Edmonton Election Update: Aug. 23, 2017

By Mack Male

Welcome to our fourth roundup of election-related news and links. We'll be publishing this kind of collection regularly right through to Election Day, which is Oct. 16, 2017. We hope you find it useful, and welcome any feedback or tips you might have.

Helping Edmonton's homeless community vote

To help members of Edmonton's homeless community vote, both Boyle Street Community Services and the Bissell Centre will once again act as polling stations on Oct. 16, though the hours of operation are still being worked out. In 2013, there was just a two-hour window in which to vote.

Iain MacLean, the City of Edmonton's Director of Elections and Census, told the Examiner that while only 25 members of the homeless community voted in 2010, that number rose to around 200 in the 2013 election. The City is hoping to see the numbers grow again this year. “We want to provide an opportunity for everyone in the city to vote,” he said.

Though there has been a polling station at the Bissell Centre since 2007, the 2013 election was the first to offer clients of Boyle Street Community Services a polling station that allowed staff to vouch for those without ID.

Taz Bouchier is running for mayor

Taz Bouchier launched her mayoral campaign with a smudge and prayer at Beaver Hills House Park on Aug. 9. Bouchier ran for council in Ward 6 in the 2013 election and was planning to run there again but decided to seek the top job after gathering feedback. “Lately, what I’ve been seeing happen is not mindful of the people or listening to the people,” she said.

Bouchier has lived in Edmonton for 53 years and says she is the first indigenous woman to run for mayor. To learn more about her campaign, see Bouchier's interviews with CTV Edmonton and Metro Edmonton.

The other candidates intending to challenge Mayor Don Iveson so far include: Carla Frost, Rick Krull, Charles Laing, Bob Ligertwood, Fahad Mughal, Gordon Nikolic, Atul Ranade, and Steve Shewchuk.

Work the election on Oct. 16

More than 3,000 workers are needed for the 2017 Edmonton Election! There are six positions available including: Presiding Deputy, Assistant Presiding Deputy, Tabulator Clerk, Ballot Clerk, Deputy Returning Officer, and Standby Worker. Compensation and time commitments vary, but Edmonton Elections has made job descriptions available for each position with all the relevant details. There's also a video with more information for Election Workers. If you're interested, you can submit an Election Worker Application online. You'll also need to complete an Election Worker Questionnaire in person.

Other updates

• Global Edmonton is looking for input on the civic issues that matter most to its audiences. 630 CHED's Bob Layton used a recent editorial to discuss "your top concerns and burning questions."
• Liam Leroux announces his candidacy for mayor in Episode 312 of The Quik & Slow Comedy Show. "In short, he is pro-photo radar, anti-vitamins and looking for a good debate about street walkers." (He hasn't actually filed a Notice of Intent to run.)
• Councillor Andrew Knack, who is running for re-election in Ward 1 (he still faces no challengers), hosted a Community Conversation using Facebook Live last week. You can view the recording here.
• Tyler Duce, candidate for school board trustee in Ward G, is being criticized by local LGBTQ groups for homophobic comments he has made on social media. Duce claims his comments were "sarcastic".
• The race for council in Ward 3 became tense recently with candidate Sarmad Rasheed filing a police complaint against incumbent Dave Loken after the two had an altercation at the event in Castle Downs. Elise has the story here. After an investigation, Edmonton Police did not lay any charges.
• Beaumont mayoral candidate Bruce LeCren is opposed to Edmonton's annexation of part of Leduc County and posted a new video outlining his position.
• Outgoing St. Albert mayor Nolan Crouse "has been found guilty of breaking municipal laws which prevent politicians from voting on matters where they personally stand to gain or suffer financially," the CBC reports. Here's the statement he posted to Facebook after the judge's ruling.
• Thinking of running in the election? Here's what you need to know from Edmonton Elections. Also check out AlbertaLeaders.ca from the Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta.
• Here is Dave's latest update on the list of candidates intending to run in the election.
• The new owners of the home of former mayor Joe Clarke at 7852 Jasper Ave. are planning to subdivide the lot but some residents are opposed. Ward 7 councillor Tony Caterina told the Journal, “I will fight with them not to split in that particular area of the city.”
• Have questions about the election or how to vote? Edmonton Elections wants to hear from you!
• Want to catch up on previous editions of our Edmonton Election Roundup? Read: Jul. 13, Jul. 27, and Aug. 9.

Events

• Keren Tang, candidate for council in Ward 11, is hosting a Craft Beer Tasting Fundraiser on Aug. 24 at the Ritchie Market.
• Robert Parks, candidate for Ward 1 in Strathcona County, is hosting a campaign launch party on Aug. 26 at the Sherwood Bowl.
• Chris Henderson, who ran Mayor Don Iveson's campaign in 2013, is speaking about the value of positivity in politics at Chartier in Beaumont on Aug. 28.
• Mike Nickle, councillor for Ward 11, is launching his re-election campaign on Aug. 29 at Leefield Community Hall.
• The Women's Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE) is hosting "an engaging evening discussing the upcoming municipal election and how you can be involved" on Aug. 31 at City Hall. Representatives from the City Clerks Office will be on-hand to answer questions.
• Sarah Hamilton, candidate for council in Ward 5, is launching her campaign office on Sept. 3.
• interVivos is planning a municipal un-forum for Sept. 18 which is Nomination Day.
• Mimi Williams, candidate for council in Ward 7, is hosting a fundraiser on Sept. 22.
• The Capital Region Board is hosting two Regional 101 information sessions for candidates on Sept. 26 and Oct. 4.
• The North Edmonton Business Association is hosting a North East Meet & Greet for candidates in Ward 4 and Ward 7 at the Royal Canadian Legion on 50 Street on Sept. 28.
• An all-candidate forum is being organized for Ward 4 at the McLeod Community Hall on Oct. 11.

What are you curious about?

We'll be making this update available to members and to subscribers to our free newsletter throughout the summer and fall as a pilot project. We're looking at applying what we learn from this to more deep dives on niche topics, which will be available to members only.

Does this update make you wonder about something that you'd like a writer to pursue? Join Taproot so you can get into the Story Garden to share it. Your curiosity could be the start of an important local story.