The Latest
Here's the latest from Taproot Edmonton.
Friday, March 31
In this edition: Drug-manufacturing facility seen as catalyst for pharma development; city develops new encampment response plan; things to do around Edmonton this weekend
Thursday, March 30
In this edition: Startup founder shifts from snow removal to pet toys; city spent $70K to produce, promote zoning podcast; planned community health hub in Ritchie area draws opposition
Wednesday, March 29
In this edition: Barber Ha founder closes shop with sadness but few regrets; city begins removal of tributes for slain officers; a moment in history: March 29, 1971
Drug-manufacturing facility seen as catalyst for pharma development
The $80.5 million in federal money going into the Edmonton-based Canadian Critical Drug Initiative will do more than secure a domestic supply of crucial medications and support the commercialization of new drug discoveries, says the head of Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API).
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Startup founder shifts from snow removal to pet toys
After exiting from home services company Yardly, Sheldon Zhang has launched Preet, a marketplace to connect independent brands selling pet supplies with retailers looking for unique products.
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Barber Ha founder closes shop with sadness but few regrets
When Linda Ha looks back at what led her to decide to close her barbershop, she sees a series of small decisions that resulted in an inevitability. But she stands by the principles that guided her decisions.
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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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How public washrooms help make a city work well
Most candidates for mayor and city council agree that Edmonton needs more permanent public washrooms, a move that is vital for a city to work for everyone, says consultant Lezlie Lowe.
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Weekend agenda: March 31-April 2, 2023
This weekend offers a festival of Ukrainian cinema, the largest orchid fair in Western Canada, a couple of handmade markets, and two Easter egg hunts: one in a historic location and the other for children with sight loss.
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A moment in history: March 29, 1971
On this day 52 years ago, credits rolled on the career of Bill Wilson, the longtime manager of the Garneau Theatre, which plays a big role in Edmonton's cinematic and architectural history.
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Province invests $30M in Amii to further AI adoption
A $30-million investment from the province will allow Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) to further its efforts to bring AI out of the academy and into industry, says the organization's CEO.
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Business Roundup: March 31, 2023
The latest on business in Edmonton. Biz orgs react to budget; Trust Science & Aventura Marketing make fast-growth list; hydrogen accelerator launched
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Arts Roundup: March 30, 2023
The latest on arts in Edmonton. The Mall wraps up a creative run; NorQuest ESL students explore art; AMPA to announce winners
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Regional Roundup: March 29, 2023
The latest on the region in Edmonton. Federal budget boosts hydrogen; Industrial Heartland diversifies; Leduc County opens entrepreneur centre
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Health Innovation Roundup: March 29, 2023
The latest on health innovation in Edmonton. Showcase seeks women in healthtech; synthetic health data studied; U of A nursing tops in Canada
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Food Roundup: March 28, 2023
The latest on food in Edmonton. JustCook Kitchens has rebranded as EPIC; Chartier is setting up a bakery called mother; A Bite of Brazil and The Violet Chocolate Company are closing
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Tech Roundup: March 28, 2023
The latest on tech in Edmonton. A look ahead to the federal budget; U of A Innovation Fund is a go; Lighthouse may spin off
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SIX cars hit train... ah ah ah
<p>Another driver crashes into a Valley Line train, and we're starting to lose count. Plus, Boyle Street gets a new permit, and we get details on the city's podcast spending.</p><p>Here are the relevant links for this episode:</p><p><strong>Water and zombies</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/lead-reducing-chemicals-now-flowing-in-edmontons-water-epcor">Lead-reducing chemicals now flowing in Edmonton's water: Epcor</a></li> <li><a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/edmonton-is-where-you-want-to-be-when-the-zombie-apocalypse-comes-study-finds">Edmonton is where you want to be when the zombie apocalypse comes, study finds</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Transit App</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/third-party-transit-planning-app-no-longer-free-for-edmonton-riders-1.6792206">Third-party transit planning app no longer free for Edmonton riders</a></li></ul><p><strong>Zellers</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/nice-little-nod-to-nostalgia-edmontonians-line-up-to-shop-zellers-grand-reopening-1.6325777">'Nice little nod to nostalgia': Edmontonians line up to shop Zellers grand reopening</a></li></ul><p><strong>Making Space</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmonton-paid-70000-for-zoning-podcast-making-space">Edmonton paid $70K for zoning podcast 'Making Space'</a></li></ul><p><strong>Boyle Street</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/boyle-street-community-services-gets-development-permit-for-new-facility-1.6786469">Boyle Street Community Services gets development permit for new facility</a></li> <li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/you-belong-here-city-reissues-permit-for-new-boyle-street-building">'You belong here': City reissues permit for new Boyle Street building</a></li> <li><a href="https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/edmonton-approves-permit-for-health-hub-that-some-in-ritchie-strathcona-are-fighting-1.6333107">Ritchie 'health hub' gets approval from City of Edmonton</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Federal budget</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-finance-minister-toews-reacts-to-federal-budget-tuesday">Edmonton Mayor Sohi welcomes federal budget cash, but housing investments aren't enough</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/freeland-budget-clean-tech-energy-analysis-wherry-1.6793902">Trudeau and Freeland up the ante on a clean economy</a></li> </ul><p><strong>On-Demand