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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?
Billingsley, Jr
Scrutinize the budget in detail.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the most important function of a councillor?
Billingsley, Jr
Community representative.
Candidate comments:
“Each council member has a primary obligation to issues in their respective wards, just as any duly elected official does to their constituents. The voices of all Edmontonians need to be heard and considered in votes on all issues.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding property taxes?
Billingsley, Jr
Increase taxes only to keep up with inflation and population growth.
Candidate comments:
“Taxing some currently exempt properties, such as places of worship, is long overdue. They have the money to pay, they share in city resources and infrastructure. Those that don't have the money to pay, which I equate with public support, would be forced to close. That would be my priority, and would thereby increase city capital and possibly lower residential property taxes.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on 15-minute districts?
Billingsley, Jr
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?
Billingsley, Jr
Expand as the market demands.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would guide infill development?
Billingsley, Jr
I don't have a position on this issue
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would incorporate climate change into decision-making?
Billingsley, Jr
The climate crisis must be a consideration in every single decision.
Candidate comments:
“I was pushing this topic as vitally important during my federal MP campaign in Edmonton City Centre. We need to pressure developers and other levels of government to mandate renewable energy sources, such as solar panels in every new building. I would have to look at the carbon budget to opine on it, and collaborate with council to make changes to hit ambitious, but achievable, targets.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would approach parking in commercial areas?
Billingsley, Jr
Manage availability with tools like demand-based pricing.
Candidate comments:
“With respect to the further LRT stations on their respective lines, I would promote increased parking, both underground and above ground levels of parking, to facilitate more public transportation. I am for the demand-based pricing model. Peak times downtown should have higher prices to park, to reduce congestion. As Edmonton grows, public transportation will and should become the go-to.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for downtown revitalization funds?
Billingsley, Jr
Attract more visitors.
Candidate comments:
“There was no "all of the above" option in the survey. I believe all 3 options, of attracting more visitors, increasing the number of office workers, and growing the residential population all play an important role in the revitalization of downtown. My position on homelessness remains the same - If not the old Coliseum, then another centralized large-scale facility.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on public funding for the arts?
Billingsley, Jr
Essential to quality of life and in need of stable funding.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to economic development?
Billingsley, Jr
Invest in attracting new businesses to the city.
Candidate comments:
“There was no option for both choices 1 and 3: Invest in attracting new businesses to the city, and Invest in entrepreneurship and local businesses.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development in the river valley?
Billingsley, Jr
Protect it as a continuous natural area.
Candidate comments:
“No choice for 1 and 2, there is a balance between protection as a natural area, and increasing accessibility and public amenities, such as the River Valley Alliance being used to build more than 100 km of new trails.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding aging recreation amenities?
Billingsley, Jr
Extend the life of existing facilities and avoid closures.
Candidate comments:
“These go hand in hand with the 15 minute districts; there should be a rec facility within an easily reachable distance of every household, as it is fundamental to individual health and well-being. I believe this would be best served by extending the life of those we have.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on homelessness?
Billingsley, Jr
Build and operate more permanent supportive housing.
Candidate comments:
“I advocate for one large supportive facility that has a goal of interim housing until permanent housing is available, with emphasis on training, education, and wraparound supports for addiction and mental health. Where one has the ability to work, and can find work, one should work; but employers, and citizens alike, have a responsibility as well, not to discriminate on any grounds.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advance to alleviate the housing crisis?
Billingsley, Jr
Build housing, even without provincial or federal partners.
Candidate comments:
“Tax places of worship forthwith, to build a centralized structure to house the homeless on an interim basis, as described above.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on political parties at the municipal level?
Billingsley, Jr
Members of council should be free from party affiliation.
Candidate comments:
“Party candidates have a distinct advantage over us independents, c'est ca. We already have a tripartite oligarchy in this country with our 3 major parties, now party politics is seeping into our municipalities as well. It is like a rigged game for party affiliation to win.”
Mixed
If the provincial government intervenes in a municipal matter, which would you prioritize?
