Jackie Liu

Candidate for councillor in pihêsiwin

Affiliation: IND

Jackie Liu

Taproot Survey response

This 30-question, multiple-choice survey is based on hundreds of responses to our invitation to Edmontonians to share what issues they care about most, as well as further insights gathered at listening sessions, input from dozens of community partners, and our own observations of what the next city council will face.


Here are Jackie Liu's responses to the survey:


Scrutinize the budget in detail.

Candidate comments: “I believe that councillors need to be well-informed and skilled professionals. To take full accountability, councillors need a full understanding of the budget and plans that guide the City of Edmonton. Councillors should be able to speak with confidence to the budget and stand by their decision to amend, support, or oppose spending.”

  • Scrutinize the budget in detail.
  • Provide high-level direction.
  • Advocate for the priorities of the people you represent.
  • Skip this question

City council sets an operating and capital budget every four years. Twice annually, councillors adjust the budget and finalize a tax increase or decrease for the coming year. In March, council voted to transition to a zero-based budgeting process. Council will start the budget at zero rather than use a past budget as a starting point.

Community representative.

Candidate comments: “Councillors should represent the values and priorities of the community, and while there is space for innovation and novel ideas, the scope of the position must be grounded with the perspectives of the community. The balance of management and vision must be considered as well, however, pointing out that relationships and accountability with city administration is critical to success.”

  • Prudent fiscal manager.
  • Visionary leader.
  • Community representative.
  • Skip this question

A city councillor must balance interests that can be at odds. Beyond public interests, a councillor's relationship with administration is also central to their work. Council oversees administration through the two employees it can hire and fire — the City Manager and the City Auditor. Residents with frustrations with administration often take these concerns to councillors. How willing those councillors are to hold administration accountable can affect their relationship with their constituents.

Increase taxes only to keep up with inflation and population growth.

Candidate comments: “In the current environment, Edmonton needs to find ways to decrease the tax burden while maximizing services. I would prioritize overall affordability with taxes to return maximum value - we can't assume take the position that taxes NEED to increase. Our priority as a city should be to increase residential and non-residential tax base so we don't need increases to our current mill rate.”

  • Lower taxes by cutting spending.
  • Increase taxes only to keep up with inflation and population growth.
  • Increase taxes to improve quality of life.
  • Skip this question

City council approved a 5.7% tax increase for 2025. Canada's consumer price index was 1.7% in July 2025 and Edmonton's population increased by 5.76% in 2024. In 2021, council approved a 0% property tax increase to provide economic relief to those struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.


Intervene to incentivize more mixed-use development and local services.

Candidate comments: “The deliberate design of local communities is vital to community connection and to allow people the option of not requiring long commutes. It also allows residents to age in place and stay in their homes, allows families without multiple vehicles access to local amenities, and encourages entrepreneurs and small businesses in communities.”

  • Intervene to incentivize more mixed-use development and local services.
  • Let the market provide more mixed-use development and local services.
  • Prioritize city-wide mobility instead of pursuing 15-minute districts.
  • Skip this question

Edmonton's City Plan, approved by the previous council, introduced the 15-minute communities concept here, though it was well established elsewhere. The current council has since passed the associated district planning policy. Though the 15-minute concept has become a global lightning rod for conspiracy theories, at its root, it seeks to see a city designed to allow more of one's daily errands to be doable within a 15-minute walk, bike, or transit trip. This broad idea suggests shifts to housing and commercial development in established districts, and de-prioritizes Edmonton's previous design ethos of building a city that's easy to drive through.

Finish what's started first.

Candidate comments: “I would emphasize that finishing a community includes amenities and essential services, and this includes health and education that is outside the scope of the City. That is where the City needs to exert its leverage with developers, and the advocacy for the province to commit to funding essential services for communities outside the Henday.”

  • Expand as the market demands.
  • Finish what's started first.
  • Set a firm growth boundary.
  • Skip this question

The city's proposed substantial completion standard would mandate that developing neighbourhoods achieve a level of progress before new development is allowed in future growth areas. A city report found new neighbourhoods will cost the city $1.4 billion more than they will bring in through tax revenue. BILD Edmonton, meanwhile, advocates for the city to allow development to expand to future growth areas, arguing that new suburbs can be cost-effective.

