On Oct. 20, Edmonton voters will elect a new mayor and 12 councillors.
Voters will also get their first chance to cast their ballots in the 2025 Edmonton municipal election when advance voting begins on Tuesday. Advance polls for all of Edmonton’s municipal electoral wards will be open until Saturday, Oct. 11.
We reached out to every candidate and asked them to describe themselves to voters and answer this one question: Why should Edmontonians vote for you?
Read on to learn about 66 of the 81 candidates that are registered to run for a seat on council. All answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Ward Anirniq
Seven candidates are running in the northwest riding of Anirniq.
Ali Al Kassab, 56: Small business owner with experience working with non-profit organizations and community leagues. Campaigning on fiscal responsibility, safe communities, reliable core services and ensuring “tax dollars deliver real value.”
Nurmaiya Brady, 36: Operates two small businesses with experience working with the City of Edmonton, the province, Service Canada and Statistics Canada. Focused on challenging the status quo and focusing on results that improve daily life for residents across Edmonton. Associated with the Better Edmonton Party.
Rob Fediuk, 54: Business owner with experience in real estate development and as a member of a school board. Wants to keep taxes down, attract businesses and high paying jobs, streamline services and cancel “underused pet projects.” Associated with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Ali Haymour, 55: An Alberta sheriff with experience serving with the Canadian Armed Forces. Concerned about controlling spending, freezing taxes and fees, ending homelessness, reducing crime. Wants a “fiscally responsible, transparent, and community focused government.”
Erin Rutherford, 43 (incumbent): One-term councillor for Ward Anirniq. Has professional experience in public engagement and social planning for multiple municipalities and a master’s degree in community development. Platform includes improving affordability, public services, keeping residents informed and ensuring city council makes a real impact.
Aggripa Wajo, 63: Small business owner with experience working with the World Bank and a European consulting firm based in the Netherlands. Focused on meeting the infrastructure needs of Edmonton’s growing population, addressing homelessness, improving services and cutting bureaucracy.
Jesse Watson, 42: A past president of the Calder Community League and a small business owner with previous experience working as a city employee in operations. Platform focus is to “build smarter, return to basics, and put residents first.”
Ward Dene
Six candidates are running in the northeast ward of Dene.
Lana Palmer, 48: Oral surgeon by profession and a small business owner. Concerned about cutting red tape, attracting jobs, dealing with root causes of homelessness and reversing harmful policies.
Aaron Paquette, 51 (incumbent): Served two terms as city councillor. Experience as an award-winning author, artist and business owner. Campaign highlights include stable property taxes, increased amenities, improved transit, safer neighbourhoods and economic growth.
Jean Pierre Valois, 63: Background as a teaching assistant with experience volunteering and supporting newcomer families in Edmonton. Prioritizes safer neighbourhoods, affordable housing and listening to and being accountable to constituents.
Albert Mazzocca: Owner of a home-building company. Priorities include “sensible taxes, safer streets, better services, and a local government that’s open, honest and accountable.” Is associated with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Banisha Sandhu: No information provided. Is running with the Better Edmonton Party.
Paul Brake: No information provided.
Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi
- Pronounced: ee-pee-KOH-kah-nay-pee-OAT-see
Seven candidates are registered to run in this south-side ward.
Ramey Demian, 60: A real estate broker who has worked with the Edmonton Assessment Review Board and the Real Estate Council of Alberta. Focused on managing taxes responsibly, community safety and improving city services.
Jon Morgan, 43: LRT control superintendent with Edmonton Transit. Has experience as the past president of the Heritage Point community league. Focused on building safer and more affordable neighbourhoods, infrastructure development and reliable transit.
Fahad Mughal, 43: Business analyst with experience working with City of Edmonton’s auditor’s office. Areas of focus include safer communities, reliable transit, affordable housing, balanced budgets and protecting tax dollars.
Funke Olokude, 44: An instructor at NorQuest College and CEO of Hexagon Wellness. Awarded Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal in 2022. Concerns include affordability, economic growth, community safety and collaborative leadership.
Nicholas Rheubottom, 39: A consultant and founder of 4Sight Advisory: an organization which has supported Indigenous-led housing initiatives and local job programs. Wants more transparency and accessibility with city council, and is concerned about rising costs and prolonged city projects. Candidate with the Better Edmonton Party.
