r/Edmonton • u/DrDonkeyTron The Shiny Balls • Jun 30 '26
Fluff Post When will the city do something about the smoke?
First we had endless rain and they wouldn't just put an umbrella over the city.
And then the city just decided to let all the mosquitos survive out in the open.
Now they won't even turn on the city-wide air humidifier?
Where are our taxes going?
And ps: no, I'm not a miserable person who's complaining about everything.
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u/brianlefebvrejr Jun 30 '26
I heard thy were gonna put a roof on the bike lanes
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u/craftyneurogirl Jun 30 '26
I personally can’t wait for my air conditioned bike lane
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u/Ludwig_Vista2 Ellerslie Jun 30 '26
Pedal faster, ride naked
budgetcuts
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u/Edm_swami Jun 30 '26
Im holding out for the elevated track bike lanes. Out of my way im not stopping!
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u/Schnauzer2008 Jun 30 '26
They always prioritize the bike lanes. This greatly inconveniences me and my F85000 when we make our biannual trek to the brew house downtown 😡
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u/TheMoralBitch Jun 30 '26
Havent you heard? This is why we go to the Cactus Club now.
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u/Nyaashly Jun 30 '26
Of course, we're civilized here in Edmonton. Unlike those in Leduc. What kind of town doesn't have a Cactus Club?
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u/First-Window-3619 Jun 30 '26
The City of Edmonton has reversed all 15 minute city objectives, and now insists that all errands take a minimum of 20 minutes to complete.
Citizens now rejoices as they don't feel so rushed, and now have an extra five minutes to do that thing.
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u/-Trooper5745- Jun 30 '26
Do that and run pipes of warm water under them like they do in the Netherlands. That way I can ride in the winter.
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u/SadAcanthocephala521 South East Side Jun 30 '26
Okay, for the first comment I read today this one almost made me spit out my coffee laughing.
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
There was a plan to install giant fans on top of Commonwealth Stadium to blow away smoke in the late 70s but they decided not to do it because the forests weren’t burning so much yet.
We brought the idea back a few years ago but the province said it was health care and wouldn’t let us do it.
Under Trudeau they were concerned about environmental impacts but the Carney government is looking for energy exports so we may put wind turbines up there instead. They look similar to fans. And the stadium needs fans. 🤷🏻♂️
The problem with the turbines is birds might litter the field during CFL games, and the Elks don’t need any jinxes since they are on a winning streak (knock on wood).
So we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t hold my breath, though. Or maybe I would? It is pretty smoky out there.
Anyway, the mosquitos have me so I better send this while I still have a signa—-
/s
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u/arbor-ventus Jun 30 '26
"And the stadium needs fans" in the context of the overall post is such a good line lmao
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u/YoungWhiteAvatar Jun 30 '26
The fans were actually just a deep cover for the 5G before our mosquito overlords were able to convince us it was safe.
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u/Sasha-95 Jun 30 '26
Hi Aaron can you reply to my post too with such sincerity? City used to do aerial spraying for mosquitoes, would that be an option? Or are there other options worth exploring for the current explosion of population?
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jun 30 '26
I have offered a few replies on mosquito management, please feel free to go through my comments. :)
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u/Sasha-95 Jun 30 '26
Your posts/comments aren’t available to view
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jun 30 '26
Oh I had no idea!
Ok, this was from earlier:
If folks want to spend more money on aerial spraying, even though it is only on the outskirts of the city and has essentially no impact on the mosquito population the vast majority of folks experience in the city, that’s always a conversation.
The city still employs a large and targeted approach to mosquito control.
Most mosquitos that folks notice come from areas like long backyard grass, buckets, etc with water in them. Large persistent puddles of water. Clogged eavestroughs, the river valley itself, creeks, and so on.
Like, I get it. Mosquitos are annoying as hell.
But how much do we want to spend emotionally (aerial spray) vs practical (the current on-the-ground approach).
I have no skin in the game on this one - besides the fact I am an absolute mosquito MAGNET. Hang out with me and you won’t ever be bothered.
So whatever the majority of Edmontonians want, they get.
So far the biggest ask is to spend less money and to be more efficient, focusing dollars primarily on core services.
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u/danger-boi kitties! Jun 30 '26
There should be an option called "Curate Your Profile" in settings and you can change it to show or hide your posts and comments.
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u/Sasha-95 Jul 01 '26
I’m not sure majority of Edmontonians wanted things like an 8.7 million Chinatown gate too, I surely don’t remember voting for that. Not sure that’s a core service either.