Slow the pace with stronger regulations.

Candidate comments: “Edmonton would benefit from objective criteria to guide infill development. That criteria should include proximity to mass transit, considerations on lot size and shape, and maximum coverage of units in a given area. It does not necessarily need to slow down infill, but Edmontonians do need some surety on what can be built and where so that they can plan accordingly.”

  • Proceed as allowed under existing rules.
  • Slow the pace with stronger regulations.
  • Halt further development and revisit policies.
  • Skip this question

Edmonton's new zoning bylaw took force in 2024, permitting many new infill builds. Housing starts in June 2025 were up 82% compared with 2024. Though housing has surged, sprawl continues. In 2025, as the election campaigns kicked off, infill made headlines. A proposed moratorium and a proposal to limit the size of mid-block buildings both failed, though council did vote to make some minor adjustments to infill regulations. Recent surveys found that only 14% of respondents see infill as a top concern.


The climate is important, but must be balanced with other goals.

Candidate comments: “The climate crisis needs to be considered in every decision and the City of Edmonton must strive to be a good global citizen, however, the City must also consider scope of scale of initiatives and has to situationally consider climate impact vs. the feasibility of potential projects.”

  • The climate crisis must be a consideration in every single decision.
  • The climate is important, but must be balanced with other goals.
  • A climate lens on all decisions would create unacceptable costs and delays.
  • Skip this question

Climate resilience is a goal in ConnectEdmonton, the city's strategic plan for 2019-2028. During the current term, city council approved new climate-focused procedures and the Climate Resilience Planning and Development Action Plan. It also tabled its first carbon budget, which forecast that it is not on track to hit targets. One report found that many city buildings are vulnerable to climate-related hazards; another showed that a majority of Edmontonians are concerned about climate change.

Manage availability with tools like demand-based pricing.

  • Increase supply and/or reduce prices.
  • Manage availability with tools like demand-based pricing.
  • Reduce parking and reallocate land to other uses.
  • Skip this question

Through its Curbside Management Strategy, which has been in discussion during this council's term, Edmonton employs variable pricing in several parking zones, like downtown, and is rethinking its allocation of curbside space to private motor vehicles. The city also employs open option parking, after striking mandatory parking minimums in the last council's term, meaning businesses can now dedicate the amount of parking they see fit for their operations. Competing uses for space often involve parking. Some businesses north of downtown are concerned that a new dedicated bus lane will erode parking for their customers and hurt their bottom lines.

Grow the residential population.

Candidate comments: “Increasing the base population of downtown would have a tremendous positive impact. A population that is rooted in the health of downtown and success of community reduces the dependency on events and external factors and increases investor confidence, vibrancy, and community safety.”

  • Grow the residential population.
  • Increase the number of office workers.
  • Attract more visitors.
  • Skip this question

Past investments to revitalize Edmonton's downtown have led to malls, LRT, and arenas. Current projects include the Downtown Action Plan, the $15-million Housing Accelerator Fund to build student housing, a $26-million pedway, roughly $45 million to build Warehouse Park, and a $400-million deal between the city, province, and OEG to build an event park beside Rogers Place and spur new housing. But the COVID-19 pandemic shifted work patterns. A decade ago, downtown's workforce was once more than 92,000, with tens of thousands more in students and residents. Today far fewer office workers, including city workers, journey downtown and the area's businesses are increasingly dependent on events, such as crowds drawn by the Edmonton Oilers.


Essential to quality of life and in need of stable funding.

Candidate comments: “The relatively minimal impact of investment into the arts adds vibrancy and pride into Edmonton. We need to be proud of our home, and arts and culture are a critical driver to enjoy the city, increase engagement with community and festivals, and breathe life into our day-to-day routines.”

