Speaking Municipally

Council debated changes to the single-use item bylaw, especially related to drive-thrus. Plus, we discuss a funding cut for Boyle Street, reaction to the police chief's recent trip to Israel, and some new jobs for Amarjeet Sohi and Tim Cartmell.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Audience survey

• What we learned from Taproot's 2026 audience survey

Waste reduction update

• Edmonton's single-use waste rules unpopular — but working
• Edmonton ban on disposable items has reduced use of plastic bags and straws: city data
• Calgary's single-use items bylaw repealed, businesses no longer required to charge bag fee

Boyle Street funding cut

• Boyle Street housing program to lose Alberta government funding, province seeks new provider
• Alberta government ends funding for Edmonton housing program

Police chief's Israel trip

• Edmonton police chief travels to Israel to meet police leaders
• Edmonton police chief's trip to Israel draws criticism and support

Arterial roads

• Council questions when to expand arterial roads to four lanes

New jobs for Sohi and Cartmell

• Sohi lands role at public affairs firm, Cartmell at NAIT
• NAIT's LinkedIn post
• Tim Cartmell's LinkedIn post
• State of the City 2026

Become a member

• Individual Membership
• Join using promo code SURVEY10 by March 31!

This episode is brought to you by the IABC Edmonton's 2026 Capital Awards. You've already done the work. Now bring it into focus. The Capital Awards are Northern Alberta's benchmark for communications excellence, recognizing strategy, creativity, and results that stand up to scrutiny. Turn results into recognition! Submit your work by April 12

This episode is also brought to you by GoodMorning, one of Canada's largest mattress retailers, founded right here in Edmonton. GoodMorning's first-ever flagship retail store is now open at 144 Mayfield Common NW. It's the best place to see, touch, and test the full collection of award-winning Canadian mattresses. Enjoy a relaxed, no-pressure way to find your next great night's sleep. Learn more

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!

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

Progress is being made in Chinatown, but several challenges remain, including some long-standing issues like the 97 Street bridge. Plus, there's a new downtown housing incentive, and council approved its strategic priorities for the term ahead of budget planning.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Chinatown Strategy update

• Chinatown Strategy - Initiatives and Progress - March 04, 2026
• 'Changing the narrative': City council hears from community on further Chinatown improvements
• Chinatown shows signs of improvement as City of Edmonton weighs 3 new initiatives
• "Bike lanes on steroids" Chinatown businesses want street parking back
• A moment in history: April 22, 1929 - Taproot Edmonton
• Man accused in fatal Chinatown beatings in Edmonton testifies in court
• Justin Bone's repeated firing of lawyers raises questions about limits to right of counsel

Downtown Attainable Housing Incentive

• Downtown Attainable Housing Incentive - March 4, 2026
• Edmonton looks to incentivize downtown apartment development

Council strategic priorities

• City council limits itself to four key strategic priorities for term
• Edmonton City Council Strategic Priorities | Andrew Knack

Budget planning

• Special City Council Meeting - March 5, 2026

This episode is brought to you by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, which is putting on Downtown Dining Week from March 11 to 22. This year you have more than 65 restaurants to pick from. Downtown Dining Week offers you multi-course and multi-item menus at a discount, all while supporting locally owned restaurants. Check out the menus

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!

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

• (00:00) - Introduction

The City of Edmonton has announced funding for parts of the Downtown Action Plan. Plus, we discuss changes to the upcoming construction season, a motion about event legacies, and we take a trip to Gibbons, a town on the verge of financial collapse.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Audience survey

• Taproot audience survey

Extreme weather response

• News Release: Extreme weather response activated Feb. 26

Downtown Action Plan Fund

• News Release: City investing $3 million into community-led projects downtown
• Downtown Projects and Investments
• Business Roundup: Feb. 27, 2026

Construction season

• 2026 Traffic Management Plan - Infrastructure Committee - Feb. 23, 2026
• Edmonton city councillors say drivers should see relief on roads this construction season

Trouble in Gibbons

• News Release: Town of Gibbons Provides Update Following Presentation to Sturgeon County and Provincial Direction for Expedited Viability Review
• Gibbons near 'practical insolvency,' administrator tells Sturgeon County
• News Release: Gibbons to undergo expedited viability review: Minister Williams
• Province steps in as Gibbons council approves interim budget and borrowing plan amid financial crisis
• Central Alberta town faces uncertain future as it drowns in debt and faces potential insolvency

Sports legacy motion

• Coun. Reed Clarke's post
• City Council - Feb. 17, 2026

This episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider. Park Power makes it easy to sign up for electricity, natural gas, and internet, and bundling two or three saves you money. It's easy to switch to Park Power and there are no exit fees if you leave. Learn how much you could save

This episode is also brought to you by GoodMorning, one of Canada's largest mattress retailers, founded right here in Edmonton. GoodMorning's first-ever flagship retail store is now open at 144 Mayfield Common NW. It's the best place to see, touch, and test our full collection of award-winning Canadian mattresses. Enjoy a relaxed, no-pressure way to find your next great night's sleep. Learn more

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!

