Red Deer Minute: Cardiac Lab, Elections Bylaw, and the Environmental Master Plan

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• The Council Agenda Review Committee will meet on Tuesday at 8:00 am to review the agenda for the October 28th Organizational and Regular Council meetings. The Nomination Committee will also meet on Tuesday. No agenda is available for this meeting yet.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee will meet at 5:00 pm. The agenda includes a discussion about ​​transitional housing, as well as an update from the Housing and Homelessness Supports Team.
  
  
• Red Deer is set to welcome cardiac catheterization lab services ahead of schedule, with a temporary lab expected to open by late 2026 or early 2027 - five years earlier than planned. The temporary lab, located on the main floor of the hospital, will later be converted to accommodate vascular and neurology care once the two permanent labs are constructed as part of a separate $1.8 billion redevelopment project.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• Council passed the first reading of a new Elections Bylaw in preparation for the 2025 fall municipal election. This new legislation aims to enhance election integrity and requires the creation of a permanent electors register. Without the use of electronic vote tabulators, the city anticipates a potential increase in election costs by $650,000, primarily due to the need for over 200 workers to manually count votes. The bylaw also introduces a $100 nomination deposit and signature requirements for candidates to discourage unserious entries and increase candidate engagement. Additional changes include earlier polling station opening times and updated provisions for special ballots.
  
  
• The City reaffirmed its dedication to the Environmental Master Plan and is actively seeking grants to support various climate initiatives. The plan outlines goals related to water, waste, energy, ecology, community design, and air quality, recommending actions to improve environmental performance. Administration said that significant progress has been made since the plan's adoption five years ago, including achievements in water use and loss mitigation. With budget constraints, the city aims to leverage external funding, such as the new program from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre and the Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants from Intact Insurance.
  
  
• Red Deer Polytechnic has introduced two new programs centered on artificial intelligence, aimed at preparing students for careers in the fast-growing field. The first program focuses on AI fundamentals, covering key concepts such as machine learning and data analysis. The second program emphasizes practical applications, allowing students to engage in hands-on projects that address real-world challenges.

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