  • Essential to quality of life and in need of stable funding.
  • An economic driver, so prioritize projects with measurable economic impact.
  • Not a core responsibility, so prioritize funding essential services instead.
  • Skip this question

The city funds the arts through the Edmonton Arts Council. In late 2024, EAC changed its funding strategy because its budget has been stagnant since 2021. The strategy update pauses multi-year funding for arts organizations until 2026. Artistic hubs are increasingly asking private citizens for donations to survive. From the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival to the Harcourt House Artist Run Centre to Grindstone Theatre, public dollars appear insufficient to keep the lights on. The EAC also oversees public art, and changed its finance model in 2021.

Invest in entrepreneurship and local businesses.

Candidate comments: “All economic drivers are important - my answer to prioritize small business reflects the barriers that entrepreneurs face in comparison to larger corporations with greater resources. Small business owners also increase ownership and pride in Edmonton in ways that benefit the local economy and culture in unique ways, and communities are often built around these hubs of activity.”

  • Invest in attracting new businesses to the city.
  • Invest in entrepreneurship and local businesses.
  • Remove barriers to business growth.
  • Skip this question

Edmonton has created multiple tools to develop its economy, including Edmonton Unlimited, its formative support to propose and create Edmonton Global, its investments in startups and small businesses through the Edmonton Edge Fund, and its 2022 work on its Business Licence Bylaw, which was created to streamline processes. Council has, during this term, worked to improve the so-called "red tape" that slows permitting and licensing. Regardless, business leaders often point to city planning, timelines, construction decisions, parking policies, tax rates, and other decisions as being central to their fortunes. During this council's term, concerns about Edmonton's non-residential tax rate, which is higher than surrounding municipalities, began to be discussed, as did the city's increasing reliance on residential property taxes due to its industrial tax base shrinking in relative terms.

Accelerate development at select locations.

Candidate comments: “The more people that are invested and care about the river valley, the greater its long-term livelihood and success in Edmonton. There is a balance between conservation and accessibility, and strategic development to support valley visitors who will enjoy, and in turn, support the conservation of the valley needs to be carefully balanced.”

  • Protect it as a continuous natural area.
  • Increase accessibility and public amenities.
  • Accelerate development at select locations.
  • Skip this question

In 2025, council approved the updated River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan. It now allows administration to approve developments of up to 10,000 square metres without council oversight. Before this, council unanimously approved a rezoning for a Nordic spa in the valley, despite it breaking city policies. Advocates said that eroded public trust. New projects in the river valley include the Edmonton Bike Park (though far larger is the existing roadway infrastructure). In the distance are the ongoing efforts by the River Valley Alliance to build more than 100 kilometres of new trails.


Extend the life of existing facilities and avoid closures.

Candidate comments: “Full disclosure - I don't know enough to answer this fulsomely. My answer is based on an assumption that existing facilities are well-used (or otherwise may be well used if maintained adequately), but truly I need more information about viability, cost of repairs/upkeep/replacement, and demand mapping.”

  • Extend the life of existing facilities and avoid closures.
  • Decommission aging facilities and build replacements.
  • Close lower-use sites and upgrade the remaining ones.
  • Skip this question

Many inner-city facilities were erected in previous generations and need investment. In 2020, during budget deliberations, administration proposed closing Wîhkwêntôwin Outdoor Pool, Scona Pool, Eastglen Pool, and arenas in Wîhkwêntôwin and Tipton, to save $1.2 million. Council voted this down, though Scona was closed in 2022. Work to revitalize the Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, which incorporates the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, meanwhile, is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Its capital budget is $153 million.

Build and operate more permanent supportive housing.

Candidate comments: “Disclaimer that while the City may BUILD more supportive housing, it's not our scope to operate it (without funding changes). I would prioritize housing connections of all kinds, and within the City's scope, that is to provide infrastructure and space for housing programs to support people not just in supportive housing, but in market and below-market housing (with appropriate supports).”

