In 2021 when I made the decision to run for mayor, I did it because I believed Edmonton could be a better city. I knew I was among many who felt our city’s leadership had lost focus on creating the kind of community its citizens wanted and deserved.
A little over three years later, not much has changed. Edmonton remains full of potential, but also full of deeply frustrated citizens – disconnected from decisions, disheartened by the status quo and disappointed by what feels like dysfunction at City Hall.
However, one important thing has changed: the rules around municipal elections. The provincial government has now made it possible for communities to form political parties at the municipal level. This could be a turning point for our city, if we choose to embrace it.
When I ran for mayor, I often felt the limitations of being a single voice in a very crowded environment. I knew, from speaking with other candidates, that many of us shared ideas, values and goals. Yet there was no formal way to work together. Every campaign was a solo effort, every platform disconnected and so much time and effort was put in by small teams of volunteers working independently from each other.
Yet, when I knocked on doors across the city, I heard something different. Edmontonians weren’t put off by the idea of parties; they were already used to them. Provincially and federally, party alignment helps citizens understand who stands for what. It creates clarity and cohesion.
Some argue that a party structure has no place in City Hall, but let’s be honest – partisanship already exists. It’s just hidden. Endorsements happen behind the scenes. Alliances are formed without transparency. That’s not independence. That’s opacity.
What municipal parties can offer is structure. Organization. Shared vision. A team, not just a collection of individuals. That doesn’t mean we sacrifice diversity of thought. It means we agree to row in the same direction. At a time when our city faces complex, interconnected challenges from housing to transit to economic diversification, we can’t afford another term of siloed decision-making.
I confess that I’m hesitant to support any candidate who isn’t willing to commit to collaboration. We’ve seen the consequences of disconnection in stalled progress, pet projects, and more concerning, disengagement on election day. Voter turnout in municipal elections is notoriously low. Why? Because many Edmontonians don’t feel they understand what or who they’re voting for. A party system can change that.
As someone who has walked this path as a candidate, a civic leader and a hopeful Edmontonian, I know how much this moment matters. We don’t need more of the same. We need bolder ideas, a bigger turnout, and a shared sense of direction.
I ran because I wanted to move this city forward and today, I see a path to do exactly that.
Let’s not just hope for a better Edmonton. Let’s build it together.
