Latest news with #EdmontonCity
CBC
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Council votes to maintain existing infill requirements after several intense meetings
Social Sharing After several days of contentious debate, Edmonton's city council has voted to maintain infill units to the original maximum of eight. The motion, introduced by Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, passed in a narrow win, with councillors voting 6-5. Councillors Michael Janz, Ashley Salvador, Andrew Knack, Karen Principe and Jennifer Rice voted against. Councillors Tim Cartmell, who is planning to run for mayor, and Sarah Hamilton were absent from the Tuesday meeting. Both were away on vacation. The decision comes after a motion to reduce the number of allowable units in new mid-block, multi-family buildings from eight to six was brought to city council. Instead, councillors opted for a public consultation process on the merits of unit reduction, which would include more community engagement and expert research. That motion passed with a unanimous vote. The zoning bylaw, which came into effect last year and streamlined the city's zoning regulations to allow for more infill development and density across the city, has been divisive. Sohi, who is not running for re-election next term, said the proposal for unit reduction to infill developments would set a concerning precedent if passed. "My worry is that as we try to build consensus, that you go to six, then the push comes. Now we are down to six, now we're going to push down to four. Where is that bottom line?" he said during the meeting Tuesday. "There might be people who would not be happy with reducing from eight to six, and some people may not be happy with settling with six when they want to go to four or three." He concluded that council did not have enough information to make a decision, despite having heard from hundreds of Edmontonians in public hearings last week. WATCH | Design changes could address infill conflict: Could design changes calm infill conflict in Edmonton? 6 days ago Duration 2:09 Rob Smyth, co-chair of the Glenora Community League's civics committee, was in attendance, and acknowledged that the reduction would be a major step forward, particularly in more mature neighbourhoods. He said many of the residents in his neighbourhood have been complaining that large infill developments created problems around traffic flow and parking. "Going to six would be very much supported by, in my estimation, the vast majority of community people. I think this would tell a story that council is listening to the community," he said. Last Friday, council members had to vote on a motion to extend meetings on the zoning bylaw into the summer break. On June 30, Cartmell called for a moratorium that would pause approvals for mid-block infill developments, until the city re-examines its district plans. Councillors learned later that the move would go against the Municipal Government Act. Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette said the heated debates around the infill proposal have become a distraction. "To be blunt, this issue desperately needed to be depoliticized. Politicizing land use is an incredibly poor way to run a city, incredibly poor," Paquette said during the meeting. "Everyone can just take a step back and take this out of the silliness of an election season and put it where it belongs, into a place where community voice is heard, clearly recorded." Results from the public consultation process will return to city council in the first quarter of 2027.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Jaffer says he brings experience, not ‘baggage,' to mayoral campaign
Former MP, Rahim Jaffer, speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about his bid to be the next mayor of Edmonton. Former MP, Rahim Jaffer, speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about his bid to be the next mayor of Edmonton. Former MP Rahim Jaffer speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about his bid to be the next mayor of Edmonton. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Michael Higgins: Why seek a political comeback? What's motivating this drive to get into municipal politics? Rahim Jaffer: I was back in the community the last almost 15 years, running a business, raising my son, involved on different boards of schools and doing things that most families do. I was excited to be able to participate in that. But over the course of the last decade in particular, I've seen a slow decline of where I remember Edmonton to be, and what I was so proud of in the city when I was fortunate enough to represent it federally. The challenges that I face, not only as a parent, but day-to-day as someone who's trying to add to the economy, hire people, support what's happening in this province, I felt that the leadership in our city hall just doesn't have that rounded experience when it comes to cultivating and supporting business and creating the environment that I remembered so fondly when I was growing up. How industry fuelled the public service, how community was so paramount, and how things were safe. Those are the kind of things that really said, rather than complaining, because that's what I was doing, maybe I need to get involved. MH: What would be the change that you would bring to city council? How different an approach would you bring compared to the current look of Edmonton City Council? MH: What would be the change that you would bring to city council? How different an approach would you bring compared to the current look of Edmonton City Council? RJ: When I was leaving federal politics, things were becoming very acrimonious. There was not that type of relationship where, just because you belonged with another party, doesn't mean they have the best ideas. There was some cultivation of working together. There was an effort to get to know each other. We would fight it out in committees, or in the floor