  • Build and operate more permanent supportive housing.
  • Fund supportive services to alleviate suffering.
  • Enforce bylaws to manage disorder.
  • Skip this question

City council has limited tools to combat homelessness: The province has jurisdiction over healthcare, community and social services, and social assistance, and cities rely on property taxes to fund their programs. Regardless, Edmonton's work on zoning bylaw renewal is aimed at increasing housing supply. In 2024, this council passed an affordable housing strategy and a homelessness and housing services plan. In 2025, council has approved the sale of city land well below market prices to supportive housing projects. The challenge nonetheless remains dire. The most recent By Name List data from Homeward Trust tracks more than 4,700 Edmontonians who have no housing or temporary housing.

Lower costs and remove barriers for private and non-profit builders.

Candidate comments: “The City should leverage other builders, with a strong preference for non-profit builders. I don't believe it helpful for the City to compete with industry professionals, and our fiscal reality likely would not permit additional city-led development in the present time.”

  • Build housing, even without provincial or federal partners.
  • Build housing, but only when other orders of government contribute.
  • Lower costs and remove barriers for private and non-profit builders.
  • Skip this question

During this term, city council passed the zoning bylaw renewal, the most comprehensive shift to Edmonton's land use planning since the 1960s. The bylaw permits far greater housing forms and densities in most parts of the city. In 2023, council also approved an Affordable Housing Developments strategy, which includes a housing accelerator fund. The number of people without housing has increased during this council term, from roughly 2,800 in 2021 to nearly 5,000 in 2024. Housing Complex examined the complexity of the housing crisis in Edmonton.


Members of council should be free from party affiliation.

Candidate comments: “The benefits of political parties are for the party, its large donors, and the provincial government - not the general public. Which corporations donate the maximum $5K and how do they benefit? For the province, municipal parties decrease civic engagement from 13 individual voices toa single party perspective - all the easier to minimize voices of Edmontonians and prioritize ideology.”

  • Members of council should be free from party affiliation.
  • Parties will help council be more effective.
  • The existence of parties will have little effect.
  • Skip this question

The provincial government introduced parties and slates to Edmonton and Calgary's municipal elections with bills 20 and 50. Registered parties may now fundraise as much as individual candidates, and they can distribute money amongst party candidates for mayor and council however they see fit, giving party candidates a distinct financial advantage over independents. More than 70% of Albertans surveyed by the province, as well as Alberta Municipalities, have opposed parties and slates being allowed into municipal elections. As of Sept. 5, Edmonton has two registered municipal parties: Better Edmonton, and Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton (PACE).

Stand up for Edmonton's autonomy.

Candidate comments: “Edmonton's autonomy is critical to be able to internally review processes as well as negotiate with the province from a position of strength. There is no doubt that the province exerts heavy influence, but when it is clear the government is not acting in good faith (an example being their interference with bike infrastructure), that needs to to addressed directly.”

  • Stand up for Edmonton's autonomy.
  • Conduct a review to see if our shortcomings are at fault.
  • Negotiate with the province to ensure the best practical outcome.
  • Skip this question

The provincial government has exerted influence over matters that primarily belong to the municipal government since the last election. The province increased the number of people it appoints to the Edmonton Police Commission in late 2024. Later, Dale McFee, who was then the chief of the Edmonton Police Service, asked the province to investigate two city-appointed commissioners. (McFee now works for the province.) Plus, Devin Dreeshen, the transportation minister, has called for Edmonton to halt building bike lanes for which contracts are already signed.

Redirect public pressure to secure sufficient provincial funding.

Candidate comments: “The City stepping outside its scope, while well-intended, has lead to unsustainable services and further polarized the city vs province narratives. Edmonton needs to focus resources appropriately and clearly articulate those unmet needs with data, best-practice guidelines, and engagement. We can't bandaid these gaps, and the frontline suffers from unsustainable and inconsistent funding.”

  • Fund the services to ensure quality of life.
  • Refuse to fund and focus resources on municipal responsibilities.
  • Redirect public pressure to secure sufficient provincial funding.
  • Skip this question

Edmonton has more than 4,700 unhoused citizens, and more than 70% of opioid deaths in the province during March and April happened in the city. Both social failings are the province's jurisdiction, through its oversight of healthcare, community and social services, and social assistance. Edmonton has routinely raised concerns that these provincial matters are driving municipal costs. Edmonton's Fire Rescue Service spent more than $9 million responding to medical emergencies in 2023. In years past, the city provided its police service with more than $1 million to cover transporting prisoners to the remand centre.


