One municipal political party may not operate after the coming election, the minister of municipal affairs is likely to interfere, and a new chief of police chief has been appointed, the hosts of Episode 325 of Speaking Municipally noted. Here's a quick snapshot.
Better Edmonton to 'go dormant'
Nomination day for Edmonton's Oct. 20 election passed on Sept. 22, followed by the withdrawal period's end on the following day. There are 140 candidates: Of them, 13 are running for mayor, 81 are running city council, and 46 are running for school boards. (Taproot's voter-matching feature compares your own answers to 30 questions with how the candidates responded.)
With nomination day in the past, the co-hosts looked at the state of parties and slates for the election. Specifically, they focused on Better Edmonton mayoral candidate (and current councillor) Tim Cartmell's recent comments to CTV that Better Edmonton will "go dormant" after the election. Male called the Cartmell campaign office to ask why, and learned it's because of unclear procedural requirements for parties in the Municipal Government Act.
"What they're worried about is actually not about parties, but quorum," Male said. "In the MGA, if you get, say, seven councillors together, and they talk about council business, it's supposed to be a meeting. You're supposed to give notice, and it should be on the record … (If) they're talking about council business, which should be what the party is doing, then should that be a council meeting? Should that be on the record?"
Minister 'mandated to interfere' in municipal affairs
Premier Danielle Smith released a mandate letter on Sept. 22. for Dan Williams, the minister of municipal affairs. The letter instructs Williams on how to work with municipal governments, including pushing for Williams to find ways to reduce "excessive" property taxes." The letter does not contain the the term "identity politics," but Williams quickly referenced that concept as a reason to intervene in municipal governance in a recent interview.
"What does that mean — 'wading into identity politics?'" co-host Stephanie Swensrude asked, citing a Williams quote. "If municipalities start doing stuff that the province doesn't like, he is mandated to interfere."
City names new chief
City council unanimously appointed co-interim chief Warren Driechel as the 24th chief of the Edmonton Police Service on Sept. 19, in one of its last decisions before the election. The co-hosts discussed a 2016 trial where Driechel discussed how he bought steroids from a fellow officer, and also that relations are improving among the Edmonton Police Commission, the service, and the city — at least for now.
"We've heard from councillors on the current council throughout the year that the relationship between the police, the police commission, and council has improved," Male said. "With a new chief in place — and in a month, a new council and a new mayor in place — we'll see if that improving relationship continues, or if we start to see some cracks."
The Sept. 26 episode also includes a remembrance of Darren Markland, a public health advocate and community builder, as well as Taproot's work on election coverage. Listening and subscription options are all right here.