of the house, but then, without fail, there were a few NDP, Liberals and Conservatives all meeting up at the local bar, having a few drinks and getting on each other's nerves, but finding a common solution. I find that at city hall, that's really missing, that it's become more acrimonious. There's ideas that could be easily supported by different councillors and the mayor, and yet they are not able to coordinate. MH: You're approaching this as an independent, you're not aligning yourself with any of the new municipal political parties. RJ: Filling a pothole, fixing some of the challenges, dealing with the garbage issues. It doesn't matter what jersey you wear politically, it's who can get the job done. MH: You're the sixth person to enter this race. How do you fit into that picture, minus the municipal political experience? RJ: I know that my political experience might not be local, but being involved in a business, being involved with a family in Edmonton as I mentioned, dealing with a lot of the challenges a lot of Edmontonians face, I'm hearing more and more that despite not having that municipal representation experience, that people want something new. They want something fresh. They want new ideas that can be brought from a new perspective. Some of these councillors, my hat's off to them, they served, they did the best job they can, but it seems to me that some of the problems that we're facing today are a direct result of some of the decisions that were made, and now they're asking for a promotion. People I'm hearing from at my restaurant, or on the streets, they're frustrated. They want something new, and they want someone bold who will bring some ideas. MH: It sounds like you're already knocking on doors, so you may encounter voters who bring up the controversies of the past. The time your executive assistant impersonated you on a Vancouver radio station for an interview, the impaired driving possession charges that were downgraded to careless driving. How do you respond to that? To instill confidence in your candidacy now? RJ: Own up to these things. I was young when I was elected back in 1997, 25 years old, and thrust with a lot of responsibility. I think winning four elections demonstrated that I obviously did a decent job as being an MP, but obviously like anyone, made mistakes. When you move forward from those mistakes, it's how we're learning from them. How have we adjusted? For me, what kind of role model am I to my son? That's something that is on my mind every day. I've got nothing to hide. Everything's already out there. So people, I think when they talk to me, they see somebody who's lived real experience, not really somebody who's tried to hide anything and come from rock bottom. I was so fortunate to serve the way I did. I was able to work on incredible projects, work with Canadians across the country, represent this riding, but also, I failed the other way. Went downwards, had to build up again, and that sort of strength and resilience, I find, is being respected. People in their lives have all gone through stumbles or challenges, so maybe that's something they can relate to. I think it's long enough ago that people don't really hold that as something that's over their head. Some may – and they do have other options, that's the beauty of democracy – but I think most people that I'm hearing from are excited that I'm bringing a different perspective and a lot of experience. Some might say baggage, but I think most people say that's experience.
CBC
02-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Edmonton aims to set homeless shelter limits, locations through zoning bylaw
Shelter operators in Edmonton may soon be under new rules on where they can open facilities and how many people can stay overnight, if city council approves a set of regulations proposed by administration. The regulations would limit the number of people sleeping overnight in a year-round shelter to 125, according to a report by the city's urban planning and economy branch. The shelter could exceed the limit for up to 90 days during an emergency like flooding, wildfire smoke, hail storms, tornadoes, extreme temperatures, the report adds. The city also suggests facilities shouldn't be allowed to open in areas zoned for business employment near heavy industrial sites. City council asked administration last September to propose the changes through the zoning bylaw. "Council has been concerned about the impacts of shelters with large congregate sleeping areas on both shelter users and surrounding neighbourhoods," the report says. Ward Anirniq Coun. Erin Rutherford said she's in favour of the limit, as there are challenges with some of the traditional shelter spaces. "If we're permitting new shelters, we don't want them to be just major communal sleeping spaces," Rutherford said in an interview this week. "There needs to be some dignity and safety that people will actually be wanting to go to that shelter." People choose to stay in encampments instead, she said, because they're not comfortable in the communal sleeping space in a shelter. "That is, they would rather sleep in the river valley or somewhere else." The city based the 125-person limit for a sleeping area of 1,373 square metres, with a minimum area of 11 square metres for a bed and a two-metre separation between each bed as recommended by the city's emergency shelter best practices guide. The report was scheduled to be discussed at a public hearing Monday but due to a lengthy agenda, it was postponed to the next meeting on Aug. 18. Zoning toolbox Shelters are primarily funded by the Alberta government and regulated through Alberta Health Services, leaving the city little authority to influence how shelters are run, the report says. But the city can enforce some standards through its zoning bylaw. "It is the one tiny tool in our zoning toolbox that we have to actually enforce any kind of shelter standards, as a municipality," Rutherford said. Councillors