Taproot Survey

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Edmonton's city council made national headlines in 2022 when it approved a $100-million investment over three years in the 2022-2026 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.

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.

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.