[TAS]

Very sure. We’ve had dms about it and he’s reposted numerous IG stories from urbanist accounts in the US talking about golf courses and housing.

I think he’s also smart enough to know that the “sports fields” talking point lands better in the current climate. Which I agree with.

So based on your conversations you're saying Janz wants to convert golf courses to housing in the River Valley like Riverdale, Rossdale and Cloverdale, but has a better chance politically of making that happen with the recreation angle?

 

[thommyjo]

So based on your conversations you're saying Janz wants to convert golf courses to housing in the River Valley like Riverdale, Rossdale and Cloverdale, but has a better chance politically of making that happen with the recreation angle?

He’s expressed a dislike of the number of golf courses we have centrally, when we’re in a “housing crisis”. He’s shared videos about infill and property tax benefits of golf courses being turned to housing elsewhere. He’s been more public about “let’s make these more accessible for everyone” and has mentioned sports fields, expanding Hawrelak, etc when in media.

I think in theory the golf course debate has some merit. But in our context I think it’s a red herring when there’s soooo much land to develop still and better places for density.

And tbh, even the park argument I don’t fully love. We have lots of river valley parks and most see quite limited use relative to our city size and comparable parks in other major cities. It’s the beauty of our massive river valley.

 

[BrettB]

Aren't most of these golf courses in flood plains?

 

[Oilers99]

Aren't most of these golf courses in flood plains?

winner winner
you CANNOT develop Mayfair into housing (or the other courses). the city can barely develop the current lands it owns, both Mayfair and Victoria generate profit and management for the city that they wouldn't otherwise have to do.

 

[bodsbods9090]

winner winner
you CANNOT develop Mayfair into housing (or the other courses). the city can barely develop the current lands it owns, both Mayfair and Victoria generate profit and management for the city that they wouldn't otherwise have to do.

I was going to say...Victoria makes money for the City and is constantly busy. They'd be dumb to develop it at this time.

 

[Greenspace]

Fun live taping of 'The Strategists' podcast on Saturday featuring Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips. Mayor Knack was there as well as Paula Simons and Rachel Notley. Senator Simons talked about the upcoming referendum and her own security as a public figure. A lot of concern about the upcoming referendum questions.

Main thing of interest to this thread was Carter getting GRILLED for 10 minutes at the beginning about loosing the election (ran the Cartmell campaign). Was all in fun but got the crowd (mostly progressives) going.

Podcast should be up soon. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-strategists/id1514440943

 

[David A]

Edify May 2026

edifyedmonton.com

Are we an oil and gas town, or is it time to become Canada's defense city?

Say what???

Let me see, off the top of my head, we've already been Canada's City of Champions, Canada’s Festival City, Canada's Gateway to the North, Canada’s Education City, Canada’s Health City, Canada’s Smart City, Canada's River City, the Oil Capital of Canada, and the Volunteer Capital of Canada…

I’m sure I’m missing more than a few so you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t get all excited about calling Edmonton Canada’s Defence City.

It’s in what we do, not what we call ourselves (whether we actually do it or not) that's important.

I suppose not having a strong sense of identity is partly which leads some people here to jump on the latest bandwagon more so than other places. Although I feel defense probably makes more sense than some of the others.

However, I don't feel this has to be an either or thing. We can remain an oil and gas centre, along with the other things we are and become a defense centre too, they are not incompatible.

So lets avoid all the confusing slogans though and leave the hype to places that are better at it and just focus on doing it, that is more the Edmonton way.

 

[David A]

I was going to say...Victoria makes money for the City and is constantly busy. They'd be dumb to develop it at this time.

While some have learned on the job, we don't have the sharpest city council. Unfortunately, a few have learned mostly about hype and self promotion.

 

[Greenspace]

Fun live taping of 'The Strategists' podcast on Saturday featuring Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips. Mayor Knack was there as well as Paula Simons and Rachel Notley. Senator Simons talked about the upcoming referendum and her own security as a public figure. A lot of concern about the upcoming referendum questions.

Main thing of interest to this thread was Carter getting GRILLED for 10 minutes at the beginning about loosing the election (ran the Cartmell campaign). Was all in fun but got the crowd (mostly progressives) going.

Podcast should be up soon. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-strategists/id1514440943

 

[Greenspace]

0-21:45 - Why Cartmell campaign lost, importance of third party advertisers.
21:45-31:45 - Carter's takeover of the Alberta Liberal Party failed.
31:45 - Why all 10 referendum questions matter, "Every referendum question is a separation question that removes us from the Canadian norm"
33:30 - How separatists are going to get their question on the ballot/Smith is a separatist.

Second half was Q&A with Senator Simons. And Carter kissed Knack's head.

 

[TAS]

As a fairly large commuter city, should we be considering an approach like this as our road budget is just going to keep growing beyond our capacity to properly fund it (less than 60sec clip).

 

[CplKlinger]

 

[Yeggy]

Edify May 2026

edifyedmonton.com

Are we an oil and gas town, or is it time to become Canada's defense city?

Say what???

Let me see, off the top of my head, we've already been Canada's City of Champions, Canada’s Festival City, Canada's Gateway to the North, Canada’s Education City, Canada’s Health City, Canada’s Smart City, Canada's River City, the Oil Capital of Canada, and the Volunteer Capital of Canada…

I’m sure I’m missing more than a few so you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t get all excited about calling Edmonton Canada’s Defence City.

It’s in what we do, not what we call ourselves (whether we actually do it or not) that's important.

Edmonton, be anything.

 

[Kosy123]

Besides the office worker question, it seems like we've got some synergy between Knack and the Chamber of Commerce.

Big fan of us finally talking more about what's happening and strengths, especially data. Like slap infographics of numbers everywhere. I really hope we keep shouting at how we have close to 5,000 units of residential units approved and under construction downtown (for now).

Calgary constantly talks about their office conversion program and the numbers they got from it. Why can't we talk about our successes in the same way and energy?

 

[TAS]

Besides the office worker question, it seems like we've got some synergy between Knack and the Chamber of Commerce.

Big fan of us finally talking more about what's happening and strengths, especially data. Like slap infographics of numbers everywhere. I really hope we keep shouting at how we have close to 5,000 units of residential units approved and under construction downtown (for now).

Calgary constantly talks about their office conversion program and the numbers they got from it. Why can't we talk about our successes in the same way and energy?

Yup, we should. And we can use eye-catching statements like Edmonton's downtown population has increased by 40% in the past # of years (since we have lower number to begin with). Edmonton has Canada's fastest growing downtown population etc. Need some hype. But all the other things need to be addressed at the same time regarding the state of downtown.