We are out of #ableg budget lockup. Here's what you need to know, from @reportrix: edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/… Some details about what the budget means for the City of Edmonton — more to come, about to speak with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-new… #yegcc

Hilariously/fittingly, my first Edmonton assignment is covering #yegcc. Not sure yet if this will be a regular thing. But in any case, if I can figure out what's going on enough, I will tweet a bit. I'm extraordinary lucky this morning and for my first meeting I get to hear Edmonton poet laureate Titilope Sonuga read at #yegcc.

So the provincial COVID update is done, just a few minutes before #yyccc's discussion on the pandemic is set to start. We now know a provincial mask mandate is returning, so talking about a local mask bylaw might be moot. calgaryherald.com/news/local-new… Things are kicking off. Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra is charing from home, but Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart, Coun. Shane Keating and Coun. Jyoti Gondek are in chambers. #yyccc

I'm back at #yyccc for transportation and transit committee this morning. Currently getting an update on how COVID has affected mobility trends — there's been a recovery in travel except to downtown, and workplaces in general. City official says public transit ridership is still at about just 30% typical baseline. This was the situation throughout the summer except for a bit of a bump during Stampede. #yyccc

This morning's update with CMOH Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Education Minister Adriana LaGrange is supposed to start momentarily. I'll have updates. #COVID19AB Here we go. Dr. Hinshaw is up first. She says since her previous recommendations, she's been watching local and international data, and two factors are leading her to change the plan. #COVID19AB

A COVID-related update with Mayor Nenshi, CEMA Chief Sue Henry and CPS Deputy Chief Chad Tawfik is starting momentarily... #yyccc Nenshi says he has "some not-great news" and he'll be highlighting the need for personal responsibility and discipline as the pandemic continues. #yyccc

#yyccc's finance committee very briefly discussed the latest Coun. Joe Magliocca expense report this morning. Magliocca still hasn't publicly apologized as directed last summer, but there's really nothing council or the city can do. calgaryherald.com/news/local-new… Basically, sanctions were doled out last year already and that's the extent of #yyccc's powers. The ethics advisor told councillors that the only route to go further right now would be to make another complaint to the city integrity commissioner. calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…

In case you wanted more from this day, #yyccc is now getting a COVID update from CEMA Chief Sue Henry. Calgary is seeing a "sharp rise" in COVID metrics, Henry says. Active cases in Calgary are higher now than they've been at any point since the start of the pandemic. #yyccc

#yyccc is back. We're starting off with the continuation of the public hearing on neighbourhood speed limits, but so far, no one who signed up to speak seems to be on the line... Oh we've got two people on the phone! #yyccc

The Nov. 2 #yyccc meeting is about to start, except it could be the Nov. 2-4 meeting. There's a hefty agenda and some potentially long public hearings, and we already know we'll be here for at least a second day. One of the first things up this morning is further discussion of the AHS takeover of Calgary's ambulance dispatch. Chief paramedic Darren Sandbeck is here to answer council's questions about the transition, which they still oppose. calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…

It's transportation and transit committee at #yyccc. Seeing an update on the situation on Calgary's roads during the COVID-19 pandemic. We're onto "COVID recovery scenarios" for transportation in Calgary. Apparently this is meant to "open up" committee's thinking on what they might do in the future due to the impact of the pandemic. #yyccc

Now for something completely different! The mayors of Red Deer, Calgary, Wood Buffalo and Lethbridge are holding a joint news conference to voice opposition to the province's final decision to consolidate their EMS dispatch services. calgaryherald.com/news/politics/… #yyccc #ableg Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer says Minister of Health Tyler Shandro "cannot in good faith claim improved patient outcomes" by consolidating formerly municipally run ambulance dispatch in provincial centres.

I'm watching #yyccc committee this morning where the city's civic partner organizations are presenting updates. Here's the grim state of things according to the Calgary Arts Development Authority: This is how COVID-19 has affected the Repsol Sport Centre — also pretty dire #yyccc

#yyccc is back and Alberta's Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani is in chambers. This is her first official visit to Calgary city hall. Oh, this is not only Lakhani's first official visit to Calgary city hall, but her first official visit to Calgary. There are white hats in the room for her and her husband. #yyccc

It's a very early morning at #yyccc where council's special meeting with CPS and police commission is on today. Here's what's up for discussion, among other things: calgaryherald.com/news/local-new… Mayor Nenshi is kicking off the meeting. A reminder that part of what prompted this meeting with CPS was the three-day systemic racism public hearing at #yyccc: calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…

Ok I have been out of the mix but I have just dipped back into #yyccc's systemic racism public hearing and Coun. Sean Chu is asking why people haven't been talking about how Canada is also a very tolerant country. Coun. Chu says 40% of city council are minorities, and that shows that the vast majority of Calgary is not racist.

Newly appointed community and protective services chair Coun. Carra says he wants to ensure a "respectful tone" is maintained throughout the public hearing on community water fluoridation today. #yyccc ...Aaaand there's actually a bit more presenting from the expert panel that's been assembled before we get to public hearing. The CEO of the Alex Community Health Centre Joy Bowen-Eyre is speaking now. #yyccc

I'm listening to UCP Leader Jason Kenney speaking in Lethbridge right now. He's accusing the NDP of dishonesty in bringing in a carbon tax after being elected in 2015. #abvote #abpoli This appears to be an event where Kenney is just laying down a lengthy attack on the carbon tax. He's offering numerous examples of how it's hurt businesses and other groups in Alberta. #abpoli