We're joined by Taproot reporter Colin Gallant, who tested out Edmonton Explorer, the new hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour "trolley" from Explore Edmonton. Plus, the city is taking over operations of the Valley Line LRT, and we discuss upcoming changes to parking at attractions.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Edmonton Explorer

• Edmonton Explorer: Guided Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
• Agency calls 'All aboard!' for visitor economy
• Explore Edmonton with new trolley service, discovery pass

FCM Annual Conference in Edmonton

• Mayors seek federal funding for downtowns at Edmonton conference
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities launches new defence task force

ETS takes over Valley Line from TransEd

• News Release: ETS to become long-term operator for Valley Line LRT
• TransEd replaced as Valley Line LRT operator as Edmonton ends 30-year contract early
• TransEd ousted as Valley Line Southeast operator, ETS to take over
• Edmonton Transit taking over operation of Valley Line
• 2013: P3, or not P3? That's the question as we try to fund Edmonton's future LRT

Parking fees at attractions

• UPDATE: We misspoke about 15-minute free parking. While administration recommended removing it, Urban Planning Committee ultimately passed a motion to preserve 15-minute free parking by adjusting rates for people parking longer than that to cover the cost. 
• City to charge for parking at Valley Zoo, Muttart Conservatory, Fort Edmonton
• Curbside and Parking Program - Transforming Edmonton's Curbside and Parking Program

This episode is brought to you by the Office of Coun. Reed Clarke, who is hosting Rally 4 the Road: Patio Party. The event celebrates the potential of Stony Plain Road as a vibrant central gathering point for the community. Head to The Orange Hub on Saturday, July 4 from 4–7pm for food, music, and drinks before Grindstone Theatre's Comedy Festival shows begin. Learn about the local businesses, vacant-land opportunities, and community energy helping this historic main street thrive. Learn more

This episode is also 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/reads

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton. We deliver reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region.

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We've got a little update on Bridgegate, and we talk about the impact of major construction projects on businesses. Plus, we go on a bit of a deep dive into a southeast neighbourhood that was designed with only one way in or out. What could go wrong?

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Canada vs. Uzbekistan

• LinkedIn post from Jason Syvixay
• Footy Scran
• News Release: Commonwealth Stadium welcomed more than 46,000 soccer fans despite heavy rain

Bridgegate update

• What could Edmonton's High Level Bridge replacement look like?
• May 25, 2026 - Infrastructure Committee
• Edmonton's Next Bridge Must Be Its Greatest: Let's Do It Right
• 2021: Walterdale Bridge still cost Edmonton $155M, even after contractor paid damages for delays

Construction impacts on businesses

• Construction forces closure of Edmonton's top Indian restaurant
• Reddit thread on Khazana
• Food Roundup: June 2, 2026
• August 2024: City council rejects grant program for Stony Plain Road businesses struggling through LRT work

Maple traffic woes

• New 4-way stop removed after causing traffic nightmare in Maple Crest neighbourhood
• Traffic snarl in southeast Edmonton leads city to remove newly installed 4-way stop
• City of Edmonton installs, then removes 4-way stop sign in Maple Crest neighbourhood
• Maple NSP (PDF)
• 2022: Councillors decide not to expand road access to southeast Edmonton community
• Feb. 03, 2026 - City Council - Public Hearing

This 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/reads

This episode is also brought to you by the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, which is running from June 19 to 28. Every spring in our city, jazz brings us together, with Edmonton, Canadian, and international musicians. Discover your jazz with us as you experience some of the finest musicians in some of the best music spaces in town. Get tickets now before they're gone

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton. We deliver reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region.

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Edmonton city council has approved what has been described as an alternative to a private tree protection bylaw. Plus, we take a look at proposed changes to Jasper Avenue and Whyte Avenue. But don't worry, they're not funded yet.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Protecting private trees

• On the agenda: Bridges, trees, and office budgets
• Edmonton wants to grow its tree canopy but some developers oppose bearing cost
• Edmonton city councillors vote to expand tree planting securities for home builders
• For some residents across Toronto, this tree's fruit is anything but sweet

Stabilization centre

• Edmonton police 'stabilization centre' to hold people in crisis
• Edmonton police and Recovery Alberta to create facility for disorder, public intoxication
• EPS 2025 Annual Report: Highlights Public Safety Progress, Innovation, and a New Approach to Policing
• April 2023: Alberta backs program that offers addictions supports to people in Edmonton police custody
• 2023: New Integrated Care Centre Open

Jasper Avenue New Vision

• Jasper Avenue New Vision
• 107 Street Streetscaping: 99 Avenue to Jasper Avenue Design Booklet
• Your turn: Jasper Ave, street labs, and biz census

Whyte Avenue BRT

• Bus Rapid Transit Planning: BRT Route B2
• Prioritize Whyte Ave: Spring 2026 BRT Engagement Stance

This 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/reads

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton. We deliver reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region.