Jennifer Rice (incumbent): One-term councillor for Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi. Former university professor. Focused on fiscal responsibility, community safety, reliable core services, building infrastructure right the first time, supporting local businesses, caring for seniors and ensuring meaningful public engagement.
Beth Mathison: No information provided.
Ward Karhiio
- Pronounced: ga-la-HEE-oh
Nine candidates are running in this southeast Edmonton ward.
Jason Bale, 41: Background in office administration. Worked as a research assistant for a former city councillor. Concerns include transportation infrastructure, creating and amending zoning bylaws and developing solutions to facilitate Edmonton’s growing population.
Joti Buttar, 36: Worked as a senior cultural media adviser for the provincial government and a public engagement adviser for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Focused on community safety, delivering efficient core services and improving infrastructure and traffic management. Running as part of the Better Edmonton Party.
Hali Kaur, 23: Experience as a parliamentary assistant and has worked at the visitor centre at the Alberta Legislature. Priorities include fiscal discipline, safer streets and transit, supporting local businesses, and providing efficient core services like snow learning and road maintenance. Running as a member of the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Atiq Rehman, 55: Self-employed in the transportation sector with a background in project management. Focused on developing a stronger local economy while providing safer and reliable public transport, dependable city services and safer neighbourhoods.
Keren Tang, 40 (incumbent): Served one term on city council and has served on the boards of the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition. Priority areas include community-based budgeting, affordable housing, safer communities, climate action and infrastructure improvements.
Avinash Soochit: No information provided.
Yogesh Garg: No information provided.
Manny Bautista: No information provided.
Paul Mah: No information provided.
Ward Métis
Six candidates are running in this central-east ward.
Abdulhakim Dalel, 39: Pipefitter by trade and a community volunteer. Platform includes affordable housing, crime prevention, homeless and addiction supports and infrastructure development.
James Gosse, 26: Background in property management with experience working with Statistics Canada. Wants to restore fiscal responsibility, reduce business licence costs, refurbish derelict properties into affordable housing, develop safer transit and roll back blanket zoning.
Caroline Matthews, 64: A small business owner with more than seven years of service with the Vancouver Police Department in the 1980s. Also a former recruiting director for the University of Alberta’s executive MBA program. Platform includes working to create safer streets, control taxes and develop responsible infill. Candidate with the Better Edmonton Party.
Norm Paradis, 61: Works as a truck driver and has experience working in the construction sector. Wants to “put city council back on track to run this city and stop spending money without regard to taxpayers’ wishes.”
Ashley Salvador, 31 (incumbent): One-term councillor for Ward Métis. Has over a decade of municipal experience as an urban planner. Platform includes protecting and developing services like snow clearing, transit, rec centres, parks, and libraries. Also focuses on housing affordability, renewing infrastructure, climate change and community safety.
Justin Thomas, 40: Has been a member of a local law enforcement agency in Edmonton for 12 years. Concerns include safer neighbourhoods and transit, responsible spending, reduced property taxes and better essential services. Running with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Ward Nakota Isga
- Pronounced: Na-KOE-ta EES-ka
Six candidates are running in the west Edmonton riding of Nakota Isga.
Reed Clarke, 43: Former CEO of Sport Edmonton and the Edmonton Stingers basketball team. Wants to empower neighbourhoods through engagements on infill, safety and recreation. Priorities also include fiscal responsibility, stable taxes and cutting red tape. Candidate with the Better Edmonton Party.
Nicky Gocuan, 57: Has served as press secretary and in stakeholder relations with the government of Alberta. Served two terms as director of the Secord Community League and has experience in media. Focused on giving his ward a strong voice and working with the province to deliver results.
Rajah Maggay, 25: A former senior policy adviser for the City of Edmonton, small business owner and non-profit volunteer. Campaign highlights include addressing affordability, developing better city services, more reliable transit, making streets safer and creating more opportunities for youth.
Joseph Mugodo, 53: Background in retail and international trade with a master’s degree in leadership and sustainability from Cumbria University. Former president of the Zimbabwe Fort McMurray Association. Platform includes responsible budgeting, lowering property taxes, and delivering high-quality and effective core services.
