Speaking Municipally

We speak with Edmonton Global CEO Daryn Edgar and Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker about Edmonton Global's new strategic plan and how shareholders are feeling about the organization these days. Plus, we bring you an update on Gibbons, the best little town in the northeast.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Guests

• Daryn Edgar
• Edmonton Global's incoming CEO aims to refresh relationships and drive scale
• Meet Daryn Edgar, Edmonton Global's new CEO
• Mayor Jeff Acker
• City of Spruce Grove: Mayor Jeff Acker

Gibbons

• Gibbons viability review raises concerns in Sturgeon County
• Concern over Bill 28's proposed changes to viability review
• Collaboration talks between Gibbons and Sturgeon County stall
• Viability review report reveals how Gibbons reached financial crisis
• Gibbons council rejects province's viability review findings
• Gibbons votes to remain a town

This episode is brought to you by the Food Roundup. Published every Tuesday morning, the Food Roundup is an email newsletter that provides you with the latest openings, closings, headlines, and happenings in the world of food across the Edmonton region. If you're looking to reach the kind of people who read the Food Roundup (and you should because they're awesome!) then get in touch.

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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We're joined by an archeology expert and an advocate with experience in Indigenous relations for a deep dive on Indigenous engagement in Rossdale, and across the river valley.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Restaurant closures

• July 21, 2026 Food Roundup
• String of restaurant closures in downtown Edmonton has business owners talking about challenges

Rossdale engagement

• Rossdale debate reflects differing worldviews and capacities, advocates say
• Treaty 6 nations aim to redevelop contentious Rossdale lots
• Miranda Jimmy: Legal, Ethical, and Moral Obligations to the Treaty Relationship
• Métis archaeologist transforms her field from 'grave robber' to 'grave finder'
• River Cross Business Plan (PDF)

Guests

• Kisha Supernant
• Miranda Jimmy

Scramble update

• Edmonton delays removal of Whyte Avenue scramble crosswalks until 2027

This episode is brought to you by Edmonton Opera. Tickets are on sale now for Opera al Fresco, Edmonton Opera's cherished summer tradition at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Hear favourite arias and choruses amid the flowers and greenery, with a charcuterie box to nibble on throughout. Don't miss out! 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!

We're joined by Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Reed Clarke for a conversation about the upcoming four-year budget. We talk about the struggle to keep businesses in Edmonton, the need for better bylaw enforcement, and how infill has impacted the tax situation.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Reed Clarke

• ReedClarke.ca
• Ward Nakota Isga - Reed Clarke

Budget

• Budget and Finances
• 2027-2030 Budget Engagement
• Taproot's budget coverage

This episode is brought to you by the Edmonton City as Museum Project. Join ECAMP for two immersive walking experiences this summer! Explore Edmonton's history through the Labour History Tour and Children of the Flats, and dive into the stories that shaped our city — past and present. Tours are at $15 (2‑hour) or $10 (1‑hour) per person, with kids 12 & under FREE — an accessible and engaging way to experience the city. 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!

We're joined by Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette for a conversation about the upcoming four-year budget. We talk about the state of Edmonton's finances, our city's relationship with neighbours and the province, and what success looks like for the 2027-2030 budget.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Aaron Paquette

• AaronPaquette.ca
• Ward Dene - Aaron Paquette

Budget

• Budget and Finances
• 2027-2030 Budget Engagement
• Taproot's budget coverage

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. It also has a Solar Club that offers solar power buy-back rates for Albertans with solar PV systems. 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!

Edmonton city councillors debated changes to the zoning bylaw to regulate lodging houses … if they can figure out what they are. Plus, the city has started cracking down on illegal downtown surface parking lots, and we get excited for the Fringe Festival.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Rain in June

• Edmonton records its rainiest June ever following latest weekend downpour: Environment Canada
• Edmonton weather nerdery: June 2026
• News Release: City of Edmonton impacts due to additional heavy rains
• News Release: Rising water levels on the North Saskatchewan River prompt immediate trail closures

Canada Day

• Readers share what this year's Canada Day means to them
• O Canada? Patriotism in the time of Alberta separatism

Lodging houses

• Lodging Houses Analysis
• Edmonton's mayor fears infill bylaws abused to build lodging houses
• Edmonton infills operated as rooming houses, renting by the day — even hour

New towing lot

• City of Edmonton opens new tow lot to deal with hundreds of abandoned vehicles

Downtown parking lots

• Crackdown on unlicensed downtown Edmonton parking lots looms
• Edmonton cracking down on unpermitted surface parking lots in core
• News Release: City begins enforcement action against unpermitted downtown surface parking lots in July

Fringe Festival

• Edmonton Fringe announces Unforgettable theme for 2026 festival
• Fringe asks for support to keep it 'Unforgettable'

This episode is brought to you by Taste of Edmonton. This year, the popular 11-day festival runs July 16 to 26, offering a delicious sample of Edmonton's finest restaurants, arts, and culture. Presale tickets are available online now until July 14th, or at select retail locations until July 15th. By purchasing ahead, you'll save $10 per sheet of 40 tickets. 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!

City council delayed a public hearing about Rossdale as it had questions about its duty to consult with Indigenous nations. Plus, the parking requirement at daycares has been reduced, and we discuss how to stop illegal dumping at apartment buildings.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Canada Day

• Share your thoughts on Canada Day

Rossdale rezoning

• Council delays Rossdale-specific zone decision for more consultation

Daycare parking

• Edmonton mayor hopes requiring less daycare parking encourages more walking, biking
• Council reduces parking requirements for child-care spaces to encourage more to enter industry

Illegal dumping

• Edmonton condo's and apartment's paying extra to clean up illegal dumping, report says
• City looking to pilot big bin project in 2027 to curb illegal dumping

This episode is brought to you by Edmonton Opera. Set yourself up for a couple of spectacular date nights! The Opera Duo bundles tickets to both mainstage productions in the 2026-27 season: Rossini's The Barber of Seville in November and Mozart's The Magic Flute in February. You'll save 20% compared to single ticket prices, secure your seats early, and have two unforgettable nights of live opera to look forward to. Subscribe 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!

Council approved $925,000 to fund winter day spaces, even as the conversation about jurisdiction continues. Plus, the Southeast Transit Garage will be a little bigger, and we look at what Edmontonians told the Edmonton Police Commission about the next EPS operating budget.

• (00:00) - Introduction

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Trivia Night

• Edmonton Trivia with Taproot Edmonton

Correction: 15-minute parking update

• Instagram post from Coun. Stevenson

Day spaces

• Council allocates $925 thousand for winter day spaces
• On the agenda: Budget adjustment, transit garage, community halls

Edmonton Police budget engagement results

• Edmonton Police Commission meeting — May 21, 2026

Spring 2026 SCBA & Southeast Transit Garage

• Edmonton council votes to build bigger transit garage, despite it adding $66M to debt
• Garage capacity key to expanding transit service, advocate says

Koermann Block

• The Koermann Block: historic but dilapidated city property looks for buyers this spring

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. It also has a Solar Club that offers solar power buy-back rates for Albertans with solar PV systems. 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!

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

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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.

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!

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

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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.

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 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.

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!