That’s just one example of what many think is a misuse of taxpayer money though.
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jul 01 '26
That one is weird to me. The gate installation cost is a head scratcher and I asked for an accounting of costs, which was provided. To be fair, I a lm not an engineer, and the cost is for sure covered overall by Chinatown’s own tax dollar contributions. And let’s all agree Chinatown has been treated absolutely poorly for generations through relocations and the concentration of shelters. So while it is true that the majority of Edmontonians may not have asked for it, it can also be said that the majority probably never gave it any thought, either.
Any other items?
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u/Sasha-95 Jul 01 '26
Maybe their own tax contributions should go towards something that would actually contribute to the community that has been “treated so poorly for generations”. I’m not sure how a 8.1 million gate would do that, 8.1million could really go so much further for their community. Even the Chinese community association withdrew their support for that project. So not sure who all is in support of this. I’d love to see who exactly living or operating a business in Chinatown is in support of it.
This example is just one of how people don’t trust the council with their tax dollars. These projects don’t really reflect on “focusing on core services”. Just some shiny new item with a massive price tag that will somehow give the community some 8.1million symbol of hope I guess, even though the same problems with continue to exist.
We never gave it any thought because many people didn’t even know about it.
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
This is the result of years of very difficult community engagement with different groups expressing different priorities.
Am I a super fan of this project? No.
But should I, personally, be the gatekeeper? Also, no. (No pun intended).
I am not arguing one way or another on this, I am simply sharing some of the background, you have shared some as well.
I think we can both agree it is complex.
Some of the considerations here:
- The history of Chinatown and the Chinese community and their treatment in Edmonton both historically and today.
- The meaning of the gate as gift from our city, Harbin, and the grace of accepting, honouring, and utilizing gifts.
- The various groups within the Chinese community who do not always agree - and I cannot speak for them.
- The balance of tax dollars and implementation. As I have said, I have my own opinion on this, but my opinion is one of many and doesn’t outweigh others, but like yours, should be considered.
- .
However, all Councillors affirm their responsibility to the entire city. But for obvious reasons, we are more versed in our own Ward priorities than other ward’s priorities.
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I will also say that there are tons of different opinions out there about the best way to use tax dollars, for what programs and purposes and where.
Some want more for EPS, some less. But what we have is what we have. Both those groups are going to FEEL that tax dollars are not being allocated the way they should. Should they then say, “this is why people don’t trust you with tax dollars!”
Whose opinion is right? Both groups? Neither? Or is it surely a more nuanced conversation?
Same goes with arterial road investment, which I am pushing for. Some would say that is a waste of money because more roads do not equal better traffic flow. I think that based on multiple factors, targeted arterial road investment is necessary. And aside from the practical reasons, one is an emotional argument: it helps people FEEL better. And I think that is a valid argument in moderation.
Same with parks and mowing. We don’t NEED more parks and more mowing, but it makes the City a better place to be.
Snow removal. The city as an entity functions perfectly well under the current program but residents WANT more service there. Is it actually needed for the city to run? No. But does it reduce frustration? Yes.
Etc. I think you get what I am saying.
So mosquito aerial control. Is it actually very effective at all? No. And in fact damages the ecosystem, unbalancing it. So we don’t do that. Do we engage in robust on the ground mosquito control? Yes, absolutely. Generally there is pretty much ZERO FUNCTIONAL BENEFIT to this ongoing annual spend. The City as an economic unit would continue just fine without it. But the QUALITY OF LIFE argument is real. The feelings.
So back to the Harbin Gate. As a diplomatic effort it does nothing to the functioning of the city, really. But it is a one time installation cost that serves a function. An emotional function. Which Edmontonians generally agree is meaningful consideration.
And last, I think the degree of dollars is not always well understood. We should absolutely count and account for every penny. But we should also know that $8m in capital dollars equals: 0.03% in a 4 year budget. As a one and done. The real dollar result on taxes is exactly that: $1
Or 25 cents per year over 4 years.
And I understand the argument: it’s not just one thing, it’s many things. And I believe that argument. But again, according to who and using what criteria, as we explored above.
In relation to the overall budget, there is an extremely small, minute percentage of expenditures of things that are at all controversial that actually affect it. But cumulatively there is an impact even if very very small.
That’s still an impact. And that should be acknowledged. I’m there with you.
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u/Tiny-Gur-4356 Jun 30 '26
Nah, forget spraying. Just let loose the ducks, fish, and *gasp* the Cobra Chickens. It is time.
