How did the NDP go from 5 seats to more than 50? Where did Prentice and the PCs go wrong? What does this mean for the NDP going forward? Who will the cabinet ministers be? On the Galleria project, why is Council now supporting it? Do we really need this project? Is it a social enterprise, or should the private sector really be taking this forward if it is actually needed? With such a successful season, why are the Edmonton Rush at risk of leaving the city? There’s a lot of great things happening downtown, but why are there so many vacant storefronts still? Will the new stuff be more pedestrian-friendly?

We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• #abvote 2015 Results Dashboard
• City Council endorses phased approach to Edmonton Galleria project, but many questions remain
• NLL hopes Rush finds a way to remain in Edmonton
• A colorful window into downtown Edmonton’s transformation

Thanks for listening!

All of a sudden Oilers fans have reason to be excited again! With a new GM and Connor McDavid, things are looking up. Will we get a new coach? Do we really have reason to be excited? With the polls predicting an NDP victory, what are our predictions for the election? Who will form government and who will serve as the official opposition? How was Council able to lower the tax increase for 2015? What will they spend the extra money on? What were the takeaways from the Aboriginal City event?

We discuss those questions and more! We close with a short update on placemaking.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• Oilers hire Chiarelli as president, general manager
• Alberta leaders debate: Poll suggests NDP’s Rachel Notley won
• #abvote Dashboard
• Council passes lower tax hike
• Recap: The Walrus Talks Aboriginal City in Edmonton
• Space for Place: Placemaking in Edmonton

Thanks for listening!

Graham called it – a big win for Don Iveson. How did he get it right? We also talk about the disappointing turnout for 2013, just 34.5%. Why don’t more people vote? Did we get young people voting? Finally, we touch on what the new City Council looks like and what we can expect.

We also discuss the proposed 71-storey building known as The Edmontonian. While it is a positive sign for downtown, how realistic is the project really? What can we expect? What kind of track record does the developer have? How does it relate to the CRL?

While some seem pretty happy about Edmonton’s prospects, others appear to be non-believers. We’re talking about Air Canada and its decision to cancel the daily YEG-LHR flight. What gives? Why don’t they support Edmonton?

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• Edmonton Election 2013: The Morning After
• Russell Brand May Have Started a Revolution Last Night
• Quick Thoughts on the proposed 71-storey Edmontonian
• Air Canada is ‘archaic’

Thanks for listening!

Why has the race been less interesting than past elections? What kind of experience should candidates have? With election day less than a week away, what do the big three mayoral candidates need to do to earn the undecided vote? We discuss those questions and more!

Thanks for listening!

Disclosure: Mack is actively working on Don Iveson’s campaign for mayor.

We discuss those questions and more. The cost of running a campaign for council has risen quite a bit over the last four elections, from about $22,000 in 2001 on average to more than $56,000 in 2010. Candidates need to raise the money, but as Graham says, “money buys influence.”

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• The data: Do developers play kingmaker in civic politics?
• Filed Campaign Disclosure Statements – Edmonton Elections
• Only some Edmonton election candidates pledge to publish donor dollars
• Katz Group’s $430,000 ‘bulk donation’ to Redford’s Tories cleared by Elections Alberta

Thanks for listening!

Full disclosure: Mack is volunteering for Don Iveson’s campaign for mayor.

Things really got underway with the approval of the arena deal and the announcement the very next day by Kerry Diotte that he would run for mayor. In recent weeks, both Karen Leibovici and Don Iveson have announced that they too will run for the top seat. With Amarjeet Sohi’s decision to run again for council, it looks as though the big names for mayor have all come forward. There’s a long way to go before a winner is declared, but that doesn’t stop us from comparing them!

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• The 2013 Edmonton Mayor Elections in a Nutshell
• Under Mayor Mandel’s leadership, Edmonton has thrived
• Don Iveson brings new energy to Edmonton’s mayoral election
• Declared candidates for the 2013 Edmonton Election

There’s much more to come on this topic. Thanks for listening!

Disclosure: Mack is volunteering for Don Iveson’s campaign.