Be guided by the Indigenous Framework in all decisions.

Candidate comments: “The Indigenous Framework represents an important lens that is consistent with TRC principles. Accepting guidance from the Framework demonstrates the City's commitment to basic consideration and respect of this land and the Peoples who came before us.”

  • Be guided by the Indigenous Framework in all decisions.
  • Engage with Indigenous communities on specific issues.
  • Focus on core municipal services, leaving reconciliation to the federal and provincial governments.
  • Skip this question

Before Edmonton existed, Indigenous peoples used what became the city as a meeting place and home, and signed Treaty 6 with the Canadian government. This has made the city's relationship with Indigenous nations complex. At the end of the last council's term, Edmonton adopted the Indigenous Framework. It sought to balance city processes with Indigenous approaches, and has led to basics like allowing smudging in recreation facilities, and increasing awareness across the city's workforce. The city launched its Municipal Response Plan in 2022 to respond to the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada report. The city's work on Indigenous-led housing remains complex.

Scrutinize commission decisions and demand greater transparency.

Candidate comments: “As the largest resource draw on the City of Edmonton's finances and an integral part of a well-functioning city, it is vital that the police and the Police Commission have public accountability. If Commission decisions CANNOT stand up to public scrutiny and transparency, as other civic services must be accountable, that would lead to serious erosion of public trust.”

  • Primarily provide stable funding and work through commission processes.
  • Scrutinize commission decisions and demand greater transparency.
  • Make police funding contingent on achieving specific outcomes.
  • Skip this question

The city funds the Edmonton Police Commission. Until recently, council appointed its 10 civilian and two councillor members. In 2022, however, the provincial government gave itself powers to appoint commissioners, adding three in 2024. The commission develops policing budgets. Since 2018, council has used a funding formula based on inflation and population growth to determine how much it will increase the police budget. In late 2024, former chief Dale McFee retired, replaced by interim deputy chiefs. In early 2024, the commission requested two councillors be removed from sitting on the commission but council voted in September to keep them.

Pursue collaboration on specific projects.

Candidate comments: “Given the current status quo of the EMRB's dissolution and the lack of engagement in resuscitation of the body, it would be more logical for Edmonton and regional municipalities to engage on an ad hoc basis for specific issues. There are other methods of engagement that can occur without the structure of an EMRB replacement, and reconvening this body should not be a top priority.”

  • Focus on Edmonton's own needs and goals.
  • Re-establish a strong metropolitan approach with shared priorities.
  • Pursue collaboration on specific projects.
  • Skip this question

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, which coordinated growth across the region and had roots back to the 1940s, is no more. In late 2024, the provincial government decided to cut funding. In January, council unanimously passed Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's motion instructing administration to collaborate with other regional municipalities to initiate a "new voluntary regional governance table." Research suggest regional governance helps municipalities, especially to curb costly sprawl, but can create resentment in forcing policies like density targets.


Performance is unsatisfactory because project management and execution are poor.

Candidate comments: “I don't think I can conclusively answer WHY performance is unsatisfactory, but my overwhelming sense is that the day-to-day experiences of Edmontonians needs to be a higher priority in the design and execution of major projects. Engagement seems to be an afterthought to planning - if the City seeks engagement and proceeds with projects in spite of public feedback, the rationale must be clear.”

  • Performance is satisfactory, but communication and transparency could be improved.
  • Performance is unsatisfactory because project management and execution are poor.
  • Performance is unsatisfactory because we are doing too much at once.
  • Skip this question

City projects (from a capital budget of $7.9 billion) are 94% on budget and 75% on schedule, according to the city's dashboard. Resident experience can feel less convincing. Overlapping road and LRT construction has irked residents on the west side of the city. Business owners along the LRT route continue to express frustration. Simultaneous work on Jasper Avenue, along with LRT construction on 104 Avenue, has added frustration.

