Grande Prairie Minute: Unemployment Rate, Road Work, and Council Salary Recommendations

Grande Prairie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Grande Prairie politics

This Week In Grande Prairie:

• Today, at 2:00 pm there will be an in-camera (secret) meeting of City Council. As usual, very little information is available about what will be discussed behind closed doors.
  
  
• Immediately following the in-camera meeting, at 3:00 pm, there will be a public meeting of City Council. The agenda includes a discussion about approving $10,000 in sponsorship to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation for the Festival of Trees, as well as approval of the Bear Creek Dam Engagement Plan.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 1:30 pm, the Council Committee of the Whole will meet. The Committee will discuss the Council Remuneration Review Committee Report, which recommends that the Mayor’s salary continue to be indexed to the Alberta Consumer Price Index (CPI), with no increases in years where there is a negative CPI. Councillor pay is suggested to be set at 55% of the Mayor's salary. For 2025, this adjustment would mean an increase of $2,550 per Councillor annually. The Committee will also discuss potential alternate locations to the existing cricket facility, given that the Grande Prairie Cricket Association has grown significantly.

Last Week In Grande Prairie:

• In August, the Grande Prairie region reported the second lowest unemployment rate in Alberta at 4.8%, a slight decrease from July and nearly 2% lower than in August 2023. This is a significant improvement compared to the provincial average, which increased to 7.7%. The Camrose - Drumheller region had the lowest rate, just 0.1% below Grande Prairie’s. In contrast, Edmonton's unemployment rate was nearly double, at 8.4%.
  
  
• The City has closed the south side of 116 Avenue at 102 Avenue to allow for road reclamation and paving. During the closure, northbound traffic on 102 Street will be detoured, and southbound traffic will not be allowed through the intersection. Certain transit stops will also be affected. The City says these upgrades are important for extending the lifespan and safety of the roads. Work should be complete by September 14th.
  
  
• The City of Grande Prairie’s Local Immigration Partnership announced that Welcoming Week will be held from September 13th to 22nd to connect new arrivals with long-standing residents. The theme for this year is "We’re All In," which aims to celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging within the community. Events throughout the week include activities like ice-skating sessions, job fairs, and cultural celebrations. More details on specific events can be found online.