Edmonton Minute: Issue 235

Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics

📅 This Week In Edmonton: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 1:30 pm, the Council Services Committee will meet. The agenda includes a report regarding the appropriate use of Edmonton's official heraldic symbol, the City Crest (Coat of Arms), which was granted by the Governor General of Canada in 1996. A City Policy designates the City Clerk as the custodian of City Symbols. The City Crest is used on various official items, including the Edmonton Flag, the Mayor’s Chain of Office, Council letterhead, certificates, and event materials. To maintain consistency, the report specifies that Council members must use official templates for items like business cards, emails, and event briefings. The guidelines clarify that the City Crest is for official, ceremonial, and formal protocol purposes only and should not be used for personal, political, religious, or commercial purposes. It must not be modified or used in conjunction with other community branding or election materials.
  
  
• The Council Services Committee will also discuss revisions to the Councillors' Budget and Expenses Policy to include updated cost guidelines for travel expenses, as per a motion passed on February 21st, 2025. The $5500 limit on postage for the annual ward mail-out has been removed, with costs now calculated based on the number of households in each ward and the Canada Post price per item. The proposed changes also add a clearer intent for travel expenses, stating that Councillors should not be financially advantaged or disadvantaged while conducting City business. Travel expenses are now expected to be reasonable, prudent, cost-effective, and defensible, with accommodations specified as single occupancy in standard rooms. Meals and incidentals will be allowed to be claimed with original receipts if per diems are not used, while travel disclosures now include more detailed categories such as transportation, food and incidentals, accommodation, miscellaneous expenses, and registration fees.
  
  
• Council has approved a 5.7% increase in property taxes for 2025, with taxes due on June 30th. In response to the province's increased education tax, Council passed a motion to explore separating the provincial education tax collection from municipal property taxes. The motion, introduced by Councillor Michael Janz, passed 9-4, reflecting frustrations over municipalities being tasked with collecting the education tax on behalf of the Province, particularly as the provincial education tax increases. Mayor Sohi suggested that the Province should be responsible for collecting its own education taxes. Council hopes to bring this issue forward at Alberta Municipalities’ fall convention.
  
  
• Councillor Tim Cartmell officially launched his mayoral campaign, pledging to address Edmonton's infrastructure challenges and restore trust in City leadership. As a current City Councillor and professional engineer, Cartmell emphasized the need for pragmatic solutions to bridge replacement, transit, and community development, with a focus on affordability and sustainability. He criticized the City's current spending practices and proposed a back-to-basics approach, aiming to prioritize essential services and engage more effectively with residents. Cartmell also proposed the formation of a blue-ribbon panel to review City finances and pledged a 100-day action plan for his first term, addressing public safety, cleanliness, and snow removal.
  
  
• Speaking of mayoral candidates, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi announced he would not be running again. Sohi, on leave from his Mayoral duties to run in the federal election, lost his bid to return to Ottawa in Edmonton Southeast, where Conservative newcomer Jagsharan Singh Mahal secured 53.5% of the vote. Mahal's platform focused on affordability, crime, and small business support, resonating with voters in the newly created riding. Sohi said he had no regrets about his campaign.
  
  
• In other federal election news, despite a national victory for the Liberals under Mark Carney, the party failed to gain ground in Edmonton, retaining only Edmonton Centre. Eleanor Olszewski, now the sole Liberal MP in Edmonton, won in Edmonton Centre after replacing Randy Boissonnault. The Conservatives dominated the region, taking seven of nine seats, while the NDP suffered heavy losses - losing Edmonton Griesbach and finishing third in Edmonton Centre. Billy Morin, a high-profile Conservative candidate, won decisively in the new riding of Edmonton Northwest.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The federal election may have just wrapped up, but we can’t forget that the municipal election is fast approaching this October. 

At Common Sense Edmonton, we’re committed to driving real change at City Hall, and we need your support to make it happen. If you care about priorities like increasing transparency, protecting the freedom of residents and businesses, and bringing common sense back to the city, now is the time to get involved. 

Volunteer with us today and help ensure a better future for Edmonton:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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