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

Council has approved selling land to an affordable housing provider, despite community pushback. Plus, some restaurant owners will have to pay more for patios this year, and we have updates on infill and snow clearing.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Audience survey

• Taproot audience survey

Update on infill

• Edmonton council votes to keep infill maximum at eight units
• Edmonton city councillor's motion to change infill cap from 8 units to 6 fails

Update on snow clearing

• City to deploy private contractors at start of snow-clearing work after Tuesday's storm
• City 70 per cent through priority Edmonton roads as Phase 1 parking ban takes effect

Affordable housing in Wedgewood

• Edmonton council to sell Wedgewood Heights surplus school site for housing project
• Council gives green light a 2nd time around for Wedgewood Park housing development in animated public hearing

Patio fees

• Edmonton businesses contemplate future of patio season after seeing new hefty fee
• Peter Keith post on LinkedIn

Northmark Materials funding

• Feb. 17 City Council meeting

This episode is brought to you by Edmonton Opera. For more than 60 years, Edmonton Opera has shared a history with this city, through works that have filled our halls, shaped our stages, and continued to come alive for audiences long after the curtain fell. The 2026-27 season brings those works back to the Jubilee stage, inviting audiences to reconnect with operas that have long been part of Edmonton's story. Learn more

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!

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

Troy returns to the podcast to talk about infill and zoning. Plus, we get his take on Happy Beer Street, and we look at an interim election audit report.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Audience survey

• Taproot audience survey

Troy Pavlek

• TroyPavlek.ca

Infill rezoning

• After 2 days of Edmonton infill debate, city committee sends decision to council
• Residents speak for and against infill at packed committee meeting
• Edmonton councillors hear calls for tree protection bylaw

Happy Beer Street

• Happy Beer Street
• Breweries want City of Edmonton to tap entertainment district designation for Happy Beer Street
• Three cheers for Edmonton's Happy Beer Street

Election audit

• October 2025: Morgan increases Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi margin after Edmonton Elections finds unconfirmed ballots
• October 2025: Thu Parmar wins in Ward sipiwiyiniwak after recount caused by 'human error': Edmonton Elections
• Long lines, errors during Edmonton's fall election frustrated voters, staff: city auditor
• Edmonton city councillor wants tabulators back after elections report highlights issues

This episode is brought to you by Accessible Acupuncture. Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain can affect daily living, sleep, mobility, and independence. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. At Accessible Acupuncture, our Doctor of Acupuncture — Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. — designs custom treatment plans to address both symptoms and underlying causes, support nerve health, and help patients return to their activities. Call 587-879-7122 or book online to schedule your consultation.

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!

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

We look at a proposal for that beloved downtown pit, also known as the former BMO site. Plus, provincial workers are back in office full-time, and they might soon have a new bike lane to get there!

Fill out the Taproot audience survey here!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

BMO site

• Edmonton Design Committee meeting - Jan. 20, 2026
• November 2025: City seeking input on how former BMO building site affects downtown Edmonton
• November 2025: Developer puts Downtown Edmonton BMO land up for sale, asking $6M

Return to office

• Thousands of Alberta government workers return to office Monday
• Alberta government workers return to Downtown Edmonton offices
• No plans to end hybrid work for City of Edmonton staff, despite calls for return to office

Wîhkwêntôwin neighbourhood renewal

• Your turn: Wîhkwêntôwin renewal, child-care zoning, RCMP priorities
• Wîhkwêntôwin Neighbourhood Renewal: Don't Miss What's Already Working
• Building Great Neighbourhoods - Wîhkwêntôwin ᐄᐧᐦᑫᐧᐣᑑᐃᐧᐣ | City of Edmonton

This episode is brought to you by Accessible Acupuncture. Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain can affect daily living, sleep, mobility, and independence. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. At Accessible Acupuncture, our Doctor of Acupuncture — Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. — designs custom treatment plans to address both symptoms and underlying causes, support nerve health, and help patients return to their activities. Call 587-879-7122 or book online to schedule your consultation.

This episode is also sponsored by Let's Find Out. Did you know Edmonton once had a save-the-whales club, and it made a big splash? Learn more at a live recording of Let's Find Out, a podcast about history. Chris Chang-Yen Phillips will speak to Candas Jane Dorsey and Kathryn Ivany about this moment in Edmonton's past and other treasures in the city archives. Join us on March 3! Get your tickets today

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!

