Métis
Pronunciation: MAY-TEA
Map
Candidates
Name | Contest | Taproot Survey | Website | Disclosure | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Councillor | Incomplete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Councillor | Incomplete | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Councillor | Incomplete | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
Councillor | Complete | N/A | AbdulhakimDalel | |||
Councillor | Complete | lizjohnwest | ||||
Councillor | Complete | Dsteventownsend | ||||
Councillor | Complete | AshleyASalvador | ||||
Councillor | Complete | N/A | melli_salar | |||
Councillor | Complete | N/A | cmatthews2021 | |||
Councillor | Complete | CoriForCouncil | ||||
Councillor | Complete | jameskosowan | ||||
Councillor | Incomplete | N/A |
Taproot Survey responses
Taproot has put together 30 multiple-choice questions drawing from what we heard when we asked voters what key issues they wanted the candidates to be talking about as they competed for votes in the 2021 municipal election. We sent this survey to candidates; now voters have an opportunity to answer the same questions to see how they align with those who are running for mayor and council in their wards.
Taproot received 8 responses to the Taproot Survey from candidates in this ward. Here they are by category:
Economy
How much should the city spend to help local business recover from the pandemic?
a) It should spend more

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Current support is sufficient

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
c) It should spend less
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Is the city's current approach to encouraging economic diversification heading in the right direction?
a) Yes, we have effective initiatives in place

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
b) No, the city should put more resources behind nurturing homegrown businesses

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) No, the city should put more resources behind attracting global businesses
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Do you support the Downtown Vibrancy Strategy released in June?
a) Yes, and we should fully fund the plan

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
b) Yes, at the current level of investment

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) No, we have already spent enough on downtown
No candidates selected this response
d) No, I support investment in downtown but not this plan
No candidates selected this response
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Environment
What do you think of the Community Energy Transition Strategy and action plan?
a) It's a good start but we need to go farther to reach our goals

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) It's a strong plan; we just need to follow it

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor
c) The action items are too expensive

Salar Melli Councillor
d) Climate action is not the responsibility of the city
No candidates selected this response
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Should effects on the climate be taken into account in every decision city council makes?
a) Yes, every decision has climate implications

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Yes for some decisions but not all

Salar Melli Councillor
c) No, most decisions don't have climate implications
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Do you think city council should have approved the Epcor's E.L. Smith Solar Farm?
a) Yes
No candidates selected this response
b) No, I support solar power but that's the wrong location

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) No, I don't support solar power anywhere
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Finances
What do you think the city's main fiscal challenge is?
a) City council hasn't been willing to raise taxes enough
No candidates selected this response
b) The city has limited ability to raise revenues
c) The city spends too much

Salar Melli Councillor
d) The city spends its resources inefficiently

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
What do you think of the city's revenue split between residential and business taxes?
a) The current mix is acceptable

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Residences should pay more
No candidates selected this response
c) Businesses should pay more
No candidates selected this response
d) Both should pay less, even if that means a reduction of services
No candidates selected this response
e) I don't have a position on this issue

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
What do you think of the size of the city's workforce?
a) The city has about the right number of employees

Liz John-West Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) The city has too many employees

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
c) The city has too few employees

Steven Townsend Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Housing and homelessness
How should the city approach the provision of affordable housing?
a) The city should build more affordable housing, even if it can't get funding from other orders of government

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) The city cannot afford to build more affordable housing without financial support from other orders of government
c) The city should not build more affordable housing regardless of financial support from other orders of government
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Should the city expand its Housing First programs?
a) Yes, Housing First is the right approach and we need more of it

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) No, the existing programs are sufficient
No candidates selected this response
c) No, residents should undergo treatment for underlying issues such as substance use and mental illness before participating in housing programs
No candidates selected this response
d) No, this shouldn't be the city's responsibility
No candidates selected this response
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
How should the city address encampments?
a) The current policy towards encampments is acceptable

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Encampments should be allowed if there are no better housing options available

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
c) Encampments should be dismantled immediately
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
Planning
Which statement best describes your opinion of city council's zoning decisions?
a) Council has shown the right amount of flexibility regarding zoning bylaws

