Candidates discuss level of co-operation
Is Edmonton a bully or a leader? That question that seems to echo through many tight election races across the capital region.
Some candidates want to keep their focus local, ensuring first that their own taxpayers will never lose out on a deal. Others seem more willing to take a risk for the good of the region.
We looked at what several of the most interesting races could mean for Edmonton.
BEAUMONT
Candidate Patrick Kobly’s version of regional co-operation is making regional allies “stave off” an Edmonton takeover.
The former mayor’s son says he’ll fight to ensure recently annexed land stays with Beaumont, and blames recent losses on the previous council’s failure to play nice with Leduc County to build support for its side.
But not everyone in the race is looking for a fight. Former town councillor Gil Poitras says Edmonton’s recent move to block Beaumont’s growth plans shouldn’t surprise anyone. It needs to “drastically improve” the relationship, going into talks with an open mind, he said.
Mayor Camille Berube is retiring and six people are in a race to replace him.
ST. ALBERT
Two current councillors appear to be the front-runners to replace retiring mayor Nolan Crouse and they’re taking opposite approaches to co-operation. Cam Mackay’s 50-point plan calls for a new St. Albert-focused economic development agency. He’s had little to do with the Capital Region Board or regional government during his time on council.
In contrast, Cathy Heron is making regional collaboration a key policy in her campaign. She wants to continue building the transit partnership and be a “leading and strong” voice in the new regional economic development entity, Edmonton Global.
Malcolm Parker, a former oneterm councillor, is also running.
LEDUC COUNTY
Leduc County Mayor John Whaley and Edmonton’s Don Iveson became allies through the long hours and days of annexation negotiations. They found common ground in the push to build more dense, transit-oriented urban areas and save as much farmland as possible.
But Whaley is not running again and the race for mayor is a two-step affair. In Leduc County, a councillor is elected from each of seven districts. They elect a mayor from among themselves after the election. Three of 13 people running for council are incumbents, including Clay Stumph, Tanni Doblanko and Glenn Belozer. Incumbent Rick Smith was acclaimed for Division 1.
Whaley doesn’t sound worried. “There’s strong support to collaborate with Edmonton on the airport,” he said. “As long as the personalities don’t rub each other, we’ll be good.”
CITY OF LEDUC
Two current councillors are in a race to succeed retiring mayor Greg Krischke — Dave MacKenzie and Bob Young.
Both sound keen on regional cooperation, stressing ongoing work on fire, recreation and transit partnerships with Leduc County. Both also say co-operation with Edmonton to support development at the Edmonton International Airport is a key growth opportunity.
But as for regional transit — which south of Edmonton could mean realigning the commuter system and airport bus to improve service — Young sounds more interested than MacKenzie. Young said he’s interested, but needs more information on the fledgling commuter transit commission.
MacKenzie said this new model looks like it could add cost rather than increase efficiency.
Donna Tona, an emergency management consultant and past president of the Leduc Regional Chamber of Commerce, is also running.
STRATHCONA COUNTY (SHERWOOD PARK)
In 2013, current Mayor Roxanne Carr pulled off an upset, defeating incumbent Linda Osinchuk by just 446 votes. Now Osinchuk is back to challenge Carr again, selling herself as a “fighter” who would fend off an annexation challenge from Edmonton. Her platform says neighbouring communities “are being systematically absorbed by the City of Edmonton.”
Carr butted heads with Iveson over density targets for Sherwood Park’s new Bremner development, but she also chaired regional committees and pushed for increased economic co-operation.
Lawyer Rod Frank and small business owner Jacquie Fenske are also running.
Fenske is a former councillor and former Progressive Conservative MLA. She said she’d move cautiously on any regional transit deal, ensuring first that rural areas in the county aren’t forgotten.