June 2024 #yegmetroHIGHLIGHTS

On June 13, the EMRB approved its 2024 list of regional transportation infrastructure priorities that will help move people, goods and services and connect our Region with the world.

Since 2014, member municipalities have used a purpose-built modelling platform that enables the data-informed prioritization of transportation infrastructure projects by regional significance in alignment with the Region’s integrated transportation plan. The projects are categorized by project phase (advance to planning; ready for design; and ready for construction) and then evaluated based on criteria related to economic competitiveness; sustainable and resilient communities; health and environment; serving diverse needs of the Region; and funding and value — with the level of evaluation detail increasing with the level of project development.

By working collaboratively, our Region’s municipalities are reducing duplication in transportation planning, prioritizing investments in critical transportation infrastructure, and allowing municipalities to go further with tax-payer dollars through regional cost-savings and much more.

The 2024 regional transportation priorities report will be submitted to the Government of Alberta for consideration and funding as part of the province’s annual capital planning and budgeting process.

One of the guiding principles in the Region’s growth plan is to protect natural living systems and environmental assets. Our objective is to practice wise environmental stewardship and promote the health of the regional ecosystem, watersheds, and environmentally sensitive areas. That’s why we are proud to be one of the 42 stakeholders supporting the North Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management Roadmap. This initiative will significantly enhance our understanding and trust in water management within the basin.

Additionally, our administration has been invited to serve as an NSWA advisory member on the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Board. We are excited to contribute to this vital work and collaborate with all of the members and stakeholders associated with NSWA. As we grow, protection of watersheds is imperative to ensure a reliable supply of clean water for future generations.

For more information, visit the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.

We are excited to announce that Strathcona County will host the 2024 EMRB Charity Golf Tournament at the Belvedere Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, September 4.

This year, proceeds will go to support the Strathcona Food Bank, a 100% local, volunteer-driven organization.

September 4 promises to be a fun, relaxed environment to strengthen relationships and connect with partners and private sector leaders in our Region. 

Click the Golf Tournament button for information. Registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available soon!

The Edmonton Metro Region is experiencing unprecedented and transformative growth. Such growth requires innovative ways of thinking and doing. 

Join us on October 23 at NAIT Shaw Theatre & Atrium, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. for our inaugural flagship event, which will include a State of the Region address and a dynamic panel. Panellists will speak to how we can continue to chart a course for regional growth and competitiveness by creating the conditions to grow, attract, and retain talent in the Edmonton Metro Region. Global competition for talent and investment is heating up and business as usual is simply not good enough. Taking a 360 view, our panelists will speak to what’s needed now and into the future to tackle challenges and seize opportunities related to labour market cultivation and retention, and what the consequences may be if the Region doesn’t get it right.

Pre-registration is underway, with public registration available in September. Stay tuned for updates on our sponsorship opportunities!

We’re thrilled to present our 2023-24 Annual Report, highlighting the significant strides the Board has made over the past year to foster a prosperous Region, steward natural assets, and cultivate lasting partnerships.

In 2023-24, the Board spearheaded several key initiatives, including expanding the five-year interim growth plan review, conducting a climate risk and vulnerability assessment, organizing and hosting a regional housing symposium, and developing a regional flood risk assessment model. These efforts, reinforced by an independent review from MNP affirming the value creation, cost savings and efficiencies of EMRB’s regional integrated planning model, underscore the robust foundation we’ve established. 

With our award-winning growth plan as our guide, we are energized by the future and the potential successes of our united, diverse member municipalities.

Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona County collaborate on transit
The City of Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona County finalized an agreement to connect the two municipalities via transit. “Transit is a lifeline that binds us together, fostering inclusivity and enhancing our quality of life,” said Mayor Gale Katchur of Fort Saskatchewan. The new bus route will connect from the Fort’s Dow Centennial Centre Transit Station to Sherwood Park’s Bethel Transit Station via Highway 21. //Read more

Collaboration is key to building an attractive Region
Stony Plain Mayor William Choy gave CBC’s Daybreak Alberta a tour of Main Street for CBC’s Meet the Mayor series. Choy spoke about the pros and cons of living in the region. “We need to look at regional issues together,” Choy said, citing stormwater and housing. “When we can address those together, it saves all municipalities money.” //Read more

Edmonton Airports contribute $4.9B to regional economy
In its 2023 annual report, Edmonton Airports attributed $4.9 billion in economic output to the Edmonton International Airport and the Villeneuve Airport. Last year, the airports “supported nearly 21,000 full-time jobs from people working at the airport directly and from spin-off jobs throughout the Region.” President and CEO Myron Keehn’s message said passenger traffic grew 28% over 2022 and noted the completion of a 25-year master plan and a five-year strategic investment plan for the Villeneuve Airport. //Learn more

Edmonton Metro Region sees largest population growth in 20 years
The Region saw its largest year-over-year population increase since 2001, according to Statistics Canada’s 2023 numbers. Edmonton’s metro area grew 4.2% to 1.56 million people as of July 1, 2023, up from 1.5 million the previous year. The majority of growth came from immigration, with major gains from interprovincial migration. //Read more

Edmonton Metro Region ranks high for work-life balance
Strathcona County was named the municipality with the best work-life balance in the Prairies by Point 2 Homes, due to low crime severity, high median household income, and affordable housing costs. St. Albert ranked third and Edmonton ranked eighth. //Read more

Alberta’s Industrial Heartland gets $50.5M for water intake facilities
Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association is celebrating $50.5 million from the province for three new water intake facilities in the Heartland’s Designated Industrial Zone. They will be built over five years in Lamont, Strathcona, and Sturgeon counties. The investment is expected to strengthen the Heartland’s position as a hub for petrochemical and other industrial projects. //Read more

Inclusive playgrounds coming to Leduc and Spruce Grove
Leduc received $150,000 in grants for Willow Park playground, allowing the city to build accessible seating, a wheelchair-accessible swing, and a communication board for non-verbal users. Construction on the new inclusive playground is expected to begin this summer and be completed in the fall. Spruce Grove is also adding accessible play features as part of its Central Park revitalization project, expected to be completed in summer 2025. //Read more

St. Albert using drones to help fight fires
St. Albert firefighters have been using a drone to respond to emergencies more efficiently. Fire prevention officer Ryan Harley told council the drone uses thermal imaging to locate fires more precisely. The technology can also be used to search for missing persons. //Read more