Taproot is on summer break
As is our custom in the summer, the Taproot Edmonton team is taking a two-week break from publishing so we can catch our breath and gear up for the rest of the year.
We'll return with new newsletters on Monday, July 21, 2025. Learn more
The Latest
Here's the latest from Taproot Edmonton.
Friday, July 4
In this edition: Election oddities in 2025: Drive-thru votes in Strathcona County, no mayoral vote in Leduc County; a moment in history from 1958; and more headlines and happenings
Thursday, July 3
In this edition: Minister says investor confidence in renewables is strong, despite report that suggests otherwise; calls for public engagement: Budgets, entertainment district, ambulances; and more headlines and happenings
Wednesday, July 2
In this edition: ScaleupMap is the latest business from entrepreneurial Mawji family; heat warnings in effect for Edmonton, much of Alberta; and more headlines and happenings
Election oddities in 2025: Drive-thru votes in Strathcona County, no mayoral vote in Leduc County
Though all municipalities must follow Alberta's Local Authorities Election Act for the upcoming elections on Oct. 20, they all have options within those rules to put their own spin on things.
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Minister says investor confidence in renewables is strong, despite report that suggests otherwise
A Pembina Institute report found that the Alberta Electric System Operator saw more electricity production cancelled than pitched in 2024.
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ScaleupMap is the latest business from entrepreneurial Mawji family
Kinza Mawji, the 20-year-old son of Ashif Mawji — a prolific Edmonton investor who sold the Upside Software company he started for US$22 million in 2012 — has started his own platform to help startups find investment, called ScaleupMap.
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Mayor lauds anti-racism efforts amid acrimony
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has been highlighting the city's anti-racism efforts, even travelling to Berlin to speak about it. But the committee charged with shaping that work has been paused, raising concerns about a lack of community involvement and delays in implementing the city's anti-racism strategy.
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For Edmonton, a sustainable future depends on trees
Even though a council committee has put off passing a bylaw to protect trees on private property, the Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future is encouraged to see progress on a file that is vital to the city's ability to lessen and mitigate the effects of climate change.
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Downtown daycares in danger of succumbing to pandemic
As Edmontonians weather a fifth wave of the pandemic, the prolonged closure of many downtown offices has left daycares in the heart of the city struggling to stay open.
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A moment in history: July 4, 1958
On this day in 1958, repairs were underway on a house built by John Walter, one of the city's most influential residents.
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Calls for public engagement: Budgets, entertainment district, ambulances
Here are opportunities to inform decisions about budgets, a proposed entertainment district, and Strathcona County's ambulance service.
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Noted: Playground zones lose radar, Cartmell pushes infill brakes, council votes to extend CRL
The co-hosts of Episode 314 of Speaking Municipally explored the end of photo radar in playground zones, the growing pushback on infill, and the extension of the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy.
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Business Roundup: July 04, 2025
With news from ATB Financial, Edmonton International Airport, Alberta Enterprise Corporation, Oilers Entertainment Group, ScaleupMap, Levven, and more
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Events Roundup: July 03, 2025
Featuring an event pick by Taproot reporter Stephanie Swensrude, and a listing of events to fill the start of summer.
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Arts Roundup: July 03, 2025
With news Grindstone Comedy Festival, Emilio De Mercato, Geoff Li, Arsene Arcand, Whyte Avenue Art Walk, Epico Designs, Mayfield Theatre, and more.
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Regional Roundup: July 02, 2025
With news from Fort Saskatchewan, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Leduc County, Strathcona County, Devon, Enoch Cree Nation, Paul First Nation, and more.
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Health Innovation Roundup: July 02, 2025
With news from NiaHealth, ScaleupMap, Nanostics, Zylotex, Old Strathcona Youth Society, University of Alberta, Genome Alberta, and more.
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Food Roundup: July 01, 2025
With news from Glass of the Sask, Hanjan, Sip Soda Co., Cafe Rista, KDays, YEG Burger Battle, Duchess, Whisked, Colleen's Chocolates, and more
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Tech Roundup: July 01, 2025
With news from The NOD, Black to the Future Summit, NiaHealth, Edmonton Unlimited, Levven, Nanostics, Edmonton International Airport, and more.
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You're out of order! You're out of order! This whole council is out of order!
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.
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O-E-Gee whiz, how C-aRe-L we gonna vote?
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.
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Wow, six bylaw, bro
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.
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What we heard at our election listening sessions
Throughout May and June, we hosted five listening sessions dubbed "What's on your mind, municipally speaking?" to hear from Edmontonians about the issues that matter most to them in the 2025 municipal election.
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Housing Complex a finalist for Collaboration of the Year
Housing Complex — Taproot's series on what works, what doesn't, and what can be improved about Edmonton's housing system — has been named a finalist in the Collaboration of the Year category at the 2025 LION Publishers Sustainability Awards.
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A progress report on Taproot’s election project
Much has happened since last we spoke about our election plan, so here's an update on what we've done so far and what's to come.
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