City of Edmonton's 2015 Community Report

Mayor Don Iveson

I am pleased to present this year’s Community Report.

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It has been a truly fascinating year in the ongoing story of our city. As I reflect on all of the changes, challenges and announcements of the past year, I am proud of all that we’ve accomplished. What’s happening in Edmonton is nothing short of transformational.

But as we look forward and continue building up Edmonton’s physical form, we must also look at building up more of the people who live here. And as we make ourselves more resilient against the ups and downs of a resource-based economy, we must also make ourselves even more resilient against a changing environment. These are the opportunities before us, and I look forward to working with City Council — and all of you — to bringing them to life.

In 2015, I know we will continue to build this city that we call home into one of Canada’s most uplifting, resilient, competitive and open places.

EnergizedCity

22

Major parks where you can cycle, run, walk, toboggan or cross country ski in North America’s largest continuous urban parkland.

EnergizedCity

2,300

Hours of sunshine in one of Canada’s sunniest cities means outdoor fun happens year round.

400

Number of local festivals the city supported in 2014.

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The Edmonton International Fringe Festival, held in mid-August, is the largest fringe theatre festival in North America and second only to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival worldwide. The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is one of the most successful and popular folk music festivals in North America. The Winspear Centre, Citadel Theatre and the Theatre District attract international talent across Canada and elsewhere to provide some of the best live theatre.

1,100

New residences under construction in Edmonton’s downtown.

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Another 3,300 units are planned. All of this activity means Edmonton will see incredible growth in the number of people living downtown over the next three years.

43,500

People who attended the Symphony in the City over three nights in August 2014.

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Movies on The Square held in Churchill Square every Tuesday night in August attracted another 22,500 people.

150

Community leagues located throughout Edmonton that provide sports, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities.

No. 1

Edmonton now hosts more international sports events than any other Canadian city.

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Edmonton is the place for several major international sporting events over the next few years, as an official host city of FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ , the 2015 and 2016 Canadian Track and Field Championships, and many more. Edmonton also became the first city in western Canada to host the Red Bull Crashed Ice Tour in March 2015.

60,000

New residents who moved to Edmonton in 2013 and 2014.

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Of the newcomers to the city, about 26 per cent are international migrants. Edmonton is attracting more international newcomers and is now drawing on a deeper, more global labour pool that offers a range of skills and experience and enhances the city’s cosmopolitan quality of life.

19,000

Visitors who every day use Edmonton’s recreation centres, attractions, leisure facilities, pools and golf courses.

37

The median age of Edmonton residents.

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As residents of other communities across Canada deal with an aging population, Edmonton holds the record of youngest major Canadian city. The largest single age group is 20 to 39 years-of-age.

877,926

People who call Edmonton home.

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The total population of Edmonton and region is 1,196,342 and Edmonton is Canada’s fifth largest city.

ResilientEconomy

$22 Million

Gross economic activity generated at the September 2014 Tour of Alberta event that finished in Edmonton.

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It is Canada’s largest professional cycling race and one of Alberta’s biggest international sporting events.

ResilientEconomy

Up to $10 Million

Economic impact of Red Bull Crashed Ice Event.

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The international downhill skating event attracted about 70,000 people,. The event created economic spin-offs for hotels, restaurants and shopping, according to Edmonton Tourism.

$150 Billion

Energy-related capital investment (plants, pipelines, processors) is underway and planned between 2014 and 2024.

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Strategically located as the major urban service centre for Alberta’s oil sands and resource industry, Edmonton offers industry easy access to resource feedstocks and a strong regional customer base.

10-12,000

Jobs the Blatchford development will support by building retail and commercial hubs in the community.

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When fully developed, Blatchford will create new and increased business opportunities both in the community and in surrounding neighbourhoods.

$634.9 Million

Dividends the City has received from the Ed Tel Endowment Fund since it started in 1995.

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The Fund offers an additional revenue stream and helps diversify the revenue base, essential elements to help regulate the highs and lows of varying economic conditions. The benefits of this program to Edmontonians are many—lower taxes, better services.

Innovation

The Citizen Dashboard brings together in one place city data in a way that residents can easily understand and answers important questions.

$5 Billion

Potential new development the downtown arena project, the Kelly Ramsay building and other major projects may spur by 2020.

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Building construction includes a 62-storey Stantec/condominium tower, a 26-storey Delta Hotel/condominium tower, the 27-storey Edmonton Civic Tower and many other condo towers in the downtown core.

70%

The amount of growth in the region, happening in Edmonton.

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All the development taking place in response to this increase (transit, roads, schools and a $1.79 billion sports and entertainment district leading the way) also benefits people from the outlying cities and towns giving them the best of both worlds: smaller communities and a more rural lifestyle with all the amenities and services of a big city only minutes away.

$9.3 Billion

The capital expenditures the City has made over the past 10 years.

