Pomp and celebration greet new councillors
Aaron Paquette received the loudest cheers as Edmonton’s councillors were sworn in Tuesday.
The Ward 4 councillor is Edmonton’s first Indigenous representative in 43 years, and his win Oct. 16 warmed many hearts.
“Our Facebook is just going crazy; people are calling our office saying congratulations,” said Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
“For all the nation, it’s a milestone. It’s something that’s a long time coming ... Now we have a voice at the table,” said Cree elder Gary Moostoos, saying he hopes Paquette will help the city on a path to a “healthier and inclusive city.”
The 13 council members were sworn in before a crowd packed with friends and supporters. They took the oath of office, promising to execute their duties “diligently, faithfully and to my best ability.”
They celebrated with the Mattierin Irish Dancers performing to a bagpiper accompanied by the Wajjo African drummers. The Indigenous singers Asani performed O Canada.
Edmonton voters picked four new faces for council: Paquette, an artist who is Cree and Métis on his father’s side; former Progressive Conservative staffer Sarah Hamilton; engineer Tim Cartmell and urban planner Jon Dziadyk.
They’ll join Mayor Don Iveson and eight incumbents: Mike Nickel, Moe Banga, Michael Walters, Ben Henderson, Andrew Knack, Bev Esslinger, Scott McKeen and Tony Caterina.
In his speech following the official swearing, Iveson called on council to work as a team.
“You can disagree without being disagreeable,” he said, adding Edmonton will likely become a city of one million people this term.
That growth brings challenges and needs “win-win” solutions.
“Collaboration produces much better results than polarization,” he added, urging council to always seek common ground. “The oaths we just (took) together are to the whole city, not to just one part of it or to the people who voted for us.”