Compare candidates
Compare Taproot Survey responses from up to four candidates side-by-side
Select candidates to compare
Mixed
Which would you prioritize in your role during the budget process?
Hammerschmidt
Advocate for the priorities of the people you represent.
Candidate comments:
“The staggering tax increase over the last 3 years will not, and cannot, continue. I believe in priority-based budgeting which starts with core services of the city and cuts vanity projects. We need a back-to-basics budget but also note that our current council is leaving the new council with a $1.8 billion infrastructure gap that must be addressed. It will not be easy and difficult decision made”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the most important function of a councillor?
Hammerschmidt
Visionary leader.
Candidate comments:
“A visionary leader does not pass down edicts for change but rather informs residents of a need and incorporates how they can participate in that goal and I promise that Business Improvement Associations and Community Leagues will have a seat at the table for every major neighbourhood change and individual community voices will be heard in the decision-making process.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding property taxes?
Hammerschmidt
Increase taxes only to keep up with inflation and population growth.
Candidate comments:
“The staggering tax increase over the last 3 years will not, and can not, continue - this is a key factor inhibiting growth and revitalization. Not increasing taxes improves the quality of life of residents and believe leaving hard earned money in the pockets of the person who earned it is the best way to improve residents' quality of life”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on 15-minute districts?
Hammerschmidt
Let the market provide more mixed-use development and local services.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development outside Anthony Henday Drive?
Hammerschmidt
Expand as the market demands.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would guide infill development?
Hammerschmidt
Halt further development and revisit policies.
Candidate comments:
“I have spoken with thousands of city centre residents and it is clear infill is top of mind
They aren't against growth - they are against reckless change.
I support modest density increases of up to four units per lot, but only if new builds fit the architecture character of the neighborhood and must include onsite parking to absorb the impact of the increased density.”
Editorial note
(Oct. 15, 2025)
The candidate requested a correction from "They are against growth" to "They aren't against growth" in the second sentence of the written response.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would incorporate climate change into decision-making?
Hammerschmidt
The climate is important, but must be balanced with other goals.
Candidate comments:
“We need a real environmental policy.
I am fully supportive of practical, effective measures and for that reason I support scrapping the single-use (aka bag) tax and will focus on initiatives that actually improve our environment like tree planting and energy efficiency. Government is supposed to make our lives better and not focus on foolish policies that only serve to frustrate residents”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to how you would approach parking in commercial areas?
Hammerschmidt
Increase supply and/or reduce prices.
Candidate comments:
“As councillor I will move to have the parking in all commercial areas across O-day'min changed to 20 minutes free parking (to accommodate short stop shoppers). Within all commercial areas there also will be 2 hour free parking (for a minimum of 5 spaces) directly in front of restaurants.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for downtown revitalization funds?
Hammerschmidt
Grow the residential population.
Candidate comments:
“Above everything my priority is safety and security.
As your councillor I will move forward on an action plan designed and endorsed by the shelter providers to relocate the current downtown "mega" shelters into ten new 100-bed user specific shelters with the goal of greatly improving the services provided to the vulnerable population.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on public funding for the arts?
Hammerschmidt
An economic driver, so prioritize projects with measurable economic impact.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to economic development?
Hammerschmidt
Remove barriers to business growth.
Candidate comments:
“The inclusion of free parking (with limited times) and the return of safety & security to city centre will enable businesses to "do what they do best" and complete for business with open doors and business development. The city must support economic development by making an even playing field for entrepreneurs to succeed and by actively courting new businesses investment”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to development in the river valley?
Hammerschmidt
Protect it as a continuous natural area.
Mixed
Which would you prioritize regarding aging recreation amenities?
Hammerschmidt
Extend the life of existing facilities and avoid closures.
Candidate comments:
“Recreational amenities are a core service of the city and provides residents not only with quality of life but quality of community. Although the benefits are often intangible, they are very clearly measurable”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on homelessness?
Hammerschmidt
Fund supportive services to alleviate suffering.
Candidate comments:
“Above everything my priority is safety and security for residents and the vulnerable population.
I believe in TEN user specific shelters are the solution. Smaller, safer, specialized shelters that meet people where their needs are. Shelters for couples for people with pets, for youth.
