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.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Colin Gallant

• Colin Gallant at Taproot Edmonton
• Meet Taproot Edmonton's new reporter

Birth control

• Alberta NDP promise free birth control if elected

DATS strike

• Strike vote 'likely' for Edmonton DATS bus drivers next week: union

Pain medication

• Children's pain reliever imports to Alberta cost $80M

Edmonton's NextGen

• Edmonton's NextGen reaches the end of the road

2022 surplus

• Edmonton finishes 2022 with $81.5M surplus

Sohi and Smith

• Edmonton mayor asks for social services funding during first meeting with Premier Danielle Smith
• Edmonton's mayor optimistic after first meeting with Alberta premier
• Edmonton City Council requests provincial support for community safety and well-being

Police attrition

• Edmonton Police Service sees jump in departing officers in 2022

Ottewell parking

• Ottewell residents fear parking pressures following neighbourhood renewal

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we talked about The Well Endowed Podcast 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 Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. Offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, 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. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!