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Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

The City of Edmonton announced plans to decommission and replace three iconic bridges: the High Level Bridge and the Low Level Bridges. Plus, we talk with Coun. Erin Rutherford about unfunded service packages and how the budget process is changing this year.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

High Level and Low Level Bridges

• City of Edmonton recommends decommissioning High Level and Low Level bridges
• Central Area Bridge Renewal Update
• Let's Find Out Episode 58: The MacKinnon Ravine Mystery

Coun. Erin Rutherford on unfunded service packages

• Coun. Erin Rutherford
• Budget Process and Financial Strategy
• 2027-2030 Budget Engagement

This 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/reads

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!

Business organizations have called once again for municipal employees to return to the office full time, but the mayor isn't budging. Plus, the province is planning legislation that would let it review or remove bike lanes.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

State of the City

• Letter to the Mayor: A Proposed Phased Return to In-Person Work for Municipal Employees
• Andrew Knack's 2026 State of the City address
• Mayor rebuffs calls to shift city employees downtown full-time
• Remote Work – Again?! | CSU 52
• Enabling job creation should top mayor's agenda, says cities expert
• January 2026: No plans to end hybrid work for City of Edmonton staff, despite calls for return to office

Edmonton Real Estate Forum

• Edmonton Real Estate Forum
• Cushman & Wakefield Edmonton Office Q1 2026 Report

Bike lanes

• Alberta government takes aim at bike lanes, with legislation expected this fall
• Calgary mayor calls province's focus on bike lanes 'symbolic virtue-signalling'
• July 2025: Ontario court strikes down Ford government's plan to remove Toronto bike lanes

Council motions

• On the agenda: User fees, buses, and Blatchford
• Council discusses lower threshold for extreme weather response

Spray parks

• City of Edmonton spray parks and outdoor pools open with a splash for 2026 season

This episode is brought to you by The Bosco Neighbourhood Podcast from the Bosco Foundation. The podcast explores community connection, Indigenous leadership, and the future of Balwin and Belvedere. Join hosts Soni Dasmohapatra and Darine Moukhaiber as they sit down with community leaders, elders, and visionaries to discuss what it means to "live well together" in this diverse corner of Northeast Edmonton. Learn more

This episode is also brought to you by the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, which is marking 40 years of housing advocacy with a community event on June 13. There will be live music, inspiring speakers, and meaningful connections, plus complimentary bannock and beverages. Get your tickets 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!

Edmonton city council has approved a rezoning that will allow a 25-storey tower in Windsor Park. Plus, Stephanie took a trip to a budget engagement session to learn what the mayor's been hearing from Edmontonians.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Windsor Park

• Council approves rezoning for 25-storey residential tower, despite community concern
• Council approves 25-storey tower in Windsor Park neighbourhood
• May 5, 2026 - City Council - Public Hearing

101 Street TPM Memo

• 101 Street Transit Priority Measures Memo PDF
• Transit Priority Measures

Budget engagement

• 2027-2030 Budget Engagement
• Taproot Survey - Question Results - 2025 Edmonton Municipal Election

Community Climate Adaptation Micro Grant

• Community Climate Adaptation Micro Grant
• News Release: City supports neighbourhood resilience with new climate adaptation micro grant

Award nominations

• Taproot Survey earns nod from National Newspaper Awards
• Taproot Survey earns more award nominations

This 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/reads

This episode is also brought to you by AdaptAbilities' Hearts in Action Summer Camps, which offer a supportive space to build confidence, develop skills, and form meaningful friendships through structured activities. Each day is designed to encourage participation, independence, and connection in a safe and welcoming environment. Camps run across various locations in Edmonton, Leduc, and St. Albert. Learn more

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton. We deliver reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region.

