Terrie Holgerson

Candidate for councillor in papastew

Affiliation: IND

Terrie Holgerson

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 Terrie Holgerson's responses to the survey:


Scrutinize the budget in detail.

Candidate comments: “We must reduce waste in all things we do in Edmonton, carefully examining the budget for issues is the first step.”

  • 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.

Visionary leader.

Candidate comments: “Finding solutions for the issues while being financially responsible is crucial to moving the City forward”

  • 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.

Lower taxes by cutting spending.

Candidate comments: “We must find additional revenue streams. Encourage tourism, encourage investment, use specific levies to more fairly distribute city financial needs.”

  • 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: “It is proven that mixed use design leads to a happy and productive city. For decades we have dissuaded mixed use development, it has become a foreign idea in Edmonton. We have made a hash of the 15 minute community idea, Speck would be dismayed. It would be lovely if mixed use would be market driven, at this point we must actively create opportunity to developed mixed use. with permitting to start”

  • 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.

Set a firm growth boundary.

Candidate comments: “As I travel around the new developments on the south end of town I see that we are repeating the same mistakes that has cost us so much over the last 40 years. lots of SFD, too much parking, poorly designed and constructed condo and apartments, We will not be a happy, thriving city as long as we insist on surrounding ourselves with bad design. We need to get it right first, then grow.”

  • 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.

Proceed as allowed under existing rules.

Candidate comments: “Again None of the above, The bylaw is badly written, but to halt business while City hall gets it figured would hurt many people in many ways. "stronger regulations" is how we got into this mess in the first place. Too much push back, uncertainty, miss-interpretations to go forward with 20001 as written, The new Council will need to work fast to rewrite the bylaw and avoid infill meltdown.”

  • 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.


A climate lens on all decisions would create unacceptable costs and delays.

Candidate comments: “We do more climate damage with inconsistent and hypocritical decision making. Waste is very damaging, Constantly second guessing previous decisions are very wasteful. Short term projects that need to be replaced or altered in under 15 years are financially and environmentally damaging. Projects that impede growth, movement and innovation are damaging.”

  • 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.

Reduce parking and reallocate land to other uses.

Candidate comments: “Statistics show that there is 40 to 60% more parking than is actually used, We have 4+ parking spots for every registered vehicle in the city, Parking pushes everything further apart, wasting one of our most valuable assets, Land. I know this is an unpopular position, but it is a hard truth that we spend billions on roads and a large part of that is parking. We have a huge over-supply of parking.”

  • 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: “People in the downtown core is the best way to revitalize our city. Density, tax base, thriving businesses, homes, activities. resilience against the raise and fall of outside economic forces.”

  • 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.


An economic driver, so prioritize projects with measurable economic impact.

Candidate comments: “We all know, or should know that the arts not only increase the quality of life for the citizens of Edmonton, but provide employment, investment, and innovations to our community. It is imperative that well thought out and versatile facilities be included in future plans for the City. This would include public washrooms, transportation, outdoor venues, think band shells in our parks.”

  • 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.

Remove barriers to business growth.

Candidate comments: “We regularly see business find locations outside of the city to call home, meanwhile business in the city are struggling without seeing much benefit for their tax dollars. We must remove permitting and taxations barriers, and welcome the growth of existing companies and the establishment of new industries, We must get out of the way potential employers, and investors.”

  • 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.

Increase accessibility and public amenities.

Candidate comments: “I have spent up to 900 hrs. a year in Terwillegar park over the last 9 years, the "amenities" are vandalized routinely. So far in 2025 the facilities have been burnt to the ground 4 times! with all the ecological damage residue. it is long past due that we provide real amenities to this popular location. First we build a strong model in that park and use that model to build in the other areas.”

  • 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.


Decommission aging facilities and build replacements.

Candidate comments: “It will not get cheaper to build these facilities. If we focus an great design, great construction, with the help of better contract writing we can get this done. We have learned from the Bonnie Doon pool that trying to extent the life of existing facilities is NOT the way to go.”

  • 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: “This is a complex problem and a single strategy is going to work. The ordinary hard working Edmonton people have told me that they have had enough of encampments, panhandlers, backyard and garage thefts, and the trash that the homeless have left behind. We must work hard with the Provencal Gov. to focus on mental illness. Use proven treatment strategies to move people off the streets.”

  • 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: “Building codes are not being enforced, with out quality we will never see the other side of the housing crisis. The city is not meeting the responsibilities of inspections, planning, permitting, and infrastructure I do not think we have explored all the options. I look around our city and wonder at the vacancy of some areas. Expectations may need to shift. flexibility in thinking would help.”

