On Monday, Alberta’s 2025 municipal elections are being held to elect the people who will lead our cities, towns, counties, and school boards for the next four years. Here in Edmonton, many people are feeling uncertain about the direction our city is going. With potholes lining our streets and affordable housing in short supply, it’s clear that our new Council has a lot on their plate. But what exactly should they prioritize?
To fully understand what the new Council can achieve, we must acknowledge the ultimate constraint on all municipal action: the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA). This provincial legislation dictates the powers of every city council in Alberta. The MGA is why the city has broad authority over things like land use, bylaws, and municipal services, but it also creates limits. I mention this because when it comes to social issues like housing and poverty—which are major priorities this election—the new Council’s ability to act is often restricted to what the MGA allows and where the province provides funding. We need a Council willing to aggressively use every power granted by the MGA, while simultaneously pushing back against its limitations.
It is vital to remember the kind of government we are electing. Edmonton operates under a weak mayor system, meaning the mayor is essentially just one vote among the thirteen members of Council. This highlights why it is so important to look at the whole Council picture and not just the mayoral race. Furthermore, this is the first election in decades where candidates are officially allowed to run as part of a political party. While most candidates are still running independently, the presence of parties like Better Edmonton and PACE introduces a completely new dynamic. This means for the first time, voters can potentially elect a voting bloc that is organized around a shared agenda—and that unified agenda is what could finally push through big changes on core services, taxes, or housing accountability.
One crucial priority for the new Mayor and Council will be to demand real accountability from those tasked with managing our affordable housing solutions. I’ve seen that Civida, Edmonton’s largest affordable housing provider, has a lot of public dissatisfaction—even its Google reviews are overwhelmingly negative. I believe our new municipal leadership must put immediate pressure on Civida to address this, ensuring their financial resources are being used wisely and efficiently. The new Council needs to be a strong, unified voice for Edmontonians, demanding transparency and proof that Civida is making real, measurable progress in getting and keeping vulnerable residents housed and addressing their legitimate concerns.
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the top five priorities the new Edmonton Council must address to ensure our city thrives in the years to come. Stay tuned to find out what these priorities are and how the new Council can make a real difference.
The polls are quite clear: the top two priorities for Edmontonians right now are public safety and addressing homelessness. With reports of increased disorder in the city core and on public transit, many residents are feeling unsafe. But how should the Council address these issues? Is the solution simply to deploy more police officers, or is a more balanced approach needed?
A balanced approach that includes social workers and community presence could be more effective. For example, programs that integrate mental health support and community outreach with law enforcement have shown promising results in other cities. By addressing the root causes of disorder, such as mental health issues and substance abuse, we can create a safer environment for everyone.
The Council should also consider innovative solutions. In a previous blog post, I suggested using landscaping to deter begging in high-traffic areas. By strategically placing planters and greenery, we can create barriers that make it more difficult for individuals to solicit money or goods from passersby. This approach not only improves the aesthetics of our city but also helps to reduce the perception of disorder and enhances public safety.
Earlier in this post, I mentioned the need for the Council to hold Civida accountable for the public funds it receives. This accountability can be extended to other areas as well. By working closely with provincial authorities, the Council can ensure that we have enough affordable housing and that the funds allocated for this purpose are used effectively. This collaborative effort can help address homelessness, which is closely linked to public safety issues.
What do you think? Should the Council focus on increasing police presence, or do you believe a more holistic approach is necessary? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The next priority for the new Council is managing our taxes. According to polls, seventy-five percent of voters want low residential taxes, but eighty percent want better road maintenance and public safety.
The new Council needs to conduct a thorough review of the budget to identify any inefficiencies that can be addressed. For example, they could explore opportunities for cost savings in administrative processes, procurement, or energy management. The goal should be to maintain core services without resorting to massive tax hikes each year. This is not just about cutting costs but about optimizing resources to ensure that every dollar spent delivers maximum value to residents.
Voters and all residents and visitors to Edmonton expect solid services in the capital city. They expect the road network to be well-maintained, the buses and LRTs to run on time, and emergency services to be reliable and responsive. The Council will need to demonstrate competence in delivering these basics. This means not only ensuring that services are provided but also that they are provided efficiently and effectively.
One area to consider is the use of technology to improve service delivery. For instance, implementing smart city technologies can help monitor and maintain infrastructure more efficiently, reducing long-term costs. Additionally, data-driven decision-making can help identify areas where resources are being underutilized or misallocated.
What do you think? Are there specific areas where you believe the Council can cut costs without compromising service quality? Have you noticed any inefficiencies in our current municipal services? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Before diving into the next priority, I want to be upfront: my viewpoint is shaped by how I move around Edmonton. As a regular transit user and someone who doesn’t drive at all, my focus is naturally on reliable bus and LRT services, safe sidewalks, and well-maintained pedestrian infrastructure. My personal priorities regarding road maintenance for vehicles, traffic, and parking might be quite different from someone who commutes by car daily. I believe this perspective is crucial because a strong city needs a reliable transportation system for everyone, not just those who drive.
The new Council will need to prioritize a reliable transit system that is safe and expanded from the current system. Finishing the west expansion of the Valley Line is key, and then expanding the Metro Line past NAIT and considering more expansions in the future is something they need to look at. Making sure that the Arc card system is reliable and works every day is another priority, as many people use it now that paper tickets have been abolished. I should probably mention that fifty-four percent of voters see this as a priority, so it’s not a minor issue.
To achieve these goals, the Council could explore partnerships with private sector companies to fund and implement these expansions. Additionally, they could look into innovative financing models, such as public-private partnerships or grants from higher levels of government.
I personally demand that the Council ensure that all sidewalks are cleared in the winter after every snowfall as per the current bylaws on the books. I also demand that they keep walking paths and sidewalks in good working order – without them, it is sometimes impossible to safely get from point A to point B without risking getting hit by a vehicle coming by at high speed!
What do you think? Are there specific transit improvements or pedestrian infrastructure enhancements you believe the Council should prioritize? Have you encountered any issues with our current transit system or pedestrian infrastructure? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
To recap: the new Council that will be elected on Monday has some major issues to deal with once they officially take office, ranging from public safety to transit. If you didn’t vote in advance, take the time to carefully consider the candidates for mayor and ward representative on the Council. Vote for the ones you feel will best handle these critical issues. As I said in my last post on municipal elections, if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain about the decisions they will be making over the next four years!
The new Council and Mayor will also need to ensure that they get the basics right and rebuild public trust in our local government. This is our city, and our future depends on the choices we make today. So, let’s make our voices heard and elect a Council that will work tirelessly to address these priorities and create a better Edmonton for all of us.