Every week in the lead-up to Edmonton's municipal election on Oct. 18, we're rounding up the news and announcements you need to know to stay informed.
Policies and profiles
- Mayoral candidate Kim Krushell released her downtown strategy which guarantees support for downtown employers, a free-fare transit zone from Government Centre to Churchill Square, diverse residential options, and more.
- Mayoral candidate Amarjeet Sohi posted his plans to combat climate change if elected. Some promises include building on the clean energy improvement program and working with the development industry to promote green building and net-zero standards.
- Mayoral candidate Michael Oshry published a blog post in response to Amarjeet Sohi's plan to designate the river valley as a national park. Oshry called the proposal "a disaster for our residents and our city," and instead pointed to his policy to develop West Rossdale as an option that would "significantly expand river valley access" and "be done hand in hand with our Indigenous communities."
- Columnist Keith Gerein corresponded with mayoral candidate Mike Nickel, who has yet to participate in any debates, via email. Nickel responded to most but not all of Gerein's inquiries, notably leaving questions about sharing misleading information, a lack of respect from colleagues, and voting to approve council's code of conduct, unanswered.
- The Canadian Home Builder's Association shared O-day'min candidate Gabrielle Battiste's responses to its survey on housing where she outlined her thoughts on infill development, market-affordable housing, and the residential construction industry.
- Emil Tiedemann shared new candidate profiles of O-day'min's Joshua Wolchanksy, Anirniq's Bev Esslinger, and sipiwiyiniwak's Sarah Hamilton.
Candidate forums
- Eight of the invited ten mayoral candidates — Mike Nickel and Augustine Marah did not make an appearance — spoke at the Ladies Corner Canada Media (LCCM) forum on Aug. 13. Ward forums for Sspomitapi and tastawiyiniwak also took place, with more to come.
- The Philippine Media Association's mayoral forum saw those same candidates answer questions on traffic cameras, homelessness and the opioid crisis, and the city's economic recovery. Postmedia shared a recap of the event.
- The Alberta Enterprise Group is hosting a forum on Sept. 8 to engage mayoral candidates on "policy that supports Alberta entrepreneurs' ability to create and grow jobs, the economy and the province."
A list of all of the candidates who have announced they are running in the Edmonton municipal election is available here.
Learn more about Taproot's effort to ground our election coverage in what is important to Edmontonians on our People's Agenda page.
Photo: Nicole McFatridge/Instagram