The Pulse
May 9, 2024

Dept.9 Studios is betting a new short-form series called Department of Paranormal Affairs can raise the profile of Alberta's film industry.

The show combines monster-of-the-week storytelling (think The X-Files) with comedic characters in a bureaucratic workplace (à la Parks and Recreation). Each episode follows government workers Jenny (Nancy Ngo) and Scott (David Feehan, who also served as a producer and screenwriter for the show) as they work to settle differences between humans and paranormal beings. It's like if the Ghostbusters were social workers.

"Dept.9 is willing to invest in Alberta," the company's development and production executive, Michael Feehan (no relation to David), told Taproot. "We're punching above our weight in terms of the production value that you see on screen."

Feehan served as a producer for the series, which premiered at the Calgary Underground Film Festival on April 27. The company, established in 2019, narrowed down Affairs from 10 potential scripts for a new venture because it posed the greatest chance for success for Dept.9's digital division.

"For what we wanted to do, which was produce a series that had staying power in the long term, that we could produce, hopefully, dozens and dozens of episodes of, we wanted to make sure that it had the right foundation," Feehan said. "To me, that foundation is the story engine and the format."

While shot entirely in Edmonton, the team behind the show is an "even split" between Edmonton and Calgary talent, Feehan said. Donovan Workun is one-third of the primary cast and plays Jenny and Scott's boss, the curmudgeonly slacker Greg. (Workun also plays the titular character in Jason Kenney's Hot Boy Summer: The Musical, the sold-out, runaway hit by Grindstone Theatre).

"What drew me to the role was an audition," Workun, the co-ringleader of Atomic Improv, joked to Taproot. "As a working actor, you want to work."

But once reading the script, Workun said he connected immediately. "I was like, 'Oh, this is a great little idea,'" Workun said. "They packaged it so nicely. It's in manageable chunks that are suitable for the internet or TV or whatever they want to do. I just thought it was really smart, the way they top and tail it, and throw an adventure in the middle. It's almost like an old Star Trek episode."

• Last week, Edmonton city council's community and public services committee discussed administration's proposed sponsorship agreement to rename the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre. City administration has drafted a deal that could generate $150,000 annually if council approves the plan during its May 14 meeting. Councillors expressed mixed views, with Andrew Knack and Tim Cartmell in support and Jo-Anne Wright raising concerns about losing Edmonton's identity. Administration's list of recreation facilities to be renamed through sponsorship deals also includes the Clareview Community Recreation Centre, the Meadows Community Recreation Centre, and the Lewis Farms Community Recreation Centre.
• Edmonton city council unanimously voted for Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to write a letter urging the provincial government to rescind Bills 18 and 20, advocating instead for engagement with Edmontonians and others that would be affected by the proposed laws. Bill 20 grants the government powers to dismiss city councillors and override municipal bylaws, while Bill 18 would require provincial approval for new or modified funding agreements between the federal government and municipalities or provincial entities like universities. Both urban and rural municipalities have strongly opposed Bill 20, highlighting concerns about its flaws and its potential to undermine local democracy. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver is expected to introduce amendments to Bill 20.
• Canadian Utilities, a subsidiary of ATCO, announced plans to build a $2-billion natural gas pipeline that will supply Dow Chemical's $9-billion Path2Zero facility being built near Fort Saskatchewan, among other users. The new 200-kilometre pipeline will run from the hamlet of Peers in Yellowhead County to northeast of Edmonton. Construction is expected to start in 2026, with operation beginning by the end of 2027. Construction on Dow's Path2Zero facility is expected to start this year, with phase one finished by 2027.
• A beloved IGA grocery store on 142 Street is closing, with owner Andy Taschuk set to retire after owning the business for decades. The IGA has a reputation for having a community atmosphere and a good selection of kosher foods. The store will be replaced by L'OCA Quality Market late this year or early next year. The CEO of L'OCA, which is opening its first location in Sherwood Park on May 10, said his company is "standing on the shoulders of giants" and hopes to carry on the legacy of Taschuk and his family.
• CBC's This is Edmonton podcast took a look at Edmonton's "DVD resurgence" after a little free library styled after a Blockbuster video store went viral last month. Host Clare Bonnyman also spoke with Bethany Arsenault, collection strategies librarian at the Edmonton Public Library, about the library's large movie and DVD collection.
• The Edmonton Police Service announced the return of the Cadet Corp program after a temporary four-year suspension. The program for youth aged 14-18 has been updated with a new curriculum, partnerships with various police service units, and a more hands-on learning approach. Applications for the 2024-2025 year are open until May 31.
• A United Airlines flight arriving at the Edmonton International Airport from Denver on May 7 got a wheel stuck in the mud brought on by recent rain. The plane was "disabled when its back wheel became stuck just off the maneuvering area," but airport operations were unaffected, a YEG spokesperson said.
• Serena Mah with Asian Heritage Month, appeared on Global News to talk about celebrations in Edmonton this year, which include several pop-up events and a food truck extravaganza on the May long weekend.
• The Edmonton Elks posted an operating deficit of $3.9 million in 2023, which was the team's fifth consecutive year posting a loss. However, the team still has enough working capital to meet its obligations for an ongoing ownership review, the club's treasurer said. The team confirmed in March that it is working with Park Lane to explore selling to a private buyer.
• Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim entered into a friendly NHL playoff wager, where the losing party needs to fly the winning team's flag outside their city hall, and the mayor must wear the winning team's jersey. The premiers of Alberta and British Columbia have placed a similar bet, as have the Global News morning anchors in both cities. The Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks haven't faced one another in a post-season game since 1992.
• The province announced proposed policies aimed at increasing housing supply and reducing building costs for homes. The policies require amendments to the Municipal Government Act and Edmonton's and Calgary's city charters. Changes include creating property tax exemptions for non-profit providers, widening the criteria for the Community Revitalization Levy, and removing Edmonton and Calgary's ability to impose energy efficiency standards through bylaws that are stricter than provincial building codes.