This approach is a fundamental change to how we manage shelters and is supported by the shelter provider”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advance to alleviate the housing crisis?
Hammerschmidt
Lower costs and remove barriers for private and non-profit builders.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on political parties at the municipal level?
Hammerschmidt
Members of council should be free from party affiliation.
Candidate comments:
“In an ideal city council every member brings a unique set of skills and perspectives to the table and works together with a common set of goals and objectives, and a shared vision of how to get there. If a party or slate can bring forward people with the best set of skills possible to lead the City of Edmonton forward this is welcome.”
Mixed
If the provincial government intervenes in a municipal matter, which would you prioritize?
Hammerschmidt
Conduct a review to see if our shortcomings are at fault.
Candidate comments:
“I believe that the province does not want to micro-manage the city and am also a firm believer that provincial intervention would have negative consequences. If there was a scenario where this may be considered I would expect the province and city to have a thorough discussion on the matter and the gap between what is and what should be.”
Mixed
If the City of Edmonton faces public pressure to fund services under provincial jurisdiction, which would you prioritize?
Hammerschmidt
Refuse to fund and focus resources on municipal responsibilities.
Candidate comments:
“This becomes a very "slippery slope" for the city. We need a reasoned city council that first approaches core services that are a municipal responsibility. The reality is that the city has limited resources and must work to foster provincial support in areas of considerable public concern but cannot take the place of the province”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view of the City of Edmonton's responsibilities regarding Indigenous relations?
Hammerschmidt
Focus on core municipal services, leaving reconciliation to the federal and provincial governments.
Candidate comments:
“While indigenous relations is a Federal and Provincial responsibility Edmonton must take part in managing our own city and that includes our own efforts regarding indigenous relations. a significant portion of Edmontonians identify as indigenous (5.8% in 2021). In comparison 7.1% of Edmontonians identify as Filipino, 9.3% Ukrainian, 13.3% Chinese etc. We are proud to be a diverse city”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your guiding principle for council's relationship with the Edmonton Police Commission?
Hammerschmidt
Primarily provide stable funding and work through commission processes.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to Edmonton's role in the metropolitan region?
Hammerschmidt
Re-establish a strong metropolitan approach with shared priorities.
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your view on how major projects have been delivered?
Hammerschmidt
Performance is unsatisfactory because project management and execution are poor.
Candidate comments:
“The city's major projects fail on almost every aspect. The execution has been poor, the communication has been lacking, and we are doing too much at one time. We have learned and will not allow for this to occur again in the future - I live in the downtown core at Jasper and 104 and feel the frustration daily”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to building new capital projects?
Hammerschmidt
Maintain existing infrastructure instead of building more.
Candidate comments:
“The city has a critical financial situation currently and a pending $1.8 billion infrastructure gap. We must address our finances and how we manage the city before considering any new projects.”
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your position on roadway expansion?
Hammerschmidt
The candidate chose not to answer
Mixed
Which of the following comes closest to your approach to strengthening council accountability?
Hammerschmidt
Implement transparency tools other than a lobbyist registry.
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve community safety?
Hammerschmidt
Invest in addressing root causes to reduce disorder.
Candidate comments:
“Above everything my priority is safety and security for residents and the vulnerable population.
TEN user specific shelters, of no more than 100 beds each
• A shelter for couples for people with pets, for youth; but all focused on recovery
• Smaller, safer, specialized shelters that meet people where their needs are.
This is not about pushing people out, this is about lifting people up”
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for to improve street safety?
Hammerschmidt
Increase enforcement of bylaws.
Mixed
Which action would you be most likely to advocate for on bike lanes?
Hammerschmidt
Build less than is planned.
Candidate comments:
“I believe in active transit but only when and where we can afford it
I support Councillor Principe's motion from last year to pause bike lane expansion and redirect funds to lower taxes. We simply cannot afford to continue with this secondary project; it's not a core need for our city.
We can support cycling, transit, and cars, but we need to be smarter about it.”
Mixed
Which would you prioritize for high-capacity transit?
Hammerschmidt
The candidate chose not to answer
Taproot Survey
Where do you stand on issues raised by voters in the 2025 municipal election?