'We have made the impossible possible': Calgary, Edmonton celebrate mayoral firsts
Alberta's two major cities are set to make history in their mayoral races after Monday's municipal elections across the province.
Jyoti Gondek is to become Calgary's first female mayor and Edmonton voters appear to have elected the city's first person of colour as mayor.
Gondek will replace Naheed Nenshi, who held the city's top job for more than a decade.
"Thank you, Calgary, with all of my heart," Gondek said late Monday during her victory speech. "Thank you for engaging in democracy and sending a clear signal about what our future looks like.
"Thank you for embracing a vision of promise and opportunity."
Nenshi responded to the unofficial results on social media.
"History. Made," he wrote as he congratulated Gondek on her win. He, too, made history as the first Muslim mayor of a large North American city. Earlier Monday, he thanked Calgarians for giving him the "honour of his life."
Gondek served as a city councillor in Calgary for four years, where she championed public transit, police reform and city growth.
Her mayoral campaign has focused on issues such as investing in transportation, getting more property tax dollars from the provincial government and making Calgary a "centre for excellence" to boost social, economic and environmental recovery.
In Edmonton, former federal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi, a Sikh immigrant from India, will likely become the first mayor of colour in the provincial capital.
"As an 18-year-old immigrant without much to my name, I had ambitions and dreams to build a better life in a new home -- dreams that sometimes seemed impossible," Sohi said during his victory speech late Monday. "Today, because of you, because of everyone in this room, we have made the impossible possible."
He was a city bus driver and an Edmonton city councillor before entering federal politics and serving as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Sohi will take over from Don Iveson, who announced he wouldn't run for re-election after serving two terms as mayor. In a statement, Iveson said Edmonton will thrive under Sohi's leadership.
"I've had the pleasure of working with Mayor-elect Sohi during his time as (a) city councillor and have always appreciated and been inspired by how hard he has worked for our community," said Iveson.
Both newly elected mayors were leading with about 45 per cent of the votes with almost all polls reporting.
The election results, which also included mayors, councillors and school board trustees across the province, will be made official Friday.
Edmonton Elections said more than 229,000 residents voted in the municipal election. In Calgary, voter turnout exceeded 382,000 people -- though neither tally is finalized.
Provincial referendum questions on the federal equalization program and daylight time were also on the ballot. Elections Alberta said those results won't be available until Oct. 26.
Voters in Calgary were asked in a plebiscite about whether to return fluoride to the city's drinking water. Unofficial results show the majority voting in favour.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.