Speaking Municipally

Andrew Knack has announced he's running for mayor. We speak with him about his decision to enter the race now, his vision for the city, and how he plans to differentiate himself from the other candidates.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Andrew Knack

• Andrew Knack for Mayor
• Andrew's Linkedin post
• Speaking Municipally | 13 months notice
• Longtime Edmonton city councillor Andrew Knack to run for mayor

From the Taproot newsroom

• Debate grows as Edmonton plans 23 km of new bike lanes for 2025
• On the ground at Upper Bound

Rapid fire

• News Release: City of Edmonton property tax notices sent out early
• Remedy Café on Jasper Avenue has closed doors
• Wander West, Edmontonians: WestJet adds two domestic routes from Edmonton International Airport

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?
• What's on your mind, municipally speaking?

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!

We examine the new Downtown Action Plan, which was presented to the Urban Planning Committee this week. Additionally, administration seeks permission to sell the naming rights to 29 facilities, and PACE announces six of its candidates for the 2025 municipal election.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Downtown Action Plan

• Edmonton Proposing $553M Action Plan To Revitalize Downtown Core
• News Release: New Downtown Action Plan to accelerate investment, economic growth and vibrancy
• Opinion: Downtown Edmonton needs action now
• City reveals new plan for downtown Edmonton as part of revitalization efforts

Naming rights

• Edmonton eyes selling naming rights for 29 public facilities

PACE candidates

• Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton announces city council candidates

From the Taproot newsroom

• Musician collects oral histories of Edmonton's 'sacred space' — the airport Chili's
• Artists explore what isn't in city archives
• Campaign aims to see Edmonton cut the lawn and replace with gardens, native plants

Rapid fire

• Alberta public sector workers vote in favour of strike action following failed negotiations
• Ric McIver voted in as new Alberta legislature Speaker
• Smith scores with 0.4 left, Golden Knights edge Oilers in Game 3 of Western 2nd Round

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?
• What's on your mind, municipally speaking?

The Edmonton Arts Council Shop & Services (formerly TIX on the Square) is your ticket to all things Edmonton arts. From tickets to local and community 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.

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!

We dive into the "start" of construction season, and the latest state of the city event. We also touch on traffic management in Belgravia, and private contracts for the Edmonton police.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

EPS contracts

• Private contracts for Edmonton police rose sharply over last five years: data

Construction season

• News Release: City thinks big as it kicks off 2025 construction season

Belgravia traffic

• Council seeks potentially 'radical' solutions in Belgravia traffic assessment

State of the City

• State of Our City 2025, presented by EPCOR - May 8, 2025
• Recap: 2013 State of the City Address

From the Taproot newsroom

• Women Building Futures expands to Ontario
• City proposes adding second downtown entertainment district on 104 Street

Rapid fire

• KDays announces 2025 Music Fest lineup
• Bill 50 could allow money to 'overpower democracy': Knack
• Rentable E-Scooter Injuries an Increasing Burden in Edmonton

Election question and events

• 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?
• Events: What's on your mind, municipally speaking?

The Edmonton Arts Council Shop & Services (formerly TIX on the Square) is your ticket to all things Edmonton arts. From tickets to local and community 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.

Enter to win a $25 gift certificate for the Edmonton Arts Council Shop. The deadline is 11:59pm on May 13, 2025.

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!

We look at what the federal election results mean for Edmonton, including the return of Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to city council. We also discuss the future of E-Park with Coun. Aaron Paquette, and dig into when we might expect results in the upcoming municipal election.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Federal election results

• Alberta's blue wave has Conservatives projected to win nearly every seat in Edmonton
• Recap: Liberals hold Edmonton Centre, Conservatives pick up Griesbach, rural sweep for Tories
• Edmonton voters wanted change, action on affordability, Conservative candidates say
• Election 2025: Edmonton Centre remains Liberal red after Olszewski victory
• Election 2025: Sohi loses in Edmonton Southeast as Conservative Mahal clinches victory
• Election 2025: Edmonton Griesbach returns to Conservative fold as Kerry Diotte beats Blake Desjarlais
• Election 2025: Heather McPherson keeps Edmonton Strathcona for third straight election