Here are opportunities to help shape municipal planning about Edmonton's urban forest, renewal in La Perle and Belmead, and aging in Strathcona County.

• Healthy Aging Survey — Strathcona County has begun a three-phase engagement process to understand the needs and priorities of people aged 55 or older. The results will shape a vision for healthy aging in Strathcona County and inform recommendations to council. Residents in the age range can complete a survey until May 10.
• 2024 Garbage Can Design Contest — The City of St. Albert is holding an annual contest to beautify the city, with this year's theme focusing on the role of pollinators. Residents can review designs submitted by students and vote on their favourite before May 10.
• Urban Forest Survey: Trees on Private Property — The City of Edmonton seeks feedback about trees on private property, which will be included in an upcoming report on Edmonton's urban forest. The information may inform future projects and programs related to trees on private property. A survey will be open until May 20.
• La Perle and Belmead Neighbourhood Renewal (planning and design) — The City of Edmonton has begun planning and design work to renew La Perle and Belmead. Open houses will be held May 9 in La Perle and May 14 in Belmead. Residents of both neighbourhoods can review design options and complete an online survey until May 21.

More input opportunities

• Until May 17: Your St. Albert: Themes and Meanings Survey (City of St. Albert)
• Until May 17: Lodgepole Playground Replacement - Inclusivity and Accessibility (City of St. Albert)
• Until May 24: Money Matters 2025 — Municipal Budget Engagement (Strathcona County)
• Until May 26: Vision Zero Street Labs in Evansdale — Explore (City of Edmonton)
• Until May 26: Vision Zero Street Labs in Woodcroft — Explore (City of Edmonton)
• Until May 31: 2025 Budget Planning Survey (City of Leduc)
• Until July 1: Bike Skills Park Feasibility Study (City of Fort Saskatchewan)

Photo: The City of Edmonton wants to know how residents engage with trees on private property as it plans its urban forest policies. (Kevin Holowack)

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Opening Night for the 124 Grand Market starting at 4pm at 124 Grand Market
• YEG Top 20 Pitch Night — Summit IX starting at 5pm at MNP
• Innovation, Shaping the Future of Women's Health starting at 5pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Jasper Place)
• Morinville Bike Rodeo starting at 5:30pm at the Morinville Leisure Centre
• Strathcona Contemporary: Youth Gallery Celebration starting at 6pm at the Emerald Hills Leisure Centre
• Film Night — Asian Heritage Month | Cutie and the Boxer and Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry starting at 6pm at the Art Gallery of Alberta

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 26: River Valley Alliance Community 4 Bridges Bike Tour at Terwillegar Park
• May 30: Speaking Municipally Live: Untangling the housing knot at the Foundry Room
• May 25: Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Awards Celebration at the Edmonton EXPO Centre

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.