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PODCAST

Speaking Municipally

Taproot Edmonton

Taproot Edmonton presents a weekly discussion on key stories in municipal politics. We pay attention to City Council so you don"t have to! Join us as we delve into conversations about the context surrounding decisions made at City Hall.

government

All Episodes

41:59

Working 9:30 to 5, what a way to make a livin'

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/08/22

Council decided to keep meeting times as is, but it recommends a shorter summer vacation for future councils. Plus, there was heated discussion about river valley development, incentives for student housing, and what to do about Edmonton City Centre.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Council calendarCouncil says no to longer meetings but does reduce summer breakSocial mediaReport: Aug. 19, 2025 - Social Media EngagementRiver Valley ARPHeated discussion on Edmonton river valley

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47:07

ETS is hot to go

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/08/15

This week, we drive into the wonderful world of transit memes aboard route #4. Plus, the push to close 76 Avenue to cars, the latest efforts to address noisy vehicles, and the need to repair community league facilities.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Police blotter'Unleashing': Politicians Say Ex-Police Watchdog's Insults Go Too FarTransit loveHow two transit movements take similar routes to highlight positivity in place of negativityWellbeing In Transit : Design JamMay 2011:

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35:04

When did you last mow the lawn?

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/08/08

Edmonton is building fewer parking spaces than housing units, St. Albert is trying to grow its downtown population, Hawrelak Park could open by the end of the year, and we look at the City's new mowing map.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Downtown St. AlbertWhy St. Albert's downtown could be welcoming a lot more residentsParkingEdmonton building fewer parking stalls than infill housing unitsElection newsKeith Gerein: With 75 days to go, Edmonton mayoral race missing a

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38:58

How Taproot is approaching the election

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/08/01

Taproot co-founder Karen Unland returns to the show to talk about how we are approaching the 2025 municipal election and the impact we hope to have. We've also got clips from an interview with Coun. Michael Janz about infill.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Karen UnlandKaren on LinkedInSpeaking Municipally: Episode 127Election projectWhat issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why?A progress report on Taproot's election

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33:04

Can you get rid of the Rapidfire segment next?

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/07/25

We're back with a discussion about changes we are making for election season. Namely, Troy will take a hiatus from the show. We discuss why and what that means for the show going forward.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Troy PavlekTroyPavlek.catroypavlek on TikToktroypavlek on XRapid firePickle-dusted doughnuts, pb&j chicken among new KDays food creations'F--k you, Jo-Anne': Tempers flare in city council chambersEx-UCP MLAs to join, rebrand Alberta Party instead of rebooting

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39:07

You're out of order! You're out of order! This whole...

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/07/04

Council is about to start its summer break, but not before making a bunch of decisions that could shape the future of Edmonton. Infill and the zoning bylaw changes are the big item again this week, but we also talk about the Downtown CRL extension, the Winspear Centre expansion, road widening, a proposal for free parking, and more.Here are the relevant links for this episode:CRLEdmonton council extends Downtown CRL, ending two days of debateWinspear CentreOctober 2024: Winspear expansion in

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50:11

O-E-Gee whiz, how C-aRe-L we gonna vote?

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/06/27

We discuss the proposed moratorium on infill development, the extension of the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy, and the return of former MP Rahim Jaffer to municipal politics. We also look at how changes to vote counting will affect the 2025 municipal election, and the end of photo radar in playground zones.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Infill moratoriumCartmell to call for moratorium on new infill development in EdmontonEdmonton city councillor and mayoral candidate

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35:38

Wow, six bylaw, bro

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/06/20

Council is looking to reduce the maximum number of midblock infill units to six per lot from eight. Plus, entertainment districts are exempt from the single use plastic bylaw.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Midblock infillEdmonton may revise zoning bylaw to reduce mid-block multi-family unitsEdmonton council votes to reduce maximum homes on RS zone lots to six from eightStreet design standardsOverhaul of street design standards could help Edmonton's financesParking bansEdmonton

