Edmonton Minute: Party Merger, Mayoral Announcement, and Police Chief Retirement

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

This Week In Edmonton:

• The Community and Public Services Committee will meet today at 9:30 am. The agenda includes updates to the City Policy on Immigration and Settlement. On Tuesday, at 8:30 am, the Agenda Review Committee will meet, followed by a meeting of the Urban Planning Committee at 9:30 am. At the latter meeting, the agenda includes a report on Neighbourhood Renewal Funding and a review of 102 Avenue. More information is available online.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, the Executive Committee will meet. Several public reports are on the agenda, including one on the Indigenous Housing Grant Program, and another on the Cost Benefit Analysis and Cost Drivers on Comparative Capital Projects. There will be a City Council Non-Regular Meeting on Thursday at 9:00 am to discuss Candidate Interviews and Appointments to the Edmonton Police Commission. Finally, on Friday, the Audit Committee will meet at 9:30 am. Several reports are on the agenda, including a Fraud Risk Management Audit and a Facility Maintenance Services Audit.
  
  
• PACE and TAPYeg, two municipal political parties, are merging ahead of the 2025 election, aiming to unite for a stronger chance at success. The merger brings together two parties focused on fiscal responsibility, safety, and accountability, with a commitment to keeping taxes low and prioritizing the city's core services. PACE, which will now include members from both groups, intends to focus on practical, community-oriented solutions. There are two upcoming public meetings to provide more information - one on Wednesday, November 27th at 7:30 pm, at the South East Edmonton Seniors Association (9350 82 St. NW) and another on Wednesday, December 4th at 7:30 pm at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre (9629 176 St. NW).

Last Week In Edmonton:

• Speaking of political parties, Edmonton City Councillor Tim Cartmell has announced his candidacy for Mayor in the 2025 election, as well as the launch of a new municipal political party. The party doesn’t have a name yet, but he says it will be focused on safer streets, fiscal responsibility, and better management of City resources. Cartmell criticized current Mayor Amarjeet Sohi for a lack of leadership and emphasized the need for stronger relationships with the Edmonton Police Commission and other stakeholders.
  
  
• Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee announced that he will retire in February 2025, stepping down one year before his contract ends. While he has declined to confirm rumors about his future, including speculation about a potential mayoral run or a role in provincial politics, he said he remains open to all options. McFee's tenure has been marked by both praise and criticism, with supporters highlighting his efforts to reform policing, including a focus on de-escalation and increasing female officer recruitment.
  
  
• An Edmonton architectural firm, Reimagine, and Beljan Development have proposed repurposing the old Royal Alberta Museum building into a community hub, in response to the provincial government's plan to demolish it. The proposal aims to preserve the building's exterior while transforming the interior into a cultural, food, and recreational center with amenities like restaurants, grocery stores, and sports facilities. The developers suggest a public-private partnership to relieve the financial burden from taxpayers, with the private sector investing in the building and leasing it from the government. The provincial government, however, is still committed to converting the site into a green space, and the proposal is under review. Community members and local politicians will soon receive a presentation on the proposal.

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