started discussing amendments to the bylaw last summer when Hope Mission planned to open a new 120-bed facility at 124th Avenue and 149th Street in Rutherford's ward. The newly revised zoning bylaw that took effect in January 2024 now allows for shelters to open in all business employment areas, unlike under the previous zoning. Some councillors consider the industrial areas inappropriate locations for shelters, with few amenities and places for clients to go. Most existing shelters in Edmonton would conform to the 125-overnight limit, the report says, except for two of the largest shelters. One of the biggest providers in the city says efforts to renovate and improve existing facilities would be challenging. "We don't have any problem with restricting maximum occupancy in emergency shelters to 125 people for new shelters," Tim Pasma, senior director of programs for Hope Mission, said in an interview Monday. "Our concern is more related to: What does that do to our existing operations?" Between 375 to 400 people a night stay at the Herb Jamieson Centre, he said. The cost to build new smaller shelters would range from $6 to $10 million a site, he said, with higher operational costs. "So if we were to move spaces, stay out of downtown because our existing sites are now in non-compliance, that just becomes very prohibitive." Edmonton currently has 14 year-round shelters and one seasonal shelter, according to the Alberta government. As of May this year, 4,896 people in Edmonton were considered homeless, according to Homeward Trust, the agency that supports housing options and services for the city's homeless population. The total is broken down in three categories: 805 people staying in shelters, 2,930 provisionally accommodated, which includes temporary stays at medical facilities and couch-surfing, and 1,161 people unsheltered.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘Someone who actually knows the issues on the ground': Newcomer to politics seeking Edmonton mayor's chair
Malik Chukwudi, Edmonton mayoral candidate, speaks with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins about his campaign. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Michael Higgins: What's driving your run for the mayor's chair? Malik Chukwudi: For so long, those who've been in council have been viewed as the most intelligent, and having all the ingredients to become the next mayor. This opportunity has gotten to a point where they viewed it as entitlement. It's not something you get handed because you've been there for 20 years. We have to look at the results and the disconnect between the council and the city of Edmonton. The reason why I decided (to run), I think someone who actually knows the issues on the ground should step in and solve the problems. MH: Do you run as an independent? MC: Yes, I run as an independent. I just want to tackle it head on because I don't want anyone to seem to swing me one direction or the other. I got calls to go to (Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton) but then when I went and sat down with them I realized no, this has to be for the people. For small and medium-sized businesses and folks who have been struggling here in Edmonton, and not lobbyists. Someone behind you is pulling the strings, and no, I don't want that. MH: Is there a spot on the political spectrum where you would land? MC: I'm centre-left. If I wasn't running I would vote for any candidate that cares about NDP or Liberal values. When it comes to balancing the budget, when it comes to social issues, I'm heavy on those things. Homeless issues, drug addiction, crime and public safety, also low income housing, I'm heavy on those things, and we need to look into those things. MH: What are the tough decisions that next council needs to make? MC: The next council has to understand how the city of Edmonton actually works. I think one of the biggest problems is you win election and you're in there now like a deer caught in the headlights. Here's a $10 million or $60 million dollar snow removal budget, and you don't know the right questions to ask. Why did we arrive with $60 million? What exactly is in the materials? Is it trucks, equipment, overtime pay for the snow removal workers? Someone like me, who has done it before, I understand how these things are budgeted. I can help them get up to speed and say, 'If we go this direction, we'll end up where we don't want to be. If we go this direction, folks in Edmonton will be very happy.' I've been out there at two in the morning, shoveling snow, plowing snow, training snow truck operators to get their 40 hours to plow the snow. So I've done it, and I've looked at the budget. I've also signed the papers, done the overtime. I've worked in private sector. I spent 22 years in oil and gas and six years in coal mining before I joined the city. I was the regional manager for an oil company in the Middle East and around the world, so I understand how private sector works. Efficiency is very important. The fact that I worked for the city, I could get them up to speed, and I could say, 'This is what we've done and failed. This is what we could do to succeed.' MH: You bring experience to the table, but you're facing experience, from those who are already there. How do you overcome that? MC: I'll listen to them. I've always said if everyone thinks like Malik, the world would be a very miserable place. I'm a Gemini, I'm very open to ideas and stuff. Those that brought experience, I want to see what they've done and (how they've) succeeded. Because in the private sector it is about results. Unfortunately, in government and politics, it's not about that. It's how much money you throw at a problem. I'm all about results. I don't care if you've been there for 20 years, I'll listen to you, but if what you've done hasn't produced any revenue, or saved money for the city, or made life easier for people and businesses and working class, I don't know if I'll go that direction.
