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Compare Taproot Survey responses from up to four candidates side-by-side
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Mixed
Which would you prioritize in your role during the budget process?
Paquette
Advocate for the priorities of the people you represent.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the most important function of a councillor?
Paquette
Prudent fiscal manager.
Candidate comments:
“I'm a community rep, that is a given, but as a councillor I also need to transform the knowledge and experience I've acquired over 8 years into a strong vision for the Ward and city, which I've done. This means a real strategy on providing better services, increased social and economic opportunity, fundamentally help people feel safe and make our city a place residents are proud to call home.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding property taxes?
Paquette
Lower taxes by cutting spending.
Candidate comments:
“NOT BY CUTTING SPENDING because that means cutting services, but by finding other means of lowering taxes. Austerity budgets only kick the can down the road and the bill comes due. I have a plan to reduce the mill rate in order to lower the property taxes (this means increasing our surpluses through optimization). With the cost of living crisis, we can't continually ask for more from Edmontonians.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on 15-minute districts?
Paquette
I don't have a position on this issue
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development outside Anthony Henday Drive?
Paquette
Expand as the market demands.
Candidate comments:
“As we lose development to the region it unsustainably increases the share of costs for Edmontonians. There is a fiscal cliff ahead. If we build high density greenfield, we solve the sprawl problem + revenue problem. If we are serious about affordability, we cannot be adding costs to home ownership for young people + first-time home buyers.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would guide infill development?
Paquette
Slow the pace with stronger regulations.
Candidate comments:
“Increased enforcement in public spaces and on transit paired with our COTT teams has proven to be incredibly successful. We need to continue this effort.
I would also press other orders of the government to deliver on their health and social services responsibilities.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would incorporate climate change into decision-making?
Paquette
The climate crisis must be a consideration in every single decision.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would approach parking in commercial areas?
Paquette
Increase supply and/or reduce prices.
Candidate comments:
“I have heard from many seniors and residents for whom parking is a huge concern when accessing spaces. I have considered this for downtown specifically for evenings and weekends. It's not a huge budget impact and helps bring people along.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for downtown revitalization funds?
Paquette
Grow the residential population.
Candidate comments:
“While we definitely need more visitors to downtown, I would like to see 30,000 more people over the next 10 years living downtown, to help alleviate the burden from Edmontonians. (downtown used to account for 10%, now it's down to 5%). One of my plans include more residential development downtown. This also takes pressure off of residential infill and returns it to a manageable pace.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on public funding for the arts?
Paquette
Essential to quality of life and in need of stable funding.
Candidate comments:
“Part of the identity and pride of our city is its arts, culture, festivals and events.
Cities with a strong cultural identity tend to attract investment and have a stronger local economy.
The minimal investments we make in arts and culture leverages our investment for a 17:1 ROI and creates 1,400 jobs.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to economic development?
Paquette
Invest in attracting new businesses to the city.
Candidate comments:
“I can only pick one option but I believe all three are integral for economic development in our city. No one approach could meet our economic development needs.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development in the river valley?
Paquette
Protect it as a continuous natural area.
Candidate comments:
“This conversation will last for the life of our city. It's not always one or the other, it's how we can achieve both with the correct balance. We should always guard against overdevelopment and view the River Valley as the inheritance we leave for those who come after us.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding aging recreation amenities?
Paquette
Decommission aging facilities and build replacements.
Candidate comments:
“This would require meaningful public engagement on the choice between expanding existing facilities or building replacements as one approach will not fit all communities.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on homelessness?
Paquette
Build and operate more permanent supportive housing.
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advance to alleviate the housing crisis?
Paquette
Lower costs and remove barriers for private and non-profit builders.
Candidate comments:
“It's not complicated. We just need more homes for more people.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on political parties at the municipal level?
Paquette
Members of council should be free from party affiliation.
Mixed
If the provincial government intervenes in a municipal matter, which would you prioritize?
Paquette
Negotiate with the province to ensure the best practical outcome.
