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 campaign updates
- Mayoral candidate Michael Oshry released his policies on waste collection and neighbourhood infrastructure projects.
- Kim Krushell, who is also running for mayor, committed to investing in arts and culture capital through the building or renovation of five major city parks: Borden Park, Rundle Park, Mill Woods Sports Park, Callingwood Park, and Louise McKinney Riverfront Park.
- Mayoral candidate Amarjeet Sohi posted his public service policy on social and values-based procurement. Sohi said that the key to keeping money in the local economy is to strengthen the city's existing sustainable procurement policy and to hire diverse and fair contractors.
- Mayoral candidate Cheryll Watson announced a smart construction policy that would reduce the day-to-day community impact of city construction projects.
- Ward sipiwiyniwak candidate Giselle General made her donor list available and tweeted that "transparency is crucial" to her campaign.
- Ward Anirniq candidate Erin Rutherford pledged to keep public services public in a recent blog post.
- Mayoral candidate Brian (Breezy) Gregg released a short video and blog post about how a voter incentive program could bring 99% of possible voters to the polls.
- Taproot looked at how mayoral candidates plan to tackle the city's tech innovation sector.
Weighing in on the campaign trail
- I Heart Edmonton, the blog run by Emil Tiedemann, posted its list of school board candidates and also added to the election survey series introducing candidates. Check out new responses from mayoral candidate Amarjeet Sohi, Ward pihêsiwin candidate Guiscela Perez Arellano, and Ward Métis candidate Salar Melli.
- Edmonton Journal columnist Keith Gerein wrote about how the Election Readiness Coalition (ERC) attempted to recruit "select candidates and support them by providing training opportunities and campaign volunteers" in emails obtained by Postmedia that date back to March 2020. Mayoral candidates Mike Nickel and Michael Oshry tweeted their thoughts about the news.
- Ward O-day'min candidate Anne Stevenson tweeted out a Global News article she was featured in that looked at whether there might be more women elected to council during this municipal election. Mayoral candidate Diana Steele, Ward Anirniq councillor Bev Esslinger, and ParityYEG's vice-chair of governance Cindy Caturao also weighed in.
Upcoming forums
- The Greater Hardisty Community Sustainability Coalition, in partnership with Taproot Edmonton and YEGventures, will host a civic election forum where Ward Métis candidates will be asked how they would represent local mature neighbourhoods. The event, hosted by Taproot's Karen Unland, will take place on Sept. 9.
- Ward papastew candidates will answer questions at a forum facilitated by the Ritchie Community League on Sept. 22.
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: Louise McKinney Riverfront Park would be one of five major city parks renovated under Kim Krushell's arts and culture policy. (City of Edmonton)