Build only if private partners or other orders of government contribute.

Candidate comments: “The tax burden on Edmontonians is becoming untenable for many residents in the City. That infrastructure needs to be maintained is a given, however, the decisions on how to proceed on a limited budget requires more scrutiny. On principle, City dollars that can be used to amplify funding from other sources should be return greater value on expenditure,”

  • Build even if it means taking on more debt.
  • Build only if private partners or other orders of government contribute.
  • Maintain existing infrastructure instead of building more.
  • Skip this question

The city faces a $1.5-billion shortfall in its 2023-2026 capital budget for infrastructure maintenance and renewal. Council voted in March to support a dedicated renewal fund. Under the Municipal Government Act, the city's debt servicing cannot exceed 21% of city revenues. The city is projected to reach its peak debt servicing level in 2028.

Investing in transit would be a better use of funds than expansion.

Candidate comments: “My answer assumes that much of traffic congestion has to do with commutes from one place to another (e.g. home to work, home to school). If those A-to-B commuters had reliable, efficient transit options, those cars would come off the road and leave greater capacity for remaining vehicles. Roads are still critical in this model, and in reality, this is an AND question and not an OR situation.”

  • Expansion is important to reduce traffic congestion and accommodate growth.
  • Maintaining existing roads would be a better use of funds than expansion.
  • Investing in transit would be a better use of funds than expansion.
  • Skip this question

Enacting decisions made by previous councils, Edmonton is building the Terwillegar Drive Expansion, which will see extra lanes for drivers and a dedicated lane for buses. The total cost, split between the city and province, is more than $200 million. Edmonton is also working on the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion. The provincial and federal governments are contributing up to $241.6 million each; Edmonton is on the hook for the rest of the more than $1-billion project (recently, costs have escalated). During this council, Edmonton created a plan for housing developers to foot the bill for lane expansions for Winterburn Road.


Maintain existing mechanisms.

  • Implement a lobbyist registry.
  • Maintain existing mechanisms.
  • Implement transparency tools other than a lobbyist registry.
  • Skip this question

Former mayor Don Iveson created a lobbyist registry for those asking the mayor to support financial interests or policies. Iveson said it set an example. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has carried this forward, though some suggest it be extended across all of council. In 2025, council passed the Council Disclosure Bylaw, specifying that councillors disclose financial donations on the city's own website. In 2025, the provincial government eliminated council-governed codes of conduct through Bill 50. The change means Edmonton still has an integrity commissioner, but they have limited powers. Councillor voting records, meanwhile, are tracked on the open data portal.

Press other orders of government to deliver health and social services.

Candidate comments: “"Press" is not my chosen verb, but the City does bear the consequences for inadequate levels of health and social service support. We can't just vacate the space though, and we need to create the environment and infrastructure to support comprehensive healthcare, push the increase of housing supply of all types, and focus on affordability so that the social sector has tools to support people.”

  • Increase enforcement in public spaces and on transit.
  • Invest in addressing root causes to reduce disorder.
  • Press other orders of government to deliver health and social services.
  • Skip this question

The Edmonton Police Service's budget is the city's largest line item, at roughly $592 million in 2025. The Community Outreach Transit Team, a partnership with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, was created to improve safety on transit during the last council, but the current council has expanded it and approved a contract extension. Upcoming for council is a review of expanding the authority of peace officers, thereby reducing the need for police in some matters, though any change would need to be enabled by the provincial government.

Reduce vehicle traffic by incentivizing other modes of transportation.

Candidate comments: “This question really should have an "all of the above," as the issue of street safety, especially around back to school time, is vital to the health of our city. As Edmonton grows, the gross number of vehicles will likely grow as well and tax the capacity of our road infrastructure. Development will address some of that volume capacity, however, alternate modes of transport need to be be an option”

  • Increase traffic-calming measures.
  • Increase enforcement of bylaws.
  • Reduce vehicle traffic by incentivizing other modes of transportation.
  • Skip this question

In 2015, Edmonton became the first Canadian city to adopt Vision Zero, and during the last council it reduced the base speed limit from 50km/h to 40km/h to increase the likelihood that someone hit by a driver lives. During this council, the city's Street Labs division has worked with numerous neighbourhoods to install measures that calm driver speeds in an attempt to make streets safer for people not in cars. This council has also recently approved updates to its Complete Streets policy. The policy is foundational, meaning it guides basic design and construction of street infrastructure.