CBC
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Edmonton councillors recommend lowering seasonal parking ban fine, reinstating towing
Edmontonians who fail to follow seasonal parking bans could face lower ticket fines in the future, but run the risk of having their vehicles towed. Council's community and public services committee discussed a range of enforcement options at a meeting on Monday, ultimately favouring a middle-of-the-road approach that would bring back towing during winter parking bans but reduce the parking ban violation fine from $250 to $150. The city hiked the fine from $100 to $250 in 2022 as it also increased enforcement efforts, temporarily towing vehicles and hiring more staff. "I think that was a little bit too much, too fast," Ward Anirniq Coun. Erin Rutherford said during the meeting. A recent city report said enforcement officers handed out about 1,000 parking ban violation tickets last spring, after not enforcing during the spring sweep for a decade. Contracted officers issued nearly 6,000 tickets this spring, the same report said. Rutherford said seniors and refugees in her ward have complained about the fines, saying they weren't aware of the parking bans and their low-income households faced $500 in fines. City administration's recent scan of how other cities enforce parking bans revealed Edmonton's fine is higher than those in Calgary, Fort McMurray, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax but all of those cities have vehicles towed while Edmonton doesn't. "There are a lot of cities that have managed to do this more, to allow their crews to more readily clear the streets in a more timely fashion," said Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack. Edmonton funded towing during the 2022-2023 season, removing 10 percent of ticketed vehicles, but the city report said towing comes with challenges, including labour shortages and equipment failures. The city report recommended four options, ranging from spending no more money to allocating between $100,000 and $1.5 million for more enforcement. The report said each approach has benefits and drawbacks and that according to public engagement on the topic, residents want stricter enforcement alongside better warning signs. Knack said the option with the highest price tag, which would keep contracted enforcement officers working and pay for towing, would be ideal. He said he also supports spending a smaller amount but there is more work to do in the future. Multiple councillors asked whether having steeper fines and more enforcement actually works. City officials said higher fines generally deter people and fewer residents have been calling 311 about parking ban tickets this spring. Compliance is difficult to measure, however, because enforcement officers can't cover the entire city. Comparing numbers from year to year can also be challenging because of policy changes and differing amounts of snowfall from year to year, the officials said. Councillors also heard that when Edmontonians pay tickets online, the city keeps the full fine amount and can track the data, but when they dispute tickets through court, the city gets only a portion of fine revenue and doesn't learn how many tickets get reduced or dismissed. "I actually suspect that even though we're giving more tickets, our revenue actually isn't increasing that substantially," Rutherford told reporters on Monday. She and the three other councillors on the committee, Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador, Ward sipiwiyiniwak Coun. Sarah Hamilton and Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson, voted unanimously to recommend that council spend about $100,000 on towing. If council pursues that plan, the parking ban during the spring sweep would not be enforced. Rutherford suggested amending the traffic bylaw to reduce the ticket fine amount to $150 and offer residents a $100 option if they pay within a week. She said that amount strikes the right balance between encouraging compliance and not penalizing people too much. Her subsequent motion also passed unanimously. Steve van Diest, who is running with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton (PACE) party in the next municipal election to replace Coun. Jo-Anne Wright in Ward Sspomitapi, said reducing the fine amount is reasonable but he would like to see better communication from the city about upcoming bans. He said people in his neighbourhood were surprised and confused to receive tickets and thought warning signs only applied to one street, not a larger area. He said alerting residents by text message to register for parking ban notifications could be a better way of reaching more people. "We have the technology," he said.
