We look at new provincial bills affecting municipal elections, governance, and policing. We also discuss the end of Front Yards in Bloom, the shameful state of the BMO building site, and the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market expanding to two days.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Crosswords

• The Taproot Mini brings a bit of fun to The Pulse

Bills 49/50/51

• Alberta seeking to eliminate municipal code of conduct
• Codes of conduct failed voters and municipalities, Alberta minister says
• News Release: Expanding municipal police service options
• News Release: Modernizing municipal processes
• News Release: Responding to the changing education system

Front Yards in Bloom

• Farewell to Front Yards in Bloom

BMO building site

• Vacant problem problem property in downtown Edmonton
• Puneeta McBryan's post on LinkedIn

Old Strathcona Farmers' Market

• Edmonton's Old Strathcona Farmers Market to be open on Sundays, too
• 2019: The new business of farmers' markets in Edmonton
• 2022: Renovations to bridge Old Strathcona Farmers' Market into the future

From the Taproot newsroom

• Provincial push for data centres could spike emissions, researcher says
• Council's decision on Nordic spa erodes public access to river valley: Advocates

Rapid fire

• Fringe Festival marks fundraising milestone but eyes monetizing portable toilets
• News Release: Annual Spring Sweep underway

Election question

• It's time to share what's on your election agenda
• What issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why?

This episode is 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. Learn more at parkpower.ca.

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.

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E-Park machines are being removed, making mobile payments the preferred option for parking. We also discuss directing parking revenue to nearby infrastructure improvements, the removal of speed-on-green cameras, guidelines for point access blocks, and the story behind the demise of Alberta's first commercial hydrogen fueling station.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Crosswords

• The Taproot Mini brings a bit of fun to The Pulse

Karen Principe

• Coun. Principe's post

E-Park

• News Release: EPark transitions to mobile-only payment system
• Edmonton moves to mobile-only parking payments: What to know

BIA parking

• Edmonton to mull sharing parking revenue with business districts
• Urban Planning Committee - April 01, 2025

Speed-on-green cameras

• Edmonton disables intersection speeding cameras

Point access blocks

• City helps developers get point access blocks approved

Hydrogen fueling station

• Hydrogen fuelling station closed less than one year after opening to government fanfare

Rapid fire

• Edmonton officials warn of fake letter circulating about pet licencing fees
• News Release: Valley Line West LRT: Phase 1 accelerated roadwork to begin soon

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.

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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 considers federal run as Canada needs 'serious' leadership to face Trump
• Former Edmonton mayor, city councillor weigh in on Sohi attempting federal political comeback
• Andrew Knack considers running for Edmonton mayor as council approves leave for Amarjeet Sohi's federal Liberal campaign

Battle of Alberta

• New Edmonton Screen CEO wants to leverage local strengths for global growth
• Calgary Region Hydrogen Hub set to power the future of low-carbon energy

Edmonton transit changes

• Edmonton Transit Service shuffling routes to add 50,000 annual hours of service
• News Release: ETS offering more bus trips, expanded airport service and other improvements in 2025

From the newsroom

• Violets moving west of Mill Creek Ravine as area heats up with business activity
• New Entos Pharmaceuticals hub to help retain biotech talent

Rapid fire

• Rod Loyola to run for Liberals in federal election
• Excrement smeared on Edmonton statue of Oilers great Wayne Gretzky
• McDavid, Draisaitl 'going to still be a while' before returning for Oilers

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.

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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 grants in Alberta budget
• Sohi calls Alberta's $106M funding commitment for downtown Edmonton a step in right direction
• Edmonton focused on not buying goods and services from the U.S.
• Keith Gerein: Investment deal for Edmonton not yet 'ruthlessly fair'
• Here's what's in Edmonton's draft event park deal with Alberta, Oilers
• City, universities tackle Edmonton's student housing crunch

Rapid fire

• Edmonton shoppers take trip down memory lane as Hudson's Bay looks to liquidate shelves
• Alberta wants to use critical infrastructure defence law to block emissions data from Ottawa
• Mark Carney skates with the Oilers, makes funding announcements in Edmonton

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.

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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 Talk with Ryan Jespersen

Pride flags

• CSU52: Statement Re: EPL Directive to Remove Pride Flags from Public Areas
• Edmonton Public Library: No Directive to Remove Pride Flags
• Union says Pride flags banned at Edmonton libraries, library disputes claim

Transit safety

• Despite record ridership, many Edmontonians still don't think transit is safe, report shows
• Report recommends more peace officer presence at Edmonton transit stations

Transit sounds

• Artist creates sound experience at Edmonton transit centre
• Edmonton Arts Council | Sendero a lo Próximo (Path to the near)

Expanding trade

• Economic developer helps companies move export sights off U.S. and onto Japan, Mexico, Middle East

Stolen statues

• Statue of women's rights activist Emily Murphy vanishes from Edmonton park named after her
• Cut at the ankles: another statue goes missing from an Edmonton park
• 'Please bring them back': Plaques honouring First World War soldiers stolen from cemetery

From the Taproot newsroom

• Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: Knack
• Pouring a double: Trade mission to Japan and Cocktail Week boost beverage industry

Rapid fire

• Commonwealth Stadium field could be renamed Play Alberta Field
• Should Edmonton have an official bird? Voting underway to pick favourite flyer

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.

