Speaking Municipally

Taproot Edmonton reporter Colin Gallant joins us to discuss making Edmonton's housing more financially accessible, the Valley Line LRT's first anniversary, and the future of retail downtown.Here are the relevant links for this episode:UpdatesNews Release: Fifth case of Dutch elm disease confirmed in EdmontonNews Release: City launches Assisted Snow Removal Program PilotCity of Edmonton proposes 8.1% tax hike in 2025 to cover higher costsHousingHow should Edmonton grow to make housing more accessible?Housing ComplexValley Line LRTCity underlines successes and challenges as the Valley Line LRT turns oneDowntown retailAs Foosh debuts downtown, experts suggest retail needs focus to thriveFrom the Taproot newsroomYEG hopes visitors will stay and play at the airportOn the agenda: Garneau rezoning, utility rate changes, council office budgetElection update (no not that one)2025 Edmonton General Election | Register of CandidatesTroy's tweetRapid fireHundreds attend Edmonton protest against Alberta government's trans legislationDowntown Edmonton residential tower could rise higher than plannedAlberta enabling Halal mortgages, implementing promised electric vehicle taxSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

The Downtown Investment Plan remains a hot topic of discussion. This week, we speak with Shani Gwin, a Métis woman, downtown business owner, AI entrepreneur, and DBA board member, for her take.Here are the relevant links for this episode:GuestsShani Gwin on LinkedInpipikwan pêhtâkwanDowntown Investment PlanDowntown Investment Plan (PDF)News Release: DIP INTO DOWNTOWN: Solutions for Edmonton's Financial Future — Strategic Investment in Downtown (PDF)wâsikan kisewâtisiwinwâsikan kisewâtisiwinNews Release: Edmonton startup wâsikan kisewâtisiwin selected as a 2024 Solver Team by MIT SolveFrom the Taproot newsroomWould building more supply slow Edmonton's rising home prices?New head of Social Enterprise Fund dreams of changeRapid fireKeith Gerein: Court delay serves no one except the political fortunes of Edmonton Coun. Jennifer RiceSetting off alarms by cooking? Edmonton's fire department could send you a billElaborate village-like encampment with power, water dismantled in south EdmontonSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week, we're getting an early start on winter by talking about snow and ice control. We speak with Mark Beare and Val Dacyk from the City of Edmonton about service standards for clearing roadways and active pathways, how much people love the snow plow map, how big the snow clearing operation is, what it would take to clear sidewalks, where your tax dollars go, and much more.Here are the relevant links for this episode:GuestsMark Beare on LinkedInValerie Dacyk on LinkedInSnow and ice controlNews Release: City launches updated Snow and Ice Control ProgramRoadways Snow Clearing MapActive Pathways Snow Clearing MapCommunity SandboxesWinter Travel2022: Apparent jump in snow-clearing kilometres not all that it seems2023: City seeks input on sandbox program for ice controlFrom the Taproot newsroomHousing ComplexIntroducing Housing Complex, a special project from Taproot EdmontonHome truths: In Edmonton's housing system, some win, some lose, and many feel conflictedRapid fireEdmonton won't add optional criminal record checks for council candidatesEdmonton boo-levard becomes Candy Corn Lane for HalloweenSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

A new report published by a coalition of business leaders calls for nearly $500 million of investment in Edmonton's downtown. We talk with the report's authors, Alexandra Hryciw and Jason Syvixay, about the action items, and what they hope to achieve.Here are the relevant links for this episode:GuestsAlexandra Hryciw on LinkedInDowntown Revitalization CoalitionJason Syvixay on LinkedInBILD Edmonton MetroDowntown Investment PlanDowntown Investment Plan (PDF)News Release: DIP INTO DOWNTOWN: Solutions for Edmonton's Financial Future — Strategic Investment in Downtown (PDF)Opinion: Now is the time to invest in Edmonton's downtownBusiness leaders call on governments to invest in downtown EdmontonHousing Accelerator Fund - City of EdmontonFrom the Taproot newsroomHousing pilot tests if connecting people can boost inclusionEdmonton on track to approve one garden suite a day in 2024How NorthwestFEARFest's boss put his life into filmRapid fireEdmonton park rangers shooting plastic bullets at aggressive coyotesLaw society to sanction former Alberta justice minister Kaycee Madu$7M Alberta advertising campaign against oil and gas emissions cap rolling out in 5 provincesThe 2024 Canadian Open Data Summit takes place in Edmonton on Oct. 30 and 31, with a full day of programming on Oct. 29 focused on generative AI. The event features keynotes, panels, workshops, and more. Themes for this year's event include data perspectives on the housing crisis, the power of open science, and how sharing commercial data has led to competitive advantages for businesses. Registration is now open.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! ★ Support this podcast ★