Taproot Edmonton

Mayor Andrew Knack stands in front of a podium with the Alberta legislature in the background

On the agenda: Municipal autonomy, funding outcomes, rezonings

This week, council will discuss its autonomy, look at outcome reports from municipal funding, and consider several rezoning applications.

The Canadian and Albertan flags flap in the wind

Your turn: Referendum mail-in ballots due, advance polls open soon

This week's roundup of calls for public engagement begins with a reminder to get your special ballot in the mail or get ready to vote in person in the Alberta referendum.

An overhead shot of the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park

Municipalities grapple with communicating about data centres

An Edmonton-based communications company is helping Alberta municipalities talk about AI data centres as public opposition grows as rapidly as demand for the facilities.

Four smiling people pose for a photo

Edmonton-made film explores Eritrean life in Canada

Two newcomers from very different places are working on a documentary called Frozen Injera to capture both the joys and the hardships experienced by members of the Eritrean community in Edmonton.

The Pulse

Tuesday, Oct. 13

In this edition: On the agenda: Municipal autonomy, funding outcomes, rezonings; Edmonton completes Stage 2 of Terwillegar Drive project; and more headlines and happenings

Roundup

Food Roundup: Oct. 13, 2026

With news from 7 Summits Snacks, Zwick's Pretzels, Nom, Paperbirch, EVO, Delavoye Chocolate, Best Hydrate, Transcend Coffee, Double Lunch, and more.

Roundup

Tech Roundup: Oct. 13, 2026

With news from Edmonton Unlimted, CAINN, Q-Block Computing, Jobber, Aqtiva, Rosette Robotics, SketchDeck.ai, My Viva Plan, COG Studios, and more.

Speaking Municipally

Back to the zoning board

The provincial government is forcing Edmonton to amend its zoning bylaw and restore minimum on-site parking requirements to appease infill critics. Plus, a study found that apartment and condo dwellers are only sorting a third of their waste correctly.


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A man speaks into a microphone on a purple-lit stage

Aqtiva heads into Edmonton Startup Week on a winning streak

A company that helps farmers with crop yields is riding a wave of recognition as Edmonton Startup Week shines its annual light on promising companies.

A paper takeout container among trash in a downtown garbage bin

On the agenda: Waste, budget process, city manager's power

This week, councillors will hear about the results of a waste characterization study, vote on a recommended process for the four-year budget deliberations, and consider changes to the city manager's authority.

Newspaper clippings of ads for mayoral candidates George Prudham and Bill Hawrelak

A moment in history: Oct. 2, 1964

On this day in 1964, the recent amalgamation of Jasper Place and Edmonton was playing a part in the mayoral election.

Vehicles queue on a two-lane road next to a construction site.

Your turn: Belgravia traffic, Leduc MDP, Beacon Heights

This week's calls for public engagement include an in-person meeting about short-cutting in Belgravia, a public hearing about changes to Leduc's municipal development plan, and an online survey about neighbourhood renewal in Beacon Heights.

Food innovations recognized at Edmonton Startup Week

The co-founder of 7 Summits Snacks says she is both honoured and vindicated by a People's Choice Award win at Edmonton Startup Week.

Deep Tech Foundry aims to support commercialization

Edmonton Unlimited is launching a program called the Deep Tech Foundry aimed at equipping founders to turn research-based breakthroughs into successful companies.

Edmonton ordered to revert to former zoning bylaw

The Alberta government says it will force Edmonton to revert its zoning bylaw to where it was before 2024 and reinstate minimum parking requirements to where they were before they were removed in 2020.

LitFest connects nonfiction authors with passionate readers

This week, we're highlighting an event pick by Taproot co-founder Karen Unland. Karen recommends LitFest 2026 Opening Night Event and Reception, featuring Trina Moyles in conversation with Conor Kerr.


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Taproot members and stories

Food Roundup: Oct. 13, 2026

With news from 7 Summits Snacks, Zwick's Pretzels, Nom, Paperbirch, EVO, Delavoye Chocolate, Best Hydrate, Transcend Coffee, Double Lunch, and more.

Tech Roundup: Oct. 13, 2026

With news from Edmonton Unlimted, CAINN, Q-Block Computing, Jobber, Aqtiva, Rosette Robotics, SketchDeck.ai, My Viva Plan, COG Studios, and more.

Business Roundup: Oct. 9, 2026

With news from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Startup Week, Sport Edmonton, reVerb Communications, Infinite Event Services, Vertical City, and more.

Events Roundup: Oct. 8, 2026

Featuring an event pick from Taproot co-founder Karen Unland and a listing of film events that you can add to your calendar.

Arts Roundup: Oct. 8, 2026

With news from Edmonton Startup Week, Royal Tusk, Stewart Steinhauer, Section 35, Tiny Bear Jaws, Agatha Press, NorthwestFEARFest, and more.

Regional Roundup: Oct. 7, 2026

With news from Edmonton Startup Week, Agritourism Alberta, AIHA, BGRE and CPP Investments, Muslim Association of St. Albert, Perry Kincaide, and more.

Health Innovation Roundup: Oct. 7, 2026

With news from Edmonton Startup Week, Startup TNT, MagnetaMR, RWI, Health Cities, Silvertech Summit, EBDA, the Stollery, Alberta Innovates, and more.


Speaking Municipally

Please present your boarding pass

The new owners of Edmonton City Centre proposed strict security measures at each entrance of the downtown mall, and councillors endorsed changing the definition of public space. Plus, an American company has a vision to turn an industrial park in northeast Edmonton into one of the largest data centre campuses in North America.

Speaking Municipally

What'd I miss?

Stephanie is back! We chat about some of the big and small municipal news you might have missed in the past month. Plus, we hear all about Stephanie's travels and her fresh reflections on cities and how Edmonton stacks up.

Speaking Municipally

What we choose to remember

This week, heritage advocate Andy Grabia talks about the fight to keep the University of Alberta's Casavant organ in Convocation Hall. We also look at Edmonton's uneasy relationship with its heritage and, a decade after Rogers Place opened, revisit the arena debate and the fate of Rexall Place.

Speaking Municipally

Big goals, small change

We speak with Mike Mellross of Alberta Ecotrust about Edmonton's updated climate priorities and the important decisions coming up during the four-year budget. We talk climate ambition, competing pots of funding, and why good city building might be climate action, too.


Taproot at 10: Still building after Launch Party 7

Taproot at 10: Still building after Launch Party 7

On Oct. 20, 2016, Karen and I spent an evening explaining Taproot Edmonton to curious people at Startup Edmonton's Launch Party 7. Ten years later, we look back on that night as a key milestone in our journey.

Taproot wins award for excellence in journalism

Taproot wins award for excellence in journalism

We have wonderful news to share: Taproot has received the Dr. Eric Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism for our 2025 election project.

Taproot at 10: Celebrating the beginning

Taproot at 10: Celebrating the beginning

Ten years ago this week, we took our first step toward finding out whether Taproot was worth building.