Latest news with #TimCartmell
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Friday's letters: Cartmell's infill vote absence a bad look for potential mayor
Article content Is that what Edmonton has to expect should Tim Cartmell become mayor? Lame excuses about technologies followed by a letter? He should be in front of the camera and face reporters and Edmontonians. Article content Article content Article content In reading Don Braid's column on the current measles outbreak in Alberta, it's sad when 'equally awful' seems to be considered an acceptable standard. We should all be equally ashamed. Article content Someone has got to explain to our premier that she can start an Alberta pension plan at any time, but will have to start it from scratch. And it would have to be separate from and out of the hands of the Government of Alberta. The money in the CPP doesn't belong to the Government of Canada to use as it sees fit; the government of the day can't just take money out of it to balance a budget or to build a railway. Article content None of the CPP should ever belong to the Government of Alberta; it belongs to us, those that have and are still contributing to it. Even if we separate from Confederation, the money in that CPP that we the people have contributed will be due to us, not to the Alberta government's general revenues. Article content Article content Warren Footz, St. Albert Article content Alberta now has more cases of measles than all of the United States. Definitely not a record to be proud of. Interesting that both Alberta and the United States have leaders who are strongly against vaccines. The people I feel sorry for are the poor children who may have long-term aftereffects, but had no voice in getting the vaccine or not. Article content Plain and simple, we need a government that will heed the science. Article content Thank you to Lydia Kawun and Colin Hefferon for their clear assessment of Edmonton's new zoning law. Most people would agree that increased density in Edmonton is a good thing. The problem is the no-holds-barred, one-size-fits-all approach. This is simply building the tenements and slums of tomorrow.
Global News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Tim Cartmell apologizes for missing Edmonton infill vote at city council
One week after Edmonton city councillor and mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell missed a vote that would have impacted how infill homes are built in the city, he's apologizing. 'People were counting on me to be there, and I wasn't there, I've let them down and I'm very sorry for that,' Cartmell said on Tuesday after returning from vacation. Council had been having a heated debate of whether to reduce the maximum allowable units per infill from eight down to six, after some residents expressed concerns with property values, not enough parking, predatory developers, quality of builds and housing affordability. The debate spilled over into several days and was going to be extended into the councillors scheduled summer break — something some councillors, including Cartmell, opposed. 1:38 Cartmell suggests moratorium on new infill development in Edmonton is needed 'We were anticipating this, I think as far back as the middle of May when our clerk's office started to check counsellor availability because of this and other time-sensitive items that needed to get through council,' said city councillor Jo-Anne Wright. Story continues below advertisement Cartmell confirmed he was at the Calgary Stampede on July 3 and 4, but he did attend council meetings virtually those days. By last Monday's gathering, however, he was on a planned family vacation on Cape Breton Island in a remote location without internet, that he says he could not delay. But last Tuesday, by a close vote of six to five — council voted against reducing infill limits. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Those in favour were Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Councillors Aaron Paquette, Erin Rutherford, Anne Stevenson, Karen Tang, and Jo-Anne Wright. Councillors Michael Janz, Andrew Knack, Karen Principe, Jennifer Rice and Ashley Salvador voted in opposition. The two councillors absent were Sarah Hamilton and Tim Cartmell. They were both away on vacation. Cartmell said he put his family and marriage first. 'Sometimes you look at your partner, and you look in their eyes — and you know that sometimes you can't put them second again, that you can cancel again,' said Cartmell. 1:48 Public hearing on infill development in Edmonton comes to an end Wright didn't accept that reasoning. Story continues below advertisement 'I have a family as well, and I know that's important. I know time off is important. I guess it's just a matter of organisation, of those multiple priorities,' said Wright. Edmonton's mayor also weighted in. 'Anytime someone makes a decision not to show up to work, is the day they are not doing their job,' said Amarjeet Sohi. 'I am glad he recognized this was a mistake.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I am glad he recognized this was a mistake." 2:11 Tensions boil over at Edmonton City Hall during ongoing debate about infill development Cartmell said this vote result could change in the coming months. City council will be revisiting the conversation on maximum units for infill lots at some point, but that discussion won't come until public consultation is complete — with a deadline at the beginning of 2027. In the meantime, the next municipal election is in October and he is gunning for the mayor's chair. Story continues below advertisement 'No motion that has been made in the last couple of weeks that can't be rescinded and new motions made in place,' said Cartmell. 'We will get on the other side of this election and fix these things.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We will get on the other side of this election and fix these things." Last Monday, Cartmell's campaign released a video of him criticizing the process of the infill debate and councillors not respecting time off. 'Putting out that video statement on Monday, criticising the mayor and the rest of council the way the public hearing had been held. Nobody cares about the process. What they care about is the debate, and how councillors vote,' said Edmonton political analyst. John Brennan. Brennan said the way that this was handled was not good for Cartmell's campaign — but it could recover. 'I don't think it's irreparable. It certainly hurt him personally, it hurt his campaign, they wouldn't be going to the steps they did today — issuing an apology — if it hadn't,' Brennan said. Brennan said he's waiting on official polling to see how Edmonton voters truly feel about Cartmell missing the meeting. 2:06 Another group adding its voice to debate over infill development, housing density in Edmonton — With files from Jasmine King and Karen Bartko, Global News
CTV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Edmonton mayoral candidate apologizes after missing infill vote
Edmonton mayoral candidate and current councillor Tim Cartmell has apologized after he missed a vote on changing the rules surrounding infill in the city. Cartmell has made infill a hallmark of his campaign.
