This week, we discuss City Plan measurements, the National Urban Park initiative, a looming CSU52 vote on the city's "best and final" offer, and the implications of ending EndPovertyEdmonton.

Correction: We incorrectly stated that outgoing EndPovertyEdmonton executive director Erick Ambtman is a current member of the Edmonton Police Commission. In fact, his last meeting as a commissioner was on Nov. 16, 2023.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Shout-out!

• Sugared and Spiced

City Plan

• Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: Feb. 28, 2024

National Urban Park

• Explainer: the battle over a proposed national urban park in Edmonton

CSU52 vote

• Unionized city workers to vote directly on Edmonton's offer, delaying potential strike or lockout
• City of Edmonton Proposal Vote Information | CSU 52
• News Release: City is considering both employees and taxpayers with CSU 52 best and final offer
• City of Edmonton offers wage increase with retroactive pay, hybrid work in 'best and final' deal to CSU 52 members
• Media Statement: Statement on 2023 Financial Results

Ending EndPovertyEdmonton

• EndPovertyEdmonton's Funding Reduced by Edmonton City Council
• City slashed End Poverty Edmonton funding in private meeting
• Mack's blog posts about EndPovertyEdmonton
• Nov 2023: EndPovertyEdmonton Rejects Hateful, Prejudiced Resolutions in Alberta
• May 2023: EndPovertyEdmonton's 2023 Alberta Provincial Election Priorities
• March 18, 2014: Edmonton aspires to eliminate poverty within a generation

Affordable housing

• Federal government announces $175M to build affordable housing in Edmonton
• The City's new Affordable Housing Strategy brings hope for a brighter future
• Building more homes that Canadians can afford in Edmonton

Organic waste

• Edmonton needs new plan for organic waste with influx from apartments and population growth

Rapid fire

• Renewable energy developments in Alberta to face strict new rules
• A new phase is in the works for Alberta's 1,000 km/h high-speed train
• Alberta NDP leadership candidate to focus on climate change, drought

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

This week, OP12 returned and council appears to be a bit more bearish on the idea. Plus, we learn more about the bike routes being built in 2024, and there are six rezonings testing the limits of the new zoning bylaw.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

NASH

• Stephanie's post with fellow presenters
• Stephanie's post about getting your first job in journalism

OP12

• Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goals

George Spady

• George Spady looks to relocate detox program to Jasper Place
• Edmonton detox unit moving; supervised consumption site future unknown

Bike lanes

• Ten routes mark first bike projects from $100M investment

E-scooters

• E-scooter operators remain bullish on Edmonton region

Rezonings

• On the agenda: OP12, George Spady, six rezonings

Explore Edmonton

• Explore Edmonton granted one-time $6 million cash infusion from reserve funds

Rapid fire

• Romance novel boom spurs new bricks-and-mortar bookstores in Alberta
• Edmonton Valley Zoo announces additions to wolf pack ahead of Family Day
• EndPovertyEdmonton's Funding Reduced by Edmonton City Council

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The draft Public Spaces Bylaw goes to council amid plenty of opposition. We talk with Omar Yaqub of IFSSA and Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow about the potential impact of the bylaw on marginalized communities. Plus, the Katz Group is suing Boyle Street over a $5 million donation.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Guests

• Omar Yaqub of IFSSA | Islamic Family & Social Services Association
• Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society

Public Spaces Bylaw

• Bylaw 20700 — Public Spaces Bylaw
• Edmonton proposes bylaw changes banning panhandling, megaphones and more
• Edmonton draft bylaw has rules for protests, spitting, biking on grass
• Here's what you need to know about Edmonton's proposed public spaces bylaw
• Opinion: Proposed public spaces bylaws an attack on Edmonton's marginalized
• Opinion: Bylaw would give perception of safety at expense of most vulnerable

ICE District / Boyle Street

• Katz Group launches court battle with Edmonton homeless organization over $5M donation

Rapid fire

• City of Edmonton workers join library counterparts, vote 91 per cent in favour of strike
• Ex-mayor Nenshi loathes partisan politics. He may run for NDP leader anyway
• Explore Edmonton granted one-time $6 million cash infusion from reserve funds

This episode is brought to you by Strathcona County which has launched Select Strathcona, a new investment attraction website helping site selectors, developers, investors, and businesses looking to expand — making it easier to get the right information to make the next, best investment decision.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The downtown pedestrianization report finally went through committee, so we talk with Jason Syvixay and Stephen Raitz, two of the shepherds that guided it through.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Guests