Build more than is planned.

Candidate comments: “I would truthfully build DIFFERENTLY than what is planned. The actual goal is safe, efficient multi-modal transport. Edmonton cyclists will not benefit from continuing bike vs car discourse, and prioritizing multi-use paths that facilitate all types of transport (strollers, scooters, bikes, walkers) in ways that don't impact drivers will lead to longer term success of safer transportation.”

  • Build only what has already been planned.
  • Build more than is planned.
  • Build less than is planned.
  • Skip this question

Edmonton's city council made national headlines in 2022 when it approved a $100-million investment over three years in the 2023-2026 budget to increase active transportation infrastructure. In 2021, the current council also approved a bylaw directing safe distances for drivers passing cyclists. Since the 2023 decision, the city has built roughly 30 kilometres of bike lanes, with a further 31 kilometres planned for 2026. In 2025, several Edmonton community members approached the provincial government to attempt to stall or cancel some lanes. Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said he's opposed to projects that take away driving lanes. In 2025, an Ontario court struck down a provincial push there to remove bike lanes.

Spend more to improve clearing of roads.

Candidate comments: “I would add the comment that we can clear sidewalks and pathways differently. As a cyclist, I would feedback that clearing to bare pavement not always helpful, and I would propose that we look at reasonable levels of snowpack on pathways to improve cycling safety, vs. cleared paths that result in ice coverage.”

  • Spend more to improve clearing of roads.
  • Spend more to improve clearing of sidewalks and pathways.
  • Spend the same amount.
  • Skip this question

The city spends $67 million to remove snow and ice, with 55% of that used to clear 11,000 linear kilometres of vehicle lanes and 45% to clear 1,500 kilometres of bike lanes, multi-use paths, public pedestrian squares, bus stops, LRT platforms, and staircases. This past winter, the city added a mapping tool for non-road surfaces, split up its snow and ice crews and resources between roads and the rest of Edmonton's public surfaces, and tested a different kind of salt. Recent council decisions include a multi-year increase to Edmonton's Snow and Ice Control program, the creation of a high-priority sidewalk index, and an admin report that seeks $8 million to fix sidewalks and increase snow removal on active pathways. The next council will decide on that request.

Prioritize bus rapid transit (BRT).

Candidate comments: “BRT as a proof of concept for mass transit, and also considering the decreased costs in this time of fiscal challenges, may be a good compromise to more costly LRT options. With ongoing growth, particularly in planned communities south of Windermere, residents must have reliable transportation options aside from solely private vehicles.”

  • Continue expanding light rail transit (LRT).
  • Prioritize bus rapid transit (BRT).
  • Prioritize private vehicles instead of LRT or BRT.
  • Skip this question

The current council approved $5.5 million for concept planning for three bus rapid transit routes that will travel in dedicated lanes — B1, B2, and B6 (which is part of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion). Council also approved $7.1 million for transit priority measures. The next council will be tasked to decide on funding for detailed BRT design, and then construction. A 2018 city report estimated BRT costs 25% less than LRT.


Pitch

Here is the pitch that Jackie Liu shared:

“Edmonton deserves a Council that believes in the City and its people. We are a growing city, both in needs and opportunities, and we need to plan for that growth, foster investment from risk takers, and ensure our infrastructure and public services keep up. Edmonton is facing complex problems that may not be in our jurisdiction to solve, but problems that we bear the consequences of inaction. We need expertise, leadership, and experience - qualities which I bring from a career serving on the front-lines and leadership in impactful non-profit health and social services, working collaboratively between all levels of government, and extensive governance experience from volunteer boards and community agencies. I am deeply invested in Edmonton, and ready to bring all I have to offer to serve.”

Learn more at www.jackieliu.ca