'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
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.