Speaking Municipally

A conversation at the summer institute of the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative about what Edmonton can and should do to contribute to the alleviation of the housing crisis. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Joshua Evans, associate professor of human geography at the University of Alberta and director of the Affordable Housing Solutions Lab Eric Rice , a writer and researc...

We're joined by Christel Kjenner, director of the housing action team at the City of Edmonton, to get an overview of what the city is doing about the housing crisis. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Christel Kjenner Christel Kjenner on LinkedIn November 2021: The future of affordable housing according to our Christel ball (Episode 154) Housing at the city Affordable Housing Strategy H...

There's a new task force on housing and homelessness. Plus, everything is a district, recreation centres will soon be sponsored, and we discuss police accountability. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Housing task force Edmonton mayor names 16-member task force to tackle housing and homelessness State of the City Clean energy retrofit Edmonton finalizes clean energy retrofit loans prog...

Summer is here, and it comes with the sale of a riverboat, scooters, and summer streets. Plus, council writes a very sternly worded letter to the province. It'll work this time, they promise! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Tim Querengesser Tim's work LinkedIn profile @TimQuerengesser Edmonton Riverboat Meet the new owners of the Edmonton Riverboat Summer streets and scooters PSA: Su...

We speak with Eddie Robar, the interim city manager at the City of Edmonton, about what he plans to do for the time he'll be in the role. Since recording this episode, the Alberta government reversed its decision to cut its share of funding for low-income transit passes in Edmonton and Calgary following public backlash and discussions with the cities’ mayors. Here are the relevant links for this e...

The spring budget adjustment has been finalized, and the final tax increase council arrived at was quite a bit higher than expected. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Spring SOBA On the agenda: Potential tax increases, Windsor Park rezoning, supportive housing News Release: City Council finalizes 2024 spring budget adjustments Edmonton sets 8.9 per cent property tax hike for 2024 Edmon...

A new draft district policy has been released. Plus, Edmonton has added 100,000 people in the past two years, and some councillors are questioning if we can handle that growth. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andre Corbould Former Edmonton City Manager Joins Danchilla Consulting District Policy News Release: City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers informati...

Administration has recommended an 8.7% tax increase for 2024 citing increasing cost pressures. And no, cutting bike lane funding won't fix that. Plus, we dig into transit oriented development, the nighttime economy, and bike lane infractions on 102 Avenue. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Spring budget adjustments April 11, 2024: City releases proposed spring operating budget adjustme...

Katz gets the parking lots of his dreams. Plus, we discuss city manager recruitment and Mayor Sohi’s response to the province's gracious offer to help stabilize the City of Edmonton’s finances. Here are the relevant links for this episode: City manager Eddie Robar named interim City of Edmonton manager while permanent replacement sought Adam Laughlin's post Sohi's letter Edmonton mayor asks Premie...

We dive into city manager Andre Corbould's resignation and why it will matter. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andre Corbould Andre Corbould is out as Edmonton's city manager Edmonton city hall's top bureaucrat is gone — how did we get here? David Staples: Province considers move to 'audit and stabilize' the City of Edmonton, say government officials Coun. Erin Rutherford response Na...

Coun. Sarah Hamilton found herself in hot water for speaking at a UCP fundraiser instead of attending a council meeting. We talk with Jeremy Appel of The Orchard who broke the story. Here are the relevant links for this episode: CSU52 update Union for Edmonton city, library workers unveils salary increases in tentative deal CJHR update Advocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs...

We discuss the strike that was averted at the last minute, council compensation, an update on the ICE District parking lots. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Media landscape Sprouts of Hope in a Gloomy Media Landscape — The New York Times Strike avoided City and Civic Services Union 52 reach a tentative agreement Tentative deal reached with City of Edmonton, workers' union says Tim Ca...

We dig into the provincial budget and how it affects Edmonton. Plus, the Katz Group wants an extension for its gravel parking lots, and critics question the effectiveness of the homeless reception centre. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Provincial budget Budget 2024: Alberta commits funding towards Edmonton's LRT projects, increased police presence, shelters Alberta hitting pause on...

