Speaking Municipally

Speaking Municipally

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.

Episodes

October 17, 2025 44 mins

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

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2021 Election

Taproot Survey

Mark as Played

We dive into how much money candidates have raised and been forced to declare. Plus, we paid a visit to the mayor's office for an exit interview. 

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Bike lanes

Campaign disclosures

Mark as Played
October 3, 2025 49 mins

This week, we're excited for the new Warehouse Park, and scared about the impact of the postal strike on the election. Plus, we bring you the scariest audio of all: candidate soundbites!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:


Warehouse Park

Postal strike

Mark as Played
September 26, 2025 49 mins

We dive into the candidate responses to Taproot's election survey, which are now available at taproot.vote. Plus, we discuss the new police chief, a mandate letter for the municipal affairs minister, and Nomination Day.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:


Darren Markland

New police chief

Mark as Played

Enjoy this episode of The Well Endowed Podcast from our friends at Edmonton Community Foundation. The Well Endowed Podcast shares the stories of people and organizations who make our city thrive. That seems right up the alley of Speaking Municipally listeners!

This episode, called Second Skin, is about a tattoo removal program run by enCompass that helps give people with troubled pasts a second chance.

If you like what you h...

Mark as Played
September 19, 2025 44 mins

We dive into all the last-minute motions that council squeezed in during its final week of meetings this term. Plus, we talk about construction woes on the west end, inconsistencies between different rezoning applications, and a candidate's proposal for free transit.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:


West end construction woes

Rezoning inconsistencies

Mark as Played
September 12, 2025 47 mins

Executive committee has approved the sale of land to build supportive housing, but not everyone is happy about it. Plus, urban planning committee wants more red tape for short-term rentals, and we hop on the bike bus.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:


Bridge housing

Short-te...

Mark as Played
September 5, 2025 53 mins

This week, we talk about infrastructure, incumbency, and infill developments. Plus, a promised update on spray parks, and we talk about where you can find Taproot at some upcoming events.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Spray parks

Infrastructure policy

Mark as Played
August 29, 2025 43 mins

City council has approved the contentious master agreement to build a new event park at ICE District. Plus, even though it's hot outside, we talk about snow, and bike lanes. All your favourite things.

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Fringe festival

Event park

Mark as Played

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 calendar

Social media

Mark as Played
August 15, 2025 47 mins

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

Transit love

Mark as Played
August 8, 2025 35 mins

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.

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Downtown St. Albert

Parking

El...

Mark as Played
August 1, 2025 38 mins

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 Unland

Election project

Mark as Played

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 Pavlek

Rapid fire

Mark as Played

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:


CRL

Mark as Played

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 moratorium

Mark as Played
June 20, 2025 35 mins

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 infill

Street design standards

Mark as Played

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 Viinikka

Edmonton Unlimited

...
  • Mark as Played

    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 update

    May 30, 2025 42 mins

    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 facilities


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