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Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

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

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Zoning changes

• Edmonton city council reduces infill height cap by 1 metre
• Edmonton city council passes height restrictions on infill builds

Lewis Farms Recreation Centre

• Edmonton's Lewis Farms rec centre could cost nearly $32M more than original estimate
• On the agenda: Lewis Farms, Army & Navy, advisory boards

Metro Line LRT Northwest

• Councillor seeks new transit ideas for northwest Edmonton, calls Metro Line LRT expansion 'a pipe dream'
• Metro Line - Northwest (Extension)

Army & Navy update

• Bylaw 21483 - To allow for the adaptive reuse of a building, Queen Alexandra, Strathcona, and Strathcona Junction - City Council Public Hearing - April 27, 2026

Playoffs

• 'Not good enough': Playoff-fatigued Oilers overwhelmed by upstart Ducks
• Buffalo fans sing 'O Canada' after microphone mishap

This 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/reads

This 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.

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Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

This week, we learned that city council is sunsetting seven boards that offered expert insight on women's issues, racism, climate, and more. Plus, KDays might have to downsize, and the Africa Centre is one step closer to its multicultural community hub.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Sunsetting Advisory Committees

• Edmonton city council sunsets seven advisory boards
• City Council's Governance Framework for Council Committees - City Council - March 17, 2026
• Commonwealth Stadium field could be renamed Play Alberta Field
• Edmonton Design Committee could review more developments in future
• Troy's comment on Reddit

Exhibition Lands

• Development of Edmonton's Exhibition Lands could see KDays on the move
• Edmonton Exhibition Lands Implementation Strategy
• October 2024: Stadium Station redesign sees calls for service drop by 50%

African Multicultural Community Centre

• African Multicultural Community Centre a go after city sells land for one dollar

Permanent daylight time

• Give it a year, says Alberta premier about plan to stay on permanent daylight time

This episode is brought to you by Edmonton Opera. Siegfried is an epic coming-of-age story, where a young hero sets out to discover the world and who he is meant to become. Edmonton Opera brings this monumental story to the intimate Maclab Theatre at the Citadel, where you'll feel the full force of Wagner's music and the human story at its centre. See it on May 25, 27, 29, or 31. Learn more

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!

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Edmonton city council has approved the sale of surplus land for affordable housing, to some opposition. Plus, the Downtown Revitalization Coalition is advocating for renewed attention on downtown safety, and we have updates on 101 Street and River Crossing.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Affordable housing on surplus school sites

• First Place Program
• Completing the First Place Program
• Affordable housing project in north Edmonton OK'd by city council despite concerns

Transit Priority Measures on 101 Street

• Council restores street parking on 101 Street in Chinatown
• Advancing Bus Rapid Transit and Transit Priority Measures
• Transit Priority Measures

Downtown safety

• DRC Policy Briefing Document (PDF)
• Downtown advocacy group calls on council to make Edmonton the safest big city in Canada

RE/MAX Field and River Crossing

• River Crossing
• River Crossing Capital Profile Adjustment
• July 2025: ETS begins adding small surcharge for big-name concert tickets at Commonwealth

This 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/reads

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!

This week, potential changes to the zoning bylaw that would reduce the maximum height in the RS zone disappointed everyone. Plus, we talk about the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance and the city's efforts to cash in on increased defence spending.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

RS zone height reduction

• On the agenda: Zoning bylaw, transit garage, audits
• City council discussing reducing maximum wall-height for Edmonton infill

Belgravia Heights

• Belgravia Heights
• City Council Public Hearing: April 7, 2026

Edmonton Region Defence Alliance

• Edmonton Region Defence Alliance
• Edmonton region defence alliance aims to steer defence investment into local industry
• Opinion: The quiet militarization of Canadian AI
• City Council Meeting: March 17, 2026

Election campaign finances

• Keith Gerein: Big money proved a big waste in Edmonton's city election
• Keith Gerein: Edmonton's 2025 election shows need for finance reform
• Edmonton election financial disclosures show disparity between campaign spending and victory

This 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/reads

This episode is also brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. It also has a Solar Club that you might want to check out. If you live in Alberta and have a solar PV system, Park Power can offer you some of the best solar power buy-back rates in the province. Get rewarded for your contribution to Alberta's renewable energy. Learn more

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!