Diana Steele, 50: A real estate agent with experience as a business instructor with NorQuest College and a policy writer with the government of Alberta. Former president of the Crestwood Community League. Campaign highlights include addressing issues with infill housing, financial sustainability and supporting first responders. Associated with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Jordon Woodruff: No information provided.
Ward O-day’min
Nine candidates are running in the central ward of O-day’min.
David Aaron, 67: Former developer and NAIT graduate. Platform includes creating safe neighbourhoods, affordable housing, addressing the rising cost of living, and fostering inclusive growth in Edmonton.
James Miller, 74: Has worked as a communications officer, reporter and journalism instructor. Also has experience teaching art and math abroad. Believes in finding creative and novel solutions to deal with Edmonton’s challenges.
Lee Permann, 65: Self-employed with a background in engineering and management. Wants to revamp the city’s infill housing initiative, make Edmonton’s transit safer, and encourage greater collaboration between city departments.
Anne Stevenson, 42 (incumbent): Served as one-term councillor for Ward O-day’min. Has a background in urban planning. Priorities include reinvesting in our core services, building a more affordable city and making communities safer.
Patrick Stewart, 42: A realtor and real estate investor. Wants to give Edmontonians a voice on city council and make pragmatic decisions to restore confidence in the city by making Edmonton’s streets and neighbourhoods safer.
Mulugeta Tesfay, 53: Currently works as a landlord. Served two decades with the Canadian Armed Forces and was deployed to Afghanistan. Has worked to house Edmontonians who are experiencing homelessness. Focused on enhancing community safety, affordable housing and mental health services and initiatives.
Stephen Hammerschmidt, 57: An economics instructor at NAIT with a background in banking. Inspired to run because of issues in Edmonton’s Chinatown. Wants to reform and decentralize shelter spaces. Supports “line-by-line” budgeting and “reopening the infill debate.”
Adil Pirbhai: No information provided.
Anand Benjamin Pye: No information provided.
Ward papastew
- Pronounced: pa-pa-STAY-oh
Five candidates are running in this central ward that includes Old Strathcona and the University of Alberta.
Joshua Doyle, 38: A NAIT graduate with experience as a second class power engineer, passionate for sports, camping and woodworking. Concerns include the fentanyl crisis, misinformation and “self-serving politics.” Wants to improve transparency and accountability with city council. Associated with the Better Edmonton Party.
Mark Hillman, 33: Works as a financial implementation consultant. Concerned about fiscal responsibility. Wants to curb “out-of-control” spending and direct funding toward delivering core municipal services effectively. Running as a candidate with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Terrie Holgerson, 42: Small business owner with a background in marketing. Concerned about Edmonton’s financial situation and focused on listening to the needs of constituents. Wants to find better options for growth and development.
Rozalia Janiszewska, 29: Has worked as a community support worker and a disabilities counsellor with experience working with homeless people and refugees. Has taken leadership positions in activist and religious organizations. Platform emphasizes police accountability and affordable and accessible housing.
Michael Janz, 41 (incumbent): One-term councillor for Ward papastew. Has also served as three-term Edmonton Public School Trustee. Advocates for safety, affordability, more housing choices, changes to infill and improving Edmonton’s transportation system.
Ward pihêsiwin
- Pronounced: pee-HEY-sa-win
Six candidates are running in this southwest ward.
Sara Awatta, 37: A business owner and operations specialist with experience working in the non-profit and oil and gas sector. Concerns around cost of living and red tape. Wants to focus on accountability with tax dollars, reliable infrastructure and affordable city services.
Michael Elliott: No information provided. Running as a candidate with the Better Edmonton Party.
Mohammad Ali Kamal, 61: Owner of a medical clinic in Edmonton, and has served as president of the Duggan Community League for a 16-year period. Priorities include cutting red tape for businesses, improving transit safety, investing in festivals and youth sports, fostering inclusivity and improving urban mobility.
Larry Langley, 62: Retired police officer. Worked almost 32 years with the Edmonton Police Service. Focused on serving Edmonton’s community with integrity and fairness and making decisions with urgency and without bias.
Jackie Liu, 42: Pharmacist by profession. Is passionate about recreation, cooking and socializing with friends. Platform includes bringing “practical, data-driven and transformational impacts to Edmonton.” Wants to utilize health-care background to help meet city’s challenges.