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
'I was stuck': Coun. Tim Cartmell apologizes for missing key infill vote
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. "I'm sorry that I've let down people that were counting on me to be there, including the Better Edmonton team members" Edmonton city councillor Tim Cartmell launched his mayoral campaign with a luncheon at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Mayoral candidate and Ward pihêsiwin Coun. Tim Cartmell issued a letter apologizing for his absence from a contentious council vote on infill housing last week that could have lowered the number of mid-block units from eight to six. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'I'm sorry that I've let down people that were counting on me to be there, including the Better Edmonton team members. I really wish it had been a different set of circumstances,' said Cartmell, adding, 'I just pledge that I won't let myself get into a similar set of circumstances again.' Following a lengthy public hearing process on the city's zoning bylaw renewal and the surge in infill housing that came from it, a motion put forward by Ward papstew Coun. Michael Janz to limit mid-block developments was defeated 6-5 last week. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again The controversy with Cartmell's absence from the vote was two-fold. First, just a week before the vote, Cartmell attempted, but ultimately failed, to pass a motion that would have put a moratorium on infill permits in mature neighbourhoods. Second, at 6-5, his vote could have been the deciding factor in the motion to cap mid-block developments, which was seen by much of council as a strong first measure to rein in problematic infills. Janz said he was appreciative of Cartmell's apology, but that the path to infill reform will be a bit rockier now. 'I'm glad he apologized. We deserve this. People deserve vacation, but this is an absolutely critical time, and I can tell you from door knocking, a lot of people are deeply disappointed. This has come up each day I've been out,' said Janz. 'There's no mulligans,' said Janz. Cartmell explained in an interview with Postmedia that his absence from the meeting was due to limited cell phone coverage in northern Cape Breton, N.S. where his family had planned their vacation. 'I did try to get into (the meeting), and I was hoping that that connection would be enough, but it wasn't. And I regret that,' said Cartmell. He explained that the vacation locale was chosen in large part for the fact that it wouldn't have connectivity. 'If there was any way possible that I could have connected in virtually, I would have. This was not a situation where I could delay it for a day or two. I wasn't at the lake or in Calgary or on a beach in Kelowna. I was in a place that was very deliberately selected to be off the grid, to be away from this world for a few days, for what might be the last chance for four or five years,' said Cartmell. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I was stuck between two unfortunate sets of circumstances. And sometimes, you look into the eyes of the people that are closest to you, and you just can't let them down one more time.' Cartmell said the timing of his vacation was chosen based on a 'certain rhythm' of council, which he said has become 'very unpredictable,' which he plans to learn from. Although the motion to limit mid-block units was defeated, the infill issue isn't over. Janz highlighted some of the other measures that council was able to pass, like limiting the size of the building, ensuring properties face the street, and ensuring developments look like houses with appropriate entrances and window placement. Still, Janz said that 'it would have been much easier if we had just passed six (unit limit) and if Cartmell had been present.' 'The dice are cast, and here we are,' said Janz. For his part, Cartmell said the adjustments to the bylaw that passed and any restriction on the number of units wouldn't have satisfied residents in the mature neighbourhoods. In his letter, he said that the infill issue was 'always going to take an election,' which he said hasn't changed. 'This council was never going to get to a revised level of zoning permissions that would meet with the support of the more established neighbourhoods,' said Cartmell. The impacts of the infill issue for Cartmell don't stop with last week's motion. His late push for a moratorium on infill development put him at ideological odds with some of his contemporaries in the Better Edmonton municipal party. Running with Better Edmonton's slate of candidates for Ward Sspomitapi, Harman Kandola, whose background includes home-building, was in support of allowing the market to control infill, rather than council. Still, he said the party wasn't meant to all share the same perspective on issues. 'The formation of the party was always on the basis of allowing for disagreement, allowing for a variety of opinions when it comes to different issues. There's no whipping the vote,' said Kandola. Cartmell said he also apologized to the Better Edmonton party members, who were also affected by his absence. Asked whether the recent trouble with Cartmell would be cause for a departure from the Better Edmonton party, Kandola didn't say what his future holds. 'I think this was a moment for leadership from Tim, he's acknowledged that he could have been better. There's a lot of great candidates in Better Edmonton who are bringing forward great ideas in terms of how to challenge the big problems that people are facing,' said Kandola. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. 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CTV News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell apologizes after missing council vote on infill
Edmonton mayoral candidate and current city councillor Tim Cartmell is apologizing after missing a vote on infill. After days of debate on the issue in which councillors heard from hundreds of residents, a motion was passed to delay a decision until 2027 on whether to continue to allow eight units mid-block. The motion passed 6-5 on July 8, with councillors Michael Janz, Ashley Salvador, Andrew Knack, Jennifer Rice and Karen Principe in opposition. Cartmell had pledged to curb infill from eight units to six as part of his mayoral platform. He was absent from the vote on July 8. 'I regret missing the council meeting continuation last Monday. I know many people were counting on me to be there, and I apologize for letting them down,' he said in a statement issued Wednesday. Cartmell said it was necessary to miss the vote to spend time with his family. 'I had made family plans to go to a distant, remote place in eastern Canada. A place deliberately chosen because it had no connectivity and therefore no distractions,' he wrote. 'To spend one final week with my family before the final months of the election campaign and hopefully four years as mayor during which there will likely be no opportunity at all to squeeze in a family vacation.' Coun. Erin Rutherford's seat was also empty on July 8, but she attended the meeting virtually while on vacation in Kelowna. Rutherford voted in favour of Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's motion to leave the decision on infill reduction to a later date after consultations are completed in 2027. Cartmell says he will continue to work to 'get infill right' if elected in October. 'I made a mistake. I intend to learn from it,' he said. Edmontonians will go to the polls on Oct. 20 to elect a new mayor and city council. Sohi is not running for a second term after losing a bid to win a seat in the April federal election.
