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 platforms
- In a blog post, mayoral candidate Michael Oshry expressed his support for the city's clean energy improvement pilot program. He commended the program's "bold yet practical thinking" and confirmed he would release his climate action plan in September.
- Oshry also called on the city to host a mayoral debate and asked his fellow candidates to support his letter and write their own.
- Mayoral candidate Amarjeet Sohi announced his plans to support arts and culture in the city. Promises include establishing the mayor's arts advisory committee, recommitting to the current arts and heritage plan, and incorporating artists into Edmonton's economic recovery.
- Mayoral candidate Diana Steele met with Service Rotties to discuss accessibility barriers for disabled Edmontonians.
- Ward pihêsiwin candidate Tim Cartmell wrote on his blog that he believes the province "has still not disclosed the data and modeling that has informed their decisions regarding COVID restrictions." Referring to an upcoming discussion about the mask bylaw on Aug. 30, Cartmell said city council is "aware of the evolving situation and understands the importance of having these discussions."
- Climate Justice Edmonton shared its climate platform conversation toolkit for friends and candidates. The platform asks for commitments to stop sprawl, champion affordable housing, avoid the use of public-private partnerships for transit infrastructure, and follow through on the Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force's recommendations on policing.
- There will be no on-reserve voting for the upcoming senate election and related referendum questions, including decisions on Daylight Savings. Adam North Peigan, a member of the Piikani First Nation and president of the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta, was appalled by what he called "brazen disenfranchisement."
Forums and rallies
- Mayoral candidates Kim Krushell, Amarjeet Sohi, and Michael Oshry answered transportation and accessibility questions at the virtual mayoral forum facilitated by the YEG Senior Alliance and Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council.
- The Downtown Business Association (DBA) will host mayoral forum on the future of downtown on Sept. 23. Invited candidates will be those that rank highest in formal polling completed by the end of August.
- Mayoral candidate Mike Nickel boasted an attendance of over 500 at his Rally for Edmonton on Aug. 20. Some commentators commended Nickel's stance on crime, while others criticized the lack of masks and social distancing.
- Discovery Lab presents the Edmonton Mayoral Candidate Open Forum on Economic Growth on Sept. 21. Candidates — Kim Krushell, Cheryll Watson, Michael Oshry, and Amarjeet Sohi — will be provided 20 minutes each to address the audience and respond to questions before local entrepreneurs are allowed to detail their business plans.
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: The Edmonton skyline from Griesbach. (Swapnil Kayastha/Instagram)