Iveson endorses three council candidates for Edmonton's October municipal election

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Outgoing Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson is throwing his support behind three candidates running for councillor in October’s municipal election.

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Iveson issued endorsements in three ward races Monday morning, including two for challengers against current sitting councillors.

In Ward Métis, with the most number of contenders at 12, Iveson endorsed YEGarden Suites founder Ashley Salvador. Salvador has advocated to council on many civic issues throughout Iveson’s tenure, which he noted as a reason for the endorsement.

“Ashley is a brilliant, independent thinker who knows how to get things done. Her thoughtful and impactful advocacy on urban planning and climate issues is grounded in the practical realities facing Edmonton today,” Iveson said in the statement. “Ashley is already an established leader and widely respected at city hall and I know she would raise the level of debate on the next council.”

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The two-term mayor also endorsed former City of Edmonton senior planner Anne Stevenson in the Downtown ward of O-day’min, with 10 candidates vying for the seat left by outgoing Coun. Scott McKeen. Three-term Coun. Tony Caterina is in the race, but hasn’t represented any of the communities in the ward. Stevenson now works for the Right at Home Housing Society, which Iveson said is critical experience for the city’s affordable housing initiatives.

“Anne’s professional leadership in affordable housing delivery and her urban planning expertise are so relevant to representing Edmonton’s core,” he said in his endorsement.

Iveson also endorsed former city poet laureate Ahmed ‘Knwmadic’ Ali, noting his passion for community building. Ali is one of six candidates in Ward tastawiyiniwak, including incumbent Jon Dziadyk.

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“Ahmed brings a dynamic lived experience and professional background that will prioritize north Edmonton issues,” Iveson said on social media. “As a community leader and former poet laureate, his passionate and articulate city-building approach will enrich council.”

Iveson wasn’t available to speak to media Monday, but in an interview with Postmedia last Friday he said these endorsements reflect what he has seen from the candidates during his time in office. He said it’s not necessarily about aligning on issues, but the ability to engage and make complex decisions. Last week, Iveson issued transition memos on five key priorities facing the next council and offered background details and potential ideas on moving forward.

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“My test is can people handle the complexity of these issues, that’s a trait I’m looking for in prospective city councillors,” Iveson told Postmedia. “So independence of thought and the capacity to handle complexity and not descend into some of the kind of black and white polarization that we’re seeing everywhere in politics.”

It isn’t confirmed if that’s all the endorsements coming from Iveson, but he told Postmedia he isn’t sure if he is going to weigh in on the open race for the mayor’s chair.

Election day is Oct. 18 but Edmontonians can go to the polls as early as Oct. 4 with advance voting running from 1 to 7 p.m. until Oct. 13. There are 12 advance voting locations throughout the city, one per ward. Voting locations can be found on the city’s website. 

duscook@postmedia.com

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