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Another $4.3 billion in infrastructure projects is proposed for the next four years. Edmonton’s capital budgets address key growth and renewal priorities set out by Councillors and administration leadership and pay for everything that needs to be built, refurbished or renewed.

ttp://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/projects-redevelopment.aspx

http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/budget_taxes/capital-infrastructure-budget.aspx

$4.6 Billion

A record set in 2014 of the total value of building permits in Edmonton; A 17 per cent increase from 2013 and a 182 per cent increase over the past five-year average.

SustainableCity

93%

The reduction in oxygen depleting pollutants per capita discharged into the North Saskatchewan River since the 1920’s due to the enhancements to drainage infrastructure.

SustainableCity

67

Neighbourhood renewal projects completed by the City from 2009 to 2014.

235%

The growth Edmonton and area has experienced over the past 50 years.

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This growth is the second highest out of the 20 largest Canadian metropolitan areas, second only to Calgary. Since 2001, Edmonton’s population has increased by just over 220,000. The City is proposing two separate annexations to the south in Leduc County, a combined 15,675 hectares. The proposed annexations are to ensure that Edmonton has a sufficient land supply for residential and non-residential growth over the next 30 to 50 years.

362 football fields

Blatchford development that transforms a former airport into an inclusive, family-oriented, sustainable community.

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Blatchford will demonstrate, in a real and measured way, what a sustainable future will look like. The community will achieve all three levels of sustainable development: social, environmental and economic.

$375,000

Savings from reduced fuel consumption thanks to specialized training and fuel-use data software for City staff.

89,283,007

Total ridership (LRT and bus) in 2014.

$675 Million

Amount in the 2015 – 2018 capital budget for neighbourhood renewal which includes 20 neighbourhood reconstruction projects, 26 neighbourhood repaving projects and repairs to 77 km of bus routes.

90%

Residential waste that will be diverted from landfill, when the Waste to Biofuels facility is fully operational. About half our waste is currently diverted through recycling, composting, and waste reduction

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Edmonton has one of North America’s largest waste management and research centres. In 2014, the Edmonton Waste Management Centre processed 475,000 tonnes of garbage and recyclable materials. 92 per cent of residents voluntarily recycle.

$1.8 Billion

Dedicated funds to expand Edmonton’s light rail train (LRT) system, the Valley Line, from southeast Edmonton to the downtown.

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The largest single infrastructure project in the City’s history to date. Edmonton’s LRT Network Plan is a long-term vision to expand the City’s LRT to five lines by 2040. It is a vision of a more compact, transit-oriented and sustainable city, where more people use transit, walk and cycle.

$172 Million

City’s investment to improve access and connections in the River Valley, the largest continuous urban parkland in any North American city.

CaringCommunity

2,500

Numbers of residents who are now members of the Edmonton Insight Community.

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An online panel, it is where people can provide opinions and perspectives on a variety of topics that affect Edmonton’s future, on a range of devices, and whenever they like. So far the Edmonton Insight Community has conducted 30 distinct surveys with more than 450 questions answered about City programs and issues.

CaringCommunity

14,677

Residents who downloaded the City’s 311 App after just seven months of operation.

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The app supports the Open City initiative that offers new information channels between citizens and the City. The app has already been used for more than 6030 reports of bylaw infractions, potholes, litter, fallen trees and more.

73

Rental discounts in 2014 to rent space in City facilities for programs or events that support the social well-being of the community.

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Eligible applications include high-needs populations: seniors, at-risk youth, aboriginal residents and persons with disabilities or lower incomes. edmonton.ca/donations

1000s

Delegates who witnessed statements from former students of residential schools at the final Truth and Reconciliation event in March 2014.

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One year later, the City of Edmonton, in partnership with Ever Active Schools, Edmonton Catholic School Board, Edmonton Public School Board, and local post-secondary learners, hosted a symbolic walk and community round dance to help propel the process of reconciliation forward.

300,000

Physical and online library items offered through a network of 17 library locations.

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The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) provides valuable services and programs to Edmontonians every day. The EPL won Library Journal’s 2014 Library of the Year award— the first Canadian library to receive the award.

10%

Discount Community League members receive for admission to recreation centres through the Community League Wellness Program.

3,525

Edmontonians who now have homes through the City’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, including 843 in 2014.

$5.45 Million

The City’s investment in 2014 in the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness through funding and support for Homeward Trust Edmonton, the Greater Edmonton Foundation, homeEd and the Capital Region Housing Corporation.

12,000

Volunteers who contributed more than 250,000 hours in 2014 for city volunteer programs.

47%

Increase, from 2013 to 2014, in applications for the Leisure Access Program that helps residents with lower incomes access recreation facilities and attractions.

834

Adopt-a-Block volunteers worked with team members to spend almost 5,000 hours picking up litter in their neighbourhoods.
edmonton.ca/capitalcitycleanup