Edmonton city council examined the 10-year financial outlook for the city this week. Spoiler alert: we have no money! Plus, we look at changes to the way council approves new suburbs.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

10-Year Outlook

• 2027-2036 Capital Investment Outlook
• 2027-2036 Operating Investment Outlook

Terms of reference

• Bylaw 21358 - To amend the River's Edge Neighbourhood Structure Plan
• Kettle Lakes Neighbourhood Structure Plan Council Authorization - Further Analysis
• 2012: Why hasn't there been any public involvement for the Growth Coordination Strategy?
• 2013: Horse Hill ASP: More proof that Edmonton is addicted to sprawl

Wîhkwêntôwin neighbourhood renewal

• Your turn: Wîhkwêntôwin renewal, child-care zoning, RCMP priorities
• Wîhkwêntôwin Neighbourhood Renewal: Don't Miss What's Already Working
• Building Great Neighbourhoods - Wîhkwêntôwin ᐄᐧᐦᑫᐧᐣᑑᐃᐧᐣ | City of Edmonton

This episode is brought to you by Accessible Acupuncture. Neuropathy and chronic nerve pain can affect daily living, sleep, mobility, and independence. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. At Accessible Acupuncture, our Doctor of Acupuncture — Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. — designs custom treatment plans to address both symptoms and underlying causes, support nerve health, and help patients return to their activities. Call 587-879-7122 or book online to schedule your consultation.

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!

💡 Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

This week, members of Edmonton city council called for more civility and respect after reports of threats and harassment directed at snow-clearing crews. Plus, we discuss the latest departure from Station Park, Edmonton's new brand, and some updates from Taproot Edmonton.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Extreme weather

• Extreme Weather Response for Winter

Safety and respect

• City staff facing rise in aggressive behaviour from Edmontonians: mayor
• Edmonton mayor details harassment toward city staff amid snow clearing
• Andrew Knack: A Call for Civility: Addressing Safety and Respect in Public Service

Parking bans

• 90 per cent of Edmontonians ignoring parking ban, say city officials
• Only 10% of Edmonton drivers moved their cars for snow clearing: city
• The Snow Sirens of Montreal (Fascinating but Frustrating)

Place brand

• Edmonton Place Brand Framework
• SHREDMONTON

EPIC Market

• Food Roundup: Jan. 20, 2026
• Epic Market to leave Station Park after nearly 2 years

Taproot updates

• On the agenda: Parking ban fines, municipal assets, brand framework
• Your turn: Infill changes, Leduc County annexation, climate action

This episode is brought to you by the office of Coun. Michael Janz, who is holding a series of events called City Hall Talks. Next up: former Calgary city councillor Courtney Walcott will present what he's learned about housing, public engagement, parking, and more. How might these lessons apply to Edmonton? Find out on Jan. 31 at 4pm. RSVP here.

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!

Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

This week, we are still discussing snow clearing, or the lack thereof, although Mother Nature is helping. Plus, we examine an investigation into crime on Edmonton's transit system, and more proposed changes to the zoning bylaw.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Transit safety

• 'Frequent flyers' behind surge in violence on public transit
• Public transit now patrolled by 15 more peace officers, says City of Edmonton
• This is one of the most dangerous transit systems in Canada : r/Edmonton
• Video: This is one of the most dangerous transit systems in Canada

Zoning changes

• City administration recommending Edmonton backtrack on infill, gathering feedback
• Feedback on Proposed Changes to Infill Development

Snow clearing

• AMA: Edmonton's Snow and Ice Control Program operations
• SNOW & ICE — Aaron Paquette
• Ice, Ice, Maybe? (The Cost of Certainty) — Aaron Paquette
• Councillor Motion for Snow and Ice Surge Capacity

Valley Line LRT ads

• Edmonton campaign launched to reduce collisions with LRT
• Reddit thread

This episode is brought to you by the office of Coun. Michael Janz. We have the power to fight for better transit and win. When riders have a shared vision and a shared voice, we can empower leaders to make transit fast, reliable, and abundant. Coun. Michael Janz invites you to a special live, in-person Ask Me Anything session with Denis Agar, executive director of Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders, on Monday, Jan. 19, at 6pm.

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!

Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

Happy New Year! Edmonton continues to deal with the fallout from all the recent snowfall. Plus, we look at some statistics showing what types of housing were built, and where, in 2025.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Snow removal

• City of Edmonton says back-to-back snowfall events making snow removal a challenge
• Navigating an Unprecedented Winter: What You Need to Know About Snow Clearing in Edmonton - Andrew Knack
• Edmonton still dealing with holiday snowfall cleanup nearly two weeks later
• Winter Parking Bans
• Snow and Ice Control with Cached Plow Locations
• What does it cost to clear Edmonton snow?
• Snow and Ice Annual Report - Winter 2024-2025 (PDF)
• Snow and Ice Service Livels (PDF)
• Phase 2 parking ban to take effect Monday to clear snow from Edmonton's residential roads

Missing middle

• 2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob Dawang
• Big parking decisions in store for Edmonton city council in the new year

Growth projections

• Edmonton's housing affordability edge could slip in 2026: Conference Board of Canada
• March 2025: Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: Knack

This episode is brought to you by SkirtsAfire, which happens from March 5 to 15. Be entertained and inspired by theatre, music, dance, comedy, visual arts, design, and more. Taking place in various venues in the heart of Old Strathcona and the French Quarter, there's lots to see and do at SkirtsAfire, so take it all in! Festival passes are available now. Sign up for SkirtsAfire's newsletter and get updates direct to your inbox!

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!

Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

We spoke to Mayor Andrew Knack about our growing city, and our shrinking regional economic development organization. Plus, council held a public hearing, reviewed proposed changes to provincial electoral boundaries, and we look ahead to 2026.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Knack interview

• Regional collaboration still desired, despite Edmonton Global exodus: Knack
• Fort Saskatchewan focused on Heartland Association upon exit from Edmonton Global
• Edmonton could grow to 1.25M people in two years, says administration
• Andrew Knack's LinkedIn post

Belgravia traffic review

• Belgravia Traffic Review Engagement

Electoral boundaries

• Strathcona County and Beaumont pushes back against proposed provincial division boundaries
• Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats

Council lookahead

• Items Due List

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!

Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

The tax increase for 2026 is set at 6.9%. We examine the 2026 budget deliberations and Edmonton's growth pressures, noting what council decided on, and why. Plus, the old Royal Alberta Museum is one step closer to being saved.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Snow

• Edmonton 'business as usual' for icy road cleanup, not considering bringing back calcium chloride: Knack

Giving Tuesday

• Giving Tuesday sees Edmonton charities get a holiday hike in donations
• Make a contribution to Taproot

2026 Budget

• Edmonton could grow to 1.25M people in two years, says administration
• Edmonton city council approves 6.9% property tax increase for 2026
• Property taxes creep higher after Explore Edmonton gets steady funding
• Motions to reduce capital expenses fail at Edmonton city council budget deliberations
• City council OKs money for west-end road upgrades near River Cree resort

Vision Zero

• Stopping speeders and Whitemud widening top priorities on last day of budget talks

Royal Alberta Museum

• 'Encouraging': Negotiations underway to redevelop Edmonton's old Royal Alberta Museum site

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!

Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!

This week, council got to ask questions about the proposed fall budget adjustment. Plus, we learn more about the city's plan to enforce speed limits, the "end" of construction season, and the Valley Line LRT turns two.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Budget

• Report: Operating Financial Update - Sept. 30, 2025
• Report: Fall 2025 Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment - 2023-2026 Operating Budget
• Report: Fall 2025 Supplemental Capital Budget Adjustment - 2023-2026 Capital Budget
• Keith Gerein: Despite another grim city budget, Edmonton may be closer to ending its financial funk

Vision Zero

• Report: Municipal Traffic Safety Expansion Opportunities - Reinvesting to Address Critical Safety Concerns
• Speeding, traffic fatalities up as Edmonton navigates provincial photo radar restrictions: city report
• A better Detour for 102 Ave - YEG Bike Coalition
• Calgary's Pathway and Bikeway Projects (5A)

Construction season

• Edmonton ends construction season as it eyes accelerated strategy for future projects
• News Release: City wraps up the 2025 construction season at new fire station

Valley Line LRT

• Two years later, is the Valley Line Southeast LRT meeting expectations?
• LRT train pushed off tracks after crash with semi-truck
• November 2023: Speaking Municipally ON A TRAIN

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!

Want to reach the smartest, most-engaged people in the Edmonton region? Learn more about advertising with Taproot Edmonton!