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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?
Stevenson
Scrutinize the budget in detail.
Candidate comments:
“I'm excited for the new branch-by-branch budget review that this Council has established. It will allow us to see if our resources are aligned with our priorities and help meet Edmontonians' priorities”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the most important function of a councillor?
Stevenson
Visionary leader.
Candidate comments:
“Being a Councillor is ultimately about all three of these elements but I choose visionary leader because I think it's essential that Council is always thinking beyond the next election cycle. Having a vision for the future helps ensure we make decisions today that set us up for success in the long run, informed by Edmontonians' input and by aligning our resources to achieve our goals.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding property taxes?
Stevenson
Increase taxes to improve quality of life.
Candidate comments:
“This one is tricky. Many of our core services were eroded over time, so if at this point we only made increases for inflation and population growth, we wouldn't see the quality of services that I think Edmontonians need and deserve. Once we've finished dealing with structural budget issues and are meeting our minimum service standards, at that point inflation and growth would be a good approach.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on 15-minute districts?
Stevenson
Intervene to incentivize more mixed-use development and local services.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development outside Anthony Henday Drive?
Stevenson
Finish what's started first.
Candidate comments:
“Substantial completion is an important policy tool we have to ensure that we aren't trying to service multiple, partially complete neighbourhoods that aren't generating enough tax revenue to offset the expense of servicing them. Ensuring that we grow in this way is essential to long term financial sustainability, and it also supports more livable communities.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would guide infill development?
Stevenson
Proceed as allowed under existing rules.
Candidate comments:
“Infill isn't perfect right now and we'll always need to adjust our regulations to address issues. And we need to do better on construction management. But overall I think our current framework with continuous improvement is the best path forward.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would incorporate climate change into decision-making?
Stevenson
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?
Stevenson
Manage availability with tools like demand-based pricing.
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for downtown revitalization funds?
Stevenson
Grow the residential population.
Candidate comments:
“We've seen hundreds of new units built in the downtown and I'm excited to support even more through our student housing grant, and the housing incentive program coming with the CRL extension.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on public funding for the arts?
Stevenson
Essential to quality of life and in need of stable funding.
Candidate comments:
“Arts are essential to our quality of life and sense of belonging, and also have a huge economic impact in our community - investment in the arts is win win!”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to economic development?
Stevenson
Invest in attracting new businesses to the city.
Candidate comments:
“Attracting industrial development is essential to us having a balanced and sustainable tax base. I'm excited by the steps we've taken to do so, including changes to the industrial infrastructure payback policy and a new overpass on 137 Avenue to open up industrial lands for development. Continuing to support local businesses through BIAs and other programs is also critical”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development in the river valley?
Stevenson
Increase accessibility and public amenities.
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding aging recreation amenities?
Stevenson
Extend the life of existing facilities and avoid closures.
Candidate comments:
“There is no easy answer here. Years of neglect have left many facilities past the point of renewal - Scona Pool is a good example of this. So while I think the reality is we do need to decommission some older facilities, I think the most important thing we can do is continue to build out our renewal fund to ensure existing facilities are properly maintained to extend their life as long as possible”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on homelessness?
Stevenson
Build and operate more permanent supportive housing.
Candidate comments:
“The City can't solve homelessness alone but continuing the work we've done to build thousands of new units of affordable housing is an essential part of the solution. I don't think the City should move into operating these facilities but we can continue working with our great community partners to deliver the excellent services needed”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advance to alleviate the housing crisis?
Stevenson
Build housing, even without provincial or federal partners.
Candidate comments:
“I'm strongly committed to the City's Affordable Housing Investment Program which provides grants to non-profits to deliver non-market housing. Removing barriers is also critical for increasing the supply and lowering the cost of market housing.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on political parties at the municipal level?
Stevenson
Members of council should be free from party affiliation.
Candidate comments:
“Party politics at the municipal level erodes our local democracy and I'm hopeful they don't take root in Edmonton.”
Mixed
If the provincial government intervenes in a municipal matter, which would you prioritize?
Stevenson
Stand up for Edmonton's autonomy.
