Listening to Residents: What You Told Me Matters Most

Over the course of this campaign, I’ve heard from thousands of residents — through door-knocking, phone calls, emails, social media, and survey responses. And no matter the topic, it all comes down to one simple principle: people want to be heard.

This past year, one message has stood out loud and clear — Edmontonians don’t feel listened to by the current City Council. Having lived in Mill Woods for 38 years, and after four years working for former City Councillor Mike Nickel, I had a sense of what the results might look like. Still, I was surprised by how consistent the feedback has been across Ward Karhiio.

Residents shared their thoughts in three main ways:

1. Talking directly at the door,

2. Completing our campaign survey, and

3. Reaching out through email, social media, or the campaign phone line.

This blog highlights the top themes from that feedback: infill and zoning, taxes and spending, and rebuilding trust.

1. Infill and the Zoning Bylaw

The single most common topic that came up was infill and Edmonton’s new Zoning Bylaw — something people raised in emails, open comments, and at the door more than any other issue. Even though there wasn’t a specific survey question about infill, it appeared in over 22% of the open-ended responses, showing just how passionate people are about it.

The frustration isn’t just about older homes being torn down. It’s also about losing green spaces — many of which were once reserved for schools. Now, these areas are being labeled as “surplus school sites” and targeted for new housing developments.

Residents worry that this approach is short-sighted. Many schools are already full or near capacity, yet Council continues to rezone land for more family housing. These open spaces also help manage stormwater during heavy rain — so paving them over increases flood risks and damages infrastructure.

People see a clear contradiction: Council talks about fighting climate change, but removes natural stormwater capture areas. They say they support teachers, but approve developments that overcrowd schools. They raise taxes but can’t cut the grass on time.

To address this, I plan to bring forward two motions:

1. Repeal the current Zoning Bylaw — because that’s what residents are asking for, even if it’s not my personal first choice.

2. Amend the existing bylaw immediately to stop “automatic approvals” for large, high-density projects.

If a developer wants to build an eight-plex or remove parking, they should have to make their case to Council publicly. This isn’t saying no to infill — it’s saying no to no oversight.

2. Taxes and City Spending

The second-biggest concern — raised by 68% of respondents — is about taxes and City spending.

Most people feel they’re paying more and getting less. 72.78% of respondents gave City Council a net disapproval rating when asked about how well they’re managing Edmonton’s economy. That’s a serious red flag.

People told me the same thing over and over: they don’t mind paying taxes when they see results, but lately, they don’t. Snow clearing takes longer, road maintenance lags behind, and when residents question why, they’re told, “We can either raise taxes or cut services.”

That’s not leadership — that’s a lack of financial literacy.

That’s why I created a shadow budget — to show that it’s possible to improve services without raising taxes. It identifies areas of waste and duplication and demonstrates that we could achieve up to a 15.1% reduction in spending without touching core services. I’m not proposing we make all those cuts immediately — but it shows the potential for smarter budgeting.

My immediate goal for 2026 is simple: no tax increase. Whether that ends up being a freeze or a small reduction will depend on the next Council’s makeup and how quickly City Administration can move, but I will not support another tax hike.

Here’s the reality: the City collects about $2.4 billion in annual property taxes, and the average Edmonton homeowner pays around $4,000 a year. In the short term, we need to make better use of that $2.4 billion. In the long term, we need to reduce the burden on homeowners by attracting more non-residential properties — businesses that pay roughly three times the rate of residential properties.

A strong business base means more jobs, lower unemployment, and ultimately, a lighter tax load for everyone.

3. Rebuilding Trust

Finally — and perhaps most importantly — residents want trust restored at City Hall.

When asked about Council’s overall performance, 66.11% of respondents disapproved. Only 35% agreed that Council is paid fairly for the work they do.

When we looked specifically at the incumbent Councillor’s performance, there was a 50% net disapproval rating. But even more striking was the number of “neutral” responses — about 50% higher than for the Council question. Many residents simply said they don’t know who their Councillor is.

That’s not engagement — that’s invisibility.

In neighbourhoods like Meyokumin, residents told me they felt ignored during the renewal process. They wanted to repair what was already there — not pay extra for “enhancements” they didn’t ask for. Seniors worried about clearing wider sidewalks, while others pointed out that curb extensions restrict emergency vehicles.

To fix this, I plan to propose a change: instead of assuming silence means agreement, the City should have to prove that at least 50% plus one of property owners support a neighbourhood renewal project before it begins. That’s common sense.

And when it comes to accountability, one statistic stood out — 91.11% of residents agreed that candidates for City Council should be required to provide a criminal record check. People want transparency and ethics in public office — not excuses.

Another key takeaway was on political influence. While 55% of residents disagreed with the idea of political parties at City Hall, another 31.67% said they strongly oppose any form of partisanship in local government. Many added that what they want most is independence — a Councillor who isn’t beholden to a party, developer, or union.

Building a Better Future

As election day approaches, I’m proud of the thousands of conversations we’ve had and the hundreds of surveys completed. These numbers aren’t just statistics — they’re the voices of your neighbours, and they paint a clear picture: people want change, accountability, and a Council that actually listens.

Edmonton isn’t broken — it’s just off course. Together, we can set it right.

On Monday, October 20, I’m asking for your support. Vote BALE — for a Councillor who listens.