienced this summer. This unique event showcases performances, activities and exhibits from a myriad of cultures. Come learn more about this exciting event!

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Art and Design in Public Places
Friday May 19, 2006
Linda Wedman

Edmonton has a wealth of artwork that can be found throughout the city. Art and Design in Public Places is a program committed to showcasing these artworks and installing new pieces that can be enjoyed for years to come.

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Connecting to the world through your International Airport
Friday May 05, 2006
Peter McCart

Every ticket purchase is, in effect, a vote for or against Edmonton’s air service. Book your direct U.S. and international connecting flights through our U.S. hubs to vote for our non-stop air service.

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Survey Says: Edmonton Overlooked on National Stage
Tuesday April 18, 2006
Cara Schayer

A recent survey of Canadian media provides some startling revelations about the lack of recognition that Edmonton receives at a national level.

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Revitalizing East Jasper
Monday March 27, 2006
Ian O'Donnell

The proposed transformation to East Jasper Avenue will ensure that this neighbourhood will be accessible and enjoyable to Edmontonians for years to come.

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Get Down E-Town!
Wednesday March 08, 2006
Carissa Reiniger

Edmontonians living in town or abroad know what this great city has to offer and they want to spread the word! Get Down E-Town is a kit with instructions for how you can throw an Edmonton-themed bash wherever you are! Gather your friends, and celebrate all things Edmonton!

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'Next Gen' Making Edmonton a City of Choice
Friday March 03, 2006
Christine Causing

The Next Generation Task Force is comprised of volunteers who are commited to attracting and retaining the next generation of Edmontonians. NextGen gives a voice to those who want a say in the future of our city.

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Gateway Boulevard and Calgary Trail – Edmonton’s real transportation issue
Tuesday February 07, 2006
Richard Skermer

Throughout this site, you’ll find article after thread after column on transportation ideas, initiatives, and plans for Edmonton. Some will cite the LRT, which is a very honourable and arguably a necessary plan to enact. Others will cite Whitemud Drive and specifically the Quensel Bridge; another well deserved project. Even more will look towards the completion of the Anthony Henday ring road, or the Yellowhead, or others within the city, and all will be great projects. However, the one project that needs attention as much as, or even moreso, is the blight that is Gateway Boulevard and Calgary trail.

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