  • 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: “I am not affiliated with either party as they are. I did investigate the parties, I looked at the parties formed in Calgary and found them all too ideological for myself and the city, that being said I respect the freedom to make my choice and that is extended to all potential candidates”

  • 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).

Negotiate with the province to ensure the best practical outcome.

Candidate comments: “Trust needs to be built between all levels of government, animosity helps no one. Laying blame, finding fault only serves to educate and prevent a repeat of unwanted future outcomes. To move forward we must negotiate. likewise we can and should insist on reasonable, fare treatment from Dreeshen, et.al.”

  • 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: “There are many areas of responsibility the Provence has failed to act upon. It will take a great deal of negotiation. The Relationship between the City(s) and the Provence needs rebuilding, it will take time, persistence and integrity. Ultimately, weather it is Provincial taxes or city taxes the resources come from the same population, stewardship from all levels of government is imperative.”

  • 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.


Engage with Indigenous communities on specific issues.

Candidate comments: “We must be asking "What do you want?" and "How do we move forward?" The indigenous are all part of our city, we must be partners.”

  • 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.

Primarily provide stable funding and work through commission processes.

Candidate comments: “We ask so much of our police officers. Some of our representatives, have in the past, made some ridiculous and disrespectful comments about our EPS. Comments that have not basis in fact. I would advocate for a respectful, cooperative relationship with our police. Stable funding is necessary for a high functioning service.”

  • 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.

Re-establish a strong metropolitan approach with shared priorities.

Candidate comments: “What Edmonton does effects all the neighboring communities, these are reciprocal relationships, working together will save all of us money, provide seamless transpiration, business growth, shared improvements, and strength.”

  • 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: “Over riding issues may be poor contract writing, poor estimations of actual costs, Projects need to be better designed, more robust. Priorities need to be re-evaluated. Construction time lines need to be adjusted within the contracts to smooth out overlapping congestion. It may be costly in the short term, but less wasteful overall.”

  • 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: “Sadly we have not been good stewards of the public purse and now we must face the outcome of poor choices. Without partners we will have to be very carful what we build.”

  • 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: “As uncomfortable as we have made it, Public transport, active transport are the only cost effective methods for moving people to the places they want to go. We can look back and thank Robert Moses for the transportation crisis, it is important to remember that Robert Moses never drove himself.”

  • 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.


Implement transparency tools other than a lobbyist registry.

Candidate comments: “As a person of integrity I would encourage transparence in public activities. Finical honesty is the only way to gain the support and trust needed to be an effective city government.”

  • 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.

Invest in addressing root causes to reduce disorder.

Candidate comments: “This problem will not be solved with only one approach, I would actually choose the 3 top answers. We have spent a great deal of money on the problem of safety with limited success. I would advocate for a bold, multi facetted move to community safety with an emphases on personal responsibility. We get to choose what kind of city we live in, a safe city will take all of us.”

  • 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.

Increase traffic-calming measures.

Candidate comments: “There needs to be a "none of the above" or "all of the above". I do have a position. First we need to work with the Provincial government to improve driver skills levels. Our streets will never be safe with the very poor drivers that populate our streets. Second, enforce the traffic safety laws that already exist, with prejudice. Third employ better design practices, and Better signage,”

  • 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 less than is planned.

Candidate comments: “We have messed up the idea of bike lanes. Before we build more lets get the designing right. we need to look at what we are all ready doing well and expand on that. It is not hard to see where the bike lanes and sidewalks need to go, just follow the goat paths, build connections so what we have is better utilized.”

  • 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 the same amount.

Candidate comments: “Knowing what will happen with snow removal is as precise as a weather forecast. Each year is different, every year new ideas and new problems occur, we must be flexible, and courageous in our approach to concurring Mother Nature”

  • 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.

Continue expanding light rail transit (LRT).

Candidate comments: “for over 10 years we, the residents have wanted LRT out to the airport, the slow construction timelines, the design, construction mistakes and the awkward plan changes to appease the vocal minority have frustrated the citizens of Edmonton near to the braking point. Like several issues in Edmonton we need to get transit right, cities all over the world have done it, there is no reason we can not.”

  • 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 Terrie Holgerson shared:

“With this election we have an opportunity to restart our city. There is so much potential we have overlooked and we continue to get in our own way. With hard work, learning, thinking, and integrity we can build the city we want. To move forward we must first get our spending in control, and live within our means. There will be some unpopular solutions that will need to be implemented and past expectations left in the past. We do not have to do this on our own, we have knowledge and examples of successful programs and cities form all around the world we can learn from. We have the very challenging opportunity to restart Edmonton's relationship with the Provincial Government as cooperative partners instead of advisories. Creating a city that welcomes investments, growth and stability.”

Learn more at holgerson4papastew.ca