Season's greetings all!

As the cold weather settles in, I've been reflecting on the many City services that help us make it through the winter. There are a number of resources that I wanted to take the time to highlight.

Earlier this year, City Council approved funding for an Assisted Snow Removal program. If you are a senior on low income or have a disability or mobility challenge, you can apply for help clearing your sidewalks. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca or contact my office. 

For those wanting to get out and enjoy the winter weather, be sure to take in one of the many ice rinks available around the ward. While McCauley Rink's ice is hard to beat, City Hall is also a great choice with free skate rentals available. Victoria Oval is another excellent option, where you can enjoy the IceWay through the forest as well! And after coming in from the cold, don't forget you can warm up in the wonderful hot tub and steam room at Commonwealth Rec Centre.

I also wanted to remind everyone to call 211 if you see someone struggling in the cold, or in an emergency to call 911 if there is an imminent risk. 

The cold weather might also have you thinking about improving the energy efficiency of your home. There are two City programs that can help  with this. If your home is more than 50 years old, it may be eligible for the City's Historic Resource program. You can get 50% of the cost of exterior home restoration projects up to $100,000, plus a third of ongoing maintenance costs up to $20,000 every five years. Upgrades can include roofing and foundation work,  as well as window/door replacements and new siding that aligns with the historic character of the house. If you're planning to do some of this work anyways, it's worth looking into the opportunity to get some of the costs covered - and to help recapture the history of the neighbourhood!  

If your home isn't a match for the heritage program, another option is the City's Clean Energy Improvement Program. The City will finance 100% of the cost of energy improvements like door and window replacements, adding insulation, or installing solar panels to your home. This loan then gets added to your tax bill so even if you sell your property within 20 years of the upgrades, you don't need to pay any sort of penalty. This is a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your home without needing any cash upfront. 

You can find out more about both of these programs at edmonton.ca and never hesitate to reach out to my office for support.

Best of the season and wishing you all a wonderful 2025!

Anne Stevenson, City Councillor for Ward O-day’min
Email: anne.stevenson@edmonton.ca
Phone: 780-496-8333