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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 could be renamed Play Alberta Field

Adopting heat pumps

• Council urged to accelerate adoption of heat pumps

ICE District deal

• Here's what's in Edmonton's draft deal with province for OEG event park and private development
• Public benefit questioned as Edmonton eyes 10-year extension of Downtown CRL

EPSB resignations

• EPSB trustee resigns due to 'current political environment'
• Coun. Erin Rutherford's post
• Edmonton public school trustees face increased workload after another resignation
• EPSB superintendent Darrel Robertson to retire

Cactus Rats

• A New Energy in Baseball
• Previous name options

ETS merchandise

• Wearing your love of Edmonton: Limited ETS and other YEG-themed merch for sale

Rapid fire

• Trouble in Gretzkyville: For the first time, The Great One finds himself shunned by Edmonton fans
• Computing science professor wins 'Nobel Prize in computing'

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.

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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
• Downtown Revitalization Coalition's LinkedIn post

Infrastructure committee

• Council report
• Coun. Aaron Paquette speaks at council meeting about misinformation

Nordic spa

• Edmonton city council approves rezoning application for nordic spa development
• Top of Bank Policy
• Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue

CorruptCare (allegedly) reaches the city

• UCP Placed Mraiche Business Partner on Edmonton Police Commission

From the Taproot newsroom

• Hydrogen HUB enters 'activation phase' with new leader
• Varme Energy brings in CEO from Norway for first-of-its-kind facility
• Boyle Street creates artist residency to prioritize arts programming for marginalized clients

Rapid fire

• Edmonton's Emily Murphy Park statue stolen leaving nothing but her shoes

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.

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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: Perfect storm of bridge closures will devastate Downtown
• Edmonton business group urges bridge construction pause fearing Downtown backslide from snarled traffic
• Downtown biz group worries Edmonton bridge construction crunch could hurt city's core

Bus priority measures

• Major streets set to change to give buses priority

Lime winter pilot

• Lime brings e-bikes back to Edmonton early for winter pilot program

Wildfire season

• City of Edmonton adds proactive measures to wildfire protection plan
• Edmonton creating wildfire strategy as part of emergency management plan

DATS audit

• Improvements coming to Edmonton's accessible transit service, following audit

From the Taproot newsroom

• Fringe historian to document Edmonton theatre history
• Check the Label app could 'push our politicians' as tariff threat grows, Punchcard says

Rapid fire

• Alberta cold snap breaks more records as deep freeze set to recede Thursday
• Edmonton looks to impress as potential expansion destination by hosting PWHL neutral-site game

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.

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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 proposed public spaces bylaw
• Edmontonians share concerns that public spaces bylaw targets city's most vulnerable
• Public spaces bylaw: Edmonton police officers want clear rules, advocates fear harms to vulnerable

Valley Line West LRT

• Edmonton city council approves plan to speed up LRT construction
• Edmonton fast-tracking LRT road work using full road closures
• Stony Plain Road businesses dreading expedited construction plan for Valley Line West LRT
• Major road closures planned for Valley Line LRT west this year
• On the agenda: Public spaces bylaw, Valley Line West construction

Edmonton Police Commission

• Alberta picks two new Edmonton police commissioners amid probe sparked by chief's complaint of 'bias' in city appointees
• Edmonton police asked Alberta to intervene after city council appointed two commissioners. Documents show past criticism and allegations of 'bias' drove the request.
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's photo

Leducsiana Purchase

• City of Leduc eyes southern boundary expansion with plan to annex nearly 2,500 hectares
• County responds to City of Leduc's intent to annex lands
• Regional Roundup: Feb. 12, 2025

Edmonton Food Faves

• EdmontonFoodFaves.ca
• Printable passport PDF
• 2022 edition
• Linda Hoang
• Sharon Yeo

From the Taproot newsroom

• Major streets set to change to give buses priority
• Upcycler helps Kuma give old tents new life
• Intercultural pop-up part of Feed the Soul's evolution

Rapid fire

• Edmonton police officers return to 6 public schools, more than 4 years after division halted program
• Enjoy the new sloth exhibit at the Edmonton Valley Zoo

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.

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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 fingers after Trump adviser singles out Edmonton's drug crisis
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's thread
• Coun. Tim Cartmell's post
• Coun. Andrew Knack's post
• Nov. 30, 2022: Operating Budget Amendment 83

Edmonton Design Committee

• Edmonton Design Committee could review more developments in future
• Edmonton Design Committee

Valley Line West LRT

• Feb. 11, 2025: Valley Line West 2025 Roadway Construction Options and Impacts
• Valley Line West LRT

Edmonton Food Faves

• EdmontonFoodFaves.ca
• Printable passport PDF
• 2022 edition
• Linda Hoang
• Sharon Yeo

From the Taproot newsroom

• Cloverdale Coffee helps add amenities in river valley, proponent says
• Specialty food chains chart ambitious growth across region
• Project aims to cultivate community and canopy in McCauley

Rapid fire

• Edmonton bans sale of knives in convenience stores after council passes bylaw
• Drivers frustrated by pay parking in Edmonton since app change

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!