Transit</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/on-demand-transit-launched-in-edmonton-2-years-ago-here-s-how-it-s-going-1.6744479">On-demand transit launched in Edmonton 2 years ago. Here's how it's going</a></li></ul><p><strong>LRT and cars</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/residents-warn-city-that-red-light-timing-at-south-lrt-intersection-needs-changes-1.6331436">Mill Woods red light LRT intersection timing needs changes: residents</a></li> <li><a href="https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/illegal-right-turns-have-led-to-5-crashes-involving-vehicles-and-valley-line-southeast-lrt-trains-transed-1.6322262">Illegal right turns have led to 5 crashes involving vehicles and Valley Line Southeast LRT trains: TransEd</a></li> <li><a href="https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2023/03/29/taxi-collides-valley-line-lrt/">Taxi collides with Valley Line LRT</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Two million trees</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2023/03/17/city-targets-2030-for-two-million-new-trees">City targets 2030 for two million new trees</a></li></ul><p>Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the <a href="https://www.albertapodcastnetwork.com/">Alberta Podcast Network</a>: locally grown, community supported.</p><p>This week we talked about <a href="https://parkpower.ca/">Park Power</a>, your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. Offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities. We also highlighted <a href="https://www.thewellendowedpodcast.com/">The Well Endowed Podcast</a> from the Edmonton Community Foundation, which explores the impact of passionate people who are working to make Edmonton a strong, vibrant city to live in.</p><p>Speaking Municipally is produced by <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/">Taproot Edmonton</a>, 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. <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/pulse">Sign up to get The Pulse</a>, our weekday news briefing. It's free!</p> <strong> <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/join?utm_source=taprootyeg&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=speaking-municipally" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast ★">★ Support this podcast ★</a> </strong>
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JuNo shirt, no service
<p>In the wake of a tragic police incident, we cover other policing news that happened this week. Plus, an update on trains, and affordable housing.</p><p>Here are the relevant links for this episode:</p><p><strong>Juno protester</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/topless-protester-who-crashed-edmonton-junos-stage-makes-brief-court-appearance">Topless protester who crashed Edmonton Junos stage makes brief court appearance</a></li></ul><p><strong>Alberta is calling</strong></p><ul><li>News release: <a href="https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=8671691403637-BECE-0FF6-6BA8C65F6868F166">Alberta is calling again</a> </li></ul><p><strong>ECSD fraud</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/employee-defrauds-edmonton-catholic-schools-of-over-200k-1.6778945">Employee defrauds Edmonton Catholic Schools of over $200K through invoice, credit card scheme</a></li></ul><p><strong>Police deaths</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-police-devastated-by-shooting-deaths-of-2-officers-chief-says-1.6780632">Edmonton police devastated by shooting deaths of 2 officers, chief says</a></li></ul><p><strong>Body cameras</strong></p><ul> <li>News release: <a href="https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=86723C94D7BB0-BFE3-7868-9E1223DD40765A92">Ensuring transparency between police and public</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/body-worn-cameras-police-alberta-1.6778729">Body-worn cameras to be mandatory for all police officers in Alberta, province says</a></li> <li><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9554630/alberta-police-body-cameras-expensive/">Alberta to mandate police body cameras — but who's paying?</a></li> <li>2021: <a href="https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2021/02/04/rcmp-body-cameras-to-costs-131-million-over-five-years-budget-officer/">RCMP body cameras to costs $131 million over five years: budget officer</a> </li> <li>2020: <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/7051447/edmonton-police-chief-oversight-body-cams-budget/">Edmonton police chief discusses oversight, body cams and budget with city council</a> </li> <li>2020: <a href="https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=72295">Council report on body worn video</a> </li> </ul><p><strong>Transit safety</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/violent-crime-calls-on-edmonton-transit-up-53-in-one-year-police-say-1.6780240">Violent crime calls on Edmonton transit up 53% in one year, police say</a></li> <li><a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2023/03/03/transit-camp-aims-to-mobilize-bus-and-lrt-champions">Transit Camp aims to mobilize bus and LRT champions</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Valley Line LRT</strong></p><ul><li><a href="http://transedlrt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Infographic-Part2-V4.3-02.png">Roadmap to opening infographic</a></li></ul><p><strong>Affordable housing</strong></p><ul><li>News release: <a href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-Release---Edmonton-submits-plans-for-supportive-housing.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=hR6AhP-q_84">Edmonton submits plans for supportive housing</a> </li></ul><p>Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the <a href="https://www.albertapodcastnetwork.com/">Alberta Podcast Network</a>: locally grown, community supported.</p><p>This week we talked about <a href="https://parkpower.ca/">Park Power</a>, your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. Offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities. We also highlighted <a href="https://www.thewellendowedpodcast.com/">The Well Endowed Podcast</a> from the Edmonton Community Foundation, which explores the impact of passionate people who are working to make Edmonton a strong, vibrant city to live in.</p><p>Speaking Municipally is produced by <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/">Taproot Edmonton</a>, 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. <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/pulse">Sign up to get The Pulse</a>, our weekday news briefing. It's free!</p> <strong> <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/join?utm_source=taprootyeg&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=speaking-municipally" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast ★">★ Support this podcast ★</a> </strong>
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More like LastGen, amirite?
