St. Albert Minute: Issue 57

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• There are no Council or Committee meetings at City Hall this week. The next Council meeting will take place on May 6th.
  
  
• St. Albert Public School trustees voted 4-1 to ban all school trips to the United States, citing safety concerns related to US immigration policies and discrimination against minorities. Trustee Kim Armstrong opposed the motion, arguing that it could deprive students of valuable experiences. The ban is temporary and will be reviewed if conditions improve. No current trips are affected, though some schools had future plans for educational visits to the US. Trustees also narrowly passed a separate motion to review purchases from American companies, aiming to reduce reliance on US products amid ongoing trade tensions. Board officials noted that some essential tools used in schools are American-made with no Canadian alternatives. Other school boards across Canada have taken similar actions in recent months.
  
  
• Skye Vermeulen, a St. Albert newcomer, announced her candidacy for City Council. Part of her motivation for running is to help to improve public understanding of local government functions. Originally from Claresholm, Vermeulen moved to St. Albert with her family in 2024 and noticed a disconnect between Council's role and residents' expectations. With nearly a decade of experience as an investigator and hearings director in administrative law, she believes her background equips her to address concerns about transparency. Vermeulen is also focused on controlling urban sprawl to preserve St. Albert’s green spaces and small-town feel, a key reason her family chose to settle in the city.
  
  
• Also entering the race is Amanda Patrick, a long-time St. Albert resident and organizer of Run for Reconciliation. Having lived in St. Albert since she was nine, Patrick was encouraged by others to run after expressing frustrations about local issues. With a background in sales, insurance, and non-profit work, she is passionate about community engagement and improving local life. Key issues she aims to address include accessibility in parks, revitalizing the downtown core, and tackling high rental costs and affordability for residents. Patrick also plans to gather feedback from the community to better understand their concerns and needs, particularly regarding recreation, public amenities, and business support.
  
  
• St. Albert-Sturgeon River had the second-highest advance voter turnout in Alberta, with 30,250 residents casting their ballots between April 18th and 22nd. This figure represents about 32% of the riding’s eligible voters, according to Elections Canada. Only Calgary Crowfoot had a higher turnout, with 33,743 advance voters.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

It’s Election Day! Voters from coast to coast are casting their ballots to decide who will form the next government. Make sure you take the opportunity to have your voice heard.

Need details on where to vote, what ID to bring, or who’s running in your riding? Visit the Elections Canada website for everything you need to know:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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