Transition memos released by Edmonton's mayor to 'inform debate'
Edmonton's outgoing mayor released five memos to the public on Friday that, he said, cover the most pressing issues the next city council will face in the first months of office.
"One of the strengths of local democracies everywhere is how open and transparent they are and how much information is shared with citizens to inform debate," Mayor Don Iveson told reporters on Friday.
In November, Iveson announced he would not be seeking re-election as Edmonton's mayor.
"The goal of releasing these transition memos quickly is to provide insight that will help the next mayor and council hit the ground running on implementing their city building priorities.
Iveson's five open transition memos can be viewed on his website:
- Supportive Housing
- Energy Transition Strategy
- The City Plan
- Fiscal Policy
- Regional Economic Development
'AN UNCOMFORTABLE DEPENDENCY'
In his Fiscal Policy memo, Iveson cited provincial cuts and dependency as one of four financial challenges the city is facing.
"Transfers from other governments are a necessary way to bridge the gap," the memo reads in part.
"However, with this granting arrangement comes an uncomfortable dependency. Recently announced provincial cuts to Alberta's municipalities, especially Edmonton and Calgary, are likely the largest threat to our budget and therefore to the kind of city the next council wants to build."
When asked about the section in his memo on Thursday, Iveson's response was blunt.
"I'm not sure it's possible to have a functional relationship with a dysfunctional government," he said. "The situation Alberta finds itself in is indicative of that."
"The federal government is now providing the bulk of support to cities, both for COVID and for infrastructure as the provincial government's position retreats."
The Fiscal Policy memo also lists impacts of COVID-19, climate crisis, and police funding formula as financial challenges for Edmonton.
"Traditionally, transition memos like this are kept confidential and shared only with incoming elected officials," said Iveson, "but by releasing these memos publicly it will provide transparency by giving Edmontonians the same access, the same information that elected officials would receive."
Eleven candidates are running to become Edmonton's next mayor. There are 74 candidates running for council in the city's 12 wards.
Edmonton's next municipal election is on Oct. 18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.