Speaking Municipally

This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Three branch managers from the City of Edmonton square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Carrie Hotton-MacDonald Branch Manager, Edmonton Transit Service LinkedIn Pascale Ladouceur Branch Manager, Infrastructure Planning & Design LinkedIn Cate Watt Branch Manager, Assessment and Taxation Linke...

In our penultimate episode of 2024, we recap the 2025 budget and discuss how the process might change in the future. Plus, we wrap up the Housing Complex project and look at what's next as we head into municipal election season. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget recap News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments Edmonton city council sets property tax increase at...

After four days of debate, Edmonton city council approved adjustments to the 2025 budget, setting a 6.1% property tax increase for next year. In this episode, we dig into some of the key moments throughout the debate. We talk about photo radar, trees, and community sandboxes. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments Edmonton c...

Another blow to regional collaboration as it appears the EMRB is dead after the provincial government pulled its funding. Plus, we talk budget, carbon emissions, police response times, and parking. Here are the relevant links for this episode: EMRB Regional Roundup: Nov. 27, 2024 'Unexpected': Edmonton's regional board loses provincial funding, future uncertain Budget City says participatory budge...

We have a third mayoral candidate as Coun. Tim Cartmell finally confirms he's running for mayor. And in a surprising announcement, Chief Dale McFee has announced his retirement from EPS, effective Feb. 21, 2025. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Cartmell running for mayor Is Tim Cartmell the Next Mayor of Edmonton? Edmonton Coun. Tim Cartmell running for mayor with new political party...

This week, budget season has begun. Troy and Stephanie guide you into the start of our year-end busy season, and explain how this will lead into next year's busy season, the election. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget Edmonton city council looks for cuts to lower 8.1 per cent tax hike eyed for 2025 Edmonton city councillors question travel budgets and spending on Calgary Stamped...

Taproot Edmonton reporter Colin Gallant joins us to discuss making Edmonton's housing more financially accessible, the Valley Line LRT's first anniversary, and the future of retail downtown. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Updates News Release: Fifth case of Dutch elm disease confirmed in Edmonton News Release: City launches Assisted Snow Removal Program Pilot City of Edmonton propos...

The Downtown Investment Plan remains a hot topic of discussion. This week, we speak with Shani Gwin, a Métis woman, downtown business owner, AI entrepreneur, and DBA board member, for her take. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Shani Gwin on LinkedIn pipikwan pêhtâkwan Downtown Investment Plan Downtown Investment Plan (PDF) News Release: DIP INTO DOWNTOWN: Solutions for Edmont...

This week, we're getting an early start on winter by talking about snow and ice control. We speak with Mark Beare and Val Dacyk from the City of Edmonton about service standards for clearing roadways and active pathways, how much people love the snow plow map, how big the snow clearing operation is, what it would take to clear sidewalks, where your tax dollars go, and much more. Here are the relev...

A new report published by a coalition of business leaders calls for nearly $500 million of investment in Edmonton's downtown. We talk with the report's authors, Alexandra Hryciw and Jason Syvixay, about the action items, and what they hope to achieve. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Alexandra Hryciw on LinkedIn Downtown Revitalization Coalition Jason Syvixay on LinkedIn BILD E...

Council heard more about the fiscal gap, though no action was taken yet. Plus, the latest transit ridership numbers, the Stadium Station redesign, whether to continue planting elm trees, and how this winter's approach to encampments will look a lot like last winter's despite increased need. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fiscal gap Edmonton seeking solutions to fix grim 'fiscal gap'...

Edmonton is going to have to pay much more for elections, but we can't say why without risking a $787 million settlement. Plus, we've got some news about district planning. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Property tax Sohi launches campaign to ask province for more municipal support Edmonton, other municipalities ask province to pay its property taxes Fair Compensation Project Electi...

This week, we discuss the new Edmonton sign, a new poll about the mayor and city council, new crashes into the LRT, and a new report on Canada's municipalities. Plus, updates on ChargeStop, homelessness, and the 2021 mayoral race. Here are the relevant links for this episode: ChargeStop ChargeStop builds Canada's first dedicated EV station in Strathcona Edmonton sign News Release: How do you spell...

Council has decided to keep their representatives on the police commission, at least for now. Plus, we talk LRT station fare gates, EVs, bike lanes, and more. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission Edmonton won't remove city councillors from police commission, for now Alberta hiring CEO for 'massive' new agency to investigate complaints against police Fare gates Edmonton e...

This week, Mack and Stephanie speak with Coun. Andrew Knack about his decision not to seek re-election in next year's municipal election. They also discuss the city's $34 million budget shortfall. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andrew Knack @andrewknack Andrew Knack on LinkedIn The Toughest Decision I've Ever Made — Andrew Knack Budget City of Edmonton projecting $34M deficit for en...

This week, the province has all but banned photo radar in Alberta. Plus, we have more problems with composting, and cars driving into trains. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission Edmonton city council to weigh police commission request to remove council positions from board Photo radar Not so fast: Edmonton non-profit, city councillor push back on proposed plan to restri...

Council decided to stick with a smaller, previously-approved increase to transit fares, instead of asking for a big increase. We also discuss council procedures, BRT, shelter standards and locations, and the city's approach to major projects. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fringe wrap Edmonton Fringe $72K short of fundraising goal as festival draws to a close MHCare Medical Donates...

We interrupt your Fringe-ing to discuss proposed compensation for businesses along Stony Plain Road, a big budget shortfall and potential tax hike, transit fare increases, and the new owner of the Edmonton Elks. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Stony Plain rejection City council rejects grant program for Stony Plain Road businesses struggling through LRT work Scheduled LRT work comple...

We're back from our summer break! Council is also back, even though they still managed to make some headlines over the summer. We encourage you to check out the Fringe, debate the former Royal Alberta Museum, and consider potential changes to council procedures. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fringe Edmonton Fringe facing $200K shortfall ahead of festival kickoff next week Jennifer...

This week, council wraps for the summer, but not before kicking the can on their code of conduct. Plus, it's easier to eat food from a truck and harder to get bear spray from a store. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Code of conduct 'Transparency is very, very important': Council rejects code of conduct updates Proposed bylaw would keep misdeeds by Edmonton city councillors secret Cen...

Game seven wasn't meant to be. That means that this is a boring politics podcast again and not a sports podcast. This week we discuss district plans, solar rebates, Warehouse Park, and the Edmonton Bike Park. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Game 7 downtown Oilers fall short of history as Panthers win Game 7 to capture 1st Stanley Cup title Edmonton businesses close early to let staff...

The Oilers are now two wins from the Stanley Cup. Plus, council is (kinda) talking about substantial completion, non-residential taxes, and compensation for disruption from major construction. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Substantial completion Urban Planning Committee: June 18, 2024 2023: Suburban sprawl costs Edmonton taxpayers more than infill: City report Non-residential taxes...

This week we discuss an updated capital budget, and a new train. Plus, the police commission declines to show up to a council meeting in this, the city of champions. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission City councillors call relationship with Edmonton police commissioners 'unhealthy' and 'frustrating' Sean Amato's tweet thread Capital budget Edmonton council approves inc...

Boyle Street has had the permit for its site revoked…again. Plus, the police have declined a public audit, and we'll talk about Sohi's polling numbers. Is it really that time already? Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guest: Jack Farrell @_jack_farrell Jack Farrell at St. Albert Gazette Boyle Street / CPTED Boyle Street denied permit to build south Edmonton overdose prevention site Per...