Mixed
If the City of Edmonton faces public pressure to fund services under provincial jurisdiction, which would you prioritize?
Stevenson
Redirect public pressure to secure sufficient provincial funding.
Candidate comments:
“I've supported all these approaches over the term. Early on, our city was in crisis and I'm glad that we stepped up to fund much needed supports like emergency shelters. I'm also glad we later successfully advocated to the Province to fund these programs, allowing us to redirect our resources into core City services. Focusing community-wide advocacy to the Province is the next priority.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the City of Edmonton's responsibilities regarding Indigenous relations?
Stevenson
Be guided by the Indigenous Framework in all decisions.
Candidate comments:
“Reconciliation remains a priority for me as I think it's important for all Edmontonians. I'm proud of the tangible steps we've taken to support this work over the past four years, including focused Indigenous housing grants and MOUs with Treaty partners.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your guiding principle for council's relationship with the Edmonton Police Commission?
Stevenson
Scrutinize commission decisions and demand greater transparency.
Candidate comments:
“Having served as on the Police Commission over the past four years, I think there is a lot of positive work happening and also a need to share that work more openly with Edmontonians. I don't think we need to demand this - over the past year, we've shown how a constructive and mutually respectful relationship with the Commission can support greater transparency for Edmontonians.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to Edmonton's role in the metropolitan region?
Stevenson
Pursue collaboration on specific projects.
Candidate comments:
“With the loss of the Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Board due to Provincial decisions, I worry there isn't an effective way to re-establish a fully regional approach but I do think there are excellent opportunities to advance specific shared priorities in planning, infrastructure, and economic growth.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on how major projects have been delivered?
Stevenson
Performance is satisfactory, but communication and transparency could be improved.
Candidate comments:
“Construction disruption in the core has been very intense this year. I'm committed to avoiding the deferred maintenance that left us having to layer up multiple projects at once, and I'm excited for our new accelerated approach to construction - more significant closures but for much shorter periods of time. Communicating more consistently with Edmontonians about disruptions is also essential.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to building new capital projects?
Stevenson
Build only if private partners or other orders of government contribute.
Candidate comments:
“While renewal is the absolute priority, our growing population means there will be some need for new facilities. There can also be great opportunities to leverage private and government investment in catalytic projects like the Winspear expansion.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on roadway expansion?
Stevenson
Investing in transit would be a better use of funds than expansion.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to strengthening council accountability?
Stevenson
Implement a lobbyist registry.
Candidate comments:
“I think a lobbyist registry is a good start and it would be great if we could also capture other groups that we meet with to demonstrate a balance of voices being heard (for example, non-profits and community leagues)”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve community safety?
Stevenson
Invest in addressing root causes to reduce disorder.
Candidate comments:
“Ultimately, the City can't address root causes alone. We need the Provincial and Federal governments to meet the healthcare and income needs of all Edmontonians. But we can't wait for them to take action. There are a range of steps the City can continue to take to tackle root causes, including investing in affordable housing and implementing our Blueprint for Violence Prevention”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve street safety?
Stevenson
Increase traffic-calming measures.
Candidate comments:
“As an urban designer, I feel we can have the greatest impact on street safety by improving the layout of our physical spaces. But I'd also love to see more traffic safety enforcement (especially for noisy vehicles and excessive speeding), and the more people there are using active transportation, the safer our streets will be.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on bike lanes?
Stevenson
Build more than is planned.
Candidate comments:
“I'm committed to building out our Bike Plan, an essential part in how we avoid congestion and keep everyone moving as we grow to two million residents.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for snow clearing?
Stevenson
Spend more to improve clearing of sidewalks and pathways.
Candidate comments:
“Sidewalk and pathway maintenance is critical to providing accessibility for all Edmontonians in the winter.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for high-capacity transit?
Stevenson
Prioritize bus rapid transit (BRT).
Candidate comments:
“This is a both/and - BRT is the next important move we need to make while LRT build out will continue to be an important backbone to our transit network.”
Taproot Survey
Where do you stand on issues raised by voters in the 2025 municipal election?