Edmonton's 2025 civic election race underway as candidates declare intentions to run
Coun. Tim Cartmell launches bid to be city's next mayor
The starting gate is officially lifted on the race to be Edmonton's next mayor and council, with 13 people signed up to run in the 2025 fall municipal election as of Thursday afternoon.
Registration opened on Oct. 31.
On Thursday, two-term city councillor Tim Cartmell launched his mayoral campaign.
Cartmell, who represents Ward pihêsiwin in the city's southwest, was elected to council in 2017 and since then has consistently focused on fiscal prudence in council decisions.
"I think we're going to be really challenged on our finances," Cartmell said in an interview. "I think I've got the skill set to act as the next mayor to take us through that."
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has not announced intentions to run in 2025.
A spokesperson for Sohi's office said the mayor is focusing on the upcoming budget deliberations in early December, during which council is expected to have a difficult debate on the proposed 8.1 per cent property tax increase next year.
After nearly eight years on council, Cartmell said he believes people have come to know what he stands for and how he operates.
"I really try to emphasize accountability. I've really tried to emphasize, particularly, financial accountability and responsible spending."
While Cartmell is likely seen as a fiscally conservative candidate, Sohi may be waiting to see who else will run for mayor and what his message will be, said Brendan Boyd, an associate professor of political science at MacEwan University.
"It could be those internal behind-the-scene discussions on, 'Who's going to support me, who's available to work on my team?'" Boyd said in an interview.
"To be honest, and rightly, I think [Sohi is] probably concerned about running the city, right now with budget debates right now."
As of Thursday, no current city councillor was registered on the list but several told CBC News they intend to run again.
Two other past politicians are registered as candidates on the 2025 Edmonton Elections webpage: former city councillor Tony Caterina and former MLA Peter Sandhu.
Caterina declined to do an interview with CBC News this week.
In registering their intent to run, candidates can seek campaign contributions and incur expenses.
The nomination process starts Jan. 1, when candidates can declare whether they're running for council or mayor.
The register is updated once a day. Candidates can expect to see their names on the register one to three days after the city has accepted their notice of intent.
New political climate
For the first time, political parties will be allowed in the civic election.
Under new legislation, the Alberta government is allowing the party system in Edmonton and Calgary. Most sitting councillors are opposed to the idea.
Three-term councillor Andrew Knack, who has been critical of the province's move, won't run again in 2025.
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Cartmell said he's gathering a team together to form a party that will not resemble a provincial model. It will have a board and membership fees, he said.
"The approach is going to be a captain and some very skilled players," he said.
Cartmell said he's more of a centrist, rather than leaning to the conservative-right or progressive-left.
The team would give direction that he thinks the public is looking for, he said.
"If they elect this team, they can have some confidence of what they can expect the day after the election."
Cartmell made it clear he won't be joining the right-leaning PACE, the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton.
Another group that came out earlier this year, TapYeg, is expected to announce next week that it is merging with PACE.
Boyd noted that although most city councillors don't favour the party system, those choosing to run as an independent might find themselves at a disadvantage.
"You just might have to because you would just not be as competitive," he said. "If one person does it, then everyone basically feels like they have to do it."
Municipal political parties can be different from provincial and federal parties, he said.
"No one knows exactly what this is going to look like," Boyd said.
Edmonton's next municipal election is set for Oct. 20, 2025.
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