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

Edmonton city council examined the 10-year financial outlook for the city this week. Spoiler alert: we have no money! Plus, we look at changes to the way council approves new suburbs.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

10-Year Outlook

• 2027-2036 Capital Investment Outlook
• 2027-2036 Operating Investment Outlook

Terms of reference

• Bylaw 21358 - To amend the River's Edge Neighbourhood Structure Plan
• Kettle Lakes Neighbourhood Structure Plan Council Authorization - Further Analysis
• 2012: Why hasn't there been any public involvement for the Growth Coordination Strategy?
• 2013: Horse Hill ASP: More proof that Edmonton is addicted to sprawl

Wîhkwêntôwin neighbourhood renewal

• Your turn: Wîhkwêntôwin renewal, child-care zoning, RCMP priorities
• Wîhkwêntôwin Neighbourhood Renewal: Don't Miss What's Already Working
• Building Great Neighbourhoods - Wîhkwêntôwin ᐄᐧᐦᑫᐧᐣᑑᐃᐧᐣ | City of Edmonton

This episode is brought to you by Accessible Acupuncture. Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain can affect daily living, sleep, mobility, and independence. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. At Accessible Acupuncture, our Doctor of Acupuncture — Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. — designs custom treatment plans to address both symptoms and underlying causes, support nerve health, and help patients return to their activities. Call 587-879-7122 or book online to schedule your consultation.

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!

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

This week, members of Edmonton city council called for more civility and respect after reports of threats and harassment directed at snow-clearing crews. Plus, we discuss the latest departure from Station Park, Edmonton's new brand, and some updates from Taproot Edmonton.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Extreme weather

• Extreme Weather Response for Winter

Safety and respect

• City staff facing rise in aggressive behaviour from Edmontonians: mayor
• Edmonton mayor details harassment toward city staff amid snow clearing
• Andrew Knack: A Call for Civility: Addressing Safety and Respect in Public Service

Parking bans

• 90 per cent of Edmontonians ignoring parking ban, say city officials
• Only 10% of Edmonton drivers moved their cars for snow clearing: city
• The Snow Sirens of Montreal (Fascinating but Frustrating)

Place brand

• Edmonton Place Brand Framework
• SHREDMONTON

EPIC Market

• Food Roundup: Jan. 20, 2026
• Epic Market to leave Station Park after nearly 2 years

Taproot updates

• On the agenda: Parking ban fines, municipal assets, brand framework
• Your turn: Infill changes, Leduc County annexation, climate action

This episode is brought to you by the office of Coun. Michael Janz, who is holding a series of events called City Hall Talks. Next up: former Calgary city councillor Courtney Walcott will present what he's learned about housing, public engagement, parking, and more. How might these lessons apply to Edmonton? Find out on Jan. 31 at 4pm. RSVP here.

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!

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

This week, we are still discussing snow clearing, or the lack thereof, although Mother Nature is helping. Plus, we examine an investigation into crime on Edmonton's transit system, and more proposed changes to the zoning bylaw.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Transit safety

• 'Frequent flyers' behind surge in violence on public transit
• Public transit now patrolled by 15 more peace officers, says City of Edmonton
• This is one of the most dangerous transit systems in Canada : r/Edmonton
• Video: This is one of the most dangerous transit systems in Canada

Zoning changes

• City administration recommending Edmonton backtrack on infill, gathering feedback
• Feedback on Proposed Changes to Infill Development

Snow clearing

• AMA: Edmonton's Snow and Ice Control Program operations
• SNOW & ICE — Aaron Paquette
• Ice, Ice, Maybe? (The Cost of Certainty) — Aaron Paquette
• Councillor Motion for Snow and Ice Surge Capacity

Valley Line LRT ads

• Edmonton campaign launched to reduce collisions with LRT
• Reddit thread

This episode is brought to you by the office of Coun. Michael Janz. We have the power to fight for better transit and win. When riders have a shared vision and a shared voice, we can empower leaders to make transit fast, reliable, and abundant. Coun. Michael Janz invites you to a special live, in-person Ask Me Anything session with Denis Agar, executive director of Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders, on Monday, Jan. 19, at 6pm.

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!

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

Happy New Year! Edmonton continues to deal with the fallout from all the recent snowfall. Plus, we look at some statistics showing what types of housing were built, and where, in 2025.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Snow removal

• City of Edmonton says back-to-back snowfall events making snow removal a challenge
• Navigating an Unprecedented Winter: What You Need to Know About Snow Clearing in Edmonton - Andrew Knack
• Edmonton still dealing with holiday snowfall cleanup nearly two weeks later
• Winter Parking Bans
• Snow and Ice Control with Cached Plow Locations
• What does it cost to clear Edmonton snow?
• Snow and Ice Annual Report - Winter 2024-2025 (PDF)
• Snow and Ice Service Livels (PDF)
• Phase 2 parking ban to take effect Monday to clear snow from Edmonton's residential roads

Missing middle

• 2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob Dawang
• Big parking decisions in store for Edmonton city council in the new year

Growth projections

• Edmonton's housing affordability edge could slip in 2026: Conference Board of Canada
• March 2025: Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: Knack

This episode is brought to you by SkirtsAfire, which happens from March 5 to 15. Be entertained and inspired by theatre, music, dance, comedy, visual arts, design, and more. Taking place in various venues in the heart of Old Strathcona and the French Quarter, there's lots to see and do at SkirtsAfire, so take it all in! Festival passes are available now. Sign up for SkirtsAfire's newsletter and get updates direct to your inbox!

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!

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