Rupesh Patel, 41: Works as a principal climate strategist with the City of Edmonton and has experience as a strategic policy manager with Alberta’s provincial government. Concerns around constituents not being heard by city council, high property taxes and public safety issues. Wants to ensure basic core services are funded to match the city’s growth.
Ward sipiwiyiniwak
- Pronounced: see-pee-WIN-you-wok
Seven candidates are running in this west Edmonton ward.
Bassam Fares: No information provided.
Darrell Friesen, 56: Founded a printing and packaging company in 1998 that became a national business. Vision is to “restore Edmonton’s pride, cleanliness and energy, while attracting new investment.” Associated with the Better Edmonton Party.
Giselle Quezon General, 34: Web content strategist and communications adviser with the government of Alberta. Served as vice-president of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. Values prioritizing the needs of residents, efficient services, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Danny Heikkinen, 41: Small business owner and community volunteer. Previous president of Edmonton Intercultural Centre and past vice-president of Lessard Community League. Values “common-sense decision-making, accountable and transparent reporting and governance focused on the public.”
Roger Kotch, 61: Co-founded a biotech company in 2005. Wants to repeal “unsuitable” infill policies, freeze property tax increases, curb excessive spending, enhance public safety legislation, review bike lane projects and improve public transit efficiency.
Thu Parmar, 43: A pharmacist and vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross for Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Has experience working in a managerial capacity with the provincial government. Focused on improving public safety, developing a cost-neutral plan for more local recreational amenities and addressing sharp increases in property taxes.
Ken Ropcean: Experience overseeing large-scale industrial projects across Western Canada. Completed the instrumentation technology program at NAIT. Wants to challenge the status quo by utilizing “common sense, [and a] responsible approach to development, budgets and growth.” Running as a candidate with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Ward Sspomitapi
- Pronounced: sspo-MEE-tah-pee
Eight candidates are registered to run in this southeast ward.
Imran Bashir, 49: A small business owner and community volunteer. Main priorities: safer neighbourhoods, affordable living, reliable infrastructure and community engagement. Wants to address rising cost of living, provide better city maintenance and develop dependable infrastructure.
Annie Chua-Frith, 56: President of the Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta and founder of the Mabuhay Park Society of Alberta. Values transparency, strategic boundary-setting and positive civic engagement. Wants to represent communities that have been overlooked.
Harman Singh Kandola, 39: Lawyer and community advocate. Served as regional president for the World Sikh Organization and chair of the board of the Newcomer Centre in Edmonton. Values accountability, affordability, smarter spending, listening to residents and supporting small businesses. Is a candidate with the Better Edmonton Party.
Steve van Diest, 45: Founder of Viva Voce Marketing Group. Has taken part in international volunteering missions. His platform highlights fiscal responsibility, supporting front-line workers and community safety. Candidate with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Jo-Anne Wright, 62 (incumbent): One-term councillor for Ward Sspomitapi. Has experience in the financial services industry and as a volunteer. Focused on Edmonton’s fiscal challenges, delivering better programs and services that Edmontonians rely on and building strong communities.
Sukhi Randhawa: No information provided.
Ashok Sui: No information provided.
Sandeep Singh: No information provided.
Ward tastawiyiniwak
- Pronunciation: TA-sta-WEE-nu-wuk
Five people are running in the north-side ward of tastawiyiniwak.
Fidel Ammar, 56: Former business owner and currently a manager of safety and training with St. Albert Transit. Platform includes creating safer neighbourhoods, improving transit, delivering affordable housing and supporting local jobs. Candidate with the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton party.
Farhan Chak, 51: Teaches full-time as a political science sessional instructor at the University of Alberta and MacEwan University. Recently attended the United National General Assembly meeting in New York as a special delegate. Focused on fiscal responsibility, freezing property taxes, safety and affordability.
Jimmy Clement idi, 60: Manages family business in the maintenance and operations sector. Has expertise in service delivery and operational efficiency. Prioritizes safer transit, affordable housing and stronger community services.
Jennifer Porritt, 47: Educational assistant with Edmonton Public Schools. Volunteer with the Balwin and Belvedere revitalization committee. Values climate action, quality living standards, improved transit, active transportation networks, park naturalization and increasing urban density.
Karen Principe (incumbent): No information provided.
There are 81 councillor candidates running in Edmonton’s 12 municipal electoral wards. (City of Edmonton )