Candidate comments:
“While unsatisfying, legally Edmonton does not have autonomy just like any other Canadian municipality. As a result the most prudent outcomes for Edmontonians come through negotiation, conversation and debate. Within that framework, we can fight like hell.”
Mixed
If the City of Edmonton faces public pressure to fund services under provincial jurisdiction, which would you prioritize?
Paquette
Redirect public pressure to secure sufficient provincial funding.
Candidate comments:
“There are ways where a municipality can invest in resources, housing. Most recently that was providing millions in funding for Bridge Healing Program. In the final analysis Edmontonians would prefer to save lives rather than stay idly by but ultimately the bill should go to the order of govt. responsible. Province doesn't fund the military and Edmonton does not fund healthcare.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the City of Edmonton's responsibilities regarding Indigenous relations?
Paquette
Engage with Indigenous communities on specific issues.
Candidate comments:
“Indigenous framework is an excellent tool but cannot anticipate different permutations of Indigenous engagement or partnership will take as we move forward. There are many examples that prove this to be true. Indigenous Framework provides a framework not answers.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your guiding principle for council's relationship with the Edmonton Police Commission?
Paquette
Primarily provide stable funding and work through commission processes.
Candidate comments:
“The police funding follows a different framework set by the provincial government under the Police Act. The other option invites overreach from the provincial government -- which we have seen before. Stable does not mean handing them a blank cheque, but a budget that also includes investments in mental health and community safety.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to Edmonton's role in the metropolitan region?
Paquette
Re-establish a strong metropolitan approach with shared priorities.
Candidate comments:
“This is not me setting Edmonton priorities to secondary role, this is about finding ways that we can advance our growth requirements in partnership with regional priorities.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on how major projects have been delivered?
Paquette
Performance is satisfactory, but communication and transparency could be improved.
Candidate comments:
“Many times I have talked to people who had a lot of concerns with construction projects that were alleviated once I had provided answers to their questions. The City needs to do a far better job of communicating. I have talked to the City about this already and I made a motion, which passed in council which bring substantial changes to our communication approach for the better.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to building new capital projects?
Paquette
Build only if private partners or other orders of government contribute.
Candidate comments:
“After the past several years of major projects we have greenlit, I believe *at this point* we should focus on our current infrastructure as it needs attention. However, if other orders of govt. are sending money our way, we would be foolish not to take it.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on roadway expansion?
Paquette
Expansion is important to reduce traffic congestion and accommodate growth.
Candidate comments:
“I absolutely do believe we need to invest in transit to mitigate congestion. Right now, areas in my Ward are dealing with massive population growth, congestion issues and safety concerns, concerns around the ability of emergency services to get around. Not all, but I believe in some cases we need to consider road expansion as a solution as well.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to strengthening council accountability?
Paquette
Implement a lobbyist registry.
Candidate comments:
“A lobbyist registry on the municipal level is more than not a point of interest rather than a tool for accountability as councillors are expected to meet with everyone and anyone who has a stake in building this city. To refuse to meet goes against the requirement to come to chambers armed with all the information.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve community safety?
Paquette
Invest in addressing root causes to reduce disorder.
Candidate comments:
“Increased enforcement in public spaces and on transit paired with our COTT teams has proven to be incredibly successful. We need to continue this effort.
I would also press other orders of the government to deliver on their health and social services responsibilities.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve street safety?
Paquette
Increase enforcement of bylaws.
Candidate comments:
“Of course the other options are key measures needed to improve street safety but even then we will require enforcement of bylaws. Example: In school zones where there is changed infrastructure we still have people speeding. So we still need enforcement.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on bike lanes?
Paquette
Build only what has already been planned.
Candidate comments:
“For now, I think we need to build on what we have already budgeted for. However, as populations continue to increase, so will all of our infrastructure requirements. And if there is an obvious demand for any type of infrastructure, it must be taken seriously.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for high-capacity transit?
Paquette
Continue expanding light rail transit (LRT).
Candidate comments:
“It is essential to extend the LRT line to the Edmonton International Airport. We should also be looking at BRT as an equally important option to pair with our LRT routes.”
Taproot Survey
Where do you stand on issues raised by voters in the 2025 municipal election?