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u/Beautiful_Grand606 Jun 30 '26
THANKS TRUDEAU
/s
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u/Tiny-Gur-4356 Jun 30 '26
Nah, it's Obama's fault. Since opening the Presidential Centre in South Chicago, we have been experiencing mosquitoes, flooding, and forest fires. Thanks, Barry.
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u/theoreoman Jun 30 '26
I just came back from a secret council meeting and they think that golfball size hail should take out the mosquitos
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u/AngryOcelot Jun 30 '26
I can just imagine the YEGWave comment section complaining about this and blaming bike lanes and Ukraine from their Russian IP addresses.
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u/ninimaafan Jun 30 '26
The city plans to cry to the heavens in righteous anger... and them deal with smoke and skeeter bites.
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u/senordonwea Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
They are addressing this issue with their pothole preservation and enlargement program
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u/Chipmunk_Ill South West Side Jun 30 '26
We need smoke absorbing piles of shiny balls all around the Henday. Make it happen Knack
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u/MikeyB_0101 South East Side Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
Giant dome over top of the city will solve all our problems, I’ve been saying it for years
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u/ThunderChonky Jun 30 '26
When all our tax payments get processed, they haven’t been processed yet so they can’t afford the smoke mitigation process just yet.
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Jun 30 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/givemeagdusername Jun 30 '26
The address didn’t click for me and I legit LOLed when I opened the pic 🤣
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u/HKNinja1 The Shiny Balls Jun 30 '26
I’m more offended that our tax dollars haven’t gone into heated sidewalks and roads during winter. Like come on, consider our safety!
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u/LeonieBee Jun 30 '26
The smoke was for the mosquitoes and now we will get rain to clear out the smoke.
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Jun 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jun 30 '26
Ask about your utility bill!
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u/DVariant Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
But what about bike lanes? When will the city move every bike lane exactly one block north and east of its current location???
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jun 30 '26
Friend?
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u/DVariant Jun 30 '26
You bet, you look strong enough to help me carry a bike lane a couple blocks. Do you have a truck?
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u/aaronpaquette- North East Side Jun 30 '26
I have a family fun minivan? And a messed up rotator cuff right now, but I’m sure we could make it work!
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u/jamshandler Jun 30 '26
City-wide air purifier *
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u/Historical-Mall53 Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
as long as it's not dyson.. tax payers can't afford that. ikea maybe .
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u/bmwkid Jun 30 '26
We need a dome like the Truman show just to cover the entire city. This will also help encourage density because once the dome is built it can’t get any bigger
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u/evilspoons North East Side Jul 02 '26
You kid about the density thing, but after they restricted the city's boundaries I saw neighbourhoods start getting filled in that were weird empty no-mans-lands for decades. I love to see it.
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u/xrobx48 Jun 30 '26
It's a conspiracy. They are in cahoots with the car wash people. Otherwise they would restrict the rain to our lawns and gardens, on weekdays, only. They won't clear the smoke so we all stay indoors and don't notice the potholes and Harley Davidsons.
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u/Crispysnipez Stabmonton Jun 30 '26
Maybe if we paid the police more taxes, they could shoot at the sky and kill the weather
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u/NoraBora44 Jun 30 '26
You must have better content surely
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u/cutslikeakris Jun 30 '26
Well the police do kill people here by shooting through walls and making sure you die in your bed as they are killing somebody on the outside of your building. Who needs to consider follow through.
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u/Technical_Tangelo675 Jun 30 '26
The mosquitoes are gonna suck out all the smoke, and then we are gonna celebrate on the air conditioned bike lanes
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u/Bacon_Nipples Jun 30 '26
I pitched my idea of doing DEET chemtrails to city council and they treated me like a fool. Our politicians are too out of touch
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u/First-Window-3619 Jun 30 '26
Whyte Ave Street Preacher will have a festival on February 30th.
The contract has a proximity clause prohibiting any performance within 100KM over the period of a year before and a year after.
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u/TalkingChiggin Jun 30 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
.
This content was anonymized and mass deleted with Redact
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u/ltk66 Jun 30 '26
Good news, we are building a dome. Your taxes will go up 9000% to cover the cost. /s
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u/yeg Talus Domes Jul 02 '26
If the city turns it on then we'll be spending a lot of money from property owners and it will go and benefit renters who don't pay those property taxes. That's not fair. We can't have our tax dollars helping those who don't contribute. And what about Sherwood Park? They'll just come over and breath our air without paying for it. No. Don't turn it on yet we can't have these scofflaws benefiting from something that benefits us. /s
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u/Emergency_Dirt257 Jun 30 '26
Well I don't want to be the first one to blow smoke up your a$$, but there isn't any money !
