Speaking Municipally

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is taking a leave of absence to run in the federal election next month. We talk through the implications. Plus, extended producer responsibility is here, and the city is adding service hours to transit. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Extended Producer Responsibility News Release: Extended Producer responsibility is coming to Edmonton Sohi's leave of absence Sohi...

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi joins us to discuss his political future. Will he run for re-election? Will he return to federal politics? We hear what Sohi thinks is needed to stand up for Canada and municipalities. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Amarjeet Sohi Mayor Amarjeet Sohi What We Have Accomplished Together From the conversation Edmonton mayor celebrates downtown investments, restored g...

Coun. Sarah Hamilton has announced she will not seek re-election in the fall. We also discuss the pride flag issue between CSU52 and the Edmonton Public Library, transit safety and sounds, efforts to diversify Edmonton's trade beyond the United States, and why statues keep getting stolen. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Sarah Hamilton Coun. Sarah Hamilton's post Interview on Real Tal...

We discuss the potential renaming of the field at Commonwealth Stadium, a recommendation to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, another Edmonton Public School Board trustee resignation, and the new ICE District deal. Plus, we talk about the Energy City Cactus Rats, ETS merchandise, and more. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Commonwealth Stadium field Commonwealth Stadium field coul...

A new committee of council has been born (or, at least, is in utero). Plus, Bridgegate both continues and concludes, council has approved the Nordic spa in the river valley, and the province's CorruptCare scandal (allegedly) reaches the city. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Bridgegate City releases schedule of Edmonton's bridge renewals for 2025 Puneeta McBryan's LinkedIn post Downto...

You may have heard that several bridges will be closed at once, but is that true? We dig into bridge maintenance planned for the next few years. We also discuss new bus priority measures, Lime's winter cycling pilot, an audit of DATS, and the upcoming wildfire season. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Bridge maintenance No, five bridges in downtown are not closing all at once Opinion:...

We follow up on the Public Spaces Bylaw, accelerating construction on the Valley Line West LRT, and the introduction of two new commissioners for the Edmonton Police Commission. Plus, the City of Leduc proposes to annex land from Leduc County, and we wrap up our Edmonton Food Faves series. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Public Spaces Bylaw Speakers urge city councillors to ditch pro...

City council heard about potential tariffs and how they might affect our city. Plus, the Edmonton Design Committee could be expanding its mandate, and we look at how construction on the Valley Line West LRT might accelerate. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Tariffs Edmonton city council, business leaders talk tariff strategy as administrators review contracts Mayor, province point fin...

We examine the updated Public Spaces Bylaw, which will be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting. Plus, an update on affordable housing on surplus school sites, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to integrate into municipal work. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Public Spaces Bylaw Here's why Edmonton may ban or limit public behaviours including drug use, panhandling and...

We discuss the 76 Avenue redevelopment, the latest police commission appointments, the end of the EMRB, and a well-known West Edmonton Mall record, which may not be a record at all. Plus, we have a new segment exploring Edmonton Food Faves. Here are the relevant links for this episode: West Edmonton Mall Reddit thread about the parking lot record Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board 'Bittersweet' en...

We're joined by the no-longer-interim city manager, Eddie Robar, to discuss his role, the city's finances, the year ahead, and the upcoming municipal election. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guest: Eddie Robar Eddie Robar on LinkedIn Episode 262: Eddie's still here, and he's driving the bus Eddie's post on LinkedIn about taking over the role Budget pressures top of mind for Edmonton...

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...