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor
b) Council has been too flexible under pressure from developers
c) Council has not been flexible enough to make way for development

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Do you support the city's current approach to infill?
a) Yes

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
b) No, primarily because it harms the character of mature neighbourhoods
c) No, primarily because it allows too much gentrification

Steven Townsend Councillor
d) No, primarily because it interferes with market forces

Liz John-West Councillor
e) I don't have a position on this issue

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
How should council bring the 15-minute districts described in the City Plan to life?
a) Council should use every tool at its disposal, including financial penalties and incentives

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Council should rely mostly on zoning decisions to support their creation

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
c) Council should not intentionally create 15-minute districts
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
Police
Which statement best captures your beliefs about racism and the Edmonton Police Service?
a) Systemic racism is apparent throughout the EPS

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
b) The EPS is not racist on the whole, but there are some racist members
c) There is no racism within the EPS
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
What should be done about the police budget?
a) Increase it as determined by the funding formula

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor
b) Freeze it until it is in line with comparable cities

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) Decrease it somewhat
No candidates selected this response
d) Defund the police altogether
No candidates selected this response
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
When police request funding for capital projects, how should council respond?
a) Council should trust the police to know what they need and generally approve their requests
No candidates selected this response
b) Council should closely scrutinize all requests

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) Council should not approve any further funding requests from police

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Politics and governance
Should candidates disclose their donors?
a) Yes, before the election

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Yes, after the election

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
c) They shouldn't have donors
No candidates selected this response
d) They shouldn't have to disclose donors at any point
No candidates selected this response
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Should city council continue to have a code of conduct?
a) Yes, and the current one is working fine
b) Yes, but the current one is not doing the job

Liz John-West Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) No, elections are a sufficient mechanism for governing councillors' conduct
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Do referendum questions and Senate votes belong on municipal ballots?
a) Yes
No candidates selected this response
b) No

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) I accept the principle but object to some or all of these additions

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
d) I don't have a position on this issue

Salar Melli Councillor
Quality of life
How much should the city spend to help the arts sector recover from the pandemic?
a) It should spend more

Liz John-West Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Current support is sufficient

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor
c) It should spend less
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Should the city have more permanent public washrooms?
a) Yes, we need more permanent public washrooms

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) No, we have enough

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor
c) No, we shouldn't have any
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Do you support the city's current approach to upholding the spirit and specifics of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action?
a) Yes, I support the current approach

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) No, the city should do more

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
c) No, the city is doing more than it should
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Roads
What should the residential speed limit be?
a) 30 km/h
No candidates selected this response
b) 40 km/h

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) 50 km/h
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Where do you stand on accommodating active transportation?
a) The city should make roads more accessible to active transportation

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) The city has enough infrastructure for active transportation
No candidates selected this response
c) The city should make roads less accessible to active transportation
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Do you support the expansion of major roads?
a) I support these expansions
b) I oppose these expansions, primarily on financial grounds

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
c) I oppose these expansions, primarily on environmental grounds
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
Transit
What should be done about transit fares?
a) Fares should decrease

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Salar Melli Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor

James Kosowan Councillor
b) Fares should be frozen where they are

Liz John-West Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor
c) Fares should go up as planned
No candidates selected this response
d) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
What is your position on the bus network redesign?
a) It struck the right balance between frequency and coverage
No candidates selected this response
b) It sacrificed too much coverage to provide more frequency

Steven Townsend Councillor

Caroline Matthews Councillor
c) The city should have taken money from something else to increase frequency and maintain coverage
d) Regardless of how it is configured, the city spends too much on transit

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Liz John-West Councillor
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response
What should be done about LRT expansion?
a) Divert budget from other projects to build the LRT more quickly
No candidates selected this response
b) Continue with the current plan

Abdulhakim Dalel Councillor

Steven Townsend Councillor

Ashley Salvador Councillor

Cori Longo Councillor
c) Pause LRT construction and consider bus rapid transit instead
d) Pause LRT construction and explore more future-focused technology like autonomous vehicle networks

Salar Melli Councillor
e) I don't have a position on this issue
No candidates selected this response