<p>Newly minted Taproot Edmonton reporter Colin Gallant joins to talk about the demise of NextGen. Plus, budget surpluses, meetings with the premier and, of course, parking.</p><p>Here are the relevant links for this episode:</p><p><strong>Colin Gallant</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/people/colin-gallant">Colin Gallant at Taproot Edmonton</a></li> <li><a href="https://blog.taprootpublishing.ca/2023/03/09/meet-taproot-edmontons-new-reporter/">Meet Taproot Edmonton's new reporter</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Birth control</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9537500/alberta-ndp-election-promise-free-birth-control/">Alberta NDP promise free birth control if elected</a></li></ul><p><strong>DATS strike</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/unions-rally-in-support-of-equal-pay-for-specialized-transit-drivers">Strike vote 'likely' for Edmonton DATS bus drivers next week: union</a></li></ul><p><strong>Pain medication</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/not-looking-to-make-money-alberta-government-swallows-cost-on-imported-children-s-pain-reliever-1.6306369">Children's pain reliever imports to Alberta cost $80M</a></li></ul><p><strong>Edmonton's NextGen</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2023/03/09/edmontons-nextgen-reaches-the-end-of-the-road">Edmonton's NextGen reaches the end of the road</a></li></ul><p><strong>2022 surplus</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2023/03/06/edmonton-finishes-2022-with-815m-surplus">Edmonton finishes 2022 with $81.5M surplus</a></li></ul><p><strong>Sohi and Smith</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-mayor-smith-meeting-1.6770573">Edmonton mayor asks for social services funding during first meeting with Premier Danielle Smith</a></li> <li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmontons-mayor-optimistic-after-first-meeting-with-alberta-premier">Edmonton's mayor optimistic after first meeting with Alberta premier</a></li> <li><a href="https://medium.com/mayorsohi/edmonton-city-council-requests-provincial-support-for-community-safety-and-well-being-22b5ed142efd">Edmonton City Council requests provincial support for community safety and well-being</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Police attrition</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2023/03/10/edmonton-police-service-sees-jump-in-departing-officers-in-2022">Edmonton Police Service sees jump in departing officers in 2022</a></li></ul><p><strong>Ottewell parking</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9534442/parking-ottewell-neighbourhood-renewal/">Ottewell residents fear parking pressures following neighbourhood renewal</a></li></ul><p>Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the <a href="https://www.albertapodcastnetwork.com/">Alberta Podcast Network</a>: locally grown, community supported.</p><p>This week we talked about <a href="https://www.thewellendowedpodcast.com/">The Well Endowed Podcast</a> from the Edmonton Community Foundation, which explores the impact of passionate people who are working to make Edmonton a strong, vibrant city to live in. We also highlighted <a href="https://parkpower.ca/">Park Power</a>, your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. Offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities.</p><p>Speaking Municipally is produced by <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/">Taproot Edmonton</a>, 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. <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/pulse">Sign up to get The Pulse</a>, our weekday news briefing. It's free!</p> <strong> <a href="https://edmonton.taproot.news/join?utm_source=taprootyeg&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=speaking-municipally" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast ★">★ Support this podcast ★</a> </strong>
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Meet Taproot Edmonton’s new reporter
We're thrilled to introduce you to Colin Gallant, the latest addition to Taproot Edmonton's growing editorial team.
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Declaring our roundup experiment a success
We're declaring the experiment we started last month a success. Now when you open a roundup, you'll find a message from a member of our team pulling some threads together in the Taproot way — with curiosity and desire to understand our community bett...
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Kicking off 2023 with an experiment
We're trying something new at the top of some of our roundups, as part of our continuing quest to build a sustainable, tech-enabled media business that helps our community understand itself better.
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