Speaking Municipally

We spoke to Mayor Andrew Knack about our growing city, and our shrinking regional economic development organization. Plus, council held a public hearing, reviewed proposed changes to provincial electoral boundaries, and we look ahead to 2026.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Knack interview

• Regional collaboration still desired, despite Edmonton Global exodus: Knack
• Fort Saskatchewan focused on Heartland Association upon exit from Edmonton Global
• Edmonton could grow to 1.25M people in two years, says administration
• Andrew Knack's LinkedIn post

Belgravia traffic review

• Belgravia Traffic Review Engagement

Electoral boundaries

• Strathcona County and Beaumont pushes back against proposed provincial division boundaries
• Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats

Council lookahead

• Items Due List

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.

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!

You can now tap your credit card, debit card, or digital wallet to ride transit. Additionally, we'll discuss updates to the capital and operating budgets, and progress towards the city's tree-planting goal.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Extreme weather

• News Release: Extreme weather response activated today
• Extreme Weather Response for Winter

Tap-to-pay

• News Release: Arc tap to pay launches in Edmonton region
• Want to pay for Edmonton transit using your credit card? Now you can

Traffic safety

• Opinion: Edmonton's traffic safety unit could make things worse

Budget updates

• Report: Operating Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025
• Report: Capital Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025
• March 2025: Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: Knack
• Edmonton - Housing Starts

Council budgets

• Report: Council Services Committee - Dec. 12, 2025

Tree planting

• News Release: City reaches another milestone towards tree planting goal
• Edmonton nearly halfway to tree goal, with slight extension

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!

The tax increase for 2026 is set at 6.9%. We examine the 2026 budget deliberations and Edmonton's growth pressures, noting what council decided on, and why. Plus, the old Royal Alberta Museum is one step closer to being saved.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Snow

• Edmonton 'business as usual' for icy road cleanup, not considering bringing back calcium chloride: Knack

Giving Tuesday

• Giving Tuesday sees Edmonton charities get a holiday hike in donations
• Make a contribution to Taproot

2026 Budget

• Edmonton could grow to 1.25M people in two years, says administration
• Edmonton city council approves 6.9% property tax increase for 2026
• Property taxes creep higher after Explore Edmonton gets steady funding
• Motions to reduce capital expenses fail at Edmonton city council budget deliberations
• City council OKs money for west-end road upgrades near River Cree resort

Vision Zero

• Stopping speeders and Whitemud widening top priorities on last day of budget talks

Royal Alberta Museum

• 'Encouraging': Negotiations underway to redevelop Edmonton's old Royal Alberta Museum site

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.

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, council got to ask questions about the proposed fall budget adjustment. Plus, we learn more about the city's plan to enforce speed limits, the "end" of construction season, and the Valley Line LRT turns two.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Budget

• Report: Operating Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025
• Report: Fall 2025 Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment - 2023-2026 Operating Budget
• Report: Fall 2025 Supplemental Capital Budget Adjustment - 2023-2026 Capital Budget
• Keith Gerein: Despite another grim city budget, Edmonton may be closer to ending its financial funk

Vision Zero

• Report: Municipal Traffic Safety Expansion Opportunities - Reinvesting to Address Critical Safety Concerns
• Speeding, traffic fatalities up as Edmonton navigates provincial photo radar restrictions: city report
• A better Detour for 102 Ave - YEG Bike Coalition
• Calgary's Pathway and Bikeway Projects (5A)

Construction season

• Edmonton ends construction season as it eyes accelerated strategy for future projects
• News Release: City wraps up the 2025 construction season at new fire station

Valley Line LRT

• Two years later, is the Valley Line Southeast LRT meeting expectations?
• LRT train pushed off tracks after crash with semi-truck
• November 2023: Speaking Municipally ON A TRAIN

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 held its first public hearing since the election, and infill was front and centre. Plus, we talk about Vision Zero, P3 projects, and the upcoming budget season.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Public hearing

• Infill expansion in Mayfield neighbourhood rejected unanimously by council

Vision Zero

• With pedestrian fatalities climbing in Edmonton, advocates call for safer infrastructure
• City looking to address traffic safety issues in Edgemont
• Calgary Safety Traffic Team
• Edmonton Safe Mobility Strategy
• Jessica Lamarre
• Edmonton dumps school photo radar citing costs, issues beyond speeding
• Mayor floats new traffic safety unit after woman struck at marked crosswalk dies in hospital

P3 projects

• Knack says council 'shouldn't shy away' from private partnerships on public projects
• Edmonton could consider more partnerships with private industry to build future arenas, libraries: report

Budget

• City Council - Orientation - Nov. 17, 2025
• New Edmonton city council told 6.4% property tax increase looms

This episode is brought to you by the Solar Power Investment Cooperative of Edmonton. SPICE partners with communities to build sustainable, solar-powered infrastructure that delivers long-term environmental and economic value. Join in advancing a resilient, low-carbon Alberta — and be part of the transformation.

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 is back! For a chat. We talk about the election and his plans. Plus, we check in on Better Edmonton, the downtown park, and the bike lanes on 103 Avenue.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Troy Pavlek

• TroyPavlek.ca
• Troy appreciation thread on Reddit
• Episode 316: Can you get rid of the Rapidfire segment next?