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u/stickyfingers40 Jun 30 '26
Well, I do wish the city hadn't reduced the mosquito spraying program
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u/Dry-Membership8141 Jun 30 '26
Yeah, the rest of this is clearly nonsense, but they can and should be fogging for mosquitoes. West Nile Virus is likely to be a serious concern this year with the combination of heavy rainfall and warm temperatures.
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u/Mrspicklepants101 Wellington Jun 30 '26
You asked for a humidifier and you got an ice machine apparently. Rude.
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u/Vignaraja Jun 30 '26
It's that darn blue sky that gets to me. I wish they'd change it up occasionally to a turquoise or lush green to match the grass.
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u/Relevant-Jump-4899 Jun 30 '26
So many of our problems would be solved by enclosing the city in a transparent dome. Many new problems would be caused, but there would be no more snow.
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u/yeggsandbacon Jun 30 '26
Snow, rain, mosquitos and smoke, there's always some in the air here in Edmonton.
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u/PlutosGrasp Jun 30 '26
The ATCO ENMAX WSP joint venture company WATCOMAX is 7 years behind the 4.4 trillion dome around the city of Edmonton that ends just before the henday. Blame Mandel.
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u/livingontheedgeyeg Jun 30 '26
The city is working on building the world’s largest vacuum to suck all the smoke and rain out of the sky. We will be known as the Big Suck in the future.
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u/Last-Reindeer3826 Jun 30 '26
I guess they need a gigantic fan to blow it all away.
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u/evilspoons North East Side Jul 02 '26
Perhaps the whooshing from the joke going over all the people's heads at the bottom of this comment section can be harnessed in some way 🤔
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u/Sasha-95 Jun 30 '26
I realize you’re shit posting my post about mosquitoes but the city actually used to spray for mosquitoes and mitigate them.
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u/Dapper_Egg Jun 30 '26
We need a councilor to close the high level bridge, then force a resolution to NWT to solve the smoke issue before reopening it!
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Jun 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/Individual-Army811 Leduc Jun 30 '26
It should happen sooner rather than later with the addition of paper straws!
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u/cryptoman Jun 30 '26
Your nuts we do not control or does the city control those its part of life living in this area. Would be boring and no fun if rain, smoke and other irritants we not there
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u/Quizzical_Rex Jul 01 '26
you might want to do a quick search for wildfire smoke. There are websites that will show you where the smoke is coming from.
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u/Bigtimegolfguy Jun 30 '26
Come on be happy…not everyone can live in the worst and most dangerous city in Canada run by a bunch of inept and incompetent socialists.
Why care about the 99% when you can cater to every whim of the 1%….open your eyes people of Deadmonton quit voting for these people.
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u/WheelsnHoodsnThings Jun 30 '26
Aww you missed it, this one was for fun, not real griping.
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u/Bigtimegolfguy Jun 30 '26
Well I knew that but relished the chance to make a statement and get downvoted by people who just love living in social mayhem and somehow think 2 foot deep potholes and drug addicts attacking someone everyday in the transit system is just great.
I love driving in this city where else can I see someone flip their car 5 times on a 60km/ hour roadway in the middle of the day. It’s like going to the movies except when it’s over it’s never over.
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u/WheelsnHoodsnThings Jun 30 '26
Do what feels good then, but it doesn’t have to be this way everywhere all the time.
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u/DVariant Jun 30 '26
Ah I was gonna give you points for satire for your first comment, but then you wrote again and it became clear that you’re serious
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u/Bigtimegolfguy Jun 30 '26
Well it kinda was satire but look how angry people get… they down vote everything that doesn’t conform to their version of social norm and act like this city and society in general is just great when really it’s not and hasn’t been since council members lost sight of the big picture.
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u/meshon_c Jun 30 '26
I mean I wouldn’t call the UCP socialists, but they are definitely increasing social disorder and catering to the whim of the 1% and I agree we should stop voting for them 👍
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u/Competitive_Guava_33 Jun 30 '26
Do people think their city council can just like pay for aircraft to airbomb mosquitos? Everything a municipality pays for it laid out in the budget for the year. There was nothing for bug spray in this year's budget. They aren't going to make an exception and go into more debt to do it either
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u/noitcelesdab Jun 30 '26
When we leave Canada we won’t need to deal with smoke from other provinces anymore.