This week, we discuss City Plan measurements, the National Urban Park initiative, a looming CSU52 vote on the city's "best and final" offer, and the implications of ending EndPovertyEdmonton. Correction: We incorrectly stated that outgoing EndPovertyEdmonton executive director Erick Ambtman is a current member of the Edmonton Police Commission. In fact, his last meeting as a commissioner was on No...

This week, OP12 returned and council appears to be a bit more bearish on the idea. Plus, we learn more about the bike routes being built in 2024, and there are six rezonings testing the limits of the new zoning bylaw. Here are the relevant links for this episode: NASH Stephanie's post with fellow presenters Stephanie's post about getting your first job in journalism OP12 Report offers council serv...

The draft Public Spaces Bylaw goes to council amid plenty of opposition. We talk with Omar Yaqub of IFSSA and Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow about the potential impact of the bylaw on marginalized communities. Plus, the Katz Group is suing Boyle Street over a $5 million donation. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Omar Yaqub of IFSSA | Islamic Family & Social Services Assoc...

The downtown pedestrianization report finally went through committee, so we talk with Jason Syvixay and Stephen Raitz, two of the shepherds that guided it through. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Jason Syvixay UDI-Edmonton Metro Stephen Raitz Paths for People Pedestrianization UDI's LinkedIn post Stephen's interview on 630 CHED Paths for People: Downtown pedestrianization Acti...

Valley Line users were left out in the cold when doors didn't function and heat wouldn’t turn on. Plus, EPCOR really leads the OP12 savings charge by cutting off everyone’s water! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Valley Line shelters Valley Line shelters give riders cold shoulder OP12 reallocations Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goals City Hall update Cit...

An emergency management committee meeting was punctuated with an actual emergency at City Hall. Plus, several things are on the way out: the downtown farmers market, the name "Oliver", and Adam Laughlin. Here are the relevant links for this episode: City Hall Incident 'Heavily armed' man arrested after shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown in Edmonton city hall 'Heavily armed' suspect acted alone i...

City council has declared a housing and houselessness emergency, and a judge has thrown out a lawsuit against the city's dismantling of encampments. We dig into the debate and look back at a month of encampment clearing and shelter space counting. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Emergency declared Edmonton councillors approve Sohi's 'housing and houselessness emergency' declaration E...

This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Edmonton's two actual Jeopardy contestants and the author of The Ultimate Edmonton Trivia Book square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Kyle Marshall LinkedIn Edmonton man wins second place on Jeopardy! Sam Papuha LinkedIn Edmontonian Sam Papuha competes on Jeopardy Emil Tiedemann LinkedIn Emil's...

Amid several high-profile instances of transit violence, the discussion around turnstiles is being recycled. Plus, the Valley Line Southeast LRT doubles its frequency — at least sometimes. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Snow savings City of Edmonton saves $5 million due to scant snow-and-ice removal work on roads Winter businesses grappling with unseasonably warm weather, lack of sn...

The federal government has reached a deal with Google to pay Canadian media companies. We'll see if Taproot makes the cut. Meanwhile, city council makes a cut to the proposed budget adjustment increase. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments Edmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024 Jennifer Rice 'Hostil...

Budget deliberations are underway at city council, and the province has all but banned photo radar. Plus, we get a new police commissioner who looks a lot like an old police commissioner. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget On the agenda: Budget adjustments and rezonings Hold me in abeyance: Your guide to budget terms and processes Edmonton city council kicks off 2024 budget debat...

Reporters in Dallas, Texas have described Edmonton as the Land of Oz thanks to our scramble crosswalks. Plus, we discuss snow clearing on stairs, new community leagues, and budget chicken. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Media on transit Group asks Edmonton to rescind policy banning reporters from transit Clearing stairs Blizzard of confusion blows over Edmonton's snow removal plans...