• Jason Syvixay
• UDI-Edmonton Metro
• Stephen Raitz
• Paths for People

Pedestrianization

• UDI's LinkedIn post
• Stephen's interview on 630 CHED
• Paths for People: Downtown pedestrianization
• Action Plan (PDF)
• New nine-step plan aims to improve pedestrian experience in downtown Edmonton
• Episode 62

Other

• Edmonton proposes bylaw changes banning panhandling, megaphones and more
• Edmonton takes another step to rename central neighbourhood Wîhkwêntôwin, remove Oliver moniker

Rapid fire

• Alta. government unveils drought advisory committee to prepare for dry season
• Oilers winning streak dies one win from history. So what?
• Pause on renewables projects to lift at month's end as planned

This episode is brought to you by Strathcona County which has launched Select Strathcona, a new investment attraction website helping site selectors, developers, investors, and businesses looking to expand — making it easier to get the right information to make the next, best investment decision.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

Valley Line users were left out in the cold when doors didn't function and heat wouldn’t turn on. Plus, EPCOR really leads the OP12 savings charge by cutting off everyone’s water!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Valley Line shelters

• Valley Line shelters give riders cold shoulder

OP12 reallocations

• Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goals

City Hall update

• City cancels meetings after attack at city hall
• News Release: City makes safe and steady progress on City Hall restoration
• Damage in Edmonton city hall attack estimated at $100K, meetings canceled next week

Water ban

• Tim Cartmell's post
• Mandatory ban on non-essential water use for Edmonton and Capital Region is anticipated to continue until mid-day Sunday, February 4
• Edmonton councillor has questions for EPCOR about equipment failure, water ban
• Ban on non-essential water use in Edmonton region expected to last until Sunday, Epcor says
• Ban on non-essential water use in Edmonton area due to pump failure at water plant

Danielle Smith

• Alberta premier says legislation on gender policies for children, youth coming this fall

Rapid fire

• MP Blake Desjarlais reel
• Flair Airlines owes $67 million in unpaid taxes as CRA opens door to seize carrier's property
• 'Never been done before': Edmonton man driving around the world in 17 months

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

An emergency management committee meeting was punctuated with an actual emergency at City Hall. Plus, several things are on the way out: the downtown farmers market, the name "Oliver", and Adam Laughlin.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

City Hall Incident

• 'Heavily armed' man arrested after shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown in Edmonton city hall
• 'Heavily armed' suspect acted alone in Edmonton City Hall shooting: police
• City Hall shooter charged
• Police charge man after attack on Edmonton city hall
• Stories of bravery emerging after Edmonton City Hall shooting
• Grade 1 students from Edmonton public school on field trip at city hall when shooting occurred

Single-Use Items

• Edmonton to increase fee for paper and reusable bags
• On the agenda: Bag fees, flood mitigation, travel budget

Wîhkwêntôwin

• Oliver no more: Edmonton neighbourhood adopts new Cree name

City Market

• Edmonton Downtown Farmers' Market forced to move amid high utility costs, low foot traffic
• "Critical financial situation": Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market board recommends shutdown
• 'Shocking' closure of Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market sparks new collective seeking kitchen space

Edmonton Unlimited

• Catherine Warren ousted from Edmonton Unlimited

Adam Laughlin

• Top bureaucrat exodus continues in Edmonton with fifth deputy city manager departure in one year
• Episode 128: The former big cheese on inteGRATED infrastructure

Edmonton Oilers

• Will the Oilers' streak pay off with a Stanley Cup? What history says

Fossil first

• 72-million-year-old sturgeon discovered in Edmonton is a fossil first

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

City council has declared a housing and houselessness emergency, and a judge has thrown out a lawsuit against the city's dismantling of encampments. We dig into the debate and look back at a month of encampment clearing and shelter space counting.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Emergency declared

• Edmonton councillors approve Sohi's 'housing and houselessness emergency' declaration
• Edmonton's emergency motion: Minister McIver
• Edmonton city council's homeless emergency declaration slammed by Alberta government
• Edmonton encampments: Deputy Premier Ellis
• Amarjeet Sohi: Calling a Special Council Meeting to Declare a Housing and Houselessness Emergency
• Tim Cartmell: What's Next for Housing and Encampments?

