[ChazYEG]

London and Kingston were mentioned as possible release valve cities but feel like Edmonton can and should be that choice.

I feel like both Edmonton and Calgary are their own ecosystem, and in a way, are also saturated in some aspects. The job market is horrible in Alberta, right now, for example, and while it has improved over what it was in late 2024, it's still abysmal, considering the huge migration the province has seen in the past 5 years or so (and especially the past 3). It is the reason why I am living in the Okanagan right now, as much as I would've preferred to stay in Edmonton, a city I love and cherish, and that is already a big city, by most measures (albeit lacking in some aspects). Calgary is suffering from ever worse issues, especially on the affordability front, with rent and real estate skyrocketing in the last few years, to the point that it is starting to be seen as no longer viable for a lot of people who want to leave Toronto and Vancouver.

I do agree that Edmonton could be that city, but it will have to work, alongside the province, in tackling some serious issues before it can be realistically touted as a release valve without becoming simply a colder, more isolated version of these cities, in the worst sense possible, which is something already starting to happen in Calgary (which is moderately countered, relative to Edmonton, by the proximity to the Rockies).

 

[Glenco]

Getting the Alberta government on side with Edmonton is a very long shot. Their track record suggests exactly the opposite.

 

[MacLac]

Another reason to drink more Bud....

Mark Messier teams up with Budweiser to bring back Edmonton’s ‘City of Champions’ slogan

Hockey legend Mark Messier has joined with Budweiser to bring back Edmonton’s old “City of Champions” slogan.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[MacLac]

Just another example of how much better our Oilers are a team of leadership amd stewardess! We are constantly giving back to the community, having their names in the headlines, unlike the fLamers which have ZEO.ZERO street cred to ours. From Joey to Ben to the Oilers Community Foundation, to the Stelter Cyclotron facility and fundraising.

 

[David A]

I feel like both Edmonton and Calgary are their own ecosystem, and in a way, are also saturated in some aspects. The job market is horrible in Alberta, right now, for example, and while it has improved over what it was in late 2024, it's still abysmal, considering the huge migration the province has seen in the past 5 years or so (and especially the past 3). It is the reason why I am living in the Okanagan right now, as much as I would've preferred to stay in Edmonton, a city I love and cherish, and that is already a big city, by most measures (albeit lacking in some aspects). Calgary is suffering from ever worse issues, especially on the affordability front, with rent and real estate skyrocketing in the last few years, to the point that it is starting to be seen as no longer viable for a lot of people who want to leave Toronto and Vancouver.

I do agree that Edmonton could be that city, but it will have to work, alongside the province, in tackling some serious issues before it can be realistically touted as a release valve without becoming simply a colder, more isolated version of these cities, in the worst sense possible, which is something already starting to happen in Calgary (which is moderately countered, relative to Edmonton, by the proximity to the Rockies).

Until affordability is tackled in the GTA and GVA, and I am not sure it ever really will be, there will have to be release valve places in Canada. Edmonton and Calgary have the size and capacity to absorb more people and also probably appeal to people who still want to live in a larger city. I suppose places like London (much smaller than Edmonton, but decent sized) and Kingston (which is much smaller) could appeal to some who want to stay in the region.

 

[Gronk!]

I hope the City of Edmonton, City Council, Edmonton Global, Downtown Business Association, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, etc. are all over this:

Several conferences relocate north of the border as Canadians refuse to travel to the U.S.​

Conference organizers say they made changes after members expressed concerns over U.S. travel​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/conference-us-travel-1.7531255

 

[TAS]

Edmonton has gained some profile from well known youtube urbanists and another one, City Nerd, is coming in July to profile the city (he most recently profiled Houston). He has 350k subscribers.

First impression probably not great, I heard. From airport, as we know, he would have had to take bus, lrt, bus (projected time 2 hours) to get to his accomodation in a river valley community. So Uber it will be.

Ray Delahanty | CityNerd (@nerd4cities.bsky.social)

You heard it here first, Edmonton [contains quote post or other embedded content]

bsky.app

 

[MacLac]

Sorry, what does this mean? This Youtuber "had a bad first impression of our city cause he has to take bus, lrt and bus again." Then what? He posts his experience on Youtube complaining about the transportation from YEG?

 

[TAS]

Sorry, what does this mean? This Youtuber "had a bad first impression of our city cause he has to take bus, lrt and bus again." Then what? He posts his experience on Youtube complaining about the transportation from YEG?

Well given the video hasn't been made yet, I shouldn't presuppose what his observations will be. I'm sure he'll experience many great features of our city - maybe some places like Little Brick.

 

[Kosy123]

I think we might be pleasantly surprised at opinions of the city from out of tower urbanists. Especially if you have someone like Janz taking the lead on showing them around. Both Shifter and Oh the Urbanity had good things to say about Edmonton.

 

[MacLac]

Well given the video hasn't been made yet, I shouldn't presuppose what his observations will be. I'm sure he'll experience many great features of our city - maybe some places like Little Brick.

Wait what?! You said "he didn't have a great impression"....of our city. So now we're just waiting for him to bash our city in a forthcoming Youtube video? I'm confused......

 

[TAS]

I think we might be pleasantly surprised at opinions of the city from out of tower urbanists. Especially if you have someone like Janz taking the lead on showing them around. Both Shifter and Oh the Urbanity had good things to say about Edmonton.

Strong Towns, too.

Wait what?! You said "he didn't have a great impression"....of our city. So now we're just waiting for him to bash our city in a forthcoming Youtube video? I'm confused......

In making plans for his upcoming arrival, I don't think he was expecting it would take 2 hours to get to his accommodation using public transportation from the airport is all.

I hardly think he will be bashing our city.

 

[Romanov]

Edmonton has gained some profile from well known youtube urbanists and another one, City Nerd, is coming in July to profile the city (he most recently profiled Houston). He has 350k subscribers.

First impression probably not great, I heard. From airport, as we know, he would have had to take bus, lrt, bus (projected time 2 hours) to get to his accomodation in a river valley community. So Uber it will be.

Ray Delahanty | CityNerd (@nerd4cities.bsky.social)

You heard it here first, Edmonton [contains quote post or other embedded content]

bsky.app

View attachment 655289

Love City Nerd! He does a lot of great content on American urbanism and has recently started on international city profiles (Melbourne, Sydney).

 

[David A]

A train station that does not connect to our LRT and a LRT that does not connect to our airport and bus service from airport to downtown not so great.

I would say our city is yet again in the running for tourist unfriendly city. If we get this prize the response from our city officials will probably be as usual, ambivalence.

 

[IanO]

Calgary announcing its what, 8th new central hotel in the last decade.

Edmonton's hotel selection and quality continues to lag and how we cannot even get an ALT sorted in a market ideal for it continues to baffle me.

I recognize that Calgary has far more international guests due to business travel, Banff and conventions, but this delta is now a canyon.

Downtown really needs a new 3 star and a new 3+/4 star hotel in the core.