Speaking Municipally

Edmonton city council voted to reduce the maximum height in the RS zone, and they approved some District Policy changes too. Plus, we found out how much more the Lewis Farms Recreation Centre is going to cost, and one councillor's wondering if we should give up on LRT in the northwest.(00:00) - Introduction (03:17) - Ad: U of A Reads (03:58) - Zoning changes (16:54) - Lewis Farms Recreation Centre (21:28) - Ad: Housing Summit (22:08) - Metro Line LRT Northwest (33:18) - Army & Navy update (36:45) - Close Here are the relevant links for this episode:Zoning changesEdmonton city council reduces infill height cap by 1 metreEdmonton city council passes height restrictions on infill buildsLewis Farms Recreation CentreEdmonton's Lewis Farms rec centre could cost nearly $32M more than original estimateOn the agenda: Lewis Farms, Army & Navy, advisory boardsMetro Line LRT NorthwestCouncillor seeks new transit ideas for northwest Edmonton, calls Metro Line LRT expansion 'a pipe dream'Metro Line - Northwest (Extension)Army & Navy updateBylaw 21483 - To allow for the adaptive reuse of a building, Queen Alexandra, Strathcona, and Strathcona Junction - City Council Public Hearing - April 27, 2026Playoffs'Not good enough': Playoff-fatigued Oilers overwhelmed by upstart DucksBuffalo fans sing 'O Canada' after microphone mishapThis episode is brought to you by U of A Reads from the University of Alberta. From poetry to protest, memory to motivation — U of A alumni authors unpack the forces behind their writing in candid, thought-provoking conversations. Learn more at uab.ca/readsThis episode is also brought to you by Housing Forward, the first prairie-wide affordable housing summit, which takes place May 11-14. Hosted by the City of Edmonton, Housing Forward brings together more than 500 leaders from across Western Canada to advance practical, scalable solutions for housing delivery. Register today!Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton. We deliver reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★

We look at a proposal for that beloved downtown pit, also known as the former BMO site. Plus, provincial workers are back in office full-time, and they might soon have a new bike lane to get there!Fill out the Taproot audience survey here!Here are the relevant links for this episode:BMO siteEdmonton Design Committee meeting - Jan. 20, 2026November 2025: City seeking input on how former BMO building site affects downtown EdmontonNovember 2025: Developer puts Downtown Edmonton BMO land up for sale, asking $6MReturn to officeThousands of Alberta government workers return to office MondayAlberta government workers return to Downtown Edmonton officesNo plans to end hybrid work for City of Edmonton staff, despite calls for return to officeWîhkwêntôwin neighbourhood renewalYour turn: Wîhkwêntôwin renewal, child-care zoning, RCMP prioritiesWîhkwêntôwin Neighbourhood Renewal: Don't Miss What's Already WorkingBuilding Great Neighbourhoods - Wîhkwêntôwin ᐄᐧᐦᑫᐧᐣᑑᐃᐧᐣ | City of EdmontonThis episode is brought to you by Accessible Acupuncture. Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain can affect daily living, sleep, mobility, and independence. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. At Accessible Acupuncture, our Doctor of Acupuncture — Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. — designs custom treatment plans to address both symptoms and underlying causes, support nerve health, and help patients return to their activities. Call 587-879-7122 or book online to schedule your consultation.This episode is also sponsored by Let's Find Out. Did you know Edmonton once had a save-the-whales club, and it made a big splash? Learn more at a live recording of Let's Find Out, a podcast about history. Chris Chang-Yen Phillips will speak to Candas Jane Dorsey and Kathryn Ivany about this moment in Edmonton's past and other treasures in the city archives. Join us on March 3! Get your tickets todaySpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week, members of Edmonton city council called for more civility and respect after reports of threats and harassment directed at snow-clearing crews. Plus, we discuss the latest departure from Station Park, Edmonton's new brand, and some updates from Taproot Edmonton.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Extreme weatherExtreme Weather Response for WinterSafety and respectCity staff facing rise in aggressive behaviour from Edmontonians: mayorEdmonton mayor details harassment toward city staff amid snow clearingAndrew Knack: A Call for Civility: Addressing Safety and Respect in Public ServiceParking bans90 per cent of Edmontonians ignoring parking ban, say city officialsOnly 10% of Edmonton drivers moved their cars for snow clearing: cityThe Snow Sirens of Montreal (Fascinating but Frustrating)Place brandEdmonton Place Brand FrameworkSHREDMONTONEPIC MarketFood Roundup: Jan. 20, 2026Epic Market to leave Station Park after nearly 2 yearsTaproot updatesOn the agenda: Parking ban fines, municipal assets, brand frameworkYour turn: Infill changes, Leduc County annexation, climate actionThis episode is brought to you by the office of Coun. Michael Janz, who is holding a series of events called City Hall Talks. Next up: former Calgary city councillor Courtney Walcott will present what he's learned about housing, public engagement, parking, and more. How might these lessons apply to Edmonton? Find out on Jan. 31 at 4pm. RSVP here.Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★

