Edmonton Downtown Business Association seeking federal support to address public safety issues
Business leaders from cities across Canada, including one from Edmonton, gathered on Parliament Hill on Tuesday to stir up support for downtown cores in crisis.
Puneeta McBryan, the executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA), along with other downtown business leaders, traveled to Ottawa this week to ask for financial support to help downtown businesses facing challenges related to addictions, mental health and homelessness.
According to the International Downtown Association (IDA) Canada, a national organization which supports downtowns that EDBA is a member of, all levels of government should "play a larger role" in keeping downtowns safe for residents, visitors and businesses.
"Main streets and downtowns are the heart of our cities, but they cannot be strong if they continue to face major challenges that make it difficult to attract people, investment and jobs that strengthen Canada’s economy," said Kate Fenske, the chair of IDA Canada, in a Tuesday release.
"Repeat offenders are major drivers of crime and the bail system is not working to protect Canadians," she said. "Confidence in public safety is very low – this issue is too urgent to delay."
The release stated that reforms to Bill C-48, which addresses repeat offenders and theft from small businesses, should be reviewed by the federal government.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Tracking Hurricane Milton: Storm strengthens to Category 5 again
The U.S. National Hurricane Center designated Hurricane Milton as a Category 5 storm again after reaching wind speeds of 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h).
Hurricane Milton expected to hit Florida cities like Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach
Hurricane Milton is expected to leave a path of devastation across central Florida, from Tampa in the west to Daytona Beach in the east.
Meteorologist becomes emotional giving update on Hurricane Milton
A seasoned American meteorologist became emotional on air as he gave an update on a major hurricane, later suggesting the reason behind his strong reaction.
'I hope so': Marc Garneau on whether Liberal party still has room for Blue Liberals
Former cabinet minister Marc Garneau, who describes himself in his new book as always-a-Liberal, 'but a decidedly blue one,' says he hopes the party still has room for someone like him.
'Very' serious issue: federal transport minister on contamination in northern Alberta town
The renewed pleas of people in Fort Chipewyan, Alta. for government to take action cleaning up contamination in their community have reached the ears of federal Transport Minister Anita Anand.
'Extremely disappointed': Family of homicide victim storms out of courtroom as judge reads decision
Emotions boiled over after a judge acquitted two out of three defendants in a manslaughter case, while the third accused has since died.
WeightWatchers to offer compounded version of Wegovy weight-loss drug
WeightWatchers said on Tuesday it would offer a compounded version of Novo Nordisk's popular obesity drug Wegovy as part of its weight-management programs.
Leaders condemn 'hateful rhetoric' at B.C. pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 7
Political leaders are condemning what they describe as "hateful rhetoric" from a speaker at a pro-Palestinian rally in Vancouver who told the crowd that 'we are Hezbollah and we are Hamas.'
'I find it really disheartening': Family calls out police after Ottawa senior falls victim to theft in parking lot
On September 11, 80-year-old Madeleine Gervais was the victim of a theft in Ottawa's west end. It happened in the Loblaws parking lot in College Square, when she was approached by a man and a woman who insisted to help her load her groceries into her car.