Projected financial shortfall could see city halt spending on new projects
Edmonton City Council during budget talks in December 2022 (Jeremy Thompson/CTV News Edmonton.)
New projects could take a backseat to maintenance and renewal work in Edmonton over the coming years as city council tries to rein in spending and adapt to new financial pressures.
Councillors received an update on city finances Monday morning as they look for ways to cut down the projected 13-per-cent property tax hike projected for 2025.
This year has presented new financial challenges, including firefighters and bus drivers working more overtime than expected, partly because of unfilled jobs and staff on stress leave.
Gasoline prices are up and revenue from certain construction permits and transit is down along with funding from the province.
The city is also paying down debt for money it borrowed to build several recent major projects such as recreation centres, light-rail transit and roads.
"All of these pieces are just adding up," Ward Papastew Coun. Michael Janz told media. "It's kind of like we moved into the new home, we redid the kitchen, we redid the garage, we put in a hot tub, and now, there's no money to spend for the next decade."
City staff are projecting a $34-million deficit this year.
Multiple councillors say the city needs to make structural changes to how it operates as a corporation.
Suggestions include a tighter focus on core city services and dedicating most new spending to maintenance work for a few years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
WestJet ordered to reimburse B.C. passenger for hotel, despite claim bill was 'excessive'
WestJet failed to convince a B.C. tribunal that a woman whose flight was delayed for three days spent an "excessive" amount on a hotel room, and the airline has been ordered to pay her full bill.
RCMP recovered 115 out of 205 lost firearms, 2 machine guns still missing
More than half of the 205 firearms lost by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 2020 have been recovered, but two machine guns remain missing.
Economic experts call it 'terrible policy,' but most Canadians support expansion of Old Age Security benefits: Nanos survey
Amid new polling indicating most Canadians support boosting Old Age Security benefits by 10 per cent for seniors aged 65 to 74, a former Liberal finance minister and former Bank of Canada governor are warning the government not to pursue the policy change.
When a massive asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, ants began farming fungi
Exactly 150 years ago, scientists first discovered that leaf-cutter ants were cultivating gardens of fungi inside their nests, feeding the fungi bits of leaves and in turn eating the tips of the fungal webs.
BREAKING
BREAKING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
Calgary vigil honours missing and murdered Indigenous people
An annual ceremony is bringing together the families and friends of missing and murdered Indigenous people in hopes of raising awareness about the issue.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Alberta clipper to develop today; wind warnings possible
The synoptic setup preceding an unusually warm trend in southern Alberta will also create some cool, wet, and windy conditions for areas east of our province.
-
WATCH
WATCH Takedown of reported dangerous driver forces car onto lawn of S.E. Calgary home
A car ended up on the lawn of a southeast Calgary home on Thursday after police conducted a takedown of a suspect reportedly driving dangerously.
Lethbridge
-
WestJet makes changes at Lethbridge Airport
WestJet has changed its operations at the Lethbridge Airport, and it means there's now only a single daily flight from Lethbridge to Calgary, down from three flights a day, as offered previously.
-
Lethbridge animal rescue on verge of shutting down
Archie's Exotic Pet Rescue has been open about six years and, like many other animal rescues, it has seen a surge in surrenders.
-
Friday deadline for residents to apply to sit on Lethbridge boards, committees and commissions
It’s almost deadline day for Lethbridge residents interested in becoming members of one of the city’s boards, commissions and committees (BCCs).
Saskatoon
-
Sask. village appeals to province after spike in crime and vandalism
The mayor of Loon Lake is appealing to both provincial and federal government leaders for assistance in dealing with rising crime in the village, which has seen an increase in vandalism, theft, and property damage.
-
Saskatchewan's largest hospital hits crisis point as overstuffed ER runs out of stretchers and oxygen
Staff at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital are calling for systemic changes just two days after its emergency room was more than three times above its capacity.
-
'Can I have some gas money?' Sask. RCMP say gold jewelry scams remain prevalent around province
RCMP say fraudsters are continuing to ask for gas money before selling fake gold jewelry to people around Saskatchewan.
Regina
-
'Can I have some gas money?' Sask. RCMP say gold jewelry scams remain prevalent around province
RCMP say fraudsters are continuing to ask for gas money before selling fake gold jewelry to people around Saskatchewan.
-
Regina home sales near record levels for August despite fewer new listings, report says
Regina home sales in August reached the second highest amount ever for the month, a report from Saskatchewan REALTORS Association says.
-
Husband and wife on road trip of a lifetime stop in Sask. for winter
A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.
Vancouver
-
Here's the latest Vancouver restaurant to earn a Michelin star
A five-seat sushi counter located inside another restaurant is the latest Vancouver eatery to receive a Michelin star.
-
The race for control over British Columbia’s legislature tightens
One week ahead of advance voting and there is no clear lead among the B.C. New Democratic Party, Conservative Party and Green Party, poll finds
-
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
Vancouver Island
-
Leaders spread out around the province as week 2 of campaigning in B.C. continues
Politicians are continuing to promote their promises across British Columbia as the provincial election campaign nears its midway point.
-
1 dead, 2 rescued after floatplane crash in B.C.
One person is dead after a floatplane carrying three people crashed Wednesday evening in a remote inlet on British Columbia's central coast.
-
Here's the latest Vancouver restaurant to earn a Michelin star
A five-seat sushi counter located inside another restaurant is the latest Vancouver eatery to receive a Michelin star.
