Troy is back! For a chat. We talk about the election and his plans. Plus, we check in on Better Edmonton, the downtown park, and the bike lanes on 103 Avenue.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Troy Pavlek

• TroyPavlek.ca
• Troy appreciation thread on Reddit
• Episode 316: Can you get rid of the Rapidfire segment next?

Municipal parties

• 2 new city councillors are leaving Better Edmonton. What does that mean for the party?
• Municipal parties to remain active in Edmonton as councillor leaves Better Edmonton party

O-day'min Park

• Warehouse Park begins mission to activate downtown with opening celebrations
• Edmontonians enjoying new downtown park
• Downtown Edmonton businesses frustrated over multiple construction projects

103 Avenue bike lanes

• A new set of bike lanes is causing tension in downtown Edmonton

This episode is brought to you by the Edmonton Arts Council. It doesn't get more local than the Edmonton Arts Council Shop. From tickets to local events to coveted works from more than 200 emerging and established Edmonton artists, you can discover the unique experiences and creative works that set Edmonton apart at our Shop. See the latest in-store on Instagram: @shopyegarts. Or visit edmontonarts.ca.

This episode is also brought to you by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association. Kick off the holiday season with Downtown Winterval, a festival that brings 104 Street to life with sleigh rides, ice-carving lessons, photos with Santa, and live music. New this year, we've got street hockey for the kids. It's all happening on a street-wide patio! Join us Nov. 22 from 3pm to 8pm.

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 sit down with Edmonton's new mayor, Andrew Knack, to talk about optimism, regional collaboration, video game marathons, and much more.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Mayor Andrew Knack

• AndrewKnack.ca
• Andrew Knack at Taproot's vote site
• Andrew Knack - Extra Life Edmonton donation page

Related links

• New Edmonton city council votes unanimously to create more daytime shelter spaces
• Mayor Knack responds to Chamber call for business task force
• Vacant Downtown Lot Survey
• Reddit thread on the survey
• Extra Life Edmonton

Previous appearances

• Episode 59: The Fruits of Edmonton's Tech Investments (LIVE)
• Episode 67: 2eoPEARdy
• Episode 157: I made my greenfield developers disappear
• Episode 162: Troy lost a bet
• Episode 276: 13 months notice
• Episode 309: He's got a Knack for winning elections

Rapid fire

• Alberta teachers union launches two court challenges against province's back-to-work legislation

Shout out to Castria, our podcast editors!

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 take you inside city hall for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural city council meeting of the 2025-2029 term. Plus, we look at possible changes to provincial electoral boundaries in Edmonton, and hear from some municipal election scrutineers.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Swearing-in ceremony

• Edmonton's new city council starts work by identifying priorities
• Don Iveson's post
• You're likely to hear the same debates at city hall despite new council
• Edmonton's everyman: Andrew Knack's journey to the mayor's seat

Electoral boundaries

• Calgary, Edmonton to gain seats under proposed electoral boundary redraw
• Most Edmontonians will vote in new or redrawn ridings next provincial election: interim report
• Commission report (PDF)

Election scrutineers

• The election count through the eyes of scrutineers: 'It broke down completely'

Teacher strike

• Students return to Alberta schools after historic teachers' strike screeches to a halt
• 'Mixed feelings' among Alberta students, parents amid return to school after 3-week strike
• The economic fallout of the Alberta teachers' strike and what comes next
• Alberta labour leaders gauge interest in general strike after suspension of teachers' bargaining rights
• News Release: Better data, better outcomes for Alberta students
• News Release: Showcasing Alberta in the Middle East

Rapid fire

• A timeline of Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry's relationship
• Soaring Blue Jays and struggling Dodgers face duelling pressures in Game 6 of World Series

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 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.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Bike lanes

• Valley Line West: 102 Avenue bike lanes temporarily moving to 103 Avenue

Campaign disclosures

• Voters told Taproot they want campaign contributions disclosed before the election
• Disclosures show Cartmell pulled in $834K — about half of all campaign contributions

Third-party advertisers

• Edmonton election candidates bare their knuckles over third-party advertiser kerfuffle
• Third-Party Advertising - City of Edmonton

Amarjeet Sohi

• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi
• Amarjeet Sohi on LinkedIn

Taproot Survey

• Taproot Survey
• Take the survey and match with candidates

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!

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

• Darren Markland obituary
• Video featuring Darren Markland

New police chief

• 10 years later, documents shed new light on EPS steroid scandal
• Edmonton police chief says force working to fix relationship with prosecutors

Mandate letter

• Municipal affairs minister told to get more involved in local governments
• 'Back to basics': Alberta to limit municipal property tax increases, eliminate conflicts

Nomination Day

• Full list of candidates
• Better Edmonton to 'go dormant' after election: Cartmell
• PACE: Tim Cartmell's party going "dormant" confirms PACE is only party For Edmonton.

Taproot Survey

• Taproot Survey
• Take the survey and match with candidates

Rapid fire

• Edmonton Downtown Business Association announces its new leader

This episode is brought to you by the Edmonton Community Foundation's The Well Endowed Podcast. Generosity fuels our city. The Well Endowed Podcast explores how philanthropy empowers the people and organizations shaping a stronger Edmonton. Listen Now

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!