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49:13

A new CEO, but still Edmonton, without limits

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/06/13

We talk with Edmonton Unlimited CEO Tom Viinikka about his first year in the role, measuring the city's innovation sector, what separates entrepreneurs from the rest of us, and what's next for the organization.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Tom ViinikkaEdmonton Unlimited Welcomes New CEO, Tom ViinikkaEdmonton Unlimited hires new CEO from within city ecosystemTom Viinikka at LinkedInEdmonton UnlimitedReports + Strategic Materials 2025Edmonton Unlimited Strategic Plan

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46:45

The Rainbow Bridge has gone over the Rainbow Bridge

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/06/06

We discuss the potential removal of a community-built bridge in Jackie Parker Park, the launch of the Better Edmonton party, the Capital Line South LRT extension, and the latest on wildfires in the Edmonton region. Plus, we dig into the zoning bylaw update.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Zoning Bylaw updateMissing Middle Housing In Edmonton More Than Doubles After Zoning Overhaul'No respect for the people': Edmonton zoning bylaw opponents give city council an earfulRainbow

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42:02

No new naming nuisances

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/05/30

Council decided against selling the naming rights for recreation centres and other facilities, at least on the outside. The Edmonton Elks is the official name, but it is returning to the old name on the inside. Plus, we discuss the relationship between police and the city, speeding enforcement, and upzoning.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Naming facilitiesCity council turfs business naming deals for rec centres in EdmontonEdmonton ElksWhat's in a name? Elks vs. Eskimos debate

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61:05

He's got a Knack for winning elections

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/05/23

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 KnackAndrew Knack for MayorAndrew's Linkedin postSpeaking Municipally | 13 months noticeLongtime Edmonton city councillor Andrew Knack to run for mayorFrom the Taproot newsroomDebate grows as Edmonton plans 23 km of new bike lanes for

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34:47

It’s not a DIP, it's a DAP

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/05/17

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 PlanEdmonton Proposing $553M Action Plan To Revitalize Downtown CoreNews Release: New Downtown Action Plan to accelerate investment, economic growth and

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49:07

The State of Our City

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/05/09

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 contractsPrivate contracts for Edmonton police rose sharply over last five years: dataConstruction seasonNews Release: City thinks big as it kicks off 2025 construction seasonBelgravia trafficCouncil seeks potentially 'radical' solutions in Belgravia traffic

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58:22

So he's back, at least for now

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/05/02

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 resultsAlberta's blue wave has Conservatives projected to win nearly every seat in EdmontonRecap: Liberals hold Edmonton Centre, Conservatives pick up Griesbach, rural

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37:19

Taxes go up, can't explain that

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/04/25

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 increaseNews Release: City Council approves tax levy increaseEdmonton property tax increase set at 5.7%, lower than expected -Edmonton sets tax levy increase at 5.7 per cent -Province

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35:53

Can Front Yards in Bloom be exhumed?

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/04/18

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 BloomEdmontonians rally to save Front Yards in Bloom program2024: Front Yards in Bloom celebrates 25th AnniversaryRitchie downzoningApril 7 public hearingOn the agenda: Indigenous-led

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37:06

The only rule is there are no rules

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/04/11

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:CrosswordsThe Taproot Mini brings a bit of fun to The PulseBills 49/50/51Alberta seeking to eliminate municipal code of conductCodes of conduct failed voters and municipalities, Alberta minister saysNews

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38:59

EPark is in a bit of a Hot Spot

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/04/04

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:CrosswordsThe Taproot Mini brings a bit of fun to The PulseKaren PrincipeCoun. Principe's postE-ParkNews Release:

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34:01

And then there were twelve

Speaking Municipally ·

2025/03/28

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 ResponsibilityNews Release: Extended Producer responsibility is coming to EdmontonSohi's leave of absenceSohi considers federal run as Canada needs 'serious' leadership to face TrumpFormer Edmonton mayor, city

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