E-Park in 2016

• EPark has replaced coin parking meters in Edmonton
• Edmonton says goodbye to last coin parking meter
• News Release: City says goodbye to final coin parking meter
• Time expires for Edmonton parking meters, but you can buy your own

Coun. Aaron Paquette

• Coun. Aaron Paquette
• Edmonton city council looking for ways to help smartphone-less drivers pay for parking
• Edmonton city council to discuss delaying removal of EPark metres
• Opinion: Mobile-only parking a barrier to downtown Edmonton

Municipal election plans

• Ban on tabulators means election results will arrive much later in 2025, official says
• Alberta overhauls election laws to allow corporate donations, change referendum thresholds

From the Taproot newsroom

• Council seeks potentially 'radical' solutions in Belgravia traffic assessment
• Linda Ha sets sights on helping freelancers avoid burnout and stay afloat

Rapid fire

• Edmonton-Southeast voters react to Mayor Sohi's federal election loss
• Premier Danielle Smith calls on PM Mark Carney to 'reset' Ottawa-Alberta relationship

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?

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!

City council has approved the final property tax increase for 2025, and it's lower than expected … except maybe not? Plus, the City started removing EPark meters … but maybe not? We also discuss the integrity commissioner's annual report, and bike lanes.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Property tax increase

• News Release: City Council approves tax levy increase
• Edmonton property tax increase set at 5.7%, lower than expected -Edmonton sets tax levy increase at 5.7 per cent -Province Inflicts Steep Property Tax Increase on Calgarians - Jyoti Gondek

EPark meters

• Paquette wants to pause transition to mobile payments for parking
• Edmonton city council looking for ways to help smartphone-less drivers pay for parking
• Coun. Aaron Paquette's motion

Integrity commissioner's annual report

• On the agenda: Tax increase, integrity commissioner, sidewalk improvements

Bike lanes

• Alberta transportation minister wants bike lanes gone, critics say stay in your lane
• Keith Gerein: Nuisance or not, Edmonton's bike lanes are no business of the UCP government

From the Taproot newsroom

• Business park proposes relocating creek and downing 6,900 trees to expand
• U of A launches Centre for Hydrogen Innovation, aiming for 'transformational impact'

Rapid fire

• Oilers playoff run sparks business boom and community spirit in Edmonton
• News Release: Free compost available at Eco Stations

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?

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!

The most predictable of outcomes has happened: people are upset about Front Yards in Bloom getting pruned. Plus, we discuss the Ritchie downzoning, new transit peace officers, and the growth of the bus fleet. And we look ahead to the federal election.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Front Yards in Bloom

• Edmontonians rally to save Front Yards in Bloom program
• 2024: Front Yards in Bloom celebrates 25th Anniversary

Ritchie downzoning

• April 7 public hearing
• On the agenda: Indigenous-led housing, parking revenues, growing university

Transit peace officers

• Edmonton swapping security guards for 30 transit peace officers
• Edmonton city council approves reallocating $5M for more transit peace officers

Bus fleet growth

• ETS Route Report Card - BNR (Fall 2024)
• 2024-2025 Edmonton Transit Service Annual Service Plan

Federal election

• Liberals eyeing more seats in Tory-blue Alberta, as some ridings may be tight contests
• Edmonton federal election candidate list finalized ahead of April 28 vote
• Federal election 2025: Expect another close race in Edmonton Centre
• Edmonton Griesbach: much-anticipated Desjarlais-Diotte rematch a bellwether for NDP's 'blue to orange' hopes
• 338Canada
• Reddit: Come on Edmonton Griesbach, this is No Time for Vote Splitting!

From the Taproot newsroom

• Nanoprecise expects profitability soon after US$38M raise
• Homeward Trust grapples with changing municipal, provincial funding systems
• The Colombian brews plans for rapid expansion

Rapid fire

• 'Extra caution': Expert warns of aggressive coyotes as denning season arrives in Edmonton
• News Release: Budweiser Ignites City Of Champions Spirit With Limited-Edition 'Edmonton' Can
• Dr. Mark Joffe out as Alberta chief medical officer of health

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?

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!

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.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

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.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

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.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

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.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!