Billingsley, Jr
Stand up for Edmonton's autonomy.
Candidate comments:
“It would depend on the issue that they intervene in and the law on that issue, but as for the ability to fire any council member they see fit, that is the epitome of "undemocratic." In general, I would oppose overreach into municipal affairs by the other levels of government.”
Mixed
If the City of Edmonton faces public pressure to fund services under provincial jurisdiction, which would you prioritize?
Billingsley, Jr
Redirect public pressure to secure sufficient provincial funding.
Candidate comments:
“This is in direct contrast to the previous question. If an issue falls squarely under section 92 of the Constitution and in the province's authority, they should be paying the majority of the bill. I would represent Edmontonians' interests first and foremost.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the City of Edmonton's responsibilities regarding Indigenous relations?
Billingsley, Jr
Be guided by the Indigenous Framework in all decisions.
Candidate comments:
“First Nations have to be consulted in all decisions, at all levels of government.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your guiding principle for council's relationship with the Edmonton Police Commission?
Billingsley, Jr
Scrutinize commission decisions and demand greater transparency.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to Edmonton's role in the metropolitan region?
Billingsley, Jr
The candidate chose not to answer
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on how major projects have been delivered?
Billingsley, Jr
Performance is unsatisfactory because project management and execution are poor.
Candidate comments:
“I don't think we are doing too much at once, we actually need to do more, but no members of council or the mayor should directly benefit from any major projects. I would monitor any insider benefits and hold all members accountable. No collusion, no inside deals. And prioritize and streamline top priority projects. We need full transparency on the prioritization by the city of various projects”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to building new capital projects?
Billingsley, Jr
Maintain existing infrastructure instead of building more.
Candidate comments:
“I have not looked at the details of the current city budget, but again, prioritization on an item by item basis would be required to get the city out of the red. If maintaining existing infrastructure is more cost effective, then I would advocate for that. In new areas being developed, as stated in my platform, shift more cost to the developers to save the individual taxpayers.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on roadway expansion?
Billingsley, Jr
Expansion is important to reduce traffic congestion and accommodate growth.
Candidate comments:
“Although I am a proponent of "build up, not across," the improvement of our roadways is indeed important to reduce congestion. For future projects, I would facilitate if possible a higher proportion of the cost to other levels of government. I salute the Winterburn Road approach of shifting cost to developers.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to strengthening council accountability?
Billingsley, Jr
Implement transparency tools other than a lobbyist registry.
Candidate comments:
“Maintain the lobbyist registry created by Don Iveson, but also add an independent community-led auditing mechanism for any suspected collusion or "insider deals."”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve community safety?
Billingsley, Jr
Increase enforcement in public spaces and on transit.
Candidate comments:
“I am for peace officers AND security guards to carry firearms, with increased security clearance requirements. Expansion of authority to these front-liners would be conducive to greater public safety, and less violent crimes. Further, my petition for legalization of some drugs and sex work would reduce crime and ease police resources, as evidenced in countries that have taken this approach.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve street safety?
Billingsley, Jr
Reduce vehicle traffic by incentivizing other modes of transportation.
Candidate comments:
“50 km/hour should be reinstated, but photo radar in all 30 km/hour zones, both schools and playgrounds, with steeper fines. As stated earlier, if we make public transportation more convenient and accessible with increased parking, there would be less congestion and safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists have to share some responsibility in safety, using crosswalks and bike lanes where possible.”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on bike lanes?
Billingsley, Jr
Build more than is planned.
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for snow clearing?
Billingsley, Jr
Spend the same amount.
Candidate comments:
“Ensure efficiency and quality at current levels of spending.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for high-capacity transit?
Billingsley, Jr
Continue expanding light rail transit (LRT).
Candidate comments:
“There was no choice to prioritize both BRT and LRT. BRT has its place where the LRT is not available. Both methods are important, and should be prioritized over private vehicles.”
Taproot Survey
Where do you stand on issues raised by voters in the 2025 municipal election?