Mack Male
Co-Founder and CEO of Taproot Publishing Inc.
Appears in 97 Episodes
Jeopardy 2024
This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Three branch managers from the City of Edmonton square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy!Here are the relevant l...
Eventually the bill comes due
In our penultimate episode of 2024, we recap the 2025 budget and discuss how the process might change in the future. Plus, we wrap up the Housing Complex project and l...
We're pushing, but the tax increase just won't budge-it
After four days of debate, Edmonton city council approved adjustments to the 2025 budget, setting a 6.1% property tax increase for next year. In this episode, we dig i...
The EMRB is not to be
Another blow to regional collaboration as it appears the EMRB is dead after the provincial government pulled its funding. Plus, we talk budget, carbon emissions, polic...
Bye bye Mr. Police Chief Guy
We have a third mayoral candidate as Coun. Tim Cartmell finally confirms he's running for mayor. And in a surprising announcement, Chief Dale McFee has announced his r...
Please stand clear of the vanishing doors
Taproot Edmonton reporter Colin Gallant joins us to discuss making Edmonton's housing more financially accessible, the Valley Line LRT's first anniversary, and the fut...
There's no I in DIP
The Downtown Investment Plan remains a hot topic of discussion. This week, we speak with Shani Gwin, a Métis woman, downtown business owner, AI entrepreneur, and DBA b...
Snow time like the present to talk about ice
This week, we're getting an early start on winter by talking about snow and ice control. We speak with Mark Beare and Val Dacyk from the City of Edmonton about service...
Just one more downtown plan bro, I promise it’s the last one
A new report published by a coalition of business leaders calls for nearly $500 million of investment in Edmonton's downtown. We talk with the report's authors, Alexan...
If it's not from the Deficit region of Canada, it's just generic "fiscal gap"
Council heard more about the fiscal gap, though no action was taken yet. Plus, the latest transit ridership numbers, the Stadium Station redesign, whether to continue ...
Taxes for you, but not for U CP
Edmonton is going to have to pay much more for elections, but we can't say why without risking a $787 million settlement. Plus, we've got some news about district plan...
Come for the risk-taking, stay for our sign
This week, we discuss the new Edmonton sign, a new poll about the mayor and city council, new crashes into the LRT, and a new report on Canada's municipalities. Plus, ...
A fair shake for fare gates faces delay
Council has decided to keep their representatives on the police commission, at least for now. Plus, we talk LRT station fare gates, EVs, bike lanes, and more.Here are ...
13 months notice
This week, Mack and Stephanie speak with Coun. Andrew Knack about his decision not to seek re-election in next year's municipal election. They also discuss the city's ...
No photos, please
This week, the province has all but banned photo radar in Alberta. Plus, we have more problems with composting, and cars driving into trains.Here are the relevant link...
Seniors passes won’t double. That’s Fare.
Council decided to stick with a smaller, previously-approved increase to transit fares, instead of asking for a big increase. We also discuss council procedures, BRT, ...
Putting Tom Cruise in charge of OP12
We interrupt your Fringe-ing to discuss proposed compensation for businesses along Stony Plain Road, a big budget shortfall and potential tax hike, transit fare increa...
What RAM I gonna do with this old building?
We're back from our summer break! Council is also back, even though they still managed to make some headlines over the summer. We encourage you to check out the Fringe...
Code of conduct yourself accordingly
This week, council wraps for the summer, but not before kicking the can on their code of conduct. Plus, it's easier to eat food from a truck and harder to get bear spr...
The real cup was the friends we made along the way
Game seven wasn't meant to be. That means that this is a boring politics podcast again and not a sports podcast. This week we discuss district plans, solar rebates, Wa...
Dragging them back
The Oilers are now two wins from the Stanley Cup. Plus, council is (kinda) talking about substantial completion, non-residential taxes, and compensation for disruption...
A 242M Capital Line Item Increase
This week we discuss an updated capital budget, and a new train. Plus, the police commission declines to show up to a council meeting in this, the city of champions.He...
The police's urban planning department
Boyle Street has had the permit for its site revoked…again. Plus, the police have declined a public audit, and we'll talk about Sohi's polling numbers. Is it really th...
Untangling the housing knot (LIVE)
A conversation at the summer institute of the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative about what Edmonton can and should do to contribute to the alleviation of the hou...
An Accelerated discussion on housing
We're joined by Christel Kjenner, director of the housing action team at the City of Edmonton, to get an overview of what the city is doing about the housing crisis.He...
The Molson Canadian Tire Activity Plus® Recreation Centre Presented by Boston Pizza
There's a new task force on housing and homelessness. Plus, everything is a district, recreation centres will soon be sponsored, and we discuss police accountability.H...
The Queen of Nexopia
Summer is here, and it comes with the sale of a riverboat, scooters, and summer streets. Plus, council writes a very sternly worded letter to the province. It'll work ...
Eddie's still here, and he's driving the bus
We speak with Eddie Robar, the interim city manager at the City of Edmonton, about what he plans to do for the time he'll be in the role.Since recording this episode, ...
Will Edmonton lower their taxes? (Eight point) Nein
The spring budget adjustment has been finalized, and the final tax increase council arrived at was quite a bit higher than expected.Here are the relevant links for thi...