Edmonton mayoral candidates: Mike Nickel
After three terms on city council, Mike Nickel says it’s time for change and he’s the one to lead it.
“Nothing short of a complete mechanical philosophical overhaul of city hall is what's required,” Nickel said.
“Somebody's got to come in and try and fix it.”
Nickel, 56, was first elected to council in 2004, defeated in 2007 but elected again in 2013 and 2017. He made two unsuccessful runs for mayor in 1998 and 2001.
“We have so many things that are mechanically broken in town that it's just at the point we have to stabilize the situation.”
He’s promising to reduce management, consultants and red tape at city hall.
“We got to be a city that builds things,” he said. “I'm very focused in on small and medium size business creation for an export based economy”
CAMPAIGN PLEDGES
Nickel’s other campaign pledges include scrapping photo radar, dealing with downtown crime and boosting city services.
“You have to cut the grass, you have to pick up the garbage, because if you don't ... the people stop caring.”
He also calls the city’s West LRT development “the worst business decision” the city has made and wants to revisit the issue of bike lanes.
“The bike lanes as we build them now … are at the cost of common sense, and the road.”
'PROUD OF MY RECORD'
Nickel says the outgoing council he was a part of focussed on the wrong priorities.
“We still want to talk about gondolas and funiculars…if you like those things I’m probably not your candidate,” he said.
“Commercial and industrial is what I focus on,” he said. “A lot of the problems we stem from is a focus on downtown.”
“If you don't have safety downtown, you can't put businesses downtown.”
Nickel’s latest term as councillor was marked by an often combative relationship with other councillors.
In July, the city’s integrity commissioner found that some of Nickel’s social media posts breached council’s code of conduct.
He also had the lowest attendance among all city councillors over this term, according to CTV News analysis. He declined to comment for that story and has also skipped most mayoral candidate forums in the lead-up to election day.
Nonetheless, Nickel says he stands by his record of accomplishments at city hall.
“I'm proud of my record. They need to run on their own,” he said of other councillors.
“The time for talk is over.”
GET TO KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE
What is your favourite meal in the city?
“Back in the day it used to be RoseBowl Pizza,” he said of the downtown restaurant that closed in 2016.
“When I’m downtown it’s usually steak bites from Chop, and then when it’s breakfast it’s usually IHOP on the south side.”
What is the best summer activity in the river valley?
"Usually, just walking."
What is your favourite viewpoint or public art piece in Edmonton?
The Art Gallery, the old pool in front of City Hall and Churchill Square.
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
“I think a lot of people are surprised that I collect movie soundtracks,” said Nickel, adding he has about 700 in his collection.
He says he also plays the clarinet and saxophone and is a self-taught piano player.
What was the last book you read?
Nickel says he’s preferred non-fiction books since he was a child.
“I'm reading a book right now on public choice in government, that is actually quite fascinating. It’s about giving people real material choices and information.”
What sport do you enjoy playing or watching the most?
"I used to love to play baseball. But, I was like every kid in Mill Woods back in the day and I played a lot of soccer," he said.
"I do enjoy swimming quite a bit."
What did you want to be when you grew up?
“I always loved business,” Nickel said. “I wanted to be that corporate guy in the corner office living the 80s lifestyle,” he said with a chuckle.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.