Edmonton Headlines: Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Edmonton is one of the cities that’s waiting for a community meeting with the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and now there are more questions about what’s going on with the Inquiry, and whether it’s going to be able to meet any of its goals on time.

An open letter questioning the lack of communication with families is now awaiting response from the inquiry’s chief commissioner. Many people are worried they will be left out and not able to share their stories with the inquiry.

We talked about the improving safety of Edmonton streets just last week, and Fort Saskatchewan is seeing some results too, especially around schools.

This summer could be one of the first that more people with physical disabilities get to explore and enjoy our city’s river valley, thanks to a handful of accessibility changes (and the funicular!).

Let’s call it the Trump/Brexit effect, with the number of international students, and those from the U.S., up at the University of Alberta, and other universities across Canada.

Well, the speculation lasted only a few hours as Edmonton MP, and interim leader of the federal Conservative Party, Rona Ambrose announced she’s leaving politics and off to do some work as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) gets re-worked by Russian U.S. President Trump.

There’s more free admission at the Art Gallery of Alberta.

And the U of A community connection awards recognized some fantastic Edmontonians who are doing great work to make this planet a better place.

Booze news

If you’re reading this Wednesday morning, it’s too early to drink, but it’s not too early to talk about alcohol.

Alberta continues to be the province most open to liquor businesses, which should probably be something that changes with a new Canadian trade deal coming.

Even though Alberta’s wide open for other companies to come in and sell their libations and spirits, beer companies don’t like the provincial government helping out local brewers.

There’s also a fight over at Alberta’s big liquor store company.

Back in Edmonton, how about a leisurely ride around to our breweries and brewpubs?

Public engagement

If you happen to use Belvedere Transit Centre, you may run into City staff and consultants today, 3:30-6:30 p.m., as they share information on renovations to the centre.