Happy New Year! Edmonton continues to deal with the fallout from all the recent snowfall. Plus, we look at some statistics showing what types of housing were built, and where, in 2025.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Snow removalCity of Edmonton says back-to-back snowfall events making snow removal a challengeNavigating an Unprecedented Winter: What You Need to Know About Snow Clearing in Edmonton - Andrew KnackEdmonton still dealing with holiday snowfall cleanup nearly two weeks laterWinter Parking BansSnow and Ice Control with Cached Plow LocationsWhat does it cost to clear Edmonton snow?Snow and Ice Annual Report - Winter 2024-2025 (PDF)Snow and Ice Service Livels (PDF)Phase 2 parking ban to take effect Monday to clear snow from Edmonton's residential roadsMissing middle2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob DawangBig parking decisions in store for Edmonton city council in the new yearGrowth projectionsEdmonton's housing affordability edge could slip in 2026: Conference Board of CanadaMarch 2025: Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: KnackThis episode is brought to you by SkirtsAfire, which happens from March 5 to 15. Be entertained and inspired by theatre, music, dance, comedy, visual arts, design, and more. Taking place in various venues in the heart of Old Strathcona and the French Quarter, there's lots to see and do at SkirtsAfire, so take it all in! Festival passes are available now. Sign up for SkirtsAfire's newsletter and get updates direct to your inbox!Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★

You can now tap your credit card, debit card, or digital wallet to ride transit. Additionally, we'll discuss updates to the capital and operating budgets, and progress towards the city's tree-planting goal.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Extreme weatherNews Release: Extreme weather response activated todayExtreme Weather Response for WinterTap-to-payNews Release: Arc tap to pay launches in Edmonton regionWant to pay for Edmonton transit using your credit card? Now you canTraffic safetyOpinion: Edmonton's traffic safety unit could make things worseBudget updatesReport: Operating Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025Report: Capital Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025March 2025: Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: KnackEdmonton - Housing StartsCouncil budgetsReport: Council Services Committee - Dec. 12, 2025Tree plantingNews Release: City reaches another milestone towards tree planting goalEdmonton nearly halfway to tree goal, with slight extensionSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week, council got to ask questions about the proposed fall budget adjustment. Plus, we learn more about the city's plan to enforce speed limits, the "end" of construction season, and the Valley Line LRT turns two.Here are the relevant links for this episode:BudgetReport: Operating Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025Report: Fall 2025 Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment - 2023-2026 Operating BudgetReport: Fall 2025 Supplemental Capital Budget Adjustment - 2023-2026 Capital BudgetKeith Gerein: Despite another grim city budget, Edmonton may be closer to ending its financial funkVision ZeroReport: Municipal Traffic Safety Expansion Opportunities - Reinvesting to Address Critical Safety ConcernsSpeeding, traffic fatalities up as Edmonton navigates provincial photo radar restrictions: city reportA better Detour for 102 Ave - YEG Bike CoalitionCalgary's Pathway and Bikeway Projects (5A)Construction seasonEdmonton ends construction season as it eyes accelerated strategy for future projectsNews Release: City wraps up the 2025 construction season at new fire stationValley Line LRTTwo years later, is the Valley Line Southeast LRT meeting expectations?LRT train pushed off tracks after crash with semi-truckNovember 2023: Speaking Municipally ON A TRAINSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★

Troy is back! For a chat. We talk about the election and his plans. Plus, we check in on Better Edmonton, the downtown park, and the bike lanes on 103 Avenue.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Troy PavlekTroyPavlek.caTroy appreciation thread on RedditEpisode 316: Can you get rid of the Rapidfire segment next?Municipal parties2 new city councillors are leaving Better Edmonton. What does that mean for the party?Municipal parties to remain active in Edmonton as councillor leaves Better Edmonton partyO-day'min ParkWarehouse Park begins mission to activate downtown with opening celebrationsEdmontonians enjoying new downtown parkDowntown Edmonton businesses frustrated over multiple construction projects103 Avenue bike lanesA new set of bike lanes is causing tension in downtown EdmontonThis episode is brought to you by the Edmonton Arts Council. It doesn't get more local than the Edmonton Arts Council Shop. From tickets to local events to coveted works from more than 200 emerging and established Edmonton artists, you can discover the unique experiences and creative works that set Edmonton apart at our Shop. See the latest in-store on Instagram: @shopyegarts. Or visit edmontonarts.ca.This episode is also brought to you by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association. Kick off the holiday season with Downtown Winterval, a festival that brings 104 Street to life with sleigh rides, ice-carving lessons, photos with Santa, and live music. New this year, we've got street hockey for the kids. It's all happening on a street-wide patio! Join us Nov. 22 from 3pm to 8pm.Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton. ★ Support this podcast ★

This week, we take you inside city hall for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural city council meeting of the 2025-2029 term. Plus, we look at possible changes to provincial electoral boundaries in Edmonton, and hear from some municipal election scrutineers.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Swearing-in ceremonyEdmonton's new city council starts work by identifying prioritiesDon Iveson's postYou're likely to hear the same debates at city hall despite new councilEdmonton's everyman: Andrew Knack's journey to the mayor's seatElectoral boundariesCalgary, Edmonton to gain seats under proposed electoral boundary redrawMost Edmontonians will vote in new or redrawn ridings next provincial election: interim reportCommission report (PDF)Election scrutineersThe election count through the eyes of scrutineers: 'It broke down completely'Teacher strikeStudents return to Alberta schools after historic teachers' strike screeches to a halt'Mixed feelings' among Alberta students, parents amid return to school after 3-week strikeThe economic fallout of the Alberta teachers' strike and what comes nextAlberta labour leaders gauge interest in general strike after suspension of teachers' bargaining rightsNews Release: Better data, better outcomes for Alberta studentsNews Release: Showcasing Alberta in the Middle EastRapid fireA timeline of Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry's relationshipSoaring Blue Jays and struggling Dodgers face duelling pressures in Game 6 of World SeriesSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton! ★ Support this podcast ★