Toronto
-
DoorDash driver who appeared to spit in Ontario man's drink removed from platform
A DoorDash driver who was caught on camera appearing to spit into an Ontario man’s drink has been removed from the platform, the food delivery company has confirmed.
-
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.
-
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Montreal
-
BREAKINGBREAKING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
-
Suspect arrested after Valleyfield college closed due to police operation
Classes and campus activities at CEGEP de Valleyfield were cancelled Friday morning as a result of a police operation.
-
'We won't be reopening tomorrow morning': Montreal metro stations may be closed for weeks
Public transport users who regularly use Fabre, d'Iberville and Saint-Michel stations on the Montreal metro's blue line will have to be patient, as the emergency closure of the three stations announced on Thursday evening could stretch out over 'a few days, or even a few weeks.'
Atlantic
-
DFO in Maritimes concerned about 'pattern' of violence, threats faced by officers
The federal Fisheries Department says it is concerned about a "pattern" of violence and threats toward its enforcement officers after two tense incidents off southwestern Nova Scotia last month.
-
Gas prices drop in N.S., N.B., no change on P.E.I.
Gas prices in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick dropped slightly overnight, while prices on Prince Edward Island didn’t change for the second week in a row.
-
N.B. family of four needs $24 hourly wage: advocacy group
A family with two working parents and two young children would need an hourly wage of more than $24 to cover basic needs and live in dignity in New Brunswick, according to a new report.
Winnipeg
-
Residents in shock day after officer-involved shooting in Winnipeg apartment
Residents of an apartment building remain shaken up following an officer-involved shooting inside Wednesday afternoon that killed an armed man.
-
Tories calling for review of case of Jordyn Reimer
The Opposition Tories introduced a motion to get the justice system to take another look at the case of Jordyn Reimer.
-
Business owners want to see temporary retail theft initiative be made permanent
Small business owners want to see a temporary program that helps combat retail theft be made permanent.
Ottawa
-
Language watchdog tells Gatineau, Que. cafe to write Instagram posts in French
The owner of a Gatineau, Que. café says it's 'silly' that Quebec's language watchdog is telling the business to write its Instagram posts in French.
-
Here's how much waste Ottawa households generated ahead of the new 3-item garbage limit
There was a decrease in the amount of waste heading to the City of Ottawa's landfill in the two months leading up to the city's new three-item garbage limit.
-
Cyclist struck by a vehicle on Ottawa's West Hunt Club Road
A man is being treated for life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle while cycling in Ottawa's south-west end.
Northern Ontario
-
Motorcyclist suffers serious injuries in Highway 11 crash, police investigating
A motorcyclist is left with serious, life-altering injuries after a crash on Highway 11 in northern Ontario on Wednesday morning.
-
Two more teens charged with 'extensive damage' at Elliot Lake arena
Two more Elliot Lake teens have been charged in connection to the break-in at the local arena last week and are accused of causing more than $50,000 in damage.
-
Judge gives final instructions to jury in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
The judge overseeing the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has begun delivering his final instructions to a northeastern Ontario jury today.
Barrie
-
Local hospital under scrutiny after review highlights concerns over leadership, quality of care
Governance, leadership, quality of care, operations, and financial performance are all concerns highlighted in a final report from an investigation into Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston.
-
Man, 62, charged with stealing $60K in materials from employer
A 62-year-old man has been charged after police received a report about an employee stealing over $60,000 worth of materials from a Huntsville business.
-
Workplace incident under investigation near Owen Sound
The Ministry of Labour is investigating a workplace incident in Georgian Bluffs, south of Owen Sound.
Kitchener
-
Ontario father demands accountability after autistic son's arrest for assault
A Cambridge, Ont. father wants answers after his adult son, who has autism, was arrested and charged with assault after an encounter with a jogger.
-
Motorcyclist killed in crash with transport truck
A 19-year-old was killed Thursday after his motorcycle was struck by a transport truck near Ayr.
-
Man yells racial slurs at group of children in Kitchener: WRPS
Police are asking residents in a Kitchener neighbourhood to assist them in a hate-motivated incident in Kitchener.
London
-
BreakingBreaking London man sentenced in Windsor harassment case
Court heard Bubba Christopher Michael Pollock got into an online argument with local LGBTQIA+ activist Britt Leroux, who called him out on Facebook for a failed protest opposing an event where drag queens read stories to kids.
-
London politician seen drinking beer during city council meeting
Coun. Sam Trosow admits he can’t be certain if it was a beer or a non-alcohol beer that he can be seen drinking during last week’s council meeting.
-
Four options to rejig ward boundaries and shift the balance of power at city hall
Uneven population growth across London has shifted the amount of political power residents have in different municipal wards, and Londoners will soon be asked to consider four options for adjusting the 14 ward boundaries
Windsor
-
Breaking
Breaking London man sentenced in Windsor harassment case
Court heard Bubba Christopher Michael Pollock got into an online argument with local LGBTQIA+ activist Britt Leroux, who called him out on Facebook for a failed protest opposing an event where drag queens read stories to kids.
-
Charges laid after crash near Leamington, police warn of heavy fog
County Road 37 between County road 14 and Mersea road 10, was reported closed around 6:45 a.m. following a crash involving a tractor trailer and a pickup truck.
-
Windsor police make arrest in downtown shooting investigation
Police are no longer looking for the second suspect wanted in connection with a shooting in downtown Windsor. According to police, a 29-year-old man was arrested Thursday at police headquarters.