Municipal parties

• 2 new city councillors are leaving Better Edmonton. What does that mean for the party?
• Municipal parties to remain active in Edmonton as councillor leaves Better Edmonton party

O-day'min Park

• Warehouse Park begins mission to activate downtown with opening celebrations
• Edmontonians enjoying new downtown park
• Downtown Edmonton businesses frustrated over multiple construction projects

103 Avenue bike lanes

• A new set of bike lanes is causing tension in downtown Edmonton

This episode is brought to you by the Edmonton Arts Council. It doesn't get more local than the Edmonton Arts Council Shop. From tickets to local events to coveted works from more than 200 emerging and established Edmonton artists, you can discover the unique experiences and creative works that set Edmonton apart at our Shop. See the latest in-store on Instagram: @shopyegarts. Or visit edmontonarts.ca.

This episode is also brought to you by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association. Kick off the holiday season with Downtown Winterval, a festival that brings 104 Street to life with sleigh rides, ice-carving lessons, photos with Santa, and live music. New this year, we've got street hockey for the kids. It's all happening on a street-wide patio! Join us Nov. 22 from 3pm to 8pm.

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 sit down with Edmonton's new mayor, Andrew Knack, to talk about optimism, regional collaboration, video game marathons, and much more. 

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Mayor Andrew Knack

• AndrewKnack.ca
• Andrew Knack at Taproot's vote site
• Andrew Knack - Extra Life Edmonton donation page

Related links

• New Edmonton city council votes unanimously to create more daytime shelter spaces
• Mayor Knack responds to Chamber call for business task force
• Vacant Downtown Lot Survey
• Reddit thread on the survey
• Extra Life Edmonton

Previous appearances

• Episode 59: The Fruits of Edmonton's Tech Investments (LIVE)
• Episode 67: 2eoPEARdy
• Episode 157: I made my greenfield developers disappear
• Episode 162: Troy lost a bet
• Episode 276: 13 months notice
• Episode 309: He's got a Knack for winning elections

Rapid fire

• Alberta teachers union launches two court challenges against province's back-to-work legislation

Shout out to Castria, our podcast editors!

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 take you inside city hall for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural city council meeting of the 2025-2029 term. Plus, we look at possible changes to provincial electoral boundaries in Edmonton, and hear from some municipal election scrutineers.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Swearing-in ceremony

• Edmonton's new city council starts work by identifying priorities
• Don Iveson's post
• You're likely to hear the same debates at city hall despite new council
• Edmonton's everyman: Andrew Knack's journey to the mayor's seat

Electoral boundaries

• Calgary, Edmonton to gain seats under proposed electoral boundary redraw
• Most Edmontonians will vote in new or redrawn ridings next provincial election: interim report
• Commission report (PDF)

Election scrutineers

• The election count through the eyes of scrutineers: 'It broke down completely'

Teacher strike

• Students return to Alberta schools after historic teachers' strike screeches to a halt
• 'Mixed feelings' among Alberta students, parents amid return to school after 3-week strike
• The economic fallout of the Alberta teachers' strike and what comes next
• Alberta labour leaders gauge interest in general strike after suspension of teachers' bargaining rights
• News Release: Better data, better outcomes for Alberta students
• News Release: Showcasing Alberta in the Middle East

Rapid fire

• A timeline of Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry's relationship
• Soaring Blue Jays and struggling Dodgers face duelling pressures in Game 6 of World Series

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 take an initial look at Edmonton's new city council, which looks eerily similar to the old one. Plus, we discuss delayed results, missing ballots, and monumental recounts. 

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Election results

• Unofficial results
• Andrew Knack: 'Edmonton chose independent leadership'
• Edmonton mayor-elect Knack's priorities include safety, affordability
• Edmonton votes 2025: School board trustees
• Edmonton region votes 2025: Six new mayors, dozens of new councillors

New councillors

• Jon Morgan
• Reed Clarke
• Michael Elliott
• Thu Parmar
• Cracks appear in Cartmell's Better Edmonton coalition

Incumbents

• Most Edmonton city councillors to serve another term, election results suggest
• Judicial review for Edmonton city councillor Jennifer Rice set for after next civic election

Counting process

• News Release: Summary of facts that show how the process was verified and sound
• Edmonton Elections blames labour shortage, technology issues in voting and counting delay
• Ward councillor race flips after Edmonton Elections recount
• From 6 to 600 ballots: What went wrong with the count in sipiwiyiniwak?
• Slow results and long lines in 2025 Edmonton election

Taproot Survey

• Taproot Survey
• Voter response statistics

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 reflect on the biggest issues the 2025 campaign. Plus, we cover advance voting turnout and some last little bits of election analysis. 

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

2021 Election

• Oct. 15, 2021: Episode 151 - It's Election Thyme

Taproot Survey

• Comparison of Cartmell, Jaffer, Knack, and Walters
• Candidate Pitches
• The Taproot Survey is helping voters and candidates ahead of Election Day
• Taproot Survey
• Take the survey and match with candidates

Advance Voting

• Advance voter turnout higher than in 2021 with 1 week until Edmonton election
• Edmonton Election Results
• Fears for depressed turnout in the 2025 Calgary meh-lection

Campaign themes

• Edmonton's next city council will have to get creative balancing goals and taxes, former mayor says
• Too much, too fast: Majority polled in Calgary, Edmonton unhappy with pace of population growth
• Keith Gerein: This has been Edmonton's infill election, but we're getting only one side of the story
• The big picture on housing, density and affordability
• How do Edmonton's election issues in 2025 compare to 2021?

Election analysis

• Keith Gerein: Edmonton's money woes need more than wishful thinking
• Edmonton Votes 2025: Voting records reveal close councillor alignment ahead of election day
• Analysis: Cartmell's fundraising has significant crossover with UCP, while Knack has support from city staff
• If 'undecided' was a person, they'd be on track to be Edmonton's next mayor, poll suggests

Rapid fire

• Your province, your plate

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!