Lawsuit dismissed

• Edmonton declares homelessness emergency, while judge scraps lawsuit against city's dismantling of encampments
• Judge dismisses lawsuit against city over clearing of homeless encampments
• Alberta court kills Edmonton homeless encampment lawsuit
• Coalition for Justice and Human Rights statement
• Edmonton looks to stop homeless encampment lawsuit before injunction request is heard
• Original email sent by Edmonton Police

Encampment clearing

• After standoff, Edmonton police move in to clear out final 'high risk' homeless encampment
• Several people arrested as police sweep 8th encampment in central Edmonton
• 'Greatly concerned': Court defers decision over Edmonton encampment removals to later in the week
• Dozens of weapons seized in encampment removals: Edmonton police share graphic images
• 'And they're back': Edmonton encampment removals continue, critics question supports

Shelter situation

• The numbers and realities of Edmonton's shelter system
• Why some homeless Edmontonians choose to camp outside the inner city

Police commission

• News Release: City of Edmonton appoints Ben Henderson as a new member of the police commission
• News Release: The Commission welcomes Coun. Wright
• Police commission meeting fuelled with outbursts and encampment talk

Rachel Notley

• Rachel Notley to step down as Alberta NDP leader

Edmonton Oilers

• GAME RECAP: Oilers 4, Leafs 2

12-ton Art

• Local business owner enlists friends on 12-ton artwork honouring Albertans

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Edmonton's two actual Jeopardy contestants and the author of The Ultimate Edmonton Trivia Book square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Kyle Marshall

• LinkedIn
• Edmonton man wins second place on Jeopardy!

Sam Papuha

• LinkedIn
• Edmontonian Sam Papuha competes on Jeopardy

Emil Tiedemann

• LinkedIn
• Emil's books

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

Amid several high-profile instances of transit violence, the discussion around turnstiles is being recycled. Plus, the Valley Line Southeast LRT doubles its frequency — at least sometimes.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Snow savings

• City of Edmonton saves $5 million due to scant snow-and-ice removal work on roads
• Winter businesses grappling with unseasonably warm weather, lack of snow in Edmonton
• PSA: 'Catch air' and plan your experience to the Style Experience FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup

Turnstiles and safety

• Transit Safety: When is the City Going to get Serious? — Tim Cartmell
• Police superintendent backs idea to add turnstiles to Edmonton LRT system
• More than 500 violent crimes reported inside Edmonton transit centres this year: police data
• Oct. 25: Safety on Edmonton transit improving, city council hears

LRT news

• Valley Line LRT begins increasing frequency
• Gantry crane builds Edmonton LRT differently
• Stolen car hits Valley Line LRT in southeast Edmonton, driver flees scene

Regional isolation

• Strathcona County votes to cut itself from Edmonton Global

Edmonton police

• Police watchdog to investigate after man fatally shot in downtown Edmonton
• Woman killed in confrontation with Edmonton police
• 88 cops in Edmonton and Calgary have left their jobs while under investigation since 2012
• Edmonton police reprimand three officers for separate off-duty drunk driving incidents
• Gun-related incidents prompt lockdowns at Edmonton malls

Valley Zoo

• Edmonton considering off-loading partial control of Valley Zoo to third party

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The federal government has reached a deal with Google to pay Canadian media companies. We'll see if Taproot makes the cut. Meanwhile, city council makes a cut to the proposed budget adjustment increase.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Budget

• News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments
• Edmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024

Jennifer Rice

• 'Hostile work environment': Former staff accuse Edmonton city councillor of bullying amid high office turnover
• Audio recording of Edmonton councillor Rice's argument with staff reveals turmoil in office
• Keith Gerein: Edmonton Coun. Jennifer Rice has no one to blame but herself for her failures in office
• Edmonton mayor 'deeply concerned' about bullying allegations against councillor Rice
• 'Toxic and abusive': Former staffers accuse Jennifer Rice of bullying while Edmonton councillor dodges questions

Warehouse Park

• Project aims to entice families, spur development

Bill C-18

• Federal government reaches deal with Google on Online News Act
• Mack's interview with Jessica Ng on CBC Edmonton

Connor McDavid

• Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid named one of NHL's stars of the week

El Niño

• No-snow November: El Niño could mean a warm and dry winter for Edmonton

This episode was sponsored by the University of Alberta Sustainability Council, the School of Urban and Regional Planning, the Edmonton Metro Region Board, the City of Edmonton, Coun. Ashley Salvador, and Coun. Michael Janz. Strong Towns is coming to Edmonton for a Dec. 13 event and Dec. 14 workshop. This is a unique opportunity to take part in a growing dialogue on sustainable, economically resilient urban development in Edmonton. Keynote by Strong Towns founder Charles Marohn. Tickets are $30 for Dec. 13 and $22 for Dec. 14. (You can go to one or both.) Speaking Municipally